Environmental Health and Safety
Environmental Health and SafetyThe purpose of this section is to outline policies, procedures and practices associated with Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) at Georgia Tech.
The EHS Department is located at 490 10th Street, 3rd floor, and can be reached at (404)894-4635 (emergency 24 hr. number is 404-216-5237) or http://www.ehs.gatech.edu/.
New Employee EHS orientation training, which describes both required and recommended training programs based on the person’s position responsibilities, is located at http://www.ehs.gatech.edu/newhire/briefing.pdf
The Georgia Tech Laboratory Safety Manual found at http://www.ehs.gatech.edu/chemical/ehslsm.pdf outlines laboratory safety rules, procedures and performance expectations in all Georgia Tech laboratories”
EHS Committees
EHS Committees jgastley3To assist in the development, implementation, and oversight of EHS policies, programs and procedures, several faculty-led committees have been established. These committees ensure that EHS related policies and procedures are appropriately vetted, including appropriate input from faculty and research staff. The committees are as follows:
Institute Council for Environmental Health and Safety (IC-EHS)
- Scope: Overarching responsibility for consideration and adoption of Institute-wide EHS policies and procedures for chemical, biological, radiological, and occupational health and safety issues. Advise the GT Executive Leadership Team on high-priority EHS issues.
Chemical and Environmental Safety Committee (CESC)
- Scope: Consider and advise EHS and the Institute Council on programs and policies regarding the safe and compliant use of chemicals and labs at GT.
Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC)
- Scope: Consider and advise EHS and the Institute Council on programs and policies regarding occupational health and workplace safety at GT.
Biological Materials Safeguards Committee (BMSC)
- Scope: Consider and advise EHS and the Institute Council on programs and policies regarding the safe and compliant use of non r-DNA biological materials at GT.
Radiation Safety Committee (RSC)
- Scope: Oversee and ensure compliance regarding the use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices at GT.
Laser Safety Committee (LSC)
- Scope: Develop, implement and oversee programs and policies regarding the safe and compliant use of Class 3b and 4 lasers at GT.
EHS Offices
EHS Offices jgastley3The Georgia Tech EHS Department is comprised of six (6) functional offices, including:
Biological Safety Office
Biological Safety Office jgastley3The Biological Safety Office’s goal is to minimize the risks of injury and illness associated with research involving biohazardous agents, recombinant and synthetic nucleic acid molecules, infectious materials, toxins, and microorganisms. The Biological Safety Office also manages the Biosafety Occupational Health Program.
Training, Monitoring and Services Provided: Laboratory Inspections, Risk Assessments, Biological Agent Shipping, Biological Research Protocol Review, Biosafety Cabinet and Laminar Flow Hood Certification, Autoclave Testing Preventative Maintenance, Biosafety Occupational Health Program.
Biosafety Manual: https://www.ehs.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/biosafety_manual.pdf
Chemical and Laboratory Safety Office
Chemical and Laboratory Safety Office jgastley3
The Chemical and Laboratory Safety Office provides consulting, training, and assessment services to the Georgia Tech research community in the area of evaluating and controlling risks associated with laboratory hazards; and to the entire Georgia Tech community concerning chemical and other workplace environmental exposures.
Training, Monitoring and Services Provided: Chemical Right to Know (RTK) - Initial and Refresher, Lab Safety Training - Basic and Advanced, Asbestos Hazard Awareness, Chematix - Chemical Inventory Management System, Fume Hood Testing/Certification oversight, Toxic Gas Monitoring Program, Chemical Shipping Program, Lab Inspections, Air Quality Investigations, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Laboratory Safety Manual: http://www.ehs.gatech.edu/chemical/ehslsm.pdf
Fire Safety Office (Campus Fire Marshal's Office)
Fire Safety Office (Campus Fire Marshal's Office) jgastley3
The Fire Safety / Campus Fire Marshal’s Office is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing fire safety initiatives and monitor¬ing fire safety systems in all facilities at Georgia Tech. Fire Safety staff conduct regularly scheduled inspections of all Institute buildings and coordinate fire drills and fire safety awareness training programs. In addition, the Fire Safety Office reviews design plans for all renovation projects and coordinates closely with the State Fire Marshal’s Office on all new construction projects. Please refer to the Fire Safety Office’s website for Georgia Tech’s Fire Safety Policies and Procedures.
