Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
I had a very interesting talk yesterday with an administrator about management of safety in academic institutions, and he asked me a question I can't immediately answer. I thought some input from the list would be useful, and I'd like to ask for your ideas.
How do schools with decentralized administrations (meaning, where much of the power is delegated to the lower levels such as schools and departments, or even PIs) manage safety differently from those with centralized administrations
where that power is held more tightly by the upper administration? Are there strategic or tactical differences in the way safety expectations are communicated, reported, and enforced?
The reason the question came up is that Johns Hopkins has a very decentralized structure in many areas, and we're wondering which properties of ideas from elsewhere will make them suitable for implementation here.
Any examples, advice, or suggestions you can offer are welcome.
regards,
dan
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Daniel R. Kuespert, PhD, CSP
Homewood Laboratory Safety Advocate
Krieger School of Arts & Sciences/Whiting School of Engineering
The Johns Hopkins University
241 Ames Hall
3400 North Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 516-5525
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