Environmental Health & Safety Programs


Accident/Incident Investigation

The purpose of conducting accident and incident investigations is to identify the root causes and implement effective corrective measures for the hazards involved. Accidents are distinguished from incidents in that accidents involve personal injury and/or property damage while incidents include both accidents as well as non injury/damage events. EHS accesses injury/illness reports and near-miss reports and initiates further investigation as appropriate.

AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

According to the American Heart Association’s 2022 update on cardiovascular health, instances of out-of-hospital Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) continue to rise in the United States coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and communities of color. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to increase survivability for those suffering from SCA by spreading awareness and broadening public access to Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices on campus. These devices are intended to provide a lifesaving bridge during the critical minutes between the onset of SCA and the arrival of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.

Cal Poly Humboldt currently maintains AEDs at the locations identified here. Additional information on the AED program can be found here. Training can be found:

Click here for basic, step-by-step instruction on AED operation from the American Red Cross.

Additional Documents:

 

Asbestos

This program covers the identification of asbestos containing building materials (acm) on campus, maintains an inventory of identified materials, provides an operations and maintenance program to ensure that acm is kept in good condition, and oversees the removal and control of asbestos related to construction project. In addition, the program ensures that employees receive the proper level of training commensurate with their job duties related to asbestos.

Biosafety

In order to ensure that Humboldt is in compliance with Local, State, and Federal regulations regarding the use of Biohazardous Materials (as cited by NIH, CDC, OSHA and other agencies governing the use of biological materials), a Biosafety Program has been developed, along with an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) which has been charged to approve work with Biohazardous Materials on campus to maintain safety and protect the faculty, staff, students, and surrounding community. Humboldt faculty, staff, and students who currently possess, store, use, or transport any Biohazardous Materials for teaching or research on or off campus, or are planning such use in the future, must submit a Biological Use Authorization Application with the Campus Biosafety Officer. “Biohazardous Materials include but are not limited to: infectious microorganisms, recombinant DNA, genetically modified microorganisms, human and non-human primate cells, cell culture, tissues, blood, blood products and other body fluids (e.g. saliva, sputum, urine), infectious plants and animals, and animals known to be reservoirs of zoonotic agents (whether alive or dead)."

Bloodborne Pathogens

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recognized that disease causing organisms transmitted through contact with human blood presents a serious health risk to employees. Under this program training is provided to employees who may have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens in the course of their work. A Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Response, Prevention and Control Plan is maintained by EHS.

Chemical Hygiene Plan

The Chemical Hygiene Plan is a written program developed and implemented by Environmental Health and Safety which sets forth procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment and work practices that are capable of protecting employees from the health hazards presented by hazardous chemicals used in our student and research laboratories. Specific elements of the Chemical Hygiene Plan include standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations to be followed when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals, criteria used to determine and implement control measures to reduce employee exposure to hazardous chemicals, provisions for employee information and training, provisions for medical consultation and medical examinations when required, and designation of a Chemical Hygiene Officer.

Confined Space Entry

Confined spaces present hazards which necessitate specialized training and procedures. These types of spaces, e.g., sewer manholes and vaults, can present toxic or flammable atmospheres or other physical hazards which constitute imminent serious threats. Only those individuals specifically trained may enter these spaces. Supervisors should check with EHS prior to directing employees to enter confined spaces unless they have been properly trained and equipped.

Construction Safety

Construction projects, big or small, present potential hazards to both the employees performing the work as well as campus employees or students in the vicinity of the work. EHS therefore plays a role to provide consultation and guidance on projects performed by Humboldt employees and to provide review and oversight of contractors' work to ensure that it does not pose an unacceptable risk to campus employees or students.

Electrical Safety

Electrically energized equipment and wires present the potential of shock and electrocution. The hazards and risks are not limited to high voltage systems. Consequently, all employees who are working on or servicing electrical equipment, instruments or wiring systems are required to have some related safety training. Contact EHS, ext. 5711, for guidance and direction on what level of training may be necessary for you.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the evaluation of the interface between employees and the equipment or machines they use from computers to hand tools. The interface is evaluated to determine whether or not there is a proper fit between the two. Proper fit ensures that the employees are not exposed to awkward positions or repetitive motions which place them at risk of injury. EHS will perform ergonomic evaluations of an employee's work area and activities upon request and make recommendations for improvements and appropriate.