Training and Services Offered: Fire/Life Safety Inspections, Fire Extinguisher Inspection and Maintenance, Special Events Plan¬ning/Coordination, Fire Drills/Evacuation Exercises, Hot Work Permits, Renovation Project Design Reviews.
General Safety Office
General Safety Office jgastley3
The General Safety Office is responsible for developing, managing and administering occupational safety programs. The General Safety staff also provides consultation and training programs according to regulatory and general industry safety practices.
Training and Services Provided: CPR/AED/First Aid Training, Defensive Driving, Shop Safety Assessments, Ergonomics / Work Station Evaluations, Incident Investigations Coaching the Van Driver, Confined Space Entry, Forklift Training/Certification, Incident Investigations, Lockout/Tagout and Electrical Safety, and Trenching/Excavation Safety.
General Safety Manual: Currently Under Review
Hazardous Materials Office
Hazardous Materials Office jgastley3The safe and effective management, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials is vitally important for Georgia Tech to maintain a safe and regulatory compliant workplace . Numerous federal and state laws, good safety practice, and protection of the environment dictate that the Institute implement appropriate procedures for handling these materials. Hazardous Waste Policies and Procedures can be found online at www.ehs.gatech.edu/hazardous.
Training and Services Provided: Laboratory Waste Characterization, Pickups of Hazardous Waste, Handling/Disposal of Biological Wastes, Emergency (Spill) Response, Hazardous Waste Awareness Training, Fluorescent Lamp/Ballast Recycling, Battery Recycling, Underground and Above-Ground Fuel Storage Tank Training and Compliance.
Hazardous Materials Policies and Procedures: http://www.ehs.gatech.edu/hazardous/hazmat.pdf
Office of Radiological Safety
Office of Radiological Safety jgastley3The Office of Radiological Safety (ORS) manages all aspects of the use of radioactive materials (RAM) and radiation generating devices at Georgia Tech and oversees the Institute’s Laser Safety Program for Class 3B and 4 lasers. Our priorities are to provide radiological safety and control in accordance with the philosophy to keep worker and public exposure As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA); to comply with federal and state regulations; to maintain laser exposures below the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limit; and to encourage the beneficial use of radiation in research and teaching.
ORS maintains and ensures compliance with the radioactive materials license issued by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. ORS also registers x-ray devices, other ionizing radiation generating devices, and Class 3B and 4 lasers with the Georgia Department of Community Health and ensures compliance with the applicable regulations.
Training, Monitoring and Services Provided: Training of all users of radioactive material, x-ray machines, and Class 3B and 4 lasers; emergency response; inspections of radioactive material use areas, x-ray generating devices, and applicable lasers; radioactive isotope receipt; dosimetry services; calibration of radiation detection instruments; radioactive waste handling; transportation; safety assessments of research projects; and general consultation on radiation use.
Radiation Safety Manual: https://www.ehs.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/radiation_safety_policy_manual_2021rev1.pdf
Laser Safety Manual: https://www.ehs.gatech.edu/sites/default/files/gt_laser_safety_policy_4.pdf
Contact: Steve Grimm, Radiation Safety Officer, steve.grimm@ehs.gatech.edu
EHS Policy Statement
EHS Policy StatementGeorgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is committed to:
- Providing a safe, secure and healthy environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors;
- Conducting its research and educational programs in compliance with applicable environmental health and safety laws and regulations; and
- Demonstrating leadership in pollution prevention, waste reduction and the judicious use of resources for protection of human health, safety and the environment.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Good environmental health and safety practices, including compliance, are the responsibility of every faculty member, staff employee, student and visitor at Georgia Tech. This responsibility cannot be transferred or delegated.
