Unit VIII Course Project University Case Study Congratulatio ✓ Solved
You have just become the safety manager for Podunk University. Your position is at the campus in Podunk, Colorado, and your predecessor left the job a year and a half ago. There has been nobody in the position during that interval. The commitment of the institution to safety is dubious at best, but you are looking forward to starting your new position and making a positive change.
After introducing yourself to the secretary you share with a half dozen other, more senior, people, you decide to focus on hazardous material and hazardous waste issues since you just completed a great college course on those topics. You tour the campus and discover the following departments and programs are yours to deal with:
- The biology department has animal dissection, human dissection, a microbiology lab, and a medical laboratory education program that uses small quantities of a lot of chemicals.
- The chemistry department has chemicals that have never been inventoried and a new forensics program.
- The physics department has high-voltage equipment, lasers, and LEDs.
- The English department has lots of books and papers, as well as photocopiers.
- The math department has computers and whiteboards.
- The automotive technology department has everything pertaining to auto repair, including solvents, asbestos brake linings, pneumatic tools, waste oil, and cutting and grinding tools.
- The Massive Arena has asbestos insulation and is undergoing a massive renovation.
Respond to each of the following questions:
- Where do you start?
- Where should you focus your initial HazCom efforts? In what order do you tackle the rest of the departments?
- What are the HazCom issues in the automotive technology department?
- What are the hazardous waste issues in the automotive technology department?
- What are the HazCom issues in the chemistry department?
- What are the hazardous waste issues in the chemistry department?
- With the Massive Arena renovation, who are the people to whom you need to communicate hazards?
- What are your main concerns with the physics department?
- What are the hazardous material/waste spill response issues for the university, and how should you prepare for them?
- Is any HazCom training needed for the English and math departments?
- What are some resources for finding out how to solve the HazCom issues?
- You must choose technology or trainers to do the needed training. What are some issues to consider when selecting these?
- Due to budget cuts, you have to do the training yourself, and you will use PowerPoint. What are some considerations when developing your PowerPoint Presentation?
- How can you evaluate your training to ensure that it is accomplishing your goals?
- One of the chemistry professors invents a new nonflammable compound that will render obsolete the need for solvents to degrease auto parts. What needs to be done before it can be marketed, and who should do it?
- The University decides to partner with the chemistry professor and market this new compound worldwide. What concerns need to be addressed?
- It turns out that this compound makes a great explosion with another chemical. What concerns do you now have? What experts should you consult?
- The biology department has been busy working with stronger pathogens. How would you determine the new hazard communication requirements and what should you do beyond that minimum?
Your submission must be a minimum of four pages double-spaced, not including the title and reference pages, and in APA format. Support your answers to the questions with appropriate references and in-text citations.
Paper For Above Instructions
As the new safety manager for Podunk University, my first priority will be to assess the current situation regarding hazardous materials and waste on campus. Considering that I am working in an environment that has had no dedicated safety personnel for a year and a half, it is essential to establish a foundation from which I can address safety concerns comprehensively. I will begin by performing a detailed audit of all departments that deal with hazardous materials, focusing first on the biology, chemistry, and automotive technology departments. These departments present immediate risks due to the nature of their work and should be my initial focus.
The first critical step is prioritizing the departments based on the potential hazards they pose. The biology and chemistry departments deal with biological specimens and chemicals that can be harmful, necessitating a thorough hazard communication (HazCom) review. I will also focus on the automotive technology department, as it deals with solvents and asbestos, which pose additional risks. The physics department, which uses high-voltage equipment and lasers, will be next. Following this, I will tackle the less hazardous English and math departments. My work will be guided by the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS), which provides guidelines for labeling hazardous materials and training employees.
In the automotive technology department, the HazCom issues mainly involve the handling and storage of hazardous substances such as solvents and asbestos brake linings. As these materials are toxic and can pose serious health risks, proper labeling, safety data sheets (SDS), and protective equipment must be in place. Furthermore, training for staff and students on the proper handling of these materials is essential to prevent accidents and exposures.
