Yes, we have a safety committee here in the Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry.  I have included the duties and make up of the committee as outlined in our departmental Governance Document below.

Besides the make up of 1 staff member and 3 faculty members, all technical staff usually attend because we are the "boots on the ground" with regards to safety and care.  I am a constant presence, even years I am not a voting member, as I am the person who is most engaged and knowledgeable about lab safety and designed and manage the online safety training which is mandatory for all research and project students before they begin working in a lab independently (safety person for the department, love this stuff!).

How do we interface with EH&S?  Our campus EH&S is very small.  Safety is left up to each department to take care of with EH&S advisory only.  They handle all regulatory items, hazardous waste, reporting etc. for the campus and advise us when needed.  If Safety Committee is pondering a decision that we are unclear about we use their advise.  In general, we follow the IIPP and the CHP; which are both written and maintained by EH&S, and struggle to keep up with any new regulations that come along (i.e. LADA is our next big hurdle!). 


Hope this helps,
Vivian Longacre
Cal Poly State University- San Luis Obispo, CA

From our Governance Document:

Safety Committee
Responsibilities: to recommend policies and procedures for the safe operation of
the department including:
=E2=80=A2 Review of accidents and incidents: Incident reports are to be reviewed at
meetings. The committee is to identify the cause of the accident and create
future recommendations to Department and/or sub-discipline.
=E2=80=A2 Overseeing laboratory inspection and safety equipment: Conduct department
inspections of every lab (teaching and research) at least once per academic
year. Inspections are to be conducted during periods when classes are in
session. Lab inspections are to follow the Cal Poly Safety Inspection Check
List (Lab Area Safety) of the campus Chemical Hygiene Plan. Results of
inspections are to be summarized and passed to involved departmental staff
faculty, and the department chair. The purpose of these inspections is the
prompt correction of infractions.
=E2=80=A2 Provide safety training to faculty, staff and students: Yearly renewal of safety
training for faculty and staff are to be completed early in fall quarter. Prior to
being issued key privileges, all students working in a research space are
required to renew online safety training once a year and to pass the
department safety exam.
=E2=80=A2 Review, evaluate and update the departmental safety protocols as they relate
to the campus Chemical Hygiene Plan: Address safety concerns as they arise
within the department. Evaluate and advise for Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP) documents for labs. Provide guidance for Department for
new safety issues.
=E2=80=A2 Campus Emergency Management Plan - Establish building emergency
procedures as outlined on the Campus Emergency Management Plan and
practice this plan with the Department.
Membership: three faculty members and one member of the technical support
staff.

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