Safety First Publication

 

A web page for the health and safety of everyone on campus, presented by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Safety Council and the Office of Institutional Advancement. For general information associated with this site, please contact Environmental Health & Safety at (713) 500-8100.

 

Knee Deep in Waste?
Not Here if EH&S Has Anything to Say about It

Photo of Dr. Robert Emery and Bruce Brown in hazardous material suits holding a biohazard container.

Since the UT Health Science Center at Houston exists to treat and prevent diseases, our institution works with a wide variety of potentially hazardous substances that, if not managed appropriately, can make their way into the air, water or waste streams.

 

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is developing an improved system to manage potentially hazardous materials and environmental releases stemming from research, clinical and educational activities.

 

Teams have been created through the institutional Chemical Safety Committee and the Area Safety Liaison Program to identify possible sources of environmental impacts (known in the business as “environmental aspects”) and put in place programs and policies that make good business sense for the university.

 

To make the new system work, there must be:

  • Identification of the universe of possible sources of concern and their associated impacts and liabilities;
  • Development of environmental polices;
  • Implementation of programs to control costs and risk;
  • Support and involvement from management, faculty, fellows, residents, staff and students; and
  • Reviews by management.

Once identified, the prioritized list ranking health science environmental aspects will be posted to the Environmental Health & Safety Web site (www.uth.tmc.edu/safety).

 

EH&S will enlist the help of individuals working in the areas identified for their assistance to develop management approaches that make sense from both an environmental and an operational standpoint.

Please direct any questions or ideas regarding environmental management to Environmental Protection Program Manager, Alan.Lucas@uth.tmc.edu, (713) 500-8104.

 

Date Posted: 04/20/2005