News
EHS Announces Recipients of the 2023 Laboratory Safety Recognition Awards
May 21, 2024 - A. Bitters
Join us in congratulating the 2023 recipients of the EHS Laboratory Safety Recognition Awards.
MSU will host Importation of Biologicals Workshop on May 23
April 9, 2024 - J. Willard-Smith
MSU will host The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Importation of Biologicals Workshop on May 23.
New and Improved Biosafety Training
October 12, 2023 - K. Bullard
EHS's biosafety training will soon be completely revamped with three concise, new courses focused on biosafety risks in specific workplace settings.
Welcoming Elyssa Cox, Industrial Hygienist to Chemical Safety Team
September 5, 2023 - D. Erickson
I am excited to share that Elyssa Cox will be joining the Chemical Safety team on September 5. Elyssa will be responsible for air monitoring for formaldehyde in anatomy labs and waste anesthetic monitoring in surgical suites.
Administrative Business Analyst, Nicole Hurst, Leaving EHS
September 4, 2023
Administrative Business Analyst, Nicole Hurst, is moving on from the Department of Environmental Health & Safety.
Office Manager, Lindsey Brownlee, Leaving EHS
July 25, 2023
Office Manager, Lindsey Brownlee, is moving on after 19 years with the Department of Environmental Health & Safety.
August Click System Upgrade, Outage
July 12, 2023
Planned August upgrades to the Click system will improve the researcher experience and require some system downtime.
Occupational Safety Officer Phil Weinstein Retires
June 19, 2023 - L. Brownlee
Occupational Safety Officer Phil Weinstein retires after 24 years with the Department of Environmental Health & Safety.
Office Coordinator Haley Smith Departs EHS
June 19, 2023
Haley Smith, EHS Office Coordinator, has accepted a position as a General Office Assistant for the State of Michigan.
Biosafety Levels and How They Affect Your Lab
June 12, 2023
A combination of lab practices, containment equipment, and lab design make up the biosafety levels 1-4.
Importation of Biologicals Workshop
May 18, 2023 - J. Willard-Smith
On May 18, 2023, MSU Offices of Research and Regulatory Support (MSU ORRS) and Environmental Health and Safety (MSU EHS) hosted a day-long conference on the Importation of Biologicals.
EHS Announces Recipients of 2022 Laboratory Safety Recognition Awards
May 8, 2023 - A. Bitters
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2022 Laboratory Safety Recognition Awards.
Biosafety Tips and Tricks - Soil Research Safety
May 4, 2023
Do you work with soil? If you do, are you aware that it may be regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service?
Jamie Kracko Moving On to MSU IPF
May 4, 2023 - H. Smith
Jamie Kracko, EHS's Occupational Safety Industrial Hygienist, has accepted the Safety Coordinator position with IPF Power and Water. EHS wishes her the best of luck on her new job!
ORRS and EHS to host Importation of Biologicals Workshop
May 4, 2023 - J. Willard-Smith
MSU Offices of Research and Regulatory Support (MSU ORRS) and Environmental Health and Safety (MSU EHS) to host The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Importation of Biologicals Workshop.
Biosafety Tips and Tricks – There is no good science without Safety Training
April 10, 2023
Training can promote a culture of safety in clinics and laboratories.
Ability LMS Training Update for Labs
April 4, 2023
The Ability system support team is migrating lab personnel into appropriate Lab Safety tracks per EHS initiative to make safety training and monitoring simpler.
Take Your Child to Work Day: Safety Tips
March 15, 2023 - G. Cottrell
The WorkLife Office is pleased to announce the return of the highly attended Take Your Child to Work Day on Thursday, April 27, 2023
Lisa St. Clair Joining EHS as MSU Food and Water Sanitarian
March 12, 2023 - L Brownlee
Lisa St. Clair will be joining EHS in her current role as the MSU Food and Water Sanitarian.
Dr. Pradyot (Peter) Chowdhury Joins EHS FRIB Safety Program
March 10, 2023 - L. Brownlee
Dr. Pradyot (Peter) Chowdhury has joined the EHS FRIB safety program.
Fume hood safety
March 1, 2023
The equipment described here will either protect the materials inside them from contamination or protect the worker from a hazard, in one case it does both. Confusing these can be dangerous.
New Safety Requirements for 2-propanol
January 13, 2023 - G. Cottrell
Moving forward, all 2-propanol containers will need to be dated upon receipt and tested/dated/documented every 12 months for peroxide formation. Please pay particular attention to 2-propanol in secondary containers, clear containers and containers that have been exposed to sunlight.
Open Flames Hazard for Labs
January 2, 2023
Open flames cause fires, explosions, destroy biosafety cabinets and ruin facilities. Risks for personnel can be anything from burn injuries to deaths.
December is Sharps Injury Awareness Month
December 1, 2022
Reduce your risk of needlesticks and Sharps injury
Jared Andrews, Industrial Hygienist II, Leaving EHS
November 11, 2022 - G. Cottrell
Jared Andrews, Industrial Hygienist II, is leaving EHS.