Exposure Monitoring

The University seeks to maintain airborne chemical exposures to employees well within the regulatory limits set by Cal/OSHA. Because the chemical related activities within a university like Humboldt are limited in scope and duration, it is very infrequent that employee exposure levels approach regulatory limits. Employees may, however, contact EHS to request an exposure evaluation that typically entails a work area inspection and potentially sampling to quantify contaminants. 

Field Safety Hazard Assessments

Field safety hazard assessments and safety guidelines are broad, varied, and often overlooked due to the confusion surrounding who is ultimately responsible for addressing the required safety elements. Due to the breadth of the hazards and complexity of addressing mitigation measures, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) has provided the following resource (Field Research - Safety Guidelines) to help guide these efforts and provide a consistent method of documentation.

Certain activities, locations, or utilization of equipment may require specific training such as swift water, use of tools or hazardous equipment, heat illness, CPR/First Aid, etc. If you need assistance with meeting training requirements, please reach out to EH&S at (707) 826-3302.

Fire Prevention, Safety & Evacuation Plan

The University maintains guidelines and provides training, consultation and support for building-related emergencies, including information on fire prevention, safety plans, drills, and emergency evacuation operations plans. 

Fire Extinguishers on Campus

Portable Fire Extinguishers are located within our facilities for emergency use if personnel are properly trained to use them. There is more direction and information on fire safety on this page.

Hazardous Materials Handling & Storage

There are many regulations pertaining to the procurement and use of chemicals on campus. Following approved Humboldt procedures will help keep employees safe and in compliance with these regulations. Further, safety inspections of chemical storage sites are periodically conducted to ensure compliance with the applicable regulations and Humboldt policy. Consultation and guidance is offered to campus employees in order to develop the approriate operating procedures for the tasks being conducted. Additionally, required training is offered in hazardous materials management and spill response to keep employees knowledgable in the appropriate work practices, personal protective equipment and emergency response actions, should they become necessary. Humboldt is also committed to reducing the usage of hazardous materials and resulting hazardous waste by checking the hazardous materials inventory software (UNHCems) to confirm surplus material is not already available on-site, reviewing Green Chemistry alternatives, and ordering only the quantity needed. Departments also have the opportunity to notify others of any chemical surplus available using the Chemical Surplus Donation Form.  

Hazardous Materials Spill Response

EHS staff hold the state certification of hazardous materials technician for the purpose of responding to haz-mat releases. The goal of the program is to ensure that responses to spills reduce the risk of injury to individuals as well as prevent or limit the damage to the environment and/or university property. EHS responds to spills involving various laboratory chemicals, commercial products as well as automobile fuels and liquids.

Hazardous Wastes

The hazardous waste program focuses on the sound management of chemical wastes generated by a variety of processes and operations on campus. Hazardous wastes are characterized, packaged, transported and accumulated by EHS staff and student assistants in accordance with a stringent array of Federal, State, and local regulations. EHS oversees the cradle-to-grave process of disposal by a contracted, certified waste hauler.

Heat Illness Prevention

Heat illness can produce a wide range of symptoms ranging from excessive sweating to loss of consciousness and more.  It can quickly become a medical emergency. While high temperature events (at or exceeding 80 degrees Fahrenheit) are rare at Cal Poly Humboldt, care must be taken when conducting field studies/athletics/other activites in warmer regions of the county and beyond. Click here for access to the CSU Student Activities Heat Illness Prevention Resource Guide and here for Cal Poly Humboldt's Heat Illness Prevention Program. 

Hot Work Program

Per OSHA guidelines, "Hot work" means riveting, welding, flame cutting or other fire or spark-producing operation. The purpose of Humboldt’s Hot Work Program is to establish written procedures to prevent injury or loss to property due to fires.
 
Indoor Air Quality

In the past three decades indoor air quality has become a more important factor in the American work place safety issue because buildings have become more energy efficient most often by being more air tight. Indoor air quality is affected by the buildings ventilation system, the types of activities in the building, the occupant loading of the building, remodel or construction activities, housekeeping, and external sources of pollutants. Plant Operations and EHS work together to help ensure that appropriate steps are taken to evaluate and address indoor air quality issues in a timely manner.

