1. How often will we be inspected? Monthly, unless you have been inspected within the month and had a score of 80 or under.
2. What happens if we get a low score? If you get a score of 80 or below, we will come back between 3 and 5 days to re-inspect.
3. What is the lowest score we can receive before we will be shut down? In most cases, any score under 70 will be required to shut down, however we will do follow-up inspections for any score under 80.
4. Do we have to have certified food service personnel working in our kitchen? All personnel requiring the handling of food must complete a food service program which is given by the Health Department.
5. Why can the EHS  and/or the Health Department walk in any area at any given time without approval? The inspections do not have to be announced, nor do we have to tell them that we will be inspecting at a certain time. This way we can be assured that all procedures are being handled properly.

Asbestos Analysis

1. How do I know whether or not a material contains asbestos?  EHS maintains a database of approximately 5000 asbestos samples and the material   in question may have been previously sampled.  If it has not been previously sampled, EHS will have the material sampled.
2. If I sample a suspect material myself, what type of container does it need to be brought to EHS in to be analyzed ?  The sample needs to be in an airtight container such as a film canister or a ziplock bag.

Hazardous Material Management

1. How do I arrange to have unwanted chemicals picked up for disposal?   Call EHS at 8-5905 and the unwanted chemicals will be picked up within 3 working days.
2. What information about my unwanted chemicals is needed when calling to schedule a pick up?  If a chemical is a tradename product please supply a MSDS or list known hazards on the container(s), how many bottles are to be picked up, all bottles need to be labeled with name of contents, room number and a contact person to gain access to the room.
3. Which of my unwanted chemicals does EHS need to pick up?  ALL unwanted chemicals should be picked up by EHS to assure their proper disposal.
4. What do I do if I spill a hazardous chemical?  Evacuate the area/room and call EHS.

Occupational Safety

1. My job requires me to wear a respirator, how do I get one?  Call EHS and a time will be scheduled for you to be trained, fit tested and supplied with the proper respirator for your job.
2. How do I get safety eyewear through the University?  The Vision Security Eyewear program is available to all University employees at a discounted rate through Tuscaloosa Optical and West Alabama Eye Care.  Call EHS at 8-5905 for details.
3. What do I do if I am injured on the job?  If able to do so, contact your supervisor so the appropriate forms can be filled out prior to going to Capstone Medical Center.  In case of serious injury, go immediately to University Medical Center.  If  University Medical Center is closed, go to DCH Regional Medical Center.
4. How do you determine the occupancy limit of a room?   Facility Planning and Design Services will determine the limit for you.  Call 8-5950 to talk with a representative of their office.
5. What do I do if someone is smoking in a University building?   Notify your Dean, Director or Department Head prior to notifying the EHS.
6. How do I schedule safety training or missed safety training classes?   Call EHS and training will be scheduled.
7. What items can be stored in a stairwell or hallway?   Hallways and stairwells must remain free and clear  in case of an emergency, therefore; nothing can be stored in stairwells or hallways unless approved by the Fire Marshall. 
8. Who do I need to notify if I observe a potential safety hazard?   Call EHS and report the hazard.  This report can be filed anonymously.
9. Who do I notify if I observe pests(i.e. roaches, bugs, birds, bats, etc.)?  Call Pest Control at 8-6001.
10. Who repairs/maintains emergency exit signs?  Call Maintenance at 8-6001 and report your problem.

Fire Safety Program

1. How do I have a used fire extinguisher recharged?  All University fire extinguishers can be returned to EHS for replacement.   EHS cannot recharge personal extinguishers.
2. Who needs to be contacted if the fire alarm panel is making a loud noise?   This is an audible alarm indicating the fire alarm system is in trouble and needs to be checked by an electrician.  Call EHS at 8-5905 and report your problem.
3. Who do I notify to schedule a fire drill?  Call EHS at 8-5905.

Ergonomics

1. Who do I call to have my workstation evaluated or for "ergonomic" recommendations?  Call EHS at 8-5905 and an appointment will be scheduled.
2. How do I receive a footrest?  Footrests are custom sized for each person/workstation.  Call EHS at 8-5905 and an appointment will be scheduled.
3. How do I receive a wristrest?   Call EHS at 8-5905 and a wristrest will be delivered.
4. How do I receive the monitor stands?  Monitor stands are custom sized for each person/workstation.  Call EHS at 8-5905 and an appointment will be scheduled.

