Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 12:44:46 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: McGrath Edward J <Edward.McGrath**At_Symbol_Here**REDCLAY.K12.DE.US>
Subject: Re: Realm of Duties for a Univercity CHO?
In-Reply-To: <001401cc1701$5a642360$0f2c6a20$**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu>
Kathleen:

From what you described (and I'm guessing many will agree with me), it
sounds like your university needs a safety committee that represents the
different areas you describe.  Our school district has done this, with
representation from teaching, administration, custodial staff, nursing,
and other areas.  This committee can devise a systemic safety plan and
an implementation plan.  We started this about six years ago, and
compensate teachers for extra time they put in.  I proposed this to my
administration, explaining that the $1500 for compensating five teachers
doesn't really compare to the dollar amount or emotional cost of a
liability suit.  You'd be amazed how much teachers love to teach in a
culture of safety.

Edward J. McGrath
Science Supervisor
Red Clay Consolidated School District
1502 Spruce Avenue
Wilmington, DE  19805
 
(302) 552-3768
 
"Fortune favors the prepared mind."  Louis Pasteur
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of
Mary M. Cavanaugh
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 11:20 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Realm of Duties for a Univercity CHO?

You wrote: " Would someone with my designation have to meet the needs of
chemicals in other areas of the university say the art dept or physical
plant?"

No. The University CHO is not responsible for the oversight of chemicals
in non-lab settings such as the art department or Physical Plant.  These
would be the responsibility of the Hazard Communication program manager
--  if you had one.  It often does makes sense for the same person serve
in both capacities (i.e. both University CHO and HazCom Manager),
because there is a great deal of overlap.  But being the University CHO
does not mean that the regulators expect you to oversee the non-lab
areas.

Your university may well not understand this distinction, and may be
assuming you are managing both. I don't think it would be a reasonable
request of any university to ask someone who also has a full teaching
load to serve in both capacities, however.  For a very small university,
perhaps someone with a reduced teaching load could do both jobs.

Hope this helps.  It sounds like your university really needs to take a
hard look at its safety program (or lack thereof).

-mmc

Mary M. Cavanaugh CIH
Interim Director, Occupational Safety & Health Office University
Industrial Hygienist Phone 828.262.6838 (Tues-Wed) Phone 828.262.4008
ext 3# (Mon, Thu, Fri) Email cavanaughmm**At_Symbol_Here**appstate.edu 

DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION IN THIS EMAIL IS THE PERSONAL AND
PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF THE WRITER AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO
REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of
Schmidt-Nebril, Kathleen
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2011 9:17 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Realm of Duties for a Univercity CHO?

I was hoping to get some feedback on the duties of what the assignment
of "University CHO" may include for others in academia. My university
has no EH&S dept, OSHA officer or general safety trainer and I have been
the CHO for the science dept along with a hefty teaching load.  My
understanding of the OSHA reg for implementing a CHO is that it is
directly a result of the
OSHA Lab Standard.     At this time the other dept/areas are handling
there
own chemicals and training independently of me. I am trying to build a
case for detailed reasons/regulations  why the university should employ
a separate OSHA officer to oversee non-laboratory use/handling of
chemicals as I feel they don't understand the load such a position would
carry.  Any feedback is appreciated..

Kathleen Schmidt-Nebril, NRCC-CHO
Dominican University

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.