Environmental Health & Safety

Chapter Seven:

Regulatory Overview

The Environmental Health & Safety Manager is often asked by employees, "Why do I have to do chemical inventories or medical surveillance, or handle chemical or infectious waste in this particular manner?" The answer is most often, "Because it's required by the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD), Occupational Safety & Health Act (OSHA) regulations, or the Environmental Protection Agency."

Jump to:

• Compliance Assistance
• Regulatory Agencies
• Risk on Campus
  

Compliance Assistance

Several people at PLU can provide compliance assistance to help employees identify rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that affect their work.

• The Environmental Health & Safety Manager oversees safety, health, and environmental regulatory compliance for the entire university.
• The Chemical Hygiene Officer oversees chemical handling. The Radiation Safety Officer oversees radiological safety within the Natural Sciences division.
• The Risk Manager, Director of Campus Safety, and Human Resource Services may also be able to provide guidance on safety issues.
• Safety Committee Inspection Team members regularly visit operating areas to answer questions and highlight issues of compliance concern. The team deals with fire and physical hazards, chemical handling, biosafety, and other life safety issues.

Regulatory Agencies

• United States
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.epa.gov
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): www.osha.gov
• Department of Transportation (DOT): www.dot.gov
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): www.nrc.gov
• Washington State
• Department of Ecology: www.ecy.wa.gov
• Department of Labor and Industries: www.lni.wa.gov
• Department of Health: www.doh.wa.gov
• Department of Emergency Management: www.wa.gov/wsem
• Pierce County: www.co.pierce.wa.us
• Planning and Land Services Fire Marshal's Office: www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/property/pals/palsmain.htm
• Pierce County's Wastewater Treatment, Surface Water Management and the Water Quality Control Plant: www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/services/home/environ/index.htm
• Puget Sound Clean Air Agency: www.pscleanair.org
• Central Pierce Fire and Rescue: www.centralpiercefire.org
• Tacoma Pierce County Health Department: www.tpchd.org