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

Held in October 1999, 28 participants from 10 states and Puerto Rico

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