The mission of the Environmental Health and Safety
Department (EH&S) is to assure that adequate health and safety
programs exist for the protection of all individuals associated
with the University of Washington. EH&S works in cooperation
with University departments to achieve this goal. Broad categories
of concern include:
a. Services for Safe Working Conditions,
Procedures, and Facilities
1)
Health
and Safety in the Workplace—Provide advice
and interpretation pertaining to the Washington
Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA) requirements.
Conduct worksite safety and
health inspections, recommend corrective action, and
investigate accidents.
2)
Accident
Reporting—Collect and compile accident
and incident reporting data to assist in the identification
of accident trends, initiate accident investigations,
and ensure the correction of unsafe practices
and conditions.
3)
Protective Clothing and Equipment—Recommend
proper safety clothing and equipment and interpret
regulations governing the use of personal
protective equipment and clothing to meet
safety, health, and regulatory requirements.
4)
Diving
Safety—Coordinate compliance with the
UW Diving Safety Policy. Authorize individuals
to dive and audit their procedures and practices
to ensure they conform to the standards and limitations
established by the Diving Control Committee. No
person may dive under University auspices without
being certified as qualified to do so by the UW
Diving Safety Officer. Detailed policies and procedures
are contained in the Diving Safety Manual,
which can be obtained by calling 206–543–0465.
5)
Pressure
Systems Safety—Provide information on
safety requirements for pressure vessels and systems.
Evaluate proposed installations for compliance
with standards and codes. Review safe practices
for use, handling, and storage of compressed gas
cylinders.
6)
Chemical
Safety—Provide advice, support, and resources
to departments for management of hazardous chemicals,
including hazard communication program support,
maintenance of a comprehensive Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS) collection, and chemical inventory
coordination and reporting. Administer the Laboratory
Safety Standard relating to occupational exposures
to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. More information
on chemical safety in laboratories an be found
in the Laboratory Safety Manual located
at selected Reference Stations and in most laboratories.
7)
Industrial
Hygiene—Provide information and monitoring
on safe use and control of hazardous chemicals,
metals, gases, etc., such as mercury, pesticides,
epoxies, silver solder, carbon monoxide, nitrous
oxide, formaldehyde, and methane gas. Provide
advise on corrective measures, if indicated. Evaluate
work environments to reduce exposure of personnel
to toxic and nuisance substances as defined by
occupational health standards. Respond to indoor
air quality complaints and work with the Physical
Plant Department to correct ventilation problems.
8)
Fire
Safety—Provide information and advice
on storage of flammable materials and conduct
fire investigations and fire safety inspections.
Provide fire protection engineering services for
campus construction and renovation activities.
(Note: The Physical Plant Department, 206–685–1411,
provides maintenance of fire extinguishers, fire
alarms, and sprinklers.)
9)
Biohazard
Control—Provide consultation on the classification,
use, and control of disease causing organisms
(biohazards). Administer the bloodborne pathogen
exposure control program. Authorize use of recombinant
DNA materials through the University's Recombinant
DNA Committee. Detailed information and policies
are contained in the Biohazard Safety Manual
which is located at selected Reference Stations
or can be obtained by calling EH&S, 206–543–9510.
10)
Radioactive
Materials License Administration—Monitor
all uses of radioactive materials at the University
for compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
Coordinate monitoring and record keeping requirements
of state and federal regulations. Audit the procedures
and practices of individual investigators to ensure
they conform to standards and limitations established
by the University Radiation Safety Committee.
For more information refer to the Radiation
Safety Manual located at selected Reference
Stations.
11)
Radioactive
Material Shipments—Receive, inspect,
and deliver all shipments of radioactive materials
to the University. Monitor shipping of all radioactive
materials from the University (for more information
see the Radiation Safety Manual).
12)
Building Construction and Renovation Plan
Review—Review design drawings to
ensure that safety and health requirements
are met.
b. Services for a Healthful and Safe Environment
at the University and in the Surrounding Community
1)
Pollution
Control—Establish and provide information
about guidelines for responding to a pollution
incident and for compliance with pollution control
requirements.
2)
Public
Events—Provide advice and interpretation
of rules pertaining to public health, sanitation,
and life safety requirements for public events
on campus.
3)
Pest
Control—Evaluate problems; advise and
maintain surveillance over activity of the University-contracted
exterminator.
4)
Hazardous Waste Handling and Disposal—Provide
information and advice on the packaging, collection,
and disposal of hazardous wastes, including
chemical, biohazardous, radioactive, and hospital
wastes. Provide collection and disposal service
for hazardous chemical and radioactive wastes.
c. Services for the Health and Safety of Individual Employees,
Students, and Visitors
1)
Food
Service Sanitation—Assist University
Food Services in complying with Washington State
Board of Health regulations. Inspect food service
areas. Certify food service workers. Provide information
on safe methods and requirements for sale and
distribution of food on campus.
2)
Occupational Health—Provide physical
examinations, vaccinations, and medical surveillance
for employees whose occupations involve health
hazards. Evaluate effects on individuals of
hazards in the workplace.
3)
Radiation
Personnel Services—Provide bioassay services
to detect and control internal exposure to radiation
(e.g., exposure by breathing in or swallowing
contaminated material). Provide dosimetry services
to detect and control external exposure to radiation
(e.g., skin exposed to contaminated material).
Assist in the development of techniques for reducing
exposure of personnel to radiation.
4)
Hospital Health Physics—Test hospital
diagnostic x-ray machines for accuracy and
reliability. Investigate hospital personnel
radiation exposures. Develop techniques to
reduce patient radiation exposure.
5)
Employee Training—Provide training
for University employees in the following
areas:
Health and safety in the workplace
First aid and CPR
Back protection
Fire safety and extinguisher training
Biohazard and bloodborne pathogen exposure control
