Environmental Health and Safety

The EHS department oversees the PCOM workplace safety, occupational health, laboratory safety, and environmental protection programs. We partner with the PCOM Public Safety and Plant Operations to coordinate the emergency management program at PCOM.

Workplace safety

The workplace safety program improves the safety of the work environment through recognition, evaluation and control of hazardous conditions and strives to reduce the frequency and severity of injuries to faculty, staff and students through training, implementation of safe work practices and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Occupational health

Occupational health, also known as industrial hygiene, is the discipline of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, controlling and preventing health hazards in the working environment with the objective of protecting worker health and well-being and safeguarding the PCOM community at large.

Laboratory safety

The laboratory safety program includes chemical safety, animal research health and safety, biological safety and research waste management. The goal of the laboratory safety program is to minimize the risk of injury or illness to laboratory workers by ensuring that they have the training, information, support and equipment needed to work safely in the laboratory.

Environmental programs

PCOM is committed to providing a safe and healthful environment and practicing good stewardship of our environmental resources. EHS manages environmental programs for indoor air quality, mold and microbial growth concerns, drinking water quality, air, soil and water stewardship as well as waste management.

Campus emergencies

Together with Plant Operations and Public Safety, EHS responds to and prepares for campus emergencies. OES provides leadership and guidance for hazardous materials and public health emergencies and provides information and training for a variety of other types of emergencies and incidents.

Visit myPCOM for specific information about these programs.

Building fire evacuation plans for PCOM are listed below.

In the event of any hazardous material or chemical spills, isolate the spill, limit access to the area and contact PCOM Public Safety immediately. Do not attempt to handle the spill yourself. PCOM Public Safety will contact a representative of the Environmental Health and Safety staff who will coordinate clean-up efforts.