Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety Standard Operating Procedures and Forms
The West Texas A&M University Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety Program (AR-EHS) supports the A&M System purpose by establishing a campus community-wide culture of environmental protection and health safety. The program establishes both required and best management practices to provide a safe working environment for campus community members, the public, and environmental protection. The Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety Program is designed to meet the specific environmental, health, and safety protection challenges and requirements for the academic and research community at WTAMU.
AR-EHS supports all university academic and research components. For non-academic and/or non-research EHS needs, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office at 806-651-2134.
Each of the Standard Operating Procedures and any associated forms are posted below. Please see AR-EHS 0001 for a full program overview.
The Texas A&M University System strives to protect the health and safety of its faculty, staff, students, and visitors. The West Texas A&M University Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety Program (AR-EHS) supports the A&M System purpose by establishing a campus-community-wide culture of environmental protection and health safety. The program establishes both required and best management practices to provide a safe working environment for campus community members, the public, and environmental protection. The Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety Program is designed to meet the specific environmental, health, and safety protection challenges and requirements for the academic and research community at WTAMU. The program is directed by the Provost of Adademic Affairs and administered by the Dean of the Graduate School and Research. The Associate Dean of Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for the program development, implementation, and oversight.
The purpose of this written program is to advise and provide guidance on the employer/employee requirements of the Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), the Texas Hazard Communication Act, and the Texas A&M System Policy 24.02.02.
To establish a program for labeling containers of hazardous material. This procedure provides personnel the information necessary to alert them to the potential hazards to which they may be exposed under normal conditions of use of in foreseeable emergency.
Under the Resource and Recovery Act (RCRA), regulated generators of hazardous waste are required to accumulate those hazardous wastes in designated facility "hazardous waste accumulation areas." The degree to which a generator is regulated is determined by the total monthly volumes of wastes generated or accumulated by the facility.
RCRA includes provisions for accumulating these wastes at the site of generation in a process called "satellite accumulation." These secondary accumulation areas are called Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAAs). Hazardous wastes require special handling and reporting procedures. This document outlines the requirements and best management practices (BMP) for operating an SAA.
To establish a procedure for the drain disposal in accordance with the governing authorities including, but not limited to, the City of Canyon. Drain disposal for AR facilities falls into two categories: (1) laboratories that have specific exemptions, and (2) all other drains, such as those found in the Arts and other areas that do not qualify for the laboratory drain exemptions.
This procedure addresses the daily operations and activities in the laboratory, such as rinse and wash and chemicals used in process and bench experiments.
Excess chemicals and those chemicals that are not longer useable should be submittd to AR-EHS per AR-EHS-0004 Hazardous Materials and Hazardous Waste Indentification Procedure.
Empty containers represent a significant waste stream on the university campus. Containers can be regulated as hazardous waste under RCRA if they do not meet the definition of “RCRA empty.” The regulations covering management of hazardous waste stored in containers are found in 40 CFR Parts 264/265, Subpart I. These specific requirements must be met by the university. The regulations covering the management of container residues and the definition of when residues in containers are exempt from regulation are found at 40 CFR §261.7. These regulations set out procedures for establishing a container as "empty." Since empty containers no longer contain hazardous waste, these regulations are also used to determine when containers are no longer subject to the requirements of RCRA.
There are many common discarded products that, when disposed of, meet the EPA definition of being a hazardous waste. These products can include antifreeze, paint and paint related materials and residue (if managed in Texas), fluorescent bulbs, pesticides, and mercury containing electrical components.
Rather than trying to manage these diverse waste streams according to the hazardous waste regulations and the regulatory burden associated with such management, the EPA has issued a relaxed set of procedure to assist in managing batteries, pesticides, and mercury containing thermostats. These wastes are labeled Universal Waste (UW). The EPA anticipates adding additional materials to the list of universal wastes in the future. If these wastes are not handled as UW then they are considered “hazardous waste” and must be handled as such. An assessment of the waste as UW results in a significant cost savings to the university.
West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) is committed to make reasonable efforts to minimize waste generated as a result of WTAMU activities and to achieve the goals set out in Governor's Executive Order AWR-92-2, Texas Waste Reduction Policy Act (1991) and other applicable requirements.
Texas Waste Reduction Policy Act (Senate Bill 1099 of 1991) requires industries, businesses, and institutions that generate hazardous waste or release toxins into the environment to prepare a Source Reduction and Waste Minimization Plan. This plan influences the activities of WTAMU. To this end, the WTAMU Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety shall coordinate development and implementation of appropriate procedures.
