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The University of Texas Environmental Health & Safety Academy
Origins and Objectives
Robert Emery, DrPH, CHP, CIH, CSP, RBP, CHMM, CPP, ARM
Vice President for
Safety, Health, Environment & risk Management
Associate Professor of Occupational Health
Colleges and Universities as Worksettings
Very unique places of work due to the potential for simultaneous exposures to all four hazards types
– Physical– Chemical– Radiological– Biological
And a diverse “population at risk”– Students, faculty, staff, visitors, “others”
No one trained on how universities work Also unique due to existence in US in culturally distinct
settings – HBCU/MI’s
The Public Health Significance of Safety and the Workplace
In 2007 there were:– 5,657 workplace fatalities
That’s 15 people per day that left for work and didn’t come home
– 4,002,700 recordable workplace injuries or illnesses That’s a workplace injury or illness being recorded every 10
seconds
– Fires, which are only one of many property “perils", resulting in $14,639,000,000 in direct property loss
Sources bls.gov, nfpa.org
Course Origins: Key Research Question
Does a difference in health and safety program staffing exist between minority and non-minority universities?
If so, what predicts the difference?– Minority status?– OSHA regulatory status?– Institution size?
Research Findings
Assumption of unique exposure risk validated Staffing differences noted: 1.14 vs. 3.12 FTE Institution size found to be only reliable predictor
– Not minority status– Not OSHA status
Need for generalist training identified– 1 person addressing a variety of potential hazards– Emery, R.J., Delclos, G.L., Cooper, S. P., Hardy, R.,
"Evaluating the Relative Status of Health and Safety Programs for Minority Academic and Research Institutions", American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, 59(12): 882-888, 1998.
Fulfilling the Need
Pilot Comprehensive Hazardous Waste Management course developed with seed support from SWCOEH and UTHSC-H
Held in New Orleans in September 1998 Attendees from 4 regional states Feedback very positive!
Fulfilling the Need
Feedback from pilot used to support grant request from NIOSH to create 40 hour Comprehensive EH&S for Educational Institutions generalist course
Funding awarded, including– Tuition assistance for targeted schools– Graduate research assistant to help with electronic
networking feature
First Edition
23 different schools : 11 “underserved”, 13 “small”
12 course instructors, all practicing professionals, included EPA, OSHA representatives
Subsequent Editions
Hundreds of individuals trained to date Worldwide representation – all the way to
Singapore. All regions of the country – extending from Alaska to Florida, and Puerto Rico!
Course reviews continue to be very positive Content continually tweaked based on
feedback
Course Content
Course overview How universities work 50 questions Risk management and
insurance Fire and life safety Physical safety Ergonomics OSHA perspective
Chemical safety Underexposed Radiation safety Biological safety Occupational health
programs Environmental programs Hazardous waste
management
Course Content
EPA perspective Emergency response Security for safety
professionals Measures and metrics
that matter Communicating through
the mass media
Professional development
Avoiding common violations
Course Materials/Resources
Copies of all powerpoint slides List of key references for each hazard area and useful
contact information Answers to the famous 50 questions Materials from regulatory agencies Contact information for future professional networking
Instructors
Faculty from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health
Staff from UTHSC-H and other UT Component EH&S Departments
Local practicing professionals Representatives from regulatory agencies
Feedback to Date
Course evaluations continue to be overwhelmingly positive
Generalist approach greatly appreciated (special topics lite)!
Cost-effectiveness greatly appreciated as well!
Feedback to Date
Noted attractive features include
– Comprehensive hazardous waste management
– Effective communications
– Metrics and data displays
– Regulatory perspective
– Common violation data
Getting Started
Participant introductions– Name– Institution– Role within institution– Institution size– Challenges currently facing of existing program– What you hope to get from this course