Introduction

Each service section within EHS has unique and specific management duties and responsibilities that are determined by any number of compliance requirements, state and federal regulatory agencies, university policies, industry standards, and a commitment to going beyond compliance, when possible, to ensure a safe and healthy campus, community and state.

Biological Safety

Biological Safety provides guidance, assistance, and surveillance over research activities involving biohazardous agents, recombinant DNA, bloodborne pathogens, and biohazardous waste management. Biological Safety monitors and reviews the performance and maintenance of laboratory containment systems and provides technical support to EHS incident responders.

Chemical Safety

The main function of the Chemical Safety section is to manage the process of improving safety through education, compliance, and the constant task of identifying and evaluating potential safety hazards in order to reach the destination of a safe research laboratory environment. Because the breadth and depth of UNC research is always expanding, the process of safety improvement is ongoing and ever-changing, providing daily challenges to support the research process.

Environmental Affairs

The Environmental Affairs section proactively manages the environmental permitting of the campus and ensures compliance with the increasing number of permits required by state and federal agencies. The section has responsibility for oversight of underground/above ground storage tank management, air quality permits (Title V), water quality (NPDES) permits, surface water quality, storm water management, wetland issues, environmental assessments at inactive waste sites, collection of radioactive and hazardous materials/wastes from campus, and operation of the Hazardous Materials Facility (a fully permitted Treatment-Storage-Disposal facility), and the storage-for-decay program for short-lived radioactive wastes.

Fire Safety & Emergency Response

Fire safety management includes six functions: inspections, enforcement, education, engineering, fire investigation, and response. With 438 buildings on campus and a wide range of potential fire safety risks, EHS personnel are constantly checking fire related equipment, running test alarms, and assessing egress risks. The section provides student and employee fire education so that safety becomes a collaborative effort and a fire safety culture becomes the norm.

Occupational & Environmental Hygiene (OEH)

OEH ensures that indoor campus environments are conducive to good health and wellbeing by recognizing evaluating and controlling health and safety hazards, using knowledge and experience in industrial hygiene, asbestos management, air and water quality and safety engineering. OEH assesses potential safety hazards, possible instances of exposure and suitability of protective equipment. Working with facilities engineering and facilities services personnel to keep historical buildings functional, while protecting employee health, and working with planning, construction and startup of new and renovated buildings to anticipate building health issues.  

Radiation Safety

Radiation Safety integrates education, oversight, compliance, service and consultation to protect students, staff, the general public and the environment from the effects of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.  Implicit in all aspects of radiation safety is security.  Safety and security are accomplished through training, inspection, licensing, registration and controlled access to certain materials. 

University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC)

The University Employee Occupational Health Clinic provides occupational health care services to all part-time, full-time, and temporary employees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The UEOHC directs medical care for all workplace injuries/illnesses. The Clinic provides pre-employment screening, annual immunization reviews, and medical surveillance for healthcare and non-healthcare workers.

Workplace Safety

Workplace Safety provides services in the areas of ergonomics, respiratory protection, safety training, industrial maintenance and construction safety, clinical safety, medical surveillance, Workers’ Compensation, and the Safety Management Information System. The diversity of services provided by the Workplace Safety section supports the University’s overall mission of teaching and research for both academic and non-academic divisions.

Risk Management

Risk Management Services is responsible for overseeing the majority of the University’s insurance programs, from purchasing the appropriate coverage to adjusting insurance claims. Some of these programs are state-administered, requiring us to serve as the liaison between the University and the State of North Carolina.