University Safety and Security Committee (USSC)
State regulations require each state agency (including universities) to create health and safety committees to perform workplace inspections, review injury and illness records, make advisory recommendations to the administration, and perform other functions determined by the State Personnel Commission to be necessary for the effective implementation of the State Workplace Requirement Program.
The USSC is responsible for reviewing and approving each of the workplace safety committee’s recommended safety policy and procedures. Once approved, the recommendations are forwarded to the Chancellor for approval before implementation.
- Jonathan Pruitt
- Chair, Safety and Security Committee; Vice Chancellor, Finance and Operations
- Lorraine Alexander
- Chair, Laboratory and Chemical Safety Committee; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology
- Linc Butler
- Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources
- Vacant (delegated to Chris Payne)
- Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
- Doug Cyr
- Chair – Institutional Biosafety Committee; Professor, Cell & Development Biology
- Beverly J. Errede
- Co-Chair, Radiation Safety Committee; Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics
- Judy Faubert
- Assistant University Counsel
- Craig Fletcher
- Director, Laboratory Animal Medicine
- David G. Kaufman
- Co-Chair, Radiation Safety Committee; Professor & Vice Chair for Research Development
- Derek Kemp
- Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus Safety and Risk Management
- Mary Beth Koza
- Director, Department of Environment, Health and Safety
- Terry Magnuson (delegated to Craig Fletcher)
- Vice Chancellor for Research
- Jeff McCracken
- Chair, Campus Personal Safety Committee; Director of Public Safety
- Chris Payne
- Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
- Mitchell Picker
- Chair, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC); Professor, Department of Psychology
- Jennifer Rees
- Chair, Occupational Health and Clinical Safety Committee; Practice Facilitator, NC TraCs Institute
- Michael Rolleri
- Chair, Hazards Management Committee; Associate Professor, Center for Dramatic Art
- Vacant (delegated to Judy Faubert)
- Vice Chancellor and General Counsel; Office of University Counsel
- Cindy Taylor
- Director, Environmental Health and Safety, UNC Hospitals
- Anna Wu
- Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Services
Committees
This committee focuses on the receipt, usage, storage, and disposal of chemicals along with the emerging issues of health and safety in the laboratory environment. The laboratory work environment consists of those work units that are subject to the OSHA Laboratory Standard and laboratory EHS issues not pertaining to biological safety or radiation safety. The Lab Safety Committee is responsible for reviewing safety and health policies and procedures, reviewing incidents involving work-related fatalities, injuries, illnesses or near misses related to laboratory and chemical safety, reviewing employee complaints regarding safety and health hazards, analyzing work injury and illness statistical records related to laboratory and chemical safety, conducting inspections of laboratories and worksites utilizing chemicals at least annually and in response to complaints regarding safety or health hazards, reviewing training records related to laboratory and chemical safety, conducting meetings at least once every three months, and maintaining written minutes of such meetings.
- Implement Safety Supervisors subcommittee recommendations: training, annual meeting, FAQ, and/or incentives. (Continued in 2019)
- Examine historical injury data for cut/puncture and needle stick to target injury reduction and disseminate information using various modes of communication (updating trainings, safety fairs, posters, newsletters, etc.). (Complete)
- Distribute lab safety info by providing opt-in as part of LSP certification so all researchers receive info. (Removed)
- LCSC participate at Lab Safety Fair, demos to address cut/puncture, vendors, Chem Safety class involvement. (Continued in 2019)
- Provide webpage for Lab Safety Supervisors that includes responsibilities and FAQs.
- Support bringing American Chemical Society (ACS) graduate student safety training to UNC-CH and have committee participate in training.
- EHS/Committee outreach at department/group/PI level regarding safety culture.
- Support and help integrate TarHeel Mission Ready/Continuity Plans into lab research.
- Dr. Lorraine Alexander
- Clinical Associate Professor, Epidemiology; Chair, Laboratory and Chemical Safety Committee
- Pat Boone, MSPH, CIH
- Assistant Director, UNC Healthcare Environmental, Health and Safety
- Cathy Brennan
- Chemical Hygiene Officer, Environment, Health and Safety
- Dr. Nita Eskew
- Director of Undergraduate Labs, Department of Chemistry
- Dr. Anthony Hackney
- Professor, Physiology and Nutrition, Exercise and Sport Science
- Michael Liang
- Graduate Student, Chemistry
- Dr. Rihe Liu
- Associate Professor, Medicinal Chemistry & Natural Products, Pharmacy
- Todd O’Buckley
- Research Specialist, Alcohol Studies Center
- Jim Potts
- Associate Chemical Hygiene Officer, Environment, Health and Safety
- Dr. Kathryn Reissner
- Assistant Professor of Psychology
- Dr. Sarah Scarry
- Research Assistant Professor, Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, School of Pharmacy
- Dr. Nick Tsihlis
- Research Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine
The IBC is responsible for the oversight, administration, and review of UNC‐CH Lab policies and projects involving research with rDNA and hazardous biological materials that may pose safety, health, or environmental risks. To this end, the IBC assists and advises Principal Investigators and other researchers in meeting their responsibilities to ensure that the biological aspects of the research are conducted in a safe manner using established biosafety standards, principles and work authorization. Safe research includes worker safety, public health, agricultural and environmental protection, ethics, and compliance with applicable biosafety standards and UNC-CH policies.
