Facilities, Maintenance, and Custodial

Environmental

The Clean Air Act (CAA) governs air pollution in the United States. This act establishes the federal standards on air pollutants, emission control methods from sources, and establishes air quality regulations. Emory operations such as steam generation for heating and cooling, emergency generator operations, and refrigerants management are regulated under the CAA. Emory currently maintains a Title V permit.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) governs the protection of Waters of the United States. The CWA establishes water quality standards for protection of surface waters from pollutant discharges. EHSO oversees a number of programs that protect waters around Emory through programs, inspections, management practices, such as National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Storm Water Management; Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) management, and the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan.

NPDES/Storm Water Management

Emory is proactive in managing potential pollutants that may be discharged into nearby water bodies as the result of rain events. This is accomplished by program evaluation and inspections to ensure regulatory compliance with applicable regulations.

Fats, Oils & Grease

Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) are part of the Clean Water Act (CWA) Pretreatment Regulations and targets the discharge of oils discharged by food service. FOG must be captured and managed by a Grease Removal System (GRS). GRS’s include oil-water separators, grease traps, or grease interceptor devices that capture the FOG. GRSs must be maintained by having the FOG periodically removed from the system. Controlling FOG discharges will help publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) prevent blockages that cause public health and water quality problems. GRSs are typically permitted by the local POTW. These permits must be renewed annually at Emory.

Spill Prevention, Control, & Countermeasure (SPCC)

Oils are stored and used by Emory, which include petroleum oil, fuel oil, mineral oil, and vegetable oils. In order to meet the requirements of the Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations Emory must implement a SPCC plan. This plan prevents oils from reaching waterways by establishing procedures, engineering controls, inspections, and counter measures.

Guidance

CERCLA, often referred to as Superfund, has the purpose of imposing responsibility on entities to remediate large chemically contamination.  The part of CERCLA which impacts Emory is the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) which requires that information regarding hazardous materials stored or used be provided to emergency response planning groups through a report titled Tier II. This report informs Emergency Planning Agencies of the types and quantities of certain chemicals on our campuses and is provided to the State Emergency Response Commission, Local Emergency Planning Committees, County-specific HAZMAT teams, and local fire departments.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates hazardous materials transportation. A hazardous material is a substance that is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when being transported. Hazardous materials that are intended for transportation on or off campus MUST be shipped by individuals that are trained in DOT regulations. Please refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) of the material you want to ship to verify what hazards, if any, your material may possess. Materials that are not considered to be hazardous by the DOT do not have to follow the DOT regulations. Packages must not be transported using any means of public or personal transportation. There are size limits for individual packages based on the hazard class and packing group of the material. Please contact EHSO for information on the quantity limits of your hazardous material.

Please contact EHSO with shipping questions.

Materials of Trade (MOTs) are hazardous materials that are transported by Emory employees to directly support business purposes. EHSO oversees the transportation of hazardous materials and provides training on MOTs. EHSO will also advise personnel on the quantity limits and packaging, marking, and labeling requirements.

The Emory community takes pride in maintaining a beautiful 630-acre campus. This requires the occasional use of pesticides which must be carefully applied and managed. Emory uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to minimize pesticide use. All Emory staff that are responsible for pesticide application receive training to ensure proper and safe use of pesticides. All applicators have a pesticide application license with the state of Georgia or are under the supervision of an individual with a license. EHSO frequently audits applicators and sites of application to ensure compliance at all levels. Emory is a neonicotinoid free campus to protect bees and other pollinators.

Guidance

At Emory University, we pride ourselves in developing and implementing sustainable practices to reduce our carbon footprint, promote healthy living, and ensure reuse and recycling practices as often as possible. EHSO promotes and collaborates with the Office of Sustainability Initiatives, the Green Labs program and other organizations throughout campus to make Emory’s facilities as environmentally sound as possible without compromising any safety aspects. EHSO and Sustainability strive to promote Environmental Stewardship.

EHSO promotes sustainability by:

  • Recommending recycling of all materials and reduction of landfill waste during our audits,
  • Working with Green Labs to encourage green practices (microscale experiments, turning off lights, recycling appropriate materials, etc.) within Emory’s laboratories,
  • Picking up all waste that could be hazardous and choosing appropriate means of disposal that promote recycling materials when possible (this includes our battery recycling program), and
  • Ensuring all safety controls are in place to prevent any release into the environment.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) was established in 1976 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This act manages and restricts the use of toxic chemical substances and their mixtures. Managing includes production, importation, use, and disposal of specific chemicals. This act is primarily known for its affiliation with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos, radon, and lead-based paint. However, the list is not limited to these materials.

TSCA also requires importers and exporters of chemical substance, mixtures or articles to either certify that the chemical substances comply with TSCA or are not subject to TSCA. Certain chemicals are excluded and certain chemicals require no certification. Anyone at Emory having questions about this requirement should contact EHSO.

