DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive

Monona's concept of "line management responsibility" and "clear roles and responsibilities" (two of the guiding principles in my previous response describing Integrated Safety Management) is on target. It has worked in basic science Department of Energy research laboratories where there are principal investigators who have individually-funded research projects/programs. Even if not funded directly by the Department of Energy, the PI is an employee of the Laboratory as a whole -- and thus in the line management chain of command extending up to the director of the Laboratory which may have 1000-2000 researchers. Monona's concept of "stop work authority" is on target, except that in the DOE labs the ES&H professionals hope to convince the direct supervisor to take the corrective action, thus transferring the enforcement role to the line management (as well as providing a teaching/learning moment for the supervisor).

David Haugen, recently retired
From a DOE basic and applied science research Laboratory having 3000+ employees, including about 1200 researchers.

===

From: Rita Kay Calhoun
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] UC - LADA Agreement
Date: August 3, 2012 11:09:10 AM EDT

Thank you Kim for your input. As a PhD chemist/educator who now also has an official safety component to my job, I see the frustrations on both sides. Yes, there are professors who don't enforce ppe use when hazardous chemicals are being used, but there are also EHS folk who would have me make my introductory lab students wear gloves when the only "chemical" they are using is D.I. water. "Just do it" is a great sound bite, but is usually difficult to accomplish no matter what the IT is. Without working together to understand all facets of science research, education, industry, and safety, there can be no true culture of safety.

Kay

===
From: Ken Simolo
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] UC - LADA Agreement
Date: August 3, 2012 10:20:40 AM EDT

Rather than kicking people out of labs, I have found it much better to educate and inform first, being a partner in safety versus someone doling out punishment. I resort to strong arm measures only when everything else fails. It is extremely rare that someone refuses to cooperate when approached in a professional helpful manner. However, there are some who require multiple reminders. From my experience, compliance is significantly improved by acting in this manner and researchers use you as a resource rather than running away when they see you coming. And I have to agree with Kim, the day I can no longer act in this way is the day I step down.

Ken

===
From: "Wardecke, Jon"
Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] UC - LADA Agreement
Date: August 3, 2012 10:20:26 AM EDT
To: dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu

In the healthcare field - The Joint Commission (TJC) requires a Safety Officer for the facility, who has the power/ability to stop work immediately, to have a delegation letter signed by the Director indicating/endorsing such items as indicated. As indicated below, Safety is a resource for facility personnel on safety and health issues, but the delegation letters allows one to immediately stop work if needed. JW

Jon Wardecke, CIH, HEM
Occupational Safety & Health Manager/Industrial Hygienist
VA Medical Center (00S)
5000 West National Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53295
(414) 384-2000 X42934