The University, in accordance with its overall Safety and Health Policy, recognizes the significant safety concerns posed by the use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials. The University requires each department to comply with federal, state and local safety laws and regulations, in addition to generally accepted safety procedures and practices. Department safety procedures and programs are subject to review, coordination, and audit by Campus Safety, the Safety, Security and Health Committee, and the University Internal Auditor.

Hazardous materials or chemicals are those substances regulated by federal, state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances. In addition, the University should follow generally accepted standards established by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists in its annual publication Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indexes.

1. Campus Safety

a. Campus Safety will distribute applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances to each unit.

b. The Safety Coordinator shall coordinate compliance with these laws, regulations and ordinances and shall act as liaison with outside agencies in conjunction with appropriate University departments.

c. Campus Safety shall conduct regular inspections and audits of areas, and shall forward deficiency reports to the appropriate vice president and to the Safety, Security and Health Committee.

2. Physical Plant Office

a. The Physical Plant Office shall identify personnel responsible for developing and implementing safety and hazardous materials management policies within their unit and to coordinate these activities with Campus Safety.

b. The Physical Plant Office shall develop a self-inspection program to document its activities. An outline of the inspection program is to be filed with Campus Safety.

3. Division of Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering

a. The Division of Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering shall identify a chemical hygiene officer responsible for the development and implementation of a safety and hazardous materials management policy within the division, and to coordinate these activities with Campus Safety Office. A copy of the management policies is to be filed with Campus Safety.

b. The Division of Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering shall develop a self-inspection program to document its activities. An outline of the inspection program is to be filed with Campus Safety.

4. Division of Humanities and Arts

a. The Division of Humanities and Arts shall identify personnel responsible for developing and implementing safety and hazardous materials management policies within the Department of Speech and Drama and the Department of Art, and to coordinate these activities with Campus Safety.

b. The Division of Humanities and Arts shall develop a self-inspection program for the Department of Speech and Drama and the Department of Art to document their activities. An outline of the inspection program is to be filed with Campus Safety.

5. Office of Human Resources

a. The Office of Human Resources shall incorporate safety and hazardous materials management policies into the University Personnel Manual.

b. The Office of Human Resources shall identify those personnel classifications exposed to hazardous materials and include this information in the position description for those classifications.

6. Other Departments

a. Each department chairperson or director shall be responsible for developing and implementing a safety and hazardous materials management program within their units as appropriate and for coordinating these activities with Campus Safety.

b. Each department chairperson or director shall develop a self-inspection program as appropriate to document their activities. An outline of the inspection program is to be filed with Campus Safety.

1. Each department involved in the purchase of chemicals or hazardous materials shall institute a review process to ensure that the following considerations are made.

a. Review the purchase for possible substitution of a less hazardous chemical or material for the one being considered.

b. Review the chemical or hazardous material for potential storage problems.

c. Review the chemical or hazardous material for potential handling problems and procedures for use.

d. Review the chemical or hazardous material for potential disposal problems.

e. Ensure that quantities of chemicals or hazardous materials purchased are reasonable and do not exceed a year’s supply.

f. Ensure that if licensing or special permits are required for the chemicals or hazardous materials, they are obtained before purchase.

g. Obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for all chemicals and hazardous materials. A copy of the MSDS is to be forwarded to Campus Safety.

2. Forward copies of all chemical and hazardous material DPOs to Campus Safety.

1. Each department shall implement storage practices and procedures appropriate for the chemicals or hazardous materials being utilized.

a. Fire-resistant cabinets and safety containers are to be utilized for highly flammable chemicals and materials.

b. Designated storage areas are to be utilized for those items requiring special handling and segregation.

2. Containers of all chemicals and hazardous materials are to be labeled properly in accordance with federal, state, local and University standards.

3. Storage areas are to be marked clearly with warning signs and shall be posted with those notices and licenses required in accordance with federal, state, local and University regulations.

4. Each department shall maintain complete and accurate inventories of chemicals and hazardous materials on hand and perform periodic and annual inspections.

