The programs and services of RM&S combine the technical disciplines of environmental health and safety with the risk management concepts of risk control and risk transfer. The University of Arizona is a significant enterprise of teaching, research and public service. Inherent in these activities are many areas and varieties of hazard and loss exposure. RM&S manages and coordinates the University's effort to address these risks through the programs listed and described below.
The University of Arizona, as a state agency, is insured through a statutory program described in Arizona Revised Statutes §41-621 et seq. Administered at the state level, this program utilizes self insurance and commercial insurance coverage to address the state's property, liability, and workers' compensation exposures. RM&S works within state guidelines and procedures to coordinate these insurance programs on behalf of the University of Arizona.
Property Insurance
This covers all University land and buildings, equipment, autos, and collections from losses such as fire, theft, flood, vandalism, etc. RM&S provides assistance to departments with claim filing, monitoring, working with adjusters, and distributing claim proceeds to the proper account.
Liability Insurance
This program covers the acts and omissions of University employees acting in the course and scope of employment and/or authorization. Demands and lawsuits are defended by the Arizona Attorney General's Office. RM&S investigates accidents and incidents that may give rise to liability claims, and works with legal counsel to resolve claims quickly if possible.
Workers' Compensation Insurance
This type of insurance covers medical expenses and lost time for employees injured on the job. RM&S files claims on behalf of employees, monitors status, and ensures appropriate distribution of benefits.
Many safety programs are governed by regulations, while others are just good loss prevention practice. RM&S provides many services directly, yet also encourages University departments to assume responsibility for the safety of their activities. Specific program areas are described below.
Employee Health and Safety
A big part of employee safety and health is compliance with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Arizona Department of Safety and Health (ADOSH) regulations. RM&S assists departments with evaluation of their activities to determine applicable regulations. RM&S serves as the regulatory liaison and responds to ADOSH inspections, complaints, and directives on behalf of the University. Major compliance areas include laboratory chemical hygiene, bloodborne pathogens, chemical exposures, personal protective equipment, hazard communication, asbestos work procedures, confined space entry, lockout/tagout, fall protection, forklift safety, and just about anything else that comes up.
RM&S also provides worksite and job evaluation services. This includes ergonomic assessments, indoor air quality investigation, job hazard analysis, selection of protective equipment, and safety signage.
Safety Training
RM&S regularly provides safety training in the areas of laboratory chemical hygiene (i.e., lab safety), bloodborne pathogens, respiratory protection, ergonomics, fire safety, forklift safety, asbestos awareness, high occupancy vehicle driving, and other specialized topics as needed. RM&S maintains a training database to document completion of training programs for compliance purposes.
Fire Safety
The University of Arizona main campus is comprised of over 150 major buildings, and includes residential occupancies, laboratories, classrooms, offices, and large assembly occupancies for sporting and cultural events. Fire safety is addressed through a networked program of policies and procedures, state of the art alarm and suppression systems, comprehensive construction code review, evacuation drills, hands-on fire extinguisher training, and inspections. As a state agency, the U of A is under the jurisdiction of the Office of the State Fire Marshal (SFM) for fire and building code compliance. RM&S is the liaison to the SFM, coordinates their campus inspections, investigates deficiencies, directs corrective action, prepares responses, and maintains documentation of these activities. RM&S staff are directly involved in all construction and renovation of University buildings. This includes active participation in plan review, project programming, site safety, and testing and acceptance of building safety systems.
Building and Grounds Safety
In addition to fire, there are many other hazards that may arise on a 350 acre campus. RM&S directs correction of identified safety hazards such as slip and fall hazards, pedestrian/traffic conflicts, construction hazards, guardrails, lighting, rooftops, etc. A new responsibility of RM&S is overseeing the maintenance and operation of the emergency telephone network across campus.
Fleet Safety
RM&S coordinates several areas related to safe operation of vehicles. These include providing training for drivers of high occupancy vehicles such as vans, accident investigation, and coordinating University compliance with the federal regulation concerning Commercial Drivers' Licenses, which includes medical screening, drug testing, supervisory training, and recordkeeping.
This is an important responsibility for RM&S because of the complexity of regulations, and the potential for significant monetary penalties for non-compliance. RM&S coordinates all areas of environmental compliance with the exception of radioactive materials, which are managed by the Office of Radiation Control under the Vice President for Research. RM&S programs are listed below.
Hazardous Waste Management
The U of A is regulated per Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations as a large quantity generator of hazardous waste, and a permitted Part B Storage Facility. Hazardous wastes include materials such as solvents, acids, bases, pesticides, toxic solutions, reactives, and explosives. RM&S staff collect wastes from University laboratories, shops, and farms, for re-packaging and shipment off-site for EPA approved permanent disposal. RM&S services also include chemical spill response, contingency plan updates, and compliance training. In 2006, the U of A generated more than 96 tons of regulated hazardous waste. RM&S also manages the University's Pollution Prevention Plan to minimize waste volumes.
Biological Waste Management
Closely related to compliance requirements of the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, RM&S coordinates collection and disposal of potentially infectious biological waste, primarily from University laboratories.
Industrial Wastewater Compliance
RM&S manages 12 permits issued by Pima County for discharge of industrial wastewater to the county
owned sewer system and treatment works. These permits arise from the federal Clean Water Act as administered by the EPA. RM&S collects compliance samples, arranges analysis, submits reports, and investigates discharge violations.
Other Environmental Compliance Programs
In addition to those programs listed above, RM&S manages compliance at a closed hazardous waste landfill (Page Ranch), is processing an air quality emissions permit for the University with Pima County, manages compliance for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), underground fuel storage tanks, environmental remediation projects, and real estate property assessments.
RM&S has 20 FTE assigned to carry out these responsibilities. The department is funded by a mix of state funds, indirect cost recovery, administrative service charge, and occasional loss control grants. All programs and services are provided free of charge.
Significant internal collaboration is an important part of the University's overall risk management strategy. Critical partners with RM&S in this strategy include all of the Facilities Division departments, Human Resources, Life & Work Connections, University Attorneys, Radiation Control, Institutional Biosafety Committee, Institutional Chemical Safety Committee, Campus Health Services, and the University Police Department. Dozens of additional collaborations exist on a continuing basis throughout all areas of the organization.
The programs and services of Risk Management and Safety benefit employees individually through opportunities for enhancing health and safety, and the University collectively through loss prevention and compliance programs that are created and implemented on behalf of the institution.
All contents copyright © 2009. Arizona Board of Regents.