Any toxic materials covered under TSCA cannot go into the regular (landfill) trash and must be disposed of through EHSO or an Emory-approved vendor.

Underground Storage Tanks (UST) systems at Emory are used to fuel emergency power generators at Emory's research buildings, hospitals, and other critical locations. USTs are managed by the Facilities Management staff of their respective organizations. The purpose of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Management Program is to outline a method to comply with applicable Federal and State regulations regarding UST management at Emory. USTs are defined as tanks that contain a regulated substance (such as petroleum products) that are located 10% or more beneath the surface of the ground. Emory’s USTs are regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD). The UST Management Program applies to all USTs at Emory University, Emory Healthcare, and The Emory Clinic locations. EHSO’s Environmental Compliance Program at Emory, in partnership with Facilities Management, ensures UST compliance with State and Federal Regulations.

UST Class C Operator Training 

UST Class C Operators are those staff who have primary responsibility for initial response to emergencies (alarms, spills, releases, etc.) at the UST site. Class C Operators must be trained upon initial job assignment EHSO's Underground Storage Tank Compliance Training for Class C Operators. Class C Operators will be expected to attend this training annually.

Guidance

Training

Any staff member who has responsibility for managing USTs or provides oversight is required to have appropriate training. Staff are required to take either A, B, or C Operator training depending on their role and responsibilities regarding USTs. Contact EHSO’s UST lead for further information.

Industrial Hygiene

The Asbestos Program has been established to maintain a safe and health work environment for Emory University students, staff, visitors, and contractors. Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) will be managed according to applicable federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines. The objectives of the program are:

  • Identification of ACMs
  • Assessment and Hazard Communication
  • Training
  • Proper documentation in university facilities associated with asbestos abatement projects

Guidance

Asbestos/Lead Assessment 

Need an assessment to identify the presence of asbestos/lead in a building? 
Request An Assessment 

OSHA has estimated that more than 32 million workers are exposed to 650,000 hazardous chemical products in more than 3 million American workplaces each year. Emory's Hazard Communication (HazCom) Program was developed to comply with regulatory standards to ensure chemical safety for Emory University employees, students, and visitors. This program makes sure that information about health and physical hazards associated with chemical use and associated protective measures are disseminated to Emory University employees, students, and visitors. As part of the program, EHSO retains an online database of safety data sheets (SDS), has developed a HazCom program, provides training and labeling information for potentially exposed employees.

Guidance

According to OSHA, elevated noise, is one of the most common health problems in American workplaces. Exposure to high levels of noise may cause hearing loss, create physical and psychological stress, reduce productivity, interfere with communication, and contribute to accidents and injuries. Emory's Hearing Conservation Program was developed to conserve the hearing of Emory University employees, students, and visitors by focusing on preventing occupational noise-induced hearing loss. The program includes:

  • Monitoring,
  • Audiometric testing,
  • Hearing protection,
  • Employee training, and
  • Recordkeeping for any employee exposed to noise levels at or above 85 dBA.

Guidance

Emory University is committed to the prevention of heat related illnesses and injuries for university employees, students and visitors caused by activities performed in high heat environments. EHSO has developed a heat stress program that includes a written program, identification of high heat areas, signs and symptoms of heat-related conditions, assessments, monitoring and training.

Guidance

Heat Index 

Symptoms

Where will you be working?

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) deals with the content of interior air that could affect the health and comfort of building occupants. Investigation and remediation of IAQ concerns are a joint effort between Campus Services, EHSO, and the person(s) reporting the problem. Most IAQ problems or complaints can be remedied quickly. However, in complex situations (e.g. large areas of fungal growth, multiple causative agents), it may take more time to reach a resolution. In any case, EHSO and Campus Services will make it a point to keep building occupants informed of progress in addressing the situation.

Guidance

The Lead Program has been established to maintain a safe and healthy work environment for Emory University students, staff, visitors, and contractors. Lead materials will be managed according to applicable federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines. The objectives of the program are:

  • Inspection of target housing and child-occupied facilities prior to performing activities that may disturb lead-based paint.
  • Consultation on safe work practices related to construction projects that impact lead-containing materials.
  • Coordination and provision of project oversight on lead paint abatement projects.
  • Provision of waste characterization and disposal for projects occurring in Emory's facilities.

Guidance

A respirator is a device that protects you from inhaling dangerous substances, such as chemicals and infectious particles, and may also protect workers from insufficient oxygen environments. According to OSHA, as estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces across the U.S. Emory's Respiratory Protection Program was developed to protect Emory employees, students, and visitors from exposure to respiratory hazards. The program includes assessment of work areas, procedures for selecting respirators, medical evaluations, respirator fit testing, procedures for evaluation of the program and training on respiratory hazards, respirator use and care. If a respirator is voluntarily worn by an employee if not required by the employer, EHSO must be contacted prior to respirator use.