The purpose of this document is to establish procedures and requirements for West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) to operate as a Small Quantity Generator (SQG) for hazardous wastes. This procedure lists the minimum requirements for operation for a Small Quantity Generator. While many of the requirements in this procedure are not legally required for a hazardous waste generator operating as a Conditionally Exempt Small-Quantity Generator (CESQG), best management practice is to follow the requirements to the maximum extent feasible. If in any one month a facility exceeds the requirements to be classified as a CESQG, the facility must operate and meet the requirements for operation as a SQG or LQG.
WTAMU currently operates as a CESQG. It is a best management practice for WTAMU to follow the requirements for operation as a SQG to the maximum extent feasible.
This procedure is written to ensure air quality is conducive to a productive environment for faculty, staff, students, and visitors. This procedure advises and provides guidance for compliance with regulations that apply to all public buildings on the WTAMU campus and all WTAMU facilities. This will help prevent occupational exposures to potentially harmful air contaminants, heat, and microbiological hazards.
Provides guidelines to establish environmental conditions favorable to health. This procedure covers drinking water and wastewater, solid waste disposal, vermin control, and general cleanliness of facilities as defined in the Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 5, subtitle A, chapter 341.
The following information is provided to assist AR WTAMU departments in developing procedures to protect students and employees from thermal stress. This program sets forth recommended minimum requirements that need to be followed to maximize the safety of all faculty, staff, and students that may be subject to excessive heat or exhaustion.
The purpose of this Exposure Control Plan is to prevent or minimize the exposure of employees to bloodborne pathogens in accordance with Health and Safety Code, Chapter 81, Subchapter H, and analogous to OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard.
The purpose of this program is to advise and provide guidance for compliance with regulations that apply to public buildings including, but not limited to, Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (25 TAC 295.31-73), EPA National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (40 CFR Part 61, Subpart M), EPA Asbestos Worker Protection (40 CFR 763, Subpart G), and Asbestos Disposal (30 TAC 330.136).
This procedure is provided to inform all AR staff, faculty, and students about any workplace hazards associated with mobile equipment and heavy equipment. The procedure develops standard operating procedure to reduce risk to employees, students, and visitors for identified hazards.
This procedure is provided to assist WTAMU AR Departments in meeting laboratory safety requirements to protect students, employees, and the environment as stated in A&M System Standard 24.01.04.EHS-14.
This procedure is provided to protect West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) employees, students, and their progeny from the adverse effects arising from the handling or exposure to hazardous materials or conditions as part of their work or academic activities.
WTAMU maintains strict requirements for working with sources of radiation. The radiation safety program at WTAMU protects employees, students, and visitors, as well as the public and the environment, from the harmful effects of exposure to ionizing and non-ionizing radiations. The Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety (AR-EHS) governs the protocol and use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices on campus. Any faculty or staff member who desires to work with radioisotopes or radiation-producing devices must apply for and receive a permit from the AR-EHS. In addition, their employees and other employees who work with sources of radiation must receive formal training in equipment operation, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures.
In response to the events of September 11, 2001, Congress enacted the USA Patriot Act. This act makes it a federal criminal offense for an individual to knowingly possess certain biological agents, toxins, or delivery systems in quantities that are considered to be more than reasonably needed. The act also makes it illegal for persons from certain named countries or who meet certain background criteria to possess or have access to certain biological agents and toxins identified as hazardous by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This procedure is to help identify the various substances and biological agents covered by the Patriot Act and to aid WTAMU in improving security measures.
The following information is provided to assist WTAMU AR departments in developing procedures to meet chemical safety requirements to protect students, employees, and the environment. This program sets forth recommended minimum requirements that need to be followed to maximize the safety of all workers handling chemicals. AR-EHS has developed and placed a Laboratory Safety Training for Faculty and Staff on TrainTraq and Student Laboratory Safety Training on WTClass.
The following information is provided to assist WTAMU AR departments in developing procedures to meet biological safety requirements to protect students, employees, and the environment. This procedure sets forth recommended minimum requirements that need to be followed to maximize the safety of all workers.
This program establishes recommended minimum requirements for the lockout/tagout of energy isolating devices. It shall be used to ensure that the machine or equipment is stopped, isolated from all potentially hazardous energy sources, and locked out before energization or start-up of the machine or equipment or release of stored energy could cause injury. When the energy isolating devices are not lockable, tagout (tagout device) may be used, provided additional training and more rigorous periodic inspections are accomplished. When tagout is used and the energy isolating devices are lockable, full employee protection, as well as additional training and more rigorous periodic inspections, is necessary. For complex systems, more comprehensive procedures may need to be developed, documented, and utilized.
