ISBN 978-0-8412-2817-7

No matter whichsafety managementsystem is selected oradapted to academicinstitutions, anysafety managementsystem is only as goodas its implementationand its continuoussustainment.• “Physical hazards inherent to research were not effectivelyassessed, planned for, or mitigated.”• “The university lacked safety management oversight andaccountability.”• “Previous incidents with preventive lessons were notdocumented, tracked, and formally communicated.”These shortcomings were viewed by CSB as an opportunity for allacademic institutions to compare their practices and policies withthose that existed at this university at the time of the incident.The National Research Council described an Environmental Healthand Safety Management System in chapter 2 of its publication,titled Prudent Practices in the Laboratory. 15 OSHA described the components of a Health andSafety Management System, including: (1) management, leadership, and employee involvement;(2) worksite analysis; (3) hazard prevention and control; and (4) safety and health training. 16While this system is commonly applied to industry regulated by OSHA, it is relevant to theacademic environment also. There are other models for safety management systems. 17 No matterwhich safety management system is selected or adapted to academic institutions, any safetymanagement system is only as good as its implementation and its continuous sustainment—theleadership and management play essential roles in establishing, implementing, and managing aneffective, sustained safety management program.Many universities and colleges have an EHS department, which is staffed with environmentalhealth and safety professionals, who assist the faculty and administration in building,maintaining, and overseeing the safety program. While the faculty relies upon EHS for support inthe management of their safety program, the safety of employees and students is ultimately theresponsibility of the faculty and laboratory staff members.Departments offering chemistry are complex enterprises that not only include teaching andresearch laboratories, but also include supporting storerooms; shipping and receiving areas; andelectronics, wood, metal, and glass shops, where materials are used for laboratory experimentsand functions. Safe practices, and safety protocols and rules should be established for theseoperations, as well as for the laboratories.Recommendations Concerning Leadership and Management1. Establish the lines of authority for safety; develop a safety policy that includes laboratorysafety, and includes safety responsibilities in the job descriptions and performance plans ofall employees.2. Encourage every leader to become a proponent of safety and safety education, and todemonstrate this care for safety in their actions with other staff members and students.3. Establish a strong, effective safety management system and safety program for the institution,including laboratory safety.17