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
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