This article was downloaded by: [University of Sydney] On: 15 March 2015, At: 16:34 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK
Journal of American College Health Association Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vzch20
Environmental Health and Safety Philosophy John O. Fish M.P.H.
a
a
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Department of Environmental Health , University of Washington, Environmental Health and Safety , 4725 30th Northeast, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA Published online: 07 Apr 2011.
To cite this article: John O. Fish M.P.H. (1978) Environmental Health and Safety Philosophy, Journal of American College Health Association, 27:2, 105-106, DOI: 10.1080/01644300.1978.10392838 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01644300.1978.10392838
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
Environmental Health and Safety Philosophy*
Downloaded by [University of Sydney] at 16:34 15 March 2015
JOHN 0. FISH, M.P.H. University o f Washington
The needs for environmental health and safety management within our institutions of higher learning have never been greater. The changes that have occurred in the past fifteen years have given rise to a multitude of new and complex problems that call for a thoughtful review of how they might best be solved,
The Changing World 1962-77 This time period has seen the development of the environmental movement which has focused attention on a vast array of issues that heretofore were not looked upon as problems. Wherein the past, pollution problems either did not exist or were not recognized as problems within an institution of higher learning, it i s now necessary to expend significant amounts of time and effort in negotiating waste discharge permits and in other ways adjusting to compliance standards for both water and air pollution sources. A spill or accidental discharge i s an immediate public and regulatory issue. The federal and state demands for radiation control are more complex and enforced with a higher degree of rigidity than ever before. The University Nuclear Reactor shares the limelight with the nuclear power controversy. Solid waste with specialized categories for hazardous materials require facilities, equipment, and management procedures greater than they were fifteen years ago. People within the campus community who formerly were quite satisfied with any means of control of insects and rodents are now sometimes more concerned with the .. hazards of pesticides than they are with the pest problem. In addition, most environmental issues are matters of public concern, often strongly vocalized from within the university whereas they were subjects of minimal interest in past years. Until recent times, growth has always been associated with strength and vigor, whether it be in population or the economy. Now the growth of the university as viewed from within as well as from the surrounding community i s different. To some we are now looked upon with suspicion because of our size, and a t times viewed by others as smothering the surrounding community with the selfish needs of the institution. Institutional Health and Safety Responsibility for surveillance and control of the institutional environment to protect the health and safety of the community has been both highlighted and complicated by several developments during recent years. Among these are the following: a. Increasing use of hazardous materials and procedures in research, teaching, and institutional maintenance. As in Director, Environmental Health and Safety; Assistant Professor, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Department o f Environmental Health, University of Washington, Environmental Health and Safety, 4725 30th Northeast, Seattle, Washington 98105 VOL. 27, OCTOBER 1978
industry, many agents have been put in use before their hazards have been assessed completely. Increasing awareness of the effects o f exposures to health and safety hazards. This has included not only immediate effects most evident in accidents but also latent effects less evident in disease and disability. Increasing sensitivity,on the part of consumers to the incomplete control of hazards. In many institutions students have been the most active' advocates of an informed consumerism. Increasingly strident cal Is for accountabi Iity. These have come from such widely diverse quarters as students, the community in which institutions are located, liability insurance carriers, and government agencies. Decreasing institutional resources and, a lower position in the social hierarchy, especially for higher education. The Occupational Safety and Health Act has become a major determ'inant of institutional response. It i s likely to have a profound effect upon the way in which colleges and universities handle their environmental problems. With its codes and ordinances it provides a framework for response. Institutional compliance will be costly in its lien on institutional resources; institutional neglect will be. even more costly, however, not only in penalties, but also in effect upon the institution's social image. Management Alternatives Among the questions facing the institutions are the following: a. Can it continue to assert i t s 'traditional :right to freedom of inquiry and research without compromising i t s social responsibility or acting in defiance of legal standards? b. Can its environmental health and safety unit continue to agency and still function primarjly as,a service consultative '' . .. . perform its regulatory role? ..' C. Can the institution pay increasingly heavy Iiabilitf insurance premiums while those responsible for 'increasing risks . . . are ,not held to accountability? d. Does the institution 'have the option of co'ntrihing. to environmental contaminati.on because it sets environmental control relatively low in its'priorities? . . . . . . . . '
e. Can the institution c.ontin,ue, i t s traditionally casual man-
a~ change agement of health and. safety matters' . ...without . . of managerial irresponsibility? There i s no question that the new problems require new and different solutions and that health and safety management and controls must be strengthened. At the same time, the negative aspects of a centralized regulatory authority within the institution may be viewed as primarily negative and incompatible with the desired "campus atmosphere." It should be held in abeyance to the greatest degree possible. '1.05
.
