Environmental Health and Safety

Researchers at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine are committed to conducting their work safely, ethically and in an environmentally responsible manner. Our Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) program provides training, resources and oversight to ensure the welfare of faculty, staff and students. While our innovative research pushes boundaries, we never compromise when it comes to safety, ethics and stewardship. The EHS program demonstrates this commitment in action and enables our scientists to stay focused on discovery.

For questions, contact the appropriate representative.

Name title phone Email
Amstein, Paul Hazardous Waste Supervisor 614-292-1284 amstein.1@osu.edu
Bergdall, Valerie Director, ULAR 614-292-1561 bergdall.1@osu.edu
Bremer, Cathy EHS Officer, Veterinary Preventive Medicine 614-292-8328 bremer.2@osu.edu
Fout, Birdell Building Coordinator VMAB/Sisson/Goss Lab 614-688-4158 fout.35@osu.edu
Garabed, Rebecca College IACUC Representative 614-292-3551 garabed.1@osu.edu
Hickman-Davis, Judy Clinical Veterinarian, ULAR 614-688-4880 hickman-davis.2@osu.edu
Highley, Karsen EHS Research Safety Officer 614-292-1284 highley.37@osu.edu
Hoepf, Toni EHS Officer, Veterinary Biosciences and VCS 614-514-9516 hoepf.1@osu.edu
Kisseberth, Bill College IACUC Representative 614-292-3551 kisseberth.2@osu.edu
Moore, Sarah College IACUC Representative 614-292-3551 moore.2204@osu.edu
Petz, Eric EHS Research Safety Officer VMC 614-247-1866 petz.9@osu.edu
Puskas, David University Biosafety Officer 614-247-4867 puskas.2@osu.edu
VanGundy, Zac EHS Research Safety Officer 614-292-3774 vangundy.11@osu.edu

 

Faculty Resources

All Principal Investigator (PIs) performing laboratory research must have an approved Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) in place. Information for getting started on your CHP can be found at: http://ehs.osu.edu/ResBioSafety/ChemHP.aspx.

A link to the EHS Online User Guide can be found below:
https://ehs.osu.edu/resources?title=user+guide

You will need your Ohio State login to get started on the interactive CHP. If you need assistance, please contact Mitch Baker at baker.779@osu.edu.

Labs are required to submit a chemical inventory to Environmental Health and Safety.  If you would like an Excel template for your chemical inventory, please contact Toni Hoepf.           

Once the inventory is submitted, EHS will upload it to EHS ASSIST on their website. Additions or deletions of chemicals should be registered online.  Any changes regarding Department of Homeland Security chemicals of interest must be made within 30 days.  Below is a link to the list of these chemicals.  This is a federal government requirement.

https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/chemsec_appendixa-chemicalofinterestlist.pdf

 

All faculty, staff, graduate students and undergraduate students working in labs are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to take the basic Lab Standard Training.  All personnel working in Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) or BSL-1 labs are required to take the Biological Safety Training for BSL2 or BSL-1. All personnel working with bloodborne pathogens and/or human material (not including fixed tissue) are required to take the Bloodborne Pathogens course.

Additional training may be required dependent upon your lab’s specific protocols.

The Ohio State Building Emergency Action Plan is also a training requirement for all personnel.

In addition to the required training courses, EHS offers a number of online courses that may be beneficial and pertinent to your research.  An example would be Formaldehyde Safety, as this is a hazardous chemical used in many research applications.

All EHS courses are accessed through the EHS Assist link on the EHS home page.

https://ehs.osu.edu/

  • Lab Standard
  • Biological Safety Training for BSL-2/BSL-1
  • Bloodborne Pathogens*
  • Building Emergency Action Plan

*This course is required on an annual basis.

 

All personnel working with radioactive material are required to take this training.  Training specific to the isotopes used in your laboratory should be given by the PI on an annual basis.

Completed courses should show up as a transcript.  Please print this page for all lab personnel and place in training section of the CHP.

 

Lab Animal Use:
If you are listed on an approved animal use protocol there are three requirements that must be met.

  1. Registration with Occupational Health and Safety:
    You will be required to fill out the Online Risk Assessment Tool which is accessed from this page.
    http://orrp.osu.edu/iacuc/occhealth/
     
  2. The CITI course "Working With IACUC" is required by all participants using animals in research.
    http://orrp.osu.edu/iacuc/training/

Responsible Conduct of Research is also required.
http://orrp.osu.edu/iacuc/study-team-requirements/

  1. Contact ULAR for ID access to the Sisson Hall animal facility.
    Monica Smith: smith.286@osu.edu
    See the ULAR webpage for more information regarding their policies and services: http://ular.osu.edu/

    Note:  ULAR also offers animal handling and techniques classes on an as needed basis.  Call 292-5494 for more information.