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The University of Texas Environmental Health & Safety Academy Origins and Objectives

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.

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The University of Texas Environmental Health & Safety Academy Origins and Objectives

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  1. The University of Texas Environmental Health & Safety AcademyOrigins 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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?

  5. 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.

  6. 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!

  7. 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

  8. First Edition Held in October 1999, 28 participants from 10 states and Puerto Rico

  9. First Edition 23 different schools : 11 “underserved”, 13 “small” 12 course instructors, all practicing professionals, included EPA, OSHA representatives

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. EPA perspective Emergency response Security for safety professionals Measures and metrics that matter Communicating through the mass media Professional development Avoiding common violations Course Content

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. Feedback to Date • Course evaluations continue to be overwhelmingly positive • Generalist approach greatly appreciated (special topics lite)! • Cost-effectiveness greatly appreciated as well!

  16. Feedback to Date • Noted attractive features include • Comprehensive hazardous waste management • Effective communications • Metrics and data displays • Regulatory perspective • Common violation data

  17. 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

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