The following information is provided to assist WTAMU AR departments in developing procedures to meet agriculture safety requirements to protect students, employees, and the environment. This program sets forth recommended minimum requirements that need to be followed to maximize the safety of all workers.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) includes all clothing and work accessories designed to protect employees from workplace hazards. Protective equipment should not replace engineering, administrative, or procedural controls for safety; it should be used in conjunction with these controls. Employees must wear protective equipment as required and when instructed by a supervisor.
This procedure is provided to inform WTAMU departments on procedures necessary to meet safety requirements for entry into a confined space. This procedure sets forth recommended minimum requirements that must be followed to maximize the safety of all workers entering such spaces, against known or potential hazards.
The use of animals is essential to the teaching, extension, and research missions of West Texas A&M University and CREET. Significant benefits to the health and welfare of both animals and humans have resulted from animal use in research, and continued use is crucial to future advancements. Without the use of animals, adequate instruction of students in many programs such as agriculture, the biological sciences, and veterinary medicine would not be possible. However, those who utilize animals are morally and legally obligated to care for them properly and use them humanely. Each faculty member, staff member, or student involved in the use of animals is directly responsible for promoting and protecting their welfare within the instructional, extension, and research programs of the University. Those who use animals should assume this responsibility through precept and example. This policy provides guidance for the proper care and humane use of animals within University programs.
The purpose of this policy and procedures document is to protect human subjects used in research at West Texas A&M University by complying with regulations specified by the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as with other ethical and professional standards for use of human subjects in research. Following these standards and guidelines will not only protect human subjects used in research, but will also protect the researcher and the university. Any substantive modifications in this document recommended by the Institutional Review Board are subject to approval by the president of the university.
A Biohazardous Use Authorization (BUA) is required for laboratory research involving biohazardous materials and for clinical research involving human gene transfer. Obtaining a BUA will help ensure that your research is conducted in compliance with biohazardous materials regulations (e.g., NIH, CDC, OSHA, etc.).
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), which is composed of academic and research faculty, staff, and outside community members, will perform a risk assessment of research experiments as listed on the BUA application and assign an appropriate level of biological safety containment to protect WTAMU faculty, staff, students, the surrounding community, and the environment. A BUA is required prior to the use of biohazardous materials.
The West Texas A&M University Academic and Research Environmental Health and Safety office recognizes that, within a complex, expanding, and ever-evolving panoply of federal and state rules and university standard operating procedures, compliance can be difficult or confusing.
The AR-EHS Compliance Helpline had been developed to provide:
Assistance and support for WTAMU employees who seek information on research compliance.
An avenue for WTAMU employees to voice concerns related to potential noncompliance with AR-EHS standard operating procedures and external agency regulations.
The WTAMU AR-EHS Compliance Hotline is confidential and anonymous (if desired
The AR-EHS chemical procurement process has been developed by West Texas A&M University as a service to researchers and instructors and to ensure the safe and reliable management of chemicals within the University. In managing chemicals, AR-EHS advocates a risk management approach to minimize the risks to staff, students, contractors and visitors in relation to the purchase of chemical materials associated within the range of research and teaching.
The purpose of AR-EHS laboratory inspection procedures is to enhance safe laboratory work practices within the WTAMU research community with the goal to provide a safe work environment for users of WTAMU laboratories and to ensure compliance with state and federal safety regulations.
West Texas A&M University (university), its employees, staff, and students must comply with all United States export control laws and regulations, including those implemented by the Department of Commerce through its Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the Department of State through its International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), as well as those imposed by the Treasury Department through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
This regulation applies to consulting and external professional employment by faculty members that is directly related to their academic and professional discipline. For unrelated external faculty employment see System Regulation 31.05.02, External Employment.
These guidelines define the general regulations and procedures regarding conflicts of interest in relation to sponsored research. Their purpose is to protect the credibility and integrity of System researchers and staff, as well as component universities and agencies themselves, so that public trust and confidence in their sponsored research activities are maintained. System components have a responsibility to manage, reduce or eliminate any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise due to a financial or other personal interest of an investigator. Therefore, the System requires that investigators disclose any significant financial interest that might create a real or potential conflict of interest in relation to a sponsored project.
This regulation addresses allegations of misconduct in research and scholarship at components of the System and applies to both nonfunded and funded research, regardless of the funding source. Each System component shall adopt its own rules for handling allegations of scientific misconduct consistent with the terms of this regulation.