Biosafety Tricky Topics - Aerosols and Biohazards
October 31, 2022 - K. Bullard
Aerosols and Biohazards
October is Biosafety & Biosecurity Month
October 17, 2022 - J. Willard
October is the American Biological Safety Association (ABSA) International’s Biosafety & Biosecurity month putting a spotlight on research and teaching institutions as an excellent way to foster a culture of biosafety and biosecurity.
Training Changes for All Laboratories
October 3, 2022
MSU’s Environmental Health & Safety is implementing several significant changes to how training will be documented.
College of Natural Science Joins EHS in Recognizing Laboratories
September 27, 2022 - A. Bitters
The College of Natural Science joins EHS in recognizing recipients of the 2021 Laboratory Safety Recognition Awards
Contractor Safety Requirements Manual Published
September 26, 2022 - Z. Hansmann
The MSU Contractor Safety Committee voted to publish its inaugural Contractor Safety Requirements Manual, which will help the university communicate expectations for safety to contractors working on campus.
Anna Guernsey, Health Physicist, Leaving EHS
September 20, 2022 - P. Wright
Anna Guernsey, Health Physicist, is leaving EHS.
Luis Ochoa Carrera Appointed President-Elect of ABSA
September 19, 2022 - J. Willard-Smith
EHS's Luis Ochoa Carrera Appointed President-Elect of the American Biological Safety Association
EHS Welcomes Dr. Katie Porter to Inspection Team
August 29, 2022 - A. Bitters
EHS is excited to announce that Dr. Katie Porter will be joining our team on September 1, 2022.
Michelle Wiggins Joining EHS Chemical Safety Team
July 28, 2022 - D. Erickson
EHS is excited to welcome our new Safety Technologist, Michelle Wiggins, on August 1, 2022.
EHS Announces Recipients of 2021 Laboratory Safety Recognition Awards
June 22, 2022 - A. Bitters
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2021 Laboratory Safety Recognition Awards.
Cristiane Neves Pereira-Hicks Joining EHS Inspection Team
June 21, 2022 - A. Bitters
EHS is excited to welcome our new Safety Technologist, Cristiane Neves Pereira-Hicks, on July 11, 2022.
Dr. Alessandra Hunt Joins EHS Biosafety
May 12, 2022 - J. Willard-Smith, MSU EHS IBC Biosafety Officer
I am happy to announce that Dr. Alessandra Hunt has joined the MSU Biosafety Team. Her main responsibilities will include managing the MSU Fit testing, autoclave testing, and the MSU South Campus Neighborhood safety programs. She will also be assisting with laboratory inspections, High containment lab management and the Institutional Biosafety Committee management (IBC).
Evelyn Uithoven Departing EHS
April 27, 2022 - L Brownlee
Evelyn Uithoven, Industrial Hygienist, is leaving EHS. Her last day is 4/29/2022. Please join us in wishing her a great transition to her new job with Herman Miller.
Reminder: Use Appropriate PPE in Photo and Video Shoots
April 22, 2022
EHS stresses the importance of using appropriate PPE during photo and video shoots.
Nicole Hurst Joining EHS Administration Team
April 5, 2022 - L. Brownlee
EHS is excited to welcome our new Administrative Business Analyst, Nicole Hurst, on April 11, 2022.
Travis Smith Joining EHS Radiation Safety Team
January 19, 2022 - P. Wright
EHS is excited to welcome our new Senior Health Physicist, Travis Smith, on February 1, 2022. Travis’ primary responsibility will be radiation safety at our Grand Rapids facilities, though he will be an integral part of the radiation safety program for all MSU.
Gary Bosh Joining EHS Environmental Compliance Team
January 18, 2022 - M. Lindsey
I am excited to share that Gary Bosh will be joining the Environmental team on Monday, January 17th. Gary will be responsible for hazardous building materials, including asbestos, lead, and PCBs.
New EHS Learning Tracks in Ability LMS
December 16, 2021 - A. Bitters
Save time and increase compliance by using one of three new lab safety learning tracks (groups of courses) in Ability LMS.
Environmental Coordinator Dan Lyons Moving On
December 13, 2021 - M. Lindsey
Dan Lyons, Environmental Coordinator, has resigned from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, effective December 9, 2021. He has accepted a new job as an inspector for MIOSHA. EHS wishes him the best of luck on this new chapter.
Launch of ChemInventory Software
November 1, 2021 - G. Cottrell
The ChemInventory Software is launching for a larger user group starting in November 2021.
Important MSU EHS Hazardous Waste Changes
October 28, 2021 - S. Horn
Effective Immediately - Important MSU EHS Hazardous Waste Changes
Haley Smith Joins EHS Administrative Team
October 20, 2021 - L. Brownlee
EHS is excited to welcome our new Office Coordinator, Haley Smith, on October 26, 2021.
Genevieve Cottrell Receives Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award
September 13, 2021
Chemical Hygiene Officer Genevieve Cottrell has been recognized with the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award.
Waste Disposal Guide Phased Out
August 26, 2021 - S. Horn, B. Smith
The Waste Disposal Guide has been removed from the EHS website.