Georgia Tech shall make all reasonable efforts to:
- protect the health and safety of faculty, staff, students, visitors, and the surrounding community;
- provide safe workplaces - academic, research and administrative;
- provide information and training to faculty, staff, students and visitors about potential environmental, health and safety hazards;
- develop and promote the adoption of environmental health and safety best practices;
- identify and correct environmental health and safety hazards, and encourage the reporting of hazards and safety-related incidents;
- work cooperatively with the City of Atlanta, the State of Georgia and regulatory agencies to promote a safe and healthy environment; and
- comply with applicable environmental health and safety laws, regulations and consensus standards.
IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITY
The Georgia Tech Institute Council for Environmental Health and Safety is the principal implementing authority for this policy. The Council shall adopt, implement and integrate policies and procedures as developed by compliance oversight and other environmental health and safety committees at Georgia Tech. The Georgia Tech Office of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for providing technical guidance, oversight, consultation, training and specialized services to assist the Institute community in meeting its public health, safety and environmental protection responsibilities.
EHS Programs
EHS Programs jgastley3EHS is also responsible for the Institute’s Environmental Compliance and Dangerous Goods Shipping programs. Roles and responsibilities for specific aspects of each of these programs are shared among EHS staff from the various offices:
Dangerous Goods Shipping Program
Dangerous Goods Shipping Program jgastley3In order to ensure a safe, compliant and consistent approach to dangerous goods shipping – and to minimize the time, training and record-keeping burden on Georgia Tech researchers, EHS provides a centralized Dangerous Goods Shipping Program for hazardous chemicals and biological materials (shipping and receiving radioactive materials is handled by the EHS Office of Radiological Safety). Very strict federal regulations dictate that only certified individuals may ship hazardous materials. The penalties for non-compliance in this area may include fines and criminal charges.
Environmental Compliance Programs
Environmental Compliance Programs jgastley3www.ehs.gatech.edu/environmental
The Institute is responsible for complying with a large number of federal, state and local environmental regulatory requirements related to construction activities, research protocols and general campus operations. EHS performs pre-project environmental site assessments, site reviews, Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA) evaluations, and remediation project planning and oversight. Examples of specific programs covered are: storm water runoff, waste water management, undergrounds fuel storage tank compliance, spill prevention control and countermeasures (SPCC) planning, and air emissions (EPA Title V) permitting.
Institute Council on Environmental Health and Safety Policy
Institute Council on Environmental Health and Safety PolicyGeorgia Tech is committed to providing a safe, secure and healthy environment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors; and conducting its research and educational programs in compliance with applicable environmental health and safety (EHS) laws and regulations, including research funding partner and Board of Regents guidelines and policies.
In 2005, a peer review of Georgia Tech’s EHS programs and processes was conducted by an outside team of EHS experts from other major research universities. The review team recommended changes to reduce institutional risk, enhance academic and administrative partnership opportunities, and address unmet operational needs. A primary recommendation was to establish a campus-wide oversight council and several other EHS-focused committees, with appropriate faculty representation, for the purpose of formulating, integrating, and updating Georgia Tech EHS programs, policies, committees, and compliance procedures.
Based on this recommendation, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance established the Institute Council on Environmental Health and Safety (IC-EHS) in 2006. The IC-EHS is an oversight group charged with coordinating EHS policy development and assessing recommendations of other Institute EHS-focused committees.
This policy codifies the charge of the IC-EHS in overseeing the establishment of EHS policies, procedures, and committees for Georgia Tech, as well as the support role of the EHS Office in education, monitoring, and enforcement of those policies and procedures.
The IC-EHS is charged with formulating, integrating, and updating Georgia Tech’s EHS programs, policies, committees, and compliance procedures.
The IC-EHS will be chaired by a faculty member and will maintain appropriate faculty representation. The IC-EHS reports to the Office of the President through the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Executive Vice President for Research.
