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The Safety Guide
UConn’s Environmental Health and Safety Newsletter
June 2005 / Volume 1, Number 1
In this issue:
· Mold – What’s all The Fuzz About?
· Satisfaction Survey Results – Radiation Safety
· Working with Controlled Substances At The University of Connecticut
· Controlled Substances at UConn

Our Vision

To promote and
maintain a safe and healthful environment by ensuring the highest level of environmental health and safety services for faculty, staff, students, and visitors at the University of Connecticut.

Our Mission

To provide comprehensive environmental health and safety services for the University community by developing and administering effective policies and procedures that prevent
personal injuries and maintain regulatory compliance in the areas of biological, chemical, occupational, and radiation safety, thereby supporting the University's mission of teaching, research, and public service.

Links:

EH&S Services
http://www.ehs.uconn.edu/serv.html
What you’ll find:
·  Training Schedules for all EH&S sections
·  Temporary Food Service Event Application Form
·  Waste Pickup and Delivery Request Forms
·  UConn Waste Streams Guide
·  Waste Pick-up Schedules /

UConn’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety

provides institutional support services in the health and safety field through consultation and training to the university community and regional campuses encompassing the following four areas: Biological, Chemical, Occupational, and Radiological.

Low Falls Can Be Fatal
By: Rich Kula
One rather startling safety statistic is that in falls of eleven feet or more, 50 percent of victims die!1 Some of us can become complacent when working above ground levels if we do it often enough. For example, a worker will stand on the top rung of a ten foot ladder rather than locate a 12-foot ladder needed to perform a job safely. Someone falling only six feet from a ladder will strike the ground in just two-tenths of a second. That’s not enough time to protect your head with your arms, so a fatal brain injury can occur easily. The following methods can help prevent potentially fatal falls:
·  The best approach is to “engineer out” the risk. For example, a worker who must replace light bulbs high above a warehouse floor can use a telescopic pole with a bulb-gripping mechanism, instead of climbing a ladder.
·  Guardrails, handrails or walls can be erected to protect workers near roof edges.
·  Aerial lifts can safely bring a worker up to an elevated location if the employee has the proper training and follows strict safety procedures.
Everyone is exposed to fall hazards both on and off the job. Please consider the following tips to reduce your risk of injury or death:
·  Know that complacency can kill you, regardless of the elevation at which you’re working.
·  Ask yourself: ‘Can I perform this job without exposing myself to a fall hazard?’
·  If there’s a risk of falling, have you received adequate training in fall protection awareness? If not, talk to your supervisor or visit the EH&S website for the
Fall Protection Awareness Training schedule.
References
1. C.S. White, and I.G. Bowen, Comparative Effects Data of Biological Interest, Lovelace Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Albuquerque, N.M. Apr. 1959.

MOLD

What's All the Fuzz About?

Molds and humans have coexisted since the dawn of history. Molds are part of the natural environment. They can be found anywhere - inside or outside - throughout the year. Molds have provided value as nature's biodegraders—paring down our landfills and enriching our compost piles; as flavor enhancers—putting the "blue" in our blue cheese; and as healers—curing us with penicillin and other medicines.
Molds have also shown to be detrimental: to our buildings—causing unpleasant odors and structural and aesthetic damage; and to our health—causing allergies and triggering asthma and other respiratory problems in sensitized individuals.
This is nothing new, yet mold has gained notoriety in recent years by creating a new and heightened wave of health concerns among occupants of residential and commercial buildings. What's all the fuss about? Is there really a new cause for concern, or has there been a media overreaction to an old problem?
To help decipher fact from fiction and gain some perspective, here are a few web links from the CT Department of Public Health, the EPA, and some other reputable sources:
·  CT DPH Responds to the Institute of Medicine's Report on Mold
·  Understanding and Addressing Mold Problems
·  EPA Indoor Air--Mold
·  American Industrial Hygiene Association--The Facts About Mold (Brochure)
For further information about moisture and mold in buildings, and to report potential problems contact Terri Dominguez at
EH&S Launches Supervisor Safety Leadership Program
Front-line supervisors play a key role in the success of any organization—they set the stage for all the work performed and services provided. They have a challenging job with many responsibilities, including the productivity, quality, efficiency, and safe work practices of their employees. They are role models and coaches who, as part of their responsibilities, identify and correct unsafe work activities and conditions.
In recognition of this vital role, the Occupational Health and Section has developed a pilot training program to give front-line supervisors the skills they need to meet their responsibilities and duties safely and effectively. The program is entitled Supervisor Safety Leadership Training, and was developed for the Facilities Operations Department with support from the CT Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The classes are facilitated by EH&S, UConn Fire Department, and Human Resources personnel, as well as DAS and guest instructors specializing in safety management and communication. The program emphasizes that safety and productivity can go hand in hand. The training series consists of five half-day sessions offered from June through September 2005 and is based on the National Safety Council’s Supervisors’ Development Program.
RADIATION SAFETY


