EHS Assistant

EHS Assistant is used to record and track all USU safety trainings. Principal investigators can log into the system to view training completed by laboratory staff and update chemical and biological inventories. If you cannot log in, please contact EHS.

Hazardous Waste Pickup

Please consult the Research Laboratory Safety Training Survey when assessing the removal a potentially hazardous material.

Almost all chemicals discarded by the university are considered hazardous by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

  • Highly toxic compounds
  • Flammable liquids
  • Corrosive mixtures
  • Mercury-containing fluorescent light tubes
  • Lead-contaminated circuit boards
  • Computers and combustible solvents in house paint

USU’s hazardous waste disposal program is regulated by the State of Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste and the EPA. Failure to adhere to RCRA legal requirements can result in fines and penalties.

Near Miss Reporting

Submit a near miss report only if no injury or property damage occurred during an incident. The near miss report may be filled out anonymously when reporting safety concerns.

Accident Reporting

Submit an accident report to report any injury or property damage. The accident report does not replace the worker’s compensation form.

Training Registration

To schedule a Laboratory Safety or BSL II/III training, submit an EHS training registration form.

Implementing a Culture of Safety

The Guide to Implementing a Safety Culture from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities provides information about navigating culture change when implementing university-wide research safety.

EHS Committees

The Biohazard Committee approves, provides guidance for and oversees all research activities involving the use of viral, bacterial, parasitic, rickettsial or fungal agents, as well as research involving prion diseases. The committee’s primary focus is on research that requires a Biosafety Level (BSL) or 2 or 3 containment. The committee can also review and provide guidance for research involving BSL-1 agents, blood or other bodily fluids. The committee reviews protocols, inspects and approves laboratory spaces for biological research and ensures personnel receive appropriate training.

Brian Gowen, Chair
brian.gowen@usu.edu
435-797-3112

Committee Roster

The Chemical Hygiene Committee was created to comply with the OSHA Laboratory Standard. The Chemical Hygiene Committee is a subcommittee of the University Safety Committee and is comprised of faculty from a variety of departments that have laboratory operations that use hazardous chemicals.

The committee was formed to oversee chemical hygiene plan implementation and assists with ensuring the safe use of chemicals in university research activities. The chemical hygiene plan stipulates work practices, policies and procedures intended to minimize hazardous chemical exposure to laboratory workers. The committee reviews newly completed chemical hygiene plans and the university boilerplate chemical hygiene plan to determine its continued effectiveness in preventing chemical exposure and to ensure continued compliance with existing standards and regulations.

Joan McLean, Chair
joan.mclean@usu.edu
435-797-3199

Committee Roster

The Institutional Biosafety Committee for Recombinant DNA Activities reviews and approves research activities that involve recombinant DNA. Approvals are based on compliance with the National Institute of Health (NIH) Guidelines and other applicable federal regulations. The committee also conducts annual reviews of all approved research activities for changes and compliance with the NIH guidelines.

John Morrey, Chair
john.morrey@usu.edu
435-797-2622

Committee Roster

The Radiation Safety Committee is responsible for overseeing USU’s use of licensed radioactive material, x-ray producing equipment and class 3B and 4 laser equipment. Committee functions include assuring personnel, public and environmental safety from radiation and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations.

Joan Hevel, Chair
joanie.hevel@usu.edu
435-797-1622

Committee Roster

The Risk Control Committee has many responsibilities:

  • Identify, evaluate and recommend solutions for risk exposures.
  • Review and certify risk management and self-inspection findings.
  • Review inspection and other reports from the state’s Division of Risk Management and prioritize proposed recommendations for university management or administrative resolution.
  • Review university worker’s compensation reports and make appropriate recommendations for deducing accidents and claims.
  • Recommend disciplinary and/or corrective action for employees who violate safety standards.
  • Develop policies related to risk reduction and accident prevention and recommend adoption by university administration.
  • Review loss control findings not adequately resolved by departments and recommend actions.
  • Conduct an annual review or evaluation of the university’s risk reduction efforts and provide the report to the Division of Risk Management.
  • Perform other pertinent duties of a Risk Control Committee as may be needed by the university.

Mike George, Chair
mike.george@usu.edu
435-797-8483

Committee Roster

The Safety Committee reviews and approves or disapproves all policies and procedures that relate to radiation, chemical and occupational safety at the university. Learn more from the Safety Committee Meeting Minutes.

Alvan Hengge, Chair
alvan.hengge@usu.edu
435-797-1620

Committee Roster