The IC-EHS ensures that the other EHS committees have clear and well documented charges, role definitions, reporting structure, membership assignment processes, and inter-relationships among the committees. The EHS committees include the Biological Materials Safeguards Committee, the Chemical & Environmental Safety Committee, the Laser Safety Committee, the Occupational Health & Safety Committee, and the Radiation Safety Committee.
The Institutional Biosafety Committee and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee are also represented on the IC-EHS. Both are federally mandated compliance committees constituted in accordance with federal law. Their makeup and operational authority reside in federal law and they are not governed by the IC-EHS.
Roles and responsibilities of the IC-EHS include developing and implementing EHS policies and providing related information to Georgia Tech schools, departments, laboratories and centers regarding compliance matters including chemical, biological, radiological, environmental, occupational health and safety issues. The IC-EHS assesses the effectiveness of these policies, programs, and procedures and the risks associated with non-performance and/or non-compliance. The IC-EHS has the authority to recommend disciplinary actions, in accordance with Institute procedures, for any students, staff or faculty who fail to maintain a safe workplace, fail to perform their work in a safe and compliant manner or who knowingly or willfully disregard safety requirements at Georgia Tech.
The IC-EHS utilizes the Administrative Policy development process for approval of Institute policy where necessary.
All Georgia Tech faculty, staff, students, campus visitors, laboratories, colleges, schools, offices, and departments are subject to this Institute policy.
4.1 Institute Council on Environmental Health and Safety
Membership
The IC-EHS Chair is appointed by the President, in consultation with the Executive Leadership Team and the Assistant Vice President of EHS. Membership of the IC-EHS is comprised of the Chairs of the other Institute EHS-related committees and compliance-related departments including: The Biological Materials Safeguards Committee (BMSC), Chemical and Environmental Safety Committee (CESC), Laser Safety Committee (LSC), the Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC), the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC), the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Other departments with standing appointments to the IC-EHS include Legal Affairs, Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GTRC) / Office of Research Integrity Assurance, Stamps Student Health Services and the Office of Human Resources.
Reporting
The IC-EHS reports to the Office of the President through the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Executive Vice President for Research.
4.2 EH&S Committees
Biological Materials Safeguards Committee
The Biological Materials Safeguards Committee (BMSC) is responsible for reviewing and approving all applications for research, teaching, and training that involve the use of biological materials (except recombinant DNA and Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules) including but not limited to pathogenic organisms (including CDC select agents), etiological agents, infectious and non-infectious materials, and certain human samples and ensuring that the proposed activities comply with the federal regulations governing them. The BMSC generally reviews proposals via email, but holds in-person meetings, as needed. The BMSC’s work is coordinated by the EHS Biosafety Officer, who is also the “Responsible Official” for CDC select agents and toxins. The BMSC reviews protocols to ensure the safety of personnel working with these materials and that laboratory practices conform to federal and state regulations. The BMSC reviews policies and procedures for biotechnology at Georgia Tech and advises departments and individual researchers regarding compliance methodologies. The Chair of the BMSC is appointed by the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Executive Vice President for Research. BMSC members are nominated and appointed by the Chair, in consultation with the Assistant Vice President of EHS, and are selected in a manner to ensure adequate representation across schools and departments which use biological materials.
Chemical and Environmental Safety Committee
The Chemical and Environmental Safety Committee (CESC) advises EHS and the IC-EHS on policies and procedures regarding the safe acquisition, storage, use and disposal of chemicals in Georgia Tech facilities. The Committee considers, evaluates and recommends policies and procedures regarding laboratory safety and chemical hygiene plans. The CESC reviews chemical research protocols for compliance with sponsor agency requirements, federal/state laws and Georgia Tech policies and procedures. The Chair of the CESC is appointed by the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Executive Vice President for Research. CESC members are nominated and appointed by the Chair, in consultation with the Assistant Vice President of EHS, and are selected in a manner to ensure adequate representation across schools and departments.
