50 Things Any EH

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50 Things Any EHS Staff Member Should Know

• Robert Emery, DrPH, CHP, CIH, CSP, RBP, CHMM,
  CPP, ARM
• Assistant Vice President for Safety, Health,
  Environment Risk Management
• The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Houston
• Associate Professor of Occupational Health
• The University of Texas School of Public Health

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Need for Comprehensive Understanding

• University health and safety issues are rarely
  limited to a single risk or aspect most issues
  are typically multi-faceted
• University enterprises continue to expand in
  scope and complexity, but EHS budgets may not
  grow in suitable proportions
• Ability to demonstrate how EHS program furthers
  the key missions of an institution is critical
  for program survival and continued proportional
  support

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Observations/Remarks

• Experience based on multiple EHS program peer
  reviews across the country, and 8 years of
  conducting the EHS Academy has shown
• A consistent lack of understanding about how
  universities operate and how to succinctly convey
  what the EHS program does to further the mission
  of the institution
• Shortcoming likely due to lack of specific
  training in this area virtually every person
  enters the university EHS field from other
  settings, with no formal academic preparation on
  university operations

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The 50 Questions

• To address this shortcoming, a list of 50 key
  items collectively considered important for any
  EHS person to be able to answer about their
  institution was developed
• Consists of both objective and subjective issues
• Debated (heatedly) amongst EHS management staff
  and system level staff until consensus list
  identified (almost)

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Disclaimer

• Knowledge of the 50 questions will not make
  everyone an expert nor omnipotent
• Intended merely to equip persons with a
  fundamental awareness of issues and the ability
  to adequately handle basic inquiries and problems
• Your list may vary
• Ability to answer and comprehend the 50 items
  likely places persons in the top 5 to 10 of the
  profession (this is inclusive of EHS management
  as well!)

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50 Question Major Topic Areas

• Institutional parameters, program aspects
• Fire life safety
• Risk management insurance
• Chemical safety
• Biological safety
• Radiation safety
• Environmental protection
• Indoor air quality
• Security

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Pilot Application The Sanity Check

• 16 participants in an EHS Academy session held
  in Houston, TX in August 2005 provided the 50
  questions on first day (without the answers) and
  asked 2 questions
• Could you answer this question for your
  institution (yes or no)?
• In your opinion, would knowing the information be
  of benefit to you fulfilling your EHS function
  (yes or no)?

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Ability to Answer 50 Questions? gray yes,
white no, participants n 16 August 2005
EHS Academy
Administration
Biosafety
Chemical Safety
Radiation
Fire Safety
Environmental
Risk Mgmt
Security
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Benefit Knowing Answer? yellow yes, white
no, participants n 16 August 2005 EHS
Academy
Administration
Biosafety
Chemical Safety
Radiation
Fire Safety
Environmental
Risk Mgmt
Security
10
Ability to Answer 50 Questions? gray know and
should know, yellow should know but dont,
white see no need to know, participants n
16 August 2005 EHS Academy
Administration
Biosafety
Chemical Safety
Radiation
Fire Safety
Environmental
Risk Mgmt
Security
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The 50 Questions
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Implementation at UTHSCH

• Questions presented to staff during weekly
  professional development seminars (over 4 to 5
  sessions, each lasting one hour)
• Answers and rationale for importance also
  discussed
• Expectation for ability to answer such questions
  in the future established

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Outcomes to Date

• Improved staff understanding of overall
  processes, inclusive of important perspectives
• Improved customer service and improved point of
  service delivery
• Improved management confidence and assurance
  staff understanding and conveying knowledge of
  the big picture
• Improved stakeholder perception of program less
  perception of unnecessary specialties or
  duplication of efforts
• Initiated pathways for future learning,
  professional development

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Outcomes for EHS Academy

• Participants in August 2005 edition echoed the
  comments of the UTHSCH staff
• Enjoyed novel approach in class
• Will employ as some sort of course contest in
  future editions
• Exploratory efforts with others (UC System) also
  promising

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Comments/Questions?

• Your feedback on this approach is welcomed!