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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Lab Design Project Manager Date: Friday, May 23, 2014 8:21:46 AM Author: Ralph B. Stuart <ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**CORNELL.EDU> |
Next by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Lab Design Project Manager Date: Fri, 23 May 2014 09:52:22 -0400 Author: Allen Niemi |
As I understand it, an IH is required in some states and not others. All state projects in Massachusetts, and oddly enough I think Wyoming, require an IH on the project and I get a lot of calls from architects I've never heard of and who also have never heard of an industrial hygienist. These architects are bidding on a job and they just got to the page in the RFP that has this requirement. Lucky for them, I'm probably already on the bidding teams of several of the other architects and am familiar with the project. Sometimes, I'm on the teams of all, or most of, the finalists!
I also do a lot of work in Minnesota, Michigan, Virginia and Oregon so they may have some requirements, but I don't know for sure. In any case, it is a damn good idea. While most projects have a code checker on the team, this person rarely is familiar with the ACGIH standards for industrial ventilation, many of the ANSI and ASTM safety standards, and certainly has never even heard of PLASA, the organization that sets theatrical and entertainment safety standards.
The requirement I'd like to see revisited is the one that makes a state architect the final arbiter of decisions when the major design work is by the out-of-state architect whose plans and proposal got the job. Usually, these state architects are clueless, especially about OSHA, safety standards, and EPA requirements.
There's another change I would make to all these projects as well.. But if I tell you that one, I'll make so many people mad, I'll have to leave the business. I'll save it for my last book--the one to be published post humus.
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
181 Thompson St., #23
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph B. Stuart <ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**CORNELL.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Sent: Fri, May 23, 2014 8:23 am
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Lab Design Project Manager
> Do any of you have a position within your EHS department that signs off on all
laboratory renovations and new construction?
We are in the process of formalizing our internal EHS department process for
addressing these issues, but it's not clear to me that "all" lab renovation and
construction projects are referred to EHS review. This is a challenge of both
definition and size. For example, installation of a single eyewash / safety
shower unit to allow usage of acids in a space sounds lab-by to me, but some
project managers think of this as a minor facility alteration. My experience is
that project timelines tend to be a challenge for assuring EHS review in these
cases.
So getting a solid definition of what the purview of such a position would be
sounds like a challenge to me.
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart CIH
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Cornell University
rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu
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