To schedule respirator fit testing please complete the following steps:

  • Obtain Medical Clearance
    • Employees should Log into Peoplesoft Self-Service using your Network ID and password
    • Click the Workplace Health Tile and look for N95 Questionnaire under the “bell icon” at top middle of screen. If not available, please contact employee health at home@emoryhealthcare.org
    • An appointment is not necessary, first complete N95 Questionnaire and Employee Health will review and contact you if further information is needed or a visit to the clinic is warranted.
    • You must be prepared to show proof of Medical Clearance completed in HOME to the individual fit testing you.
    • Students should complete the medical questionnaire form and have it signed by a Program designated healthcare provider.
    • You must bring with you the medical clearance form signed by the healthcare professional provided by your Program
  • Take the Respirator training course
    • Log into Emory Learning Management
    • Select the appropriate online training course
      • 242181 – Respiratory Protection for Single Use Respirators (N95)
      • 240180 – Respiratory Protection for University Workers
    • Your Department/Program will provide the respirators needed for fit testing

You must be clean shaven to be fit tested.
No drinking, eating, smoking, or chewing gum 30 minutes prior to fit testing.

Guidance

Occupational Safety

Each year, hundreds of people are injured or die as a result of entering permit-required confined spaces which contain unknown hazards. Most of these deaths could have been prevented if the entrants had been trained to recognize confined space hazards and had followed a plan for entry into confined spaces. The Confined Space Program provides requirements for Emory employees on safely working in confined spaces, such as tanks, manholes, and vaults.

Emory personnel and students are not permitted to enter confined spaces without proper training and authorization. Confined space entrants, attendants, and supervisors are required to receive initial training and refresher training annually.

Guidance

Electricity is all around us. It powers most of our technology, which makes it easy to overlook the potential electrical hazards present in the workplace. The purpose of the Electrical Safety program is to establish minimum standards to protect employees against electrical shock, burns, electrocution, and other electrical safety hazards as well as ensure compliance with regulatory requirements applicable to electrical systems. This program does not cover all requirements related to installation methods and procedures specifically learned through an apprenticeship program.

Guidance

Falls are one of the most common causes of serious work-related injuries. The purpose of the Walking Working Surfaces – Fall Protection Program is to establish requirements for employees working at elevations of 4ft and guarding floor and wall openings. Where employees are required to work within 6 feet of an unprotected edge, personal fall arrest systems must be utilized. Employees working from height are required to receive initial training and refresher training every three (3) years.

Guidance

Ladders are frequently used to perform a variety of tasks. Anyone who is expected to use a ladder must be able to recognize potential hazards and appropriately select, set up and use ladders. The Ladder Safety Program is applicable to all Emory employees who may be expected to use any ladder (including portable ladders, extension ladders and fixed or permanent ladders) during the course of their work. Emory requires all ladders to be inspected before each use and by the owner department's competent person according to the schedule stated in the Ladder Safety Program. All competent person inspections must be documented either on a ladder inspection tag affixed to the ladder or be maintained electronically. Employees who use ladders are required to receive initial training and refresher training once every three (3) years.

Guidance

Employees servicing or maintaining equipment are at risk of serious injury if the hazardous energy sources are not properly identified and controlled before working on the equipment. The Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Program provides guidance in the protecting employees from this hazard. The LOTO Program applies to all employees performing servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment in which the unexpected energization or startup of the machines/equipment or the release of stored energy could cause injury to the employees. Lockout/Tagout training is required once every three (3) years.

Guidance

Employee exposure to unguarded or inadequately guarded machines is prevalent in many workplaces. Consequently, workers who operate and maintain machinery suffer from amputations, lacerations, crushing injuries, and abrasions each per year. The Machinery and Machine Guarding Program establishes minimum safety requirements for machinery and machine guarding at Emory and is intended to assure that equipment or machines are operated safely and meet the machine guarding requirements established by OSHA. Machine Guarding training is required once every three (3) years.

Guidance

A powered industrial truck is defined as any mobile power-propelled truck used to carry, push, pull, lift, stack or tier materials. Examples include forklifts, pallet jacks, low lift jacks, etc. Earth moving and road hauling trucks, golf carts, bucket trucks, and licensed automobiles are not included in the definition.

Any employee operating a powered industrial truck at Emory must first receive operator safety training and an evaluation of their operating skills.  Training must be repeated at least every three years.  Please contact EHSO if your department intends to purchase or rent a new powered industrial truck, as additional training may be needed.

Anyone operating a Powered Industrial Truck must be over the age of 18 and properly trained and certified to do so.

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