Services

Scope of Services

In an era of increasing regulation in all facets of safety, health, fire protection, emergency response, and environment MTSU Environmental Health & Safety Services (EH&S) provides vital services to all University Departments. In addition to providing consultation, investigation, and inspection services EH&S also provides assistance in the areas of employee training, guidance on regulatory record keeping and reporting for OSHA, EPA, the Tennessee State Fire Marshal, and other regulatory agencies.

Summary

Department resources are often over taxed in attempting to maintain safety programs and regulatory compliance. Development of new programs that require staffing and funding to meet changing regulatory requirements often remains undone. EH&S provides vital services to the University by assisting departments in achieving regulatory compliance in the areas of safety, health, environment, fire protection, and hazardous materials. The EH&S staff is well versed in all aspects of safety program administration, emergency response planning, and regulatory compliance and is very capable of successfully organizing and developing safety services to meet present and future needs of the University.

Services

EH&S personnel have a strong background in the areas of expertise necessary for development of comprehensive institutional, division, college, and departmental safety programs:

Leadership and Administration

EH&S is knowledgeable of the requirements of a comprehensive safety program and has the ability to coordinate and implement safety program functions. EH&S also has an extensive library consisting of the latest safety and environmental standards, building and fire codes as well as work practice reference information compiled from a variety of sources.

Planned General Inspections

Inspections can be conducted and reports completed and analyzed in critical or hazardous areas. Every facility should be inspected at least annually by an independent third party and critical or hazardous areas more frequently by the administrators, directors, or managers responsible for those areas.

Accident Investigation

Accident investigation procedures can be improved by training of first line supervision. Injuries and illnesses should be investigated first by first line supervision and then reviewed by management. Unusual or serious injuries and illnesses may also be investigated by EH&S when requested. All fires or explosions should be investigated by EH&S for the purpose of determination of cause and origin. Vehicle accidents can be reviewed by EH&S and further investigated if they are serious or involve unusual circumstances.

Safety and Health Complaint Investigation and Evaluation

EHSAll complaints of hazards related to safety or health are investigated and evaluated by EH&S. Every employee has the right, in accordance with state and federal laws, to make anonymous safety, health, and environmental complaints. EH&S shall be provided copies of any documents on request, from any department, that it deems pertinent to the evaluation of a safety or health complaint. EH&S will determine the actual degree of hazard of the complaint item, determine any associated regulatory issues, recommend any program changes or corrective actions necessary to control the hazard, and issue a report of findings to the department head, appropriate administrators, and the EH&S Committee. These reports may also be reviewed by representatives of the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Emergency Preparedness

MTSU has well established relationships with both the Murfreesboro Fire Department and Rutherford County Emergency Medical Service for assistance and mutual aid during most emergencies encountered on campus. EH&S has a statutory responsibility for emergency planning and response and developed the institutional Emergency Operations Plan. EH&S can assist departments in developing customized emergency plans within the framework of the institutional plan that address unique departmental needs. Community Emergency Response Teams can also be developed and trained. The emergency plan can also provide a list of external resources.

Accident/Injury/Illness Analysis

EHSEH&S compiles data and statistics concer