Additionally, hazardous waste issues arise in the automotive technology department. Waste oil, solvents, and other discarded materials are classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. This includes proper labeling of waste containers and ensuring that they do not overflow or leak. Regular audits and monitoring are necessary to ensure compliance.
Moving on to the chemistry department, HazCom issues include un-inventoried chemicals and the potential for hazardous interactions between chemicals used in the new forensics program. It will be crucial to conduct an inventory of all chemicals and ensure proper labeling and SDS availability for each. Moreover, training for faculty and students on the proper handling of these materials will be necessary to reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Hazardous waste issues in the chemistry department are significant as well. Chemicals that are improperly stored or disposed of constitute a significant environmental and health risk. A comprehensive waste management plan must be developed and implemented, ensuring that all chemical waste is tracked, labeled, and disposed of according to regulatory requirements.
Regarding the Massive Arena renovation, effective communication of hazards with contractors, architects, and workers is essential. The presence of asbestos insulation means that a comprehensive asbestos management plan must be implemented. Proper training for all personnel involved in the renovation must be conducted to ensure that they understand the risks and required safety measures.
My main concerns with the physics department revolve around the potential dangers associated with high-voltage equipment and laser safety. Training staff and students on the safe operation of such equipment is non-negotiable, and safety protocols must be established and communicated clearly.
As for hazardous material and waste spill response issues, a solid response plan is critical. This plan must outline procedures for spill containment and cleanup, designate responsible personnel, and provide necessary equipment such as spill kits. This requires regular training drills to prepare staff and students for possible incidents.
Training assessments for the English and math departments primarily focus on the limited exposure to hazardous materials. However, I recommend basic HazCom training to ensure that faculty and students are aware of the signs and risks even in departments where hazards are minimal.
Resources for addressing HazCom issues can be found through various agencies such as OSHA, EPA, and the American Chemical Society (ACS). These resources provide guidelines for developing safety programs and can offer training materials and templates.
In selecting trainers and technology for conducting the necessary training, I must consider the expertise of the trainers, the relevance of the training material, and the delivery methods. Engaging trainers with real-world experience can significantly enhance the quality of training.
Due to budget cuts necessitating my involvement in training, I will utilize PowerPoint presentations. Considerations for developing these presentations include ensuring that content is accessible, visually appealing, and that it conveys critical information succinctly while also allowing for audience engagement.
To evaluate whether the training accomplishes its goals, I will implement feedback forms and possibly conduct follow-up quizzes to gauge retention of knowledge. Observing behavior changes in the workplace can also serve as a key indicator.
In collaboration with the chemistry faculty, we would need to ensure that the new nonflammable compound meets regulatory requirements before marketing. This includes conducting safety assessments and perhaps engaging third-party testing labs for compliance verification.
As the University partners with the professor to market this compound, concerns about intellectual property, formulation safety, and global regulatory compliance will need to be addressed. Depending on where the compound is distributed, different countries may have varied regulations to consider.
The revelation of the compound's explosive potential when combined with another chemical raises serious safety concerns. I must consult hazardous materials experts, chemical safety professionals, and legal counsel to navigate these newfound risks and ensure proper safety measures are implemented.
Lastly, as the biology department deals with stronger pathogens, I will assess the necessary HazCom requirements by staying updated on CDC guidelines and implementing additional safety measures as needed. This could involve stricter lab protocols, additional training, and ensuring proper biosafety cabinets are in place.
After a tough five years, I anticipate the Podunk University campus will be running smoothly, with comprehensive safety training and systems in place that provide my successor with a manageable workload.
References
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (n.d.). Hazard Communication Standard.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (n.d.). Hazardous Waste Management.
- American Chemical Society (ACS). (n.d.). Safety Guidelines for Chemistry Classrooms and Laboratories.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (n.d.). Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories.
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (n.d.). Chemical Safety.
- Asbestos Guidelines – EPA.
- Hazardous Materials Advisory Committee. (2021). Recommended Practice for Responses to Chemical Spills.
- Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). (n.d.). Hazardous Materials Safety Training.
- American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). (n.d.). Hazard Communication Program.
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (n.d.). Fire Safety and Prevention.