- Updated IBC management system to send out multiple automatic reminders to Principal Investigators to notify them of IBC protocols approaching expiration.
- Streamlined review process for Schedule G protocols that are renewals of approved protocols.
- Improved the process for review of Schedule H protocols to minimize impact on dependent IACUC reviews and approvals.
- Evaluate the IBC oversight program for compliance with the requirements articulated in the NIH Guidelines (2019) using the Self-Assessment Tool for IBC Programs generated by the NIH.
- Incorporate regular training opportunities on the monthly agenda as part of continuing education for the IBC Committee.
- Doug Cyr, PhD
- Chair, Institutional Biosafety Committee and Professor, Cell & Development Biology
- Victoria Baxter, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
- Assistant Professor, Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine
- Sandra F. Bradshaw
- Laboratory Supervisor, Orange Water & Sewer Authority
- Garry Coulson, PhD
- Biological Safety Officer, Environment, Health and Safety
- Aravinda Desilva
- Professor, Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology
- Craig Fletcher, DVM, PhD, DACLAM
- Director, Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine
- Mary Beth Koza, MBA
- Executive Director, Environment, Health and Safety
- Stanley M. Lemon, PhD
- Professor, Medicine, Microbiology and Immunology
- Eric Lewis
- Biosafety Specialist, Environment, Health and Safety
- Ann Matthysse, PhD
- Professor, Department of Biology
- Jessica Poole
- Associate Biosafety Officer, Environment, Health and Safety
- Keith Porterfield
- Assistant Fire Chief, Chapel Hill Fire Department
- Barbara Savoldo, MD, PhD
- Research Professor, Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology
- Amy C. Sims, PhD
- Research Associate Professor, Epidemiology
- Xiao Xiao
- Professor, Pharmacy
This committee focuses on Occupational Health services for University personnel and the emerging issues of health and safety for employees working in the clinic environment. The clinic work environment is primarily characterized by activities involving patient contact and exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. The clinical work environment frequently has additional health and safety requirements imposed by accreditation organizations, such as the Joint Commission.
- Included pilot for new employee and faculty orientation in the School of Medicine. Identified employees who are “clinical” and worked to ensure compliance through a clinic visit within the first days of employment. Ongoing to roll out to other professional Schools (Nursing, Dentistry, Public Health, Pharmacy).
- Ongoing continued review of OSHA recordable. Outreach to chair of departments that had high incident rates (both department chairs have retired, continued efforts with new department chairs).
- Ongoing review of training requirements for New Employee Orientation – Clinic. Renewed emphasis on the culture of safety, especially around preventable BBPs and needle stick incidents.
- Work on development of education and communication materials to inform departments of:
- Hazard coding in Connect Carolina
- Healthcare employees and EHS training requirements
- James Hawkins
- HR Date/Reporting Manager, Medicine Administration; Chair, Occupational Health and Clinical Safety Committee
- Debi Bergman
- Worker’s Compensation/Clinical Hygienist, Environment, Health and Safety
- Benny Burton, Sr.
- Facility Maintenance Technician, Facilities Services, Building Services
- Mary Crabtree
- Workplace Safety Manager, Environment, Health and Safety
- Abby Fisher
- Business Manager, Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Dr. James Hill
- Clinical Assistant Professor, Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation, Medical Director-UEOHC
- Jane Kerwin
- Director, Clinical Support Division, School of Nursing
- Ryan Meehan
- Environment of Care Manager, Campus Health Services
- Jennifer Rees
- Nurse Supervisor, TraCS Institute
- John Sledge
- Human Resources, Pediatrics
- Tracy Wetherby Williams
- Director of Clinical Compliance, School of Dentistry
- Charlene Womble
- Administrative Specialist, School of Nursing
The mission of the Clinical Exposure Subcommittee is to identify and address clinical occupational hazards that undergraduate and professional students are exposed to as part of their clinical training. This subcommittee reports to the Occupational Health and Clinical Safety Committee.