Regulatory Compliance

1. What agencies regulate the University?  The University of Alabama is primarily regulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management(ADEM).   Other agencies which regulate the University include the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
2. Do these agencies ever inspect the University?  ADEM routinely conducts inspections on campus as does the Alabama Department of Public Health.   The University has also been inspected by representatives of the EPA and NRC.
3. Does OSHA conduct inspections at the University?  OSHA does not conduct routine inspections at the University.  However, if certain specified on the job injuries occur, they may conduct an inspection/investigation.  If a death occurs as a result of an on the job injury, OSHA must conduct an inspection/investigation.
4. What area on campus is responsible for contacting and coordinating activities with regulatory agencies?  EHS coordinates all University activities involving regulatory agencies.
5. How does the University respond to the new laws and regulations that are being enacted?  EHS develops programs and procedures in response to regulatory changes.
6. Are Universities exempt from certain regulations?  The University is not exempt from federal or state regulations.  No special considerations are provided to academic institutions.

Laboratory Safety Program (LSP)

1. Are all labs on campus subject to the LSP?  No, computer labs, social science labs, geography labs, etc. are not under the LSP. Any lab which has chemical, physical or biological hazards subject to regulatory compliance by any local, state or federal regulatory agency, should be under the policies of the LSP.
2. What kind of safety training is required and how often?  All students who take a science lab course must document participation in a Chemical Hygiene Plan Lab Safety Training session (referred to as Initial training) at least once. This may be accomplished by attending one of the sessions offered by EHS at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters or through some departments, i.e. Biology, Chemistry or Physics. Unless a professor requires all students to attend Lab Safety Training, the requirement for student training is met by attending Initial training from any source, just once.
   In accordance with Lab CHP's, all employees should receive documented annual safety training to review the safety precautions related to hazards in their labs. This requirement may be satisfied by individual Lab CHO's, through departmental training sessions or through EHS.
3. How often are labs inspected?  A questionnaire type survey is conducted at least annually. The actual frequency a lab is visited depends on the specific activity in labs. For example, contact with any lab in the Radiation Safety Program will be based on regulatory requirements.
4. How often must Chemical Hygiene Plans (CHP) be submitted?  When a lab is initially activated, a Lab CHP should be sent to the Lab Safety Manager at EHS. This plan should be reviewed at least annually. If there have been no changes in the potential hazards, then an Annual CHP Verification form should be completed and sent to EHS. If there have been changes in the lab, a new CHP should be submitted.
5. I don't have any chemicals in my lab, why do I have to submit a CHP?The UA CHP addresses chemical, physical and biological hazards regulated by a variety of local, state and federal agencies. Likewise, Lab CHP's must address these same issues.

Radiation Safety Program (RSP)

1. Who is required to participate in the RSP?  Any Principal Investigator (PI) who works with Radioactive Material and/or Radiation Producing machines and his or her workers (students and employees).
2. How does a PI obtain approval to work with Radioactive Material or Radiation Producing machines?  The PI must submit the appropriate application form to the Radiation Control Advisory Committee for consideration. To obtain the appropriate form, contact the Radiation Safety Officer at EHS. Once a PI is approved by the RCAC, he/she is referred to as a Sublicensee.
3. What kinds of training/information are required by the RSP? To be approved as a Sublicensee, the candidate must have adequate training and experience to satisfy the RCAC that the person can perform radiological procedures safely. All Sublicensee. are required to attend an annual training session to update and clarify information related to the RSP. These sessions are held during the summer. All workers under Sublicensee. are required to attend corresponding user informational meetings during fall sessions. All workers must complete RSO computer training before they initiate work in the lab. To schedule RSO computer training, call EHS.
4. What types of prior approval are required by the RSP?

   a.  Sublicensee or Authorized Representative approval by the RCAC

   b.  RSO approval to order any type of Radioactive Material or Radiation Producing Machine. This includes all radionuclides, sealed or unsealed, x-ray instruments and x-ray producing machines.

   c.  Alterations in sublicenses.

5. How do I get approval to order radioactive isotopes?  The Sublicensee or Authorized Representative must call EHS to request an approval number to order an isotope.
6. Who is required to have personal dosimetry?  Persons who work with any unsealed radionuclides other than C14, H3 or S35.

Bloodborne Pathogen Policy(BBP)

1. Who is covered by the BBP policy?  Persons who as part of their job are likely to be exposed to blood or potentially infectious materials.  This determination is made by your supervisor.
2. Is training provided?  Personnel covered by the policy receive annual training in October, November or December of each year.  initial training is provided whenever an individual is assigned to a covered job classification.
3. Who can get the hepatitis vaccination?  All personnel covered by the BBP policy is eligible to receive the hepatitis vaccination.
4. How much does the hepatitis vaccination cost?  The hepatitis vaccinations are provided at no cost to all personnel covered by the BBP policy.
5. Does the University do a routine titre following vaccination?  No.