Industrial Hygiene

Industrial Hygiene is the professional discipline of anticipating, identifying, evaluating, and controlling work place hazards. Functionally, EHS provides IH services in the form of exposure monitoring of airborne contaminants, sound level measurements, assessments of work place practices and hazards, and identification of appropriate measures to mitigate hazards.

Injury & Illness Prevention

This broad scope program is the foundation of all other occupational health and safety programs administered by EHS. The IIP program is implemented at the department level with the use of department safety coordinators and department specific IIP plans. The focus of the program is to ensure that there are effective means of hazard identification and correction, communication of safety issues both to employees as well as from employees to management, training of employees, and regularly scheduled safety inspections of the work areas.

Laboratory Safety

Laboratories present a multitude of hazards both physical and chemical. The diversity of instructional and research activities within laboratories thus requires the laboratory supervisors to address safety issues specific to each type of laboratory activity and setting. This is accomplished through the Chemical Hygiene Plan, a resource and planning document that the laboratory supervisors use to specify what hazards and corresponding safety practices are relevant to each experiment or procedure.

Lead Paint

Some job tasks, usually associated with the skilled trades of painting and plumbing, present potential exposures to sources of lead. Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious chronic health problems if not controlled to prevent over exposure. EHS provides consultative guidance to supervisors who have employees potentially exposed to lead in the work place.

Medical Monitoring

The California Code of Regulations (CCR) requires that employees with potential exposures to certain harmful agents shall receive medical monitoring examinations. These examinations serve the purpose of detecting adverse health effects which could possibly be related to workplace exposures. Employees with occupational exposure to certain conditions or chemicals may be placed on the Employee Medical Monitoring Program (EMMP). Those on the EMMP should have a physical during probation, annually thereafter and post employment. Supervisors determine the potential need for employee physicals based on job description and hazard analysis. For more informations on specific triggers, access the full program at the link above. 

Noise

Noise can constitute an occupational hazard if the sound levels in the work area are too high. Excess noise exposure can cause permanent hearing loss, increase blood pressure, cause stress, make for difficult communication, and create an unsafe distraction. EHS can perform sound level surveys of the work area and consult with the supervisor about what measures can be taken to reduce sound levels as appropriate.

Radiation Safety

The university uses both radioactive materials and ionizing radiation producing machines in the normal course of specific instructional and/or researching activities as well as support in medical services provided by the Student Health Center. These materials and machines are strictly controlled through the university's radioactive materials license that is issued and regulated by the state Radiologic Health Branch. The coordinator for EHS also serves as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and issues use authorizations to those individuals who use either radioactive materials or radiation producing machines.

Respiratory Protection

EHS manages the respiratory protection program for the university. This program is mandated by Cal/OSHA to ensure that employees who are issued respirators are properly qualified by a physician, and have been fit tested and trained on the specific respirator that they are issued. The program also provides an opportunity for EHS to evaluate the work activity to identify the opportunities for other control measures which would alleviate the need for a respirator.

Safety Inspections

The University is required by CalOSHA regulations to conduct regularly scheduled periodic safety inspections. Supervisors can consult with EHS on what is the appropriate periodicity of inspection for specific work areas and what items are the most important to evaluate.

Safety Training

Safety training is a core essential element to the university's health and safety program. The goal is to train employees on the hazards and safe work practices associated with their job tasks and work areas. Supervisors have the primary responsibility to provide and/or arrange for the safety training. EHS offers various safety training courses and will work with supervisors to ensure that employees receive the appropriate training.

Shop Safety

Laboratories present a multitude of hazards as well as some common chemical hazards. In a campus setting the activities vary in complexity and timing unlike a production shop in the private sector. Consequently, the shop technician must be broadly training in a variety of safety issues and practices.

Storm Water

Cal Poly Humboldt follows Best Management Practices to reduce pollutants to the MEP or Maximum Extent Practicable as outlined in the SWMP. Training about storm water pollution prevention is offered annually through the EH&S department. A link to the training site is offered on the home page.

To report illicit discharges, gas or oil leaks or to suggest new or improved management practices for pollution generating activities, please contact Sabrina Zink at 826-3302.

Toxicology

The EHS staff are academically and professionally trained to assess the physical and health hazards posed by hazardous materials. An employee or supervisor may contact EHS for more complete hazard information about a material if the manufacturer's label and/or MSDS is not providing the desired information.