Thanks for responding to our survey. Your comments are important to us and will be considered.
Check out our web site! http://www.ehs.uconn.edu/radi.htm
You’ll find our training schedule, important links, hot topics, downloadable forms, and contact information for Radiation Safety personnel as well as procedures and information about our Radioactive Materials, Laser, and X-Ray Safety programs.

Biosafety -- Find our summer training schedule, downloadable forms, who to contact, schedule for biological waste pickup, and other related links on our web site at: http://www.ehs.uconn.edu/BIOL.HTML.

Do you know which training you need to take before the fall semester begins? – go to http://www.ehs.uconn.edu/labtrain.htm. You will find which training you are required to take. Then go to http://www.ehs.uconn.edu/serv.html to find the schedule for all EH&S training. ** Call 486-3613 to pre-register. Training schedules are updated on a regular basis.
Department of Environmental Health & Safety
3102 Horsebarn Hill Rd., Unit 4097
(860)486-3613 phone
(860)486-1106 fax
Biological Health & Safety Manager
486-2436
Chemical Health & Safety Manager
486-1110
Occupational Health & Safety Manager
486-0981
Radiation Safety Manager 486-1108
We’re on the Web!
www.uconn.ehs.edu /
Working with
Controlled Substances at the University
of Connecticut

The use of controlled substances (Schedule I – V drugs) in research labs is subject to extensive State and Federal regulatory requirements. It should be noted that these requirements are separate from, and in addition to, laws that apply to clinical prescriptions and patient dispensing. Under the regulations, Principal Investigators must obtain research laboratory licensure from the State of Connecticut Drug Control Division, as well as registration from the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
The Chemical Health & Safety Section of EH&S has been delegated the oversight responsibility to ensure adherence to the regulations, as well as to coordinate disposal of surplus and out-of-date drugs. With the rise in abuse of certain veterinary drugs (Ketamine), it is important to be aware that illicit distribution of this anesthetic begins with simply evaporating the liquid from the injectable product, and grinding the residue into a powder - in other words, extensive lab techniques are not required.
Renewal Application for DEA Registration - Form DEA – 225a should be filled out upon receipt by the PI, and then forwarded to Stefan Wawzyniecki at EH&S. He will sign the Certification for Fee Exemption (Box 10), make copies, and send to the DEA, with a copy to the PI and a file copy.
Storage & Security - Keep all controlled substances under lock and key; use an approved safe for Schedules I and II. Store controlled substances apart from all other drugs and reagents. Maintain only the necessary stock required for efficient operation.
Recordkeeping - Maintain a record of purchases, receipts, storage amounts, and dispensing amounts for each controlled substance. Every two years, prepare a complete and accurate inventory of the drugs under your possession, identifying the type, strength, and quantity. This inventory must be done within four days of May 1st of each odd-numbered year; so, in May of 2005, your inventory must be completed. Chemical Health & Safety will add an inspection criterion for this inventory for holders of the license.
Disposal - Disposal can only be done under witness from the DCD, DEA, or documented return to the manufacturer. Expired and surplus material must still be kept locked until an arrangement can be made for the Chemical Safety Manager and the Drug Enforcement Agent to come to your lab.
If you have any questions about Controlled Substance use on campus, please direct all inquiries to Stefan Wawzyniecki ().