Jamie Kracko Joining EHS Chemical and Occupational Safety Teams
August 24, 2021 - G. Cottrell, Chemical Safety Officer
I am excited to share that Jamie Kracko will be joining the Chemical and Occupational Safety teams on September 1, 2021. Jamie will be responsible for fume hood testing and fit testing, and will be working both at 4000 Collins and Giltner Hall.
Karen Archer, Office Coordinator, Departing EHS
August 5, 2021 - L. Brownlee
Karen Archer, Office Coordinator, last day with Environmental Health & Safety was Friday August 6, 2021. She has accepted a position with the automotive industry. EHS wants to wish her the best luck on the awesome opportunity. Please direct all department questions to ehs@msu.edu
Luis Alberto Ochoa Carrera Joining EHS Biosafety Team
June 27, 2021 - J. Willard, MSU EHS Biosafety Officer
I am excited to share that Luis Alberto Ochoa Carrera will be joining the MSU EHS Biosafety team on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Luis will be responsible for the safety management of the BSL-3/ABSL-3 facilities at MSU as well as operating as the Pandemic Safety Manager moving forward.
New Respirator Fit-Test Contact
June 16, 2021 - P. Weinstein, J. Willard-Smith
Personnel requiring respirator fit-tests (excluding Vet Med personnel) should now contact EHS at EHS.Respirators@msu.edu or 517-355-0153 (press 3) to request appointments.
Patrick Wright Named Interim Radiation Safety Officer
May 12, 2021 - L. Brownlee
Effective May 10, Patrick Wright has been named interim Radiation Safety Officer.
RSO Bryan Harris Moving On
May 10, 2021 - L. Brownlee
Bryan Harris, Radiation Safety Officer, has resigned from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety, effective May 7, 2021. He has accepted a new job with the US Army. EHS wishes him the best of luck on this new adventure.
EHS Safety Portal Upgrade
March 14, 2021
MSU's Environmental Health & Safety has completed of a significant redesign of the EHS Safety Portal which houses important safety-related processes such as waste pickup requests (chemical/hazardous, radioactive, incinerator), supplies/materials requests (radioactive materials, dosimeters, labels, door signs), laser registration, asbestos survey search.
EHS Safety Portal Upgrade
March 3, 2021
MSU's Environmental Health & Safety is nearing completion of a significant redesign of the EHS Safety Portal which houses important safety-related processes such as waste pickup requests (chemical/hazardous, radioactive, incinerator), supplies/materials requests (radioactive materials, dosimeters, labels, door signs), laser registration, asbestos survey search.
Travis VanWyck Joining EHS Hazardous Waste Management Team
December 28, 2020 - Brian Smith, Hazardous Waste Coordinator
I am excited to share that Travis VanWyck will be joining the EHS Waste team on December 28th. Travis will be responsible for picking up, transporting, and processing hazardous waste for disposal. Travis is joining us from Americhem.
EHS Service Portal Upgrade
October 15, 2020
The Environmental Health & Safety Info Portal is undergoing a significant upgrade. Redesign of the database and testing is already underway. Conversion to the new web portal is planned for December 2020. Watch here for announcements as we get closer to implementation.
Karen Archer Joining EHS Administration
September 22, 2020 - L. Brownlee
I am excited to share that Karen Archer will be joining the Administrative Team on September 28, 2020. Karen will be responsible for processing all financial paperwork, HR paperwork, and Document Management.
Regulatory Updates for Waste Generators
September 13, 2020 - S. Horn, B. Smith
Regulatory reminders related to the New Generator Improvement Regulations adopted by Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Tyler McCord, EHS Chemical Industrial Hygienist, Published in "Annals of Work Exposures and Health"
August 24, 2020 - L. Brownlee
Tyler McCord, EHS Chemical Industrial Hygienist, Matthew Legaspi, Elaine West, Priscilla Yun, Diana Larson, Samuel Paik, and David Zalk’s study on Quantitative Validation of Control Bands Using Bayesian Statistical Analyses was published August 21, 2020 in the Annals of Work Exposures and Health. Help us to congratulate them on this outstanding accomplishment. Click to read abstract.
Krista DeYoung, Administrative Business Analyst, Departing EHS
August 16, 2020 - L. Brownlee
Krista DeYoung, Administrative Business Analyst, Departing EHS
Rebekah Mosci to Join EHS as Safety Technologist
August 11, 2020 - A. Bitters
Rebekah Mosci to Join EHS as Safety Technologist.
The FDA issues additional recalls on methanol containing hand sanitizers
July 12, 2020 - A. Bitters
The FDA issues additional recalls on methanol containing hand sanitizers.
The FDA advises against using 9 different hand sanitizers
June 24, 2020 - A. Bitters
The FDA advises against using 9 different hand sanitizers.
Use Appropriate PPE in Photo and Video Shoots
May 19, 2020 - E. Uithoven
As featured in MSU Today, EHS stresses the importance of using appropriate PPE during photo and video shoots.
What's that stink? It could be your drain.
February 13, 2020 - EHS Chemical Safety
A common indoor air quality problem across Michigan State University is caused by dry drains. Read about dry drains and how to prevent them.