COLLEGE H E A L T H
One Approach to a Problem Solution
Downloaded by [University of Sydney] at 16:34 15 March 2015
The University of Washington i s addressing the demands of the new oroblems in the foliowine" manner:
1. A new institutional policy on safety and health has been announced over the signature of the president. It states: that the university recognizes its obligation to create, maintain, and enhance a safe and healthful environment for all individuals associated with the institution, including students, faculty, staff, employees, hospital patients, and visitors; that health promotion and accident prevention measures shall be integrated in all academic and operational activities and all deans, directors, chairpersons, and supervisors are responsible for safety performance in their respective units; and further, that faculty and staff shall be directly responsible for the health and safety of themselves, those who work for them, and their fellow employees. It is further stated that this responsibility can neither be transferred nor delegated. 2. The University of Washington charges the department of Environmental Health and Safety with the responsibility for working with and through individual academic and service units by identifying health and safety problems, establishing Standards, evaluating and reporting on the status or compliance with standards, providing technical services, recommending and implementing necessary modifications; recording, evaluating, and reporting accident experience; and developing and managing training resources. It further states that the director or an authorized representative may immediately halt or otherwise control any practice or condition where a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm. As previously indicated, the assumption of the enforcement role carries with it a heavy responsibility and a potentially jeopardizing factor for the entire program. In addition to making the campus a safer environment, this move may deter external regulatory agencies from directly imposing
such measures on the university. Environmental Health and Safety should come through as more of a protector than an enforcer, especially if its ultimate enforcement power i s used with discretion. 3. In order to help individual departments to assume responsibility and direction for their individual safety programs, the Environmental Health and Safety Department has recruited a Training Officer to establish, organize, coordinate, and otherwise manage training programs in shops, laboratories, hospitals, and areas of like nature. 4. A Board o f Environmental Health and Safety appointed by the president has been created with responsibility to see that a broad base of professional judgment and skill of the highest order i s provided to guide the university in protecting the health and safety of Students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. The board has been given authority consistent with the following charges: a. To formulate and review on a continuing basis all university policies and procedures pertaining to personal safety, public safety and public health, and pollution control. b. To assure that a continuous performance audit is maintained o f the activities exercised at the university for environmental health and safety. c. To serve as a referral board for all advisory and administrative committees related to matters of environmental health and safety. d. To act as a board o f appeal from decisions of Environmental Health and Safety advisory and administrative committees. Conclusion
The University of Washington has responded to the challenge of increased responsibility for environmental surveillance and control with an administrative organization that has considerable centralized authority. It will be of interest to watch, and perhaps later report on i t s performance.
Rubella Epidemic (continued) from page 102
I
1. The epidemic remained confined mainly to university students. (Data show that our cases represented 85% of county rubella total and 75% of state figures for the same period). 2. Liaisons between the health service and other campus and community groups were strengthened. 3. Faculty and support services were able to prepare for the effects of the epidemic on their respective areas in terms of long-range planning. 4. Students and staff were made more aware of-the dangers of rubella. 5. Students demonstrated a receptivity to screening and immunization recommendations. 6. Existing health service resources were able to stretch to their maximal potential without being overwhelmed. 7. The epidemic and the associated activities carried out by the health service served to heighten the awareness
106
of community and state agencies as to the need for improved pre-adolescent immunization programs in the area. References 1. 2. 1976 3. Amer
Measles Comes o f Age. Emerg Med 8:73-78,1976 American Nurses Association: A.N.A. Code for Nurses, No. 5 ,
Siege1 MA, Bullough B: Constructing and adapting profocols. J Nurs: 77:1616-1618, October 1977 4. N. H. Nurses' Association: N. H. Nurse Practice Act, Guidelines for Utilization of R. N . 5 in Practice Settings, 1976 5 . Norby R, Fruend L, Wagner B: a nursing staffing system based upon assignment difficulty. 1Nurs Administ 7:2-24, November 1977 6. Lin-Fu IS: Rubello. U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare Publication No. 72-51 07, 1972 7. Brown KC: Nature and scope of service: joint practice. J Nurs Admlnis 7:13-15,1977
/.A .C.H. A.
Journal of American College Health Association Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/vzch20
Environmental Health and Safety Philosophy John O. Fish M.P.H.
a
a
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Department of Environmental Health , University of Washington, Environmental Health and Safety , 4725 30th Northeast, Seattle, Washington, 98105, USA Published online: 07 Apr 2011.
To cite this article: John O. Fish M.P.H. (1978) Environmental Health and Safety Philosophy, Journal of American College Health Association, 27:2, 105-106, DOI: 10.1080/01644300.1978.10392838 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01644300.1978.10392838
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/termsand-conditions
Environmental Health and Safety Philosophy*
Downloaded by [University of Sydney] at 16:34 15 March 2015
JOHN 0. FISH, M.P.H. University o f Washington
The needs for environmental health and safety management within our institutions of higher learning have never been greater. The changes that have occurred in the past fifteen years have given rise to a multitude of new and complex problems that call for a thoughtful review of how they might best be solved,
The Changing World 1962-77 This time period has seen the development of the environmental movement which has focused attention on a vast array of issues that heretofore were not looked upon as problems. Wherein the past, pollution problems either did not exist or were not recognized as problems within an institution of higher learning, it i s now necessary to expend significant amounts of time and effort in negotiating waste discharge permits and in other ways adjusting to compliance standards for both water and air pollution sources. A spill or accidental discharge i s an immediate public and regulatory issue. The federal and state demands for radiation control are more complex and enforced with a higher degree of rigidity than ever before. The University Nuclear Reactor shares the limelight with the nuclear power controversy. Solid waste with specialized categories for hazardous materials require facilities, equipment, and management procedures greater than they were fifteen years ago. People within the campus community who formerly were quite satisfied with any means of control of insects and rodents are now sometimes more concerned with the .. hazards of pesticides than they are with the pest problem. In addition, most environmental issues are matters of public concern, often strongly vocalized from within the university whereas they were subjects of minimal interest in past years. Until recent times, growth has always been associated with strength and vigor, whether it be in population or the economy. Now the growth of the university as viewed from within as well as from the surrounding community i s different. To some we are now looked upon with suspicion because of our size, and a t times viewed by others as smothering the surrounding community with the selfish needs of the institution. Institutional Health and Safety Responsibility for surveillance and control of the institutional environment to protect the health and safety of the community has been both highlighted and complicated by several developments during recent years. Among these are the following: a. Increasing use of hazardous materials and procedures in research, teaching, and institutional maintenance. As in Director, Environmental Health and Safety; Assistant Professor, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Department o f Environmental Health, University of Washington, Environmental Health and Safety, 4725 30th Northeast, Seattle, Washington 98105 VOL. 27, OCTOBER 1978
industry, many agents have been put in use before their hazards have been assessed completely. Increasing awareness of the effects o f exposures to health and safety hazards. This has included not only immediate effects most evident in accidents but also latent effects less evident in disease and disability. Increasing sensitivity,on the part of consumers to the incomplete control of hazards. In many institutions students have been the most active' advocates of an informed consumerism. Increasingly strident cal Is for accountabi Iity. These have come from such widely diverse quarters as students, the community in which institutions are located, liability insurance carriers, and government agencies. Decreasing institutional resources and, a lower position in the social hierarchy, especially for higher education. The Occupational Safety and Health Act has become a major determ'inant of institutional response. It i s likely to have a profound effect upon the way in which colleges and universities handle their environmental problems. With its codes and ordinances it provides a framework for response. Institutional compliance will be costly in its lien on institutional resources; institutional neglect will be. even more costly, however, not only in penalties, but also in effect upon the institution's social image. Management Alternatives Among the questions facing the institutions are the following: a. Can it continue to assert i t s 'traditional :right to freedom of inquiry and research without compromising i t s social responsibility or acting in defiance of legal standards? b. Can its environmental health and safety unit continue to agency and still function primarjly as,a service consultative '' . .. . perform its regulatory role? ..' C. Can the institution pay increasingly heavy Iiabilitf insurance premiums while those responsible for 'increasing risks . . . are ,not held to accountability? d. Does the institution 'have the option of co'ntrihing. to environmental contaminati.on because it sets environmental control relatively low in its'priorities? . . . . . . . . '
e. Can the institution c.ontin,ue, i t s traditionally casual man-
a~ change agement of health and. safety matters' . ...without . . of managerial irresponsibility? There i s no question that the new problems require new and different solutions and that health and safety management and controls must be strengthened. At the same time, the negative aspects of a centralized regulatory authority within the institution may be viewed as primarily negative and incompatible with the desired "campus atmosphere." It should be held in abeyance to the greatest degree possible. '1.05
.
COLLEGE H E A L T H
One Approach to a Problem Solution
Downloaded by [University of Sydney] at 16:34 15 March 2015
The University of Washington i s addressing the demands of the new oroblems in the foliowine" manner:
1. A new institutional policy on safety and health has been announced over the signature of the president. It states: that the university recognizes its obligation to create, maintain, and enhance a safe and healthful environment for all individuals associated with the institution, including students, faculty, staff, employees, hospital patients, and visitors; that health promotion and accident prevention measures shall be integrated in all academic and operational activities and all deans, directors, chairpersons, and supervisors are responsible for safety performance in their respective units; and further, that faculty and staff shall be directly responsible for the health and safety of themselves, those who work for them, and their fellow employees. It is further stated that this responsibility can neither be transferred nor delegated. 2. The University of Washington charges the department of Environmental Health and Safety with the responsibility for working with and through individual academic and service units by identifying health and safety problems, establishing Standards, evaluating and reporting on the status or compliance with standards, providing technical services, recommending and implementing necessary modifications; recording, evaluating, and reporting accident experience; and developing and managing training resources. It further states that the director or an authorized representative may immediately halt or otherwise control any practice or condition where a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm. As previously indicated, the assumption of the enforcement role carries with it a heavy responsibility and a potentially jeopardizing factor for the entire program. In addition to making the campus a safer environment, this move may deter external regulatory agencies from directly imposing
such measures on the university. Environmental Health and Safety should come through as more of a protector than an enforcer, especially if its ultimate enforcement power i s used with discretion. 3. In order to help individual departments to assume responsibility and direction for their individual safety programs, the Environmental Health and Safety Department has recruited a Training Officer to establish, organize, coordinate, and otherwise manage training programs in shops, laboratories, hospitals, and areas of like nature. 4. A Board o f Environmental Health and Safety appointed by the president has been created with responsibility to see that a broad base of professional judgment and skill of the highest order i s provided to guide the university in protecting the health and safety of Students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. The board has been given authority consistent with the following charges: a. To formulate and review on a continuing basis all university policies and procedures pertaining to personal safety, public safety and public health, and pollution control. b. To assure that a continuous performance audit is maintained o f the activities exercised at the university for environmental health and safety. c. To serve as a referral board for all advisory and administrative committees related to matters of environmental health and safety. d. To act as a board o f appeal from decisions of Environmental Health and Safety advisory and administrative committees. Conclusion
The University of Washington has responded to the challenge of increased responsibility for environmental surveillance and control with an administrative organization that has considerable centralized authority. It will be of interest to watch, and perhaps later report on i t s performance.
Rubella Epidemic (continued) from page 102
I
1. The epidemic remained confined mainly to university students. (Data show that our cases represented 85% of county rubella total and 75% of state figures for the same period). 2. Liaisons between the health service and other campus and community groups were strengthened. 3. Faculty and support services were able to prepare for the effects of the epidemic on their respective areas in terms of long-range planning. 4. Students and staff were made more aware of-the dangers of rubella. 5. Students demonstrated a receptivity to screening and immunization recommendations. 6. Existing health service resources were able to stretch to their maximal potential without being overwhelmed. 7. The epidemic and the associated activities carried out by the health service served to heighten the awareness
106
of community and state agencies as to the need for improved pre-adolescent immunization programs in the area. References 1. 2. 1976 3. Amer
Measles Comes o f Age. Emerg Med 8:73-78,1976 American Nurses Association: A.N.A. Code for Nurses, No. 5 ,
Siege1 MA, Bullough B: Constructing and adapting profocols. J Nurs: 77:1616-1618, October 1977 4. N. H. Nurses' Association: N. H. Nurse Practice Act, Guidelines for Utilization of R. N . 5 in Practice Settings, 1976 5 . Norby R, Fruend L, Wagner B: a nursing staffing system based upon assignment difficulty. 1Nurs Administ 7:2-24, November 1977 6. Lin-Fu IS: Rubello. U. S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare Publication No. 72-51 07, 1972 7. Brown KC: Nature and scope of service: joint practice. J Nurs Admlnis 7:13-15,1977
/.A .C.H. A.
