News
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 21, 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 14, 2021
Chemical Hygiene Officer Genevieve Cottrell has been recognized with the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award.
Waste Disposal Guide Phased Out
August 27, 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 25, 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 6, 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 28, 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 17, 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.
EHS Hiring Administrative Student Aide
June 7, 2021 - L. Brownlee
EHS is hiring a new Administrative Student Aide. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by June 20 at Handshake (joinhandshake.com).
EHS Hiring Safety Technologist
May 14, 2021 - K. Archer
EHS is hiring a Safety Technologist - see story for job responsibilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by June 17 at http://careers.msu.edu/ (Posting #702545).
Patrick Wright Named Interim Radiation Safety Officer
May 13, 2021 - L. Brownlee
Effective May 10, Patrick Wright has been named interim Radiation Safety Officer.
RSO Bryan Harris Moving On
May 11, 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 15, 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.
2021 Worker Protection Standard Training Available via Zoom
January 8, 2021 - Justin Stahl
2021 dates are scheduled for Worker Protection Standard training. Training will only be offered through Zoom to comply with social distancing requirements.
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 Hiring High Containment Lab/Pandemic Safety Mgr
November 12, 2020 - L. Brownlee
EHS is hiring a High Containment Lab/Pandemic Safety Mgr - see story for job responsibilities. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by November 24 at http://careers.msu.edu/cw/en-us/listing/ (Posting #680922).
EHS Service Portal Upgrade
October 16, 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 23, 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 14, 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).
COVID-19 Safety