1. Each department as appropriate shall develop written safety procedures concerning the use of chemicals and hazardous materials.

a. Written safety procedures shall be incorporated into the training program for new employees and students, and for in-service training for existing staff.

b. Written safety procedures shall include information concerning the collection and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials.

c. Written safety procedures shall include information concerning emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an accident or chemical spill.

d. A copy of these safety procedures is to be filed with Campus Safety.

2. Laboratories, workshops and worksite areas shall be under the direct supervision or guidance of a technically qualified individual. Generally accepted safety procedures shall be followed in addition to appropriate federal, state and local laws and regulations.

3. Emergency and personal protective equipment shall be available during the use of chemicals and hazardous materials.

4. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) shall be available as a resource convenient to all areas where chemicals and hazardous materials are being used.

1. Chemical and hazardous material waste disposal shall be conducted in accordance with federal, state, local and University regulations. Generally accepted laboratory procedures should be followed except where they conflict with these regulations.

a. Licensing and permits for the disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials shall be coordinated with Campus Safety.

b. Contracts with chemical and hazardous material disposal companies shall be coordinated with Campus Safety.

2. Each department as appropriate shall identify those materials that require special collection and disposal.

a. Each department is responsible for the disposal of chemical and hazardous material waste that it generates.

b. Chemical and hazardous material waste identified for disposal shall be stored and labeled properly.

c. Departments requiring assistance in identifying, collecting or disposing of chemicals or hazardous material waste shall contact Campus Safety.

d. Chemical and hazardous material waste held in storage is to be inspected and inventoried regularly.

e. Chemical and hazardous material waste held in storage for a period of six months is to be reported to Campus Safety.

3. Each department shall maintain a record of disposal of chemicals and hazardous material waste as required by federal, state, local and University regulations. Copies of each record are to be forwarded to Campus Safety.

a. Departments holding federal, state or local licenses or permits for chemical or hazardous material storage, disposal or use shall file a copy of their license with Campus Safety.

b. Departments applying for renewal or termination of licenses or permits for chemicals or hazardous material storage, disposal or use shall coordinate their activities with Campus Safety.

c. Each department holding a license or permit requiring the submission of reports showing compliance with the conditions of the licensing or permit shall submit a copy of that report to Campus Safety.

2. Annual chemical and hazardous material inventories are to be conducted using forms provided by Campus Safety.

3. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) shall be maintained by each department for the chemicals and hazardous materials used or stored in their areas.

a. Copies of the MSDSs are to be forwarded to Campus Safety.

b. MSDSs are to be made available upon request to personnel exposed to chemicals or hazardous materials.

4. Training records shall be kept on all personnel who use chemicals or hazardous materials. These records must include type of training, dates, name of instructor and signature of employee. A copy of the lesson plan is to be included in the file when practical.

a. Copies of training records for classified staff are to be forwarded to Campus Safety and the Office of Human Resources.

b. Copies of training records that may be required for faculty or contract employees are to be forwarded to the appropriate vice president and Campus Safety.

5. Copies of DEPARTMENT PURCHASE ORDERS (DPOs) for chemicals or hazardous materials are to be forwarded to Campus Safety.

6. Departments shall maintain appropriate medical records for personnel who use chemicals or hazardous materials.

a. Copies of appropriate medical records that may be required of classified staff are to be forwarded to Campus Safety and the Office of Human Resources.

b. Copies of appropriate medical records that may be required of faculty or contract employees are to be forwarded to the appropriate vice president and Campus Safety.

1. Employee education programs for personnel exposed to or utilizing chemicals or hazardous materials shall be included in each department’s new employee orientation training (see example form).

2. Departments shall conduct annual training programs for personnel exposed to chemicals or hazardous materials.

3. Departments introducing a new chemical or hazardous material category in the workplace shall conduct employee training consistent with the type of hazard.

4. Faculty shall incorporate safe practices and procedures for the use, storage and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials into their curricular or research activities where appropriate.

1. Each department storing or utilizing chemicals or hazardous materials shall develop emergency procedures in conjunction with Campus Safety.

2. Each department storing or utilizing chemicals or hazardous materials shall have personnel available to assist in dealing with emergencies, and shall maintain equipment and supplies appropriate to deal with potential accidents or problems.