DCHAS-L Discussion List Archive

With the start of the new calendar year, I thought I would provide the list with a quick overview of recent work and 2014 plans for DCHAS. These include:

1. In follow up to the CSB report on academic laboratory safety, CHAS members have been deeply involved in a ACS Safety Initiative along with Committee on Chemical Safety (CCS) and Corporate Associates (CA). It comprises the following:
- the CCS Safety Culture document published in 2012
- the CCS Hazard Analysis document published in 2013
- a CHAS/CA/CCS document describing employer expectations of safety awareness among new hires (in preparation)
- a CCS Best Safety Practices document (in preparation)
- a CA/CHAS document on fostering safety at academic-industrial partnerships (in preparation)

2. We have found a sponsor for the College and University Health and Safety Award after NIOSH was forced to withdraw due to budget issues. The new sponsor is Safetystratus (http://www.safetystratus.com) who provides a commercial online inspection program for Laboratories ? LabcliQ.

3. We had divisional programs and workshops at all 2013 regional meetings and expect to be similarly involved in 2014.

I am currently gathering information for the Division's 2013 annual report to the ACS; if you have been involved in local activities appropriate to include in this report, please let me know.

Thanks for your interest in DCHAS!

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart
secretary**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Secretary
Division of Chemical Health and Safety
American Chemical Society