- Meg Beal
- Physician’s Assistant Program
- Susan Beck
- Allied Health Sciences
- Jennie Brame
- Dental Ecology
- Alan Brown
- AHEC
- Michelle Camarena
- Campus Health Services
- Thevy Chai
- Campus Health Services
- Ann Chelminski
- Campus Health Services
- Andrew Clapper
- Pharmacy
- Kayla Conley
- Allied Health Sciences
- Susan Coppola
- Occupational Therapy
- Georgette Dent
- Medicine
- Marty Folliard
- Dentistry
- Melody Gibson
- Campus Health Services
- James Hill
- Medicine
- Jane Kerwin
- Nursing
- Mary Beth Koza
- Environment, Health and Safety
- Carol Kozel
- Campus Health Services
- Bernice Mayo
- Medicine
- Dana McCarty
- Physical Therapy
- Kathy Moore
- Nursing
- Martha Mundy
- Audiology
- Andrew Murrell
- Nursing
- Joy Renner
- Radiologic Science
- Wendy Ross
- Allied Health Sciences
- John Schimmelfing
- Campus Health Services
- Judy Schmidt
- Rehab & Mental Health Counseling
- Hannah Siburt
- Audiology
- Elizabeth Steadman
- Medicine
- Laine Stewart
- Allied Health Sciences
- Annetta Streater
- Dentistry
- Mercedes Tolbert
- Pharmacy (Asheville)
- Sandra Void
- Laboratory Science
- Jessica Ward
- Nursing
- David Weber
- UNC Hospitals
- Tracy Williams
- Dentistry
- Peggy Wilmoth
- Nursing
- Brad Wingo
- Pharmacy
This committee focuses on the emerging issues of health and safety for employees working in the office, support services, and industrial, maintenance/construction work environments. The support services work environment consists of activities that are conducted outside of the office environment, usually involve public contact and may involve hazardous materials. These environments can include the Department of Public Safety, Department of Environment, Health and Safety, Material Support, and Housekeeping. The industrial, maintenance and construction work environment consists of those work units whose primary activities are performed at various locations around campus and at fixed locations, using industrial-type machines and equipment. These units include Facilities Services, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC Shops, Grounds, Athletics, Finley Golf Course operations, and Electronics Office Service Center and some academic shops.
- Implement Safety Supervisors subcommittee recommendations: training, annual meeting, FAQ, and/or incentives. (Continued in 2019)
- Examine historical injury data for cut/puncture and needle stick to target injury reduction and disseminate information using various modes of communication (updating trainings, safety fairs, posters, newsletters, etc.). (Completed)
- Distribute lab safety info by providing opt-in as part of LSP certification so all researchers receive info. (Removed)
- LCSC participate at Lab Safety Fair, demos to address cut/puncture, vendors, Chem Safety class involvement. (Continued in 2019)
- Provide webpage for Lab Safety Supervisors that includes responsibilities and FAQs.
- Support bringing American Chemical Society (ACS) graduate student safety training to UNC-Chapel Hill and have committee participate in training.
- EHS/Committee outreach at department/group/PI level regarding safety culture.
- Support and help integrate TarHeel Mission Ready/Continuity Plans into lab research.
- Michael Rolleri
- Associate Professor of Dramatic Art; Chair, Hazards Management Committee
- Brad Barnes
- Energy Services
- Christine Bhirdo
- Assistant Operations Director, Laboratory Animal Medicine
- Mary Crabtree
- Workplace Safety Manager, Environment, Health and Safety
- Lisa Daley
- Human Resources Manager, Energy Services
- Richie Grimsley
- Athletics
- Deborah Hawkins
- Transportation and Parking
- Mary Beth Koza
- Director, Environment, Health and Safety
- Tonya Miller
- Laboratory Animal Medicine
- Drew Nicholson
- Risk Management Services
- David Sharpe
- Life Safety Services
- Phillip Spangler
- School of Law
- Neah Tucker
- EHS
- Shawn Womack
- Housekeeping Services
The Radiation Safety Committee is responsible for establishing policies governing the procurement, use, storage and disposal of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices. The Committee includes individuals experienced in the use or application of radioactive materials and radiation devices and provides a peer review of these uses among researchers at the University. The Committee meets at least quarterly to review reports on the receipt and disposal of radioactive materials/radiation-producing devices, and to act on applications for authorization to use these sources. The Committee, along with its Chairman, is appointed by the Chancellor. It makes an annual report of activities to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations.
- Establish safety program for the cyclotron facility
- Renew radioactive materials license for UNC Nutrition Research Institute
- Train UNC Police and UNCH Police Officers on the use of PRDs (Personal Radiation Detectors)
- Review Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) Policy Statement. This is in the “Radiation Protection Program Policy Manual” which is tied to our Radioactive Materials (RAM) license as a license condition.
- Provide an educational in-service at an RSC meeting on emergent technology with regards to RAM use or radiation producing machines.
- Dr. David G. Kaufman, MD
- Professor & Vice Chair for Research Development, Co-Chair, Radiation Safety Committee
- Dr. Beverly J. Errede
- Professor, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Co-Chair, Radiation Safety Committee
- Dr. Louise M. Ball
- Professor, Environmental Science & Engineering
- Dr. Marija Ivanovic
- Clinical Associate Professor, Radiology
- Mary Beth Koza, MBA
- Director, Environment, Health and Safety
- Dr. Jian Liu
- Associate Professor, Medicinal Chemistry/Natural Products
- Dr. Jeff Sekelsky
- Associate Professor, Biology
- Dr. Roger Sit
- University Radiation Safety Officer, Environment, Health and Safety
- Dr. Rita Tamayo
- Assistant Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
- Dr. Zhanhong Wu
- Assistant Professor, Radiology
- Dr. Hong Yuan
- Director, BRIC Small Animal Imaging Facility
Back to Risk Management
Proceed to EHS Compliance Report