Laser Safety Committee
The Laser Safety Committee (LSC) establishes and maintains safety policies, procedures and guidance regarding the use of Class 3B and 4 lasers at Georgia Tech. The LSC meets semi-annually and considers and advises EHS and the IC-EHS on programs and policies regarding the safe and compliant use of Class 3B and 4 lasers at Georgia Tech. The Chair of the LSC is nominated by LSC members. LSC members are nominated and appointed by the Chair, in consultation with the Georgia Tech Laser Safety Officer and the Assistant Vice President of EHS.
Occupational Health and Safety Committee
The Occupational Health and Safety Committee (OHSC) develops policy recommendations and procedures to ensure Institute workplace health and safety. The OHSC is the oversight committee for the Georgia Tech Occupational Health Program, established primarily for workers engaged in research, teaching, or other activities using animal models, research using human blood, tissues, or other products, biological materials, pathogenic organisms, toxins, select agents, chemicals and other hazardous materials or specialized equipment. The OHSC advises EHS and the IC-EHS on the implementation and administration of the Occupational Health and Safety Program. The OHSC will periodically review the program for compliance and effectiveness and provide recommendations to the Assistant Vice President of EHS to enhance program effectiveness. The Chair of the OHSC is appointed by the Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and the Executive Vice President for Research. OHSC members are nominated and appointed by the Chair, in consultation with the Assistant Vice President of EHS, and are selected in a manner to ensure adequate representation across schools and departments.
Radiation Safety Committee
The Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) is responsible for overseeing and maintaining the health and safety standards associated with the use of radioactive materials and radiation generating devices at Georgia Tech. The RSC meets quarterly, at a minimum, to review proposed experiments and tests utilizing radioactive material, radiation-generating equipment and all the other types of ionizing radiation at Georgia Tech. The RSC also reviews incidents associated with potential radioactive material spills and/or exposures. RSC members are appointed by the President and serve three-year terms. The Chair is is elected by committee members. (http://www.ors.gatech.edu)
Other Research Committees
Other Committees With EHS Involvement – Administered Through the Office of Research Integrity Assurance: Other groups represented on the IC-EHS include the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) which are mandated and prescribed by federal law. While their representation on the IC-EHS is critical to development and integration of campus safety policies and procedures, their constitution, charges, role definitions, reporting structure, and membership are subject to federal law. These committees operate under written Assurances of Compliance with the relevant federal agency and implement policies that conform to the requirements of those federal agencies.
Institutional Biosafety Committee for rDNA
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for reviewing all applications for research, teaching, and training that involve the use of recombinant DNA (rDNA) and Synthetic Nucleic Acid (sNA) Molecules and ensuring that the proposed activities comply with the federal regulations governing them. The IBC has the responsibility and authority to review, approve, disapprove, or require changes in activities involving rDNA and sNA materials. The IBC holds meetings as needed to review protocols. Georgia Tech’s IBC is registered with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Biotechnology Activities (OBA). The EHS Biosafety Officer is a member of the IBC and works closely with the committee on protocol review and laboratory activities. Committee membership is structured in accordance with federal requirements; members are appointed by the Executive Vice President for Research. (http://researchintegrity.gatech.edu/about-ibc/)
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is charged with reviewing all faculty-, staff-, or student-proposed use of vertebrate animals, regardless of where the work is performed or source of funding, if any. The IACUC focuses on the humane use and treatment of vertebrate animals utilized in research at Georgia Tech. This committee regularly inspects and monitors the animal care and use program to ensure that all components are in compliance with regulations and guidelines outlined in the federal Animal Welfare Act. Georgia Tech animal facilities are registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The IACUC meets monthly, or as needed, to review research protocols which involve vertebrate animals. Georgia Tech’s Animal Welfare Assurance is approved by the Department of Health and Human Services. Committee membership is structured in accordance with federal requirements; members are appointed by the Vice President for Research, who also serves as the Institutional Official for matters related to animal subjects. (http://researchintegrity.gatech.edu/about-iacuc). The IACUC and its records are included in the inspection of the animal program conducted not less than annually by the US Department of Agriculture.
4.3 EH&S Office
Mission
The mission of the EHS Office is to develop and provide training programs, technical assistance, compliance oversight, consultation, and specialized services to the Georgia Tech community in the following areas:
- Chemical / Laboratory Safety
- Biological Materials / Biological Laboratory Safety
- Laser Safety
- Hazardous Materials Management / Emergency Response
- Fire and Life Safety
- Radiological Materials and Radiation-Producing Equipment Safety
- General (Physical) Safety
- Environmental Assessment and Compliance
It is the goal of EHS to enhance Georgia Tech’s mission by providing high-quality and value-added service in each of these areas to assist the Institute in meeting its public health, safety and environmental protection responsibilities. This is vital in maintaining a safe, healthful and regulatory-compliant learning, living and working environment for all personnel, for preserving the integrity of research activities, and for facilitating the overall growth of the institution.
Reporting
The EHS Office reports administratively through the department of Facilities Management, with “dotted-line” reporting responsibility to the President’s Executive Leadership Team.
Education
Education and training programs are provided in each of the areas indicated above under Mission.
Enforcement
EHS is responsible for guiding and assisting the Institute community in meeting its public health, safety, environmental protection, and compliance responsibilities.
EHS shall assist PIs and laboratory users in determining and following safe practices; coordinating safety activities; providing education in safety; investigating accidents and incidents in laboratories and chemical incidents campus wide; conducting lab inspections and verifying proper operation of lab safety equipment and systems. While lab safety programs are most effective when lab groups self-monitor and enforce the rules, EHS is also responsible for monitoring and verifying compliance with state and federal safety regulations and Georgia Tech lab safety policies. In addition, EHS is responsible for collecting and analyzing Institute-wide data regarding accidents, injuries, illnesses, and property damage incidents to identify trends and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
In cases of imminent danger to life and health of persons in a laboratory and/or to others nearby or to property, EHS is authorized to take appropriate action including, but not limited to, stopping work, closing the laboratory, and evacuating laboratories or buildings.
Refer also to Section 6 below.
5.1. Institute Council on Environmental Health and Safety.
- The IC-EHS serves as a forum in which overlapping and joint areas of concern of various EHS committees are reviewed and clarified, and where individual committee jurisdictional questions are resolved.
- The IC-EHS is responsible for identification of new EHS matters that may emerge as new activities at Georgia Tech are undertaken and as new technologies develop or old ones change direction. In instances where such new activities do not fall within the purview of an existing EHS committee, the IC-EHS may expand the area of concern of an existing committee or recommend the creation of a new committee.
5.2. Environmental Health and Safety Committees
- EHS-focused committees formulate and update Georgia Tech EHS programs, policies, and compliance procedures.
5.3. Office of Environmental Health and Safety
- The EHS Office is responsible for guiding and assisting the Institute community in meeting its public health, safety, environmental protection and compliance responsibilities.
- The EHS Office shall assist PIs and laboratory users in determining and following safe practices; coordinating safety activities; providing education in safety; investigating accidents and incidents in laboratories and chemical incidents campus wide; conducting lab inspections and verifying proper operation of lab safety equipment and systems.
Any Georgia Tech student, faculty, or staff member who fails to meet their responsibilities for safe conduct of work in laboratories or who knowingly and willfully disregards safety procedures will be held accountable and will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Institute procedures.
In addition, any visitors using Georgia Tech laboratories who fail to meet their responsibilities for safe conduct of work or knowingly and willfully disregard safety procedures or fail to comply with direct safety instructions from their Georgia Tech faculty sponsor, EHS, or emergency response personnel regarding emergencies or evacuations will be held accountable and subject to loss of privileges to use Georgia Tech laboratory facilities. (NOTE: “visitors” may include contractors, visiting scholars, and other non-Georgia Tech personnel)
An additional method for reporting suspected instances of noncompliance with this policy is to visit Georgia Tech’s EthicsPoint, a secure and confidential reporting system, at: https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/en/report_custom.asp?clientid=7508
| Revision Date | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| March 2015 | EH&S | Added Charter memo to related information |
| 05-17-2006 | Provost / EVP Admin & Finance | New policy |