Handbook of Operating Procedures > Series 400 Budget, Finance and Operations > 4 28 1 Environmental Health and Safety

4 28 1 Environmental Health and Safety

A. Purpose 

The University of Texas at Tyler (“University”) is committed to protecting the health and safety of its students, faculty, staff, and visitors as well as the environment. This is achieved through appropriate compliance with University policies and applicable laws and regulations. Responsibility for the administration of the University’s environmental health and safety programs is delegated to the Director of Environmental Health and Safety and the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office and implemented through operations of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety ("EH&S") and the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office. The purpose of this policy is to identify the authority and responsibility for the proper management of the university’s environmental health and safety program in accordance with applicable policies and regulatory requirements.

B. Persons Affected 

This Policy applies to all University administrators, faculty, staff, students, and third parties within the University’s control, including visitors and contractors.  

C. Definitions 

University – The University of Texas at Tyler 

EH&S – The University of Texas at Tyler Department of Environmental Health and Safety  

PPE - Personal Protective Equipment  

NFPA – National Fire Protection Association 

TCEQ – Texas Commission on Environmental Quality  

D. Policy  

1. The University will fully comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and other requirements relating to environmental health and safety. These laws, regulations, and requirements, as well as institutional policy, guide EH&S in the development of institutional programs and procedures which will facilitate University compliance. EH&S will consult with external agencies and regulatory bodies as appropriate on behalf of the University. 
2. EH&S has authority to:
   1. conduct inspections and audits to ensure safe practices and compliance with various environmental health and safety related laws, policies, procedures and regulations;
   2. access all buildings and facilities on campus to inspect, sample, or monitor conditions;
   3. require appropriate corrective actions;
      1. Appeals for corrective actions may be made to the Director of EH&S or the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office provided the violation in question is a matter of internal policy and does not violate any state or federal laws 
   4. plan strategies including the development of new safety programs; and
   5. discuss failure to comply with institutional safety procedures and policies with the Research Compliance Office, the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office and the appropriate committees and assist with enforcement actions including the suspension, restriction, or stopping unsafe operations:  
      1. The Director of Environmental Health and Safety, or designee, and the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office has the authority to immediately suspend, restrict, or close any operation that presents 
         
         1. an immediate danger to the health, safety, or welfare of persons or property
         2. a serious violation or repeated violations of institutional requirements or standards; or
         3. clear or threatened violation of laws or regulations.
      2. In the event EH&S or the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office orders the termination of an activity or operation, they will immediately communicate the issue or violation to the individual(s) involved and his or her immediate supervisor. Notice will be promptly given by EH&S or the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office to the Vice President of Facilities Management, the affected department head, and the appropriate regulatory agency, as required by law. 
      3. The terminated activity may resume with the approval of the Director of Environmental Health and Safety, or designee, or the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office. 
3. Institutional Safety and Compliance Committees:  UT Tyler has established the following committees to oversee safety and compliance functions of research activities conducted at UT Tyler.  The committees provide review and guidance to assist researchers in fulfilling regulatory requirements for safe and compliant research.  In addition, the committees facilitate communication between faculty and the Office of Research Compliance, the Environmental Health and Safety Office, and the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office which are responsible for safety and regulatory oversight.
   1. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC):  The IACUC is a research review committee federally mandated by the Animal Welfare Act and the PHS Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.  Through the expertise of committee members, the IACUC is charged with overseeing all animal welfare issues at UT Tyler. The IACUC may also establish additional safety rules with regards to the use of chemicals or infectious agents when handling animals.
   2. Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC):  The IBC is mandated to review, approve, and provide oversight of all research activities involving the use of recombinant or synthetic DNA as required by the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.  In addition, the IBC reviews work with hazardous chemicals in research. The IBC establishes standard procedures for handling and working with rDNA and chemicals in research.
   3. Infectious Organisms Research Review Committee (IORRC): The IORRC is a subcommittee of the IBC charged with reviewing and overseeing research activities with hazardous biological materials in research.  The IORRC is also responsible for implementing safety policies, procedures, and practices for work with hazardous biological materials.
   4. Radiation Safety Committee (RSC): The RSC reviews all work with radioactive materials and X-ray devices in research and teaching at UT Tyler.  The committee is charged with implementing safety policies, procedures, and practices.
   5. Institutional Review Board (IRB): The IRB at UT Tyler reviews and approves human subject research.  The purpose of the IRB is to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects in research. 
4. Program Areas: EH&S and the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office are responsible for the development and maintenance of the following programs consistent with applicable regulations and University policies. EH&S is authorized to develop program documentation, educational materials, training requirements, guidance documents, and standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with relevant environmental health and safety requirements, laws, and regulations. The following list of EH&S program areas under EH&S authority may change based on institutional policy, as well as revised or new laws or regulations. 
   
   1. Fire and Life Safety:
      1. The University will comply with NFPA Codes 1 and 101 and all other Codes referenced therein. EH&S is the AHJ for all University Premises excepting situations in which the Director of EH&S or the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office determines that it is appropriate to defer to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Fire and Life Safety Programs are outlined under the appropriate program section on the following EH&S  website: https://www.uttyler.edu/safety/fire-life-safety.php
   2. Laboratory Safety:
      1. Laboratory safety programs are developed by EH&S, the appropriate committees, the Research Compliance Office, and the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office, and may include but are not limited to: biosafety, laboratory safety, select agents, hazard communication, radiation safety, mechanical equipment safety, PPE in laboratories, laser safety, laboratory decommissioning, and blood borne pathogens. Laboratory Safety Programs are outlined under the appropriate program section on the following EH&S website: https://www.uttyler.edu/safety/laboratory-safety.php   
   3. Environmental Protection:
      1. The University of Texas at Tyler is permitted for stormwater discharges under the TCEQ General permit TXR040000 and as such must prevent illicit discharges to the University stormwater system. Construction projects are regulated by TCEQ general permit TXR150000. The University’s complete stormwater program including the University’s TCEQ approved Stormwater Management Plan can be found here: https://www.uttyler.edu/safety/stormwater-management.php 
      2. In compliance with the Clean Water Act, the University must create, maintain, and enforce a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasures Program (SPCC). The Department of Environmental Health and Safety has created and manages the program, which is enforceable for all University premises. The University SPCC program and all related guidance is located here: https://www.uttyler.edu/safety/stormwater-management.php 
   4. Hazardous and Regulated Waste:
      1. Hazardous and regulated wastes may include but are not limited to: laboratory chemical waste, biological waste, electronic waste, household chemicals (when used in the University setting), batteries, paint, fluorescent lightbulbs, light ballasts, used oil and filters, and mercury containing equipment (thermostats, thermometers, etc).   
      2. Hazardous and regulated wastes will be managed according to all state and federal regulations. Hazardous Waste Programs are outlined under the appropriate program section on the following EH&S website: https://www.uttyler.edu/safety/hazardous-waste-mgmt.php   
   5. Construction and Occupational Safety:
      1. Construction work, no matter the scale, taking place on any University premises shall comply with all applicable statutes of the University of Texas System Safety Specifications 01 35 23 and all appropriate Construction Safety Programs located here: https://www.uttyler.edu/safety/construction-safety.php 
      2. Occupational Health Programs are developed with the Occupational Medicine Department (where appropriate) and may include but are not limited to accident prevention and investigation, industrial hygiene, asbestos, indoor air quality, occupational safety, hearing protection, respiratory protection, confined space, shop safety, and any others as appropriate. Occupational Health Programs are outlined under the appropriate program section on the following EH&S website: https://www.uttyler.edu/safety/construction-safety.php   

E. Responsibilities

EH&S is responsible for administering this Policy and associated programs and ensuring compliance with University, State, and Federal environmental health and safety rules and regulations. All supervisors, employees, students, visitors, vendors, and contractors are responsible for compliance with applicable environmental health and safety laws, regulations, and codes as well as applicable policies and procedures of the University and The University of Texas System. Responsibility for compliance follows administrative channels as noted in this policy. In matters of enforcement, EH&S may enlist the assistance of the University Police Department as the formal enforcement authority for the University.

F. Procedures

All procedures are outlined under the appropriate program sections on the EH&S website: https://www.uttyler.edu/safety/ 

G. Review

This policy shall be reviewed by Environmental Health and Safety, the Research Compliance Office, and the Clinical Accreditation and Compliance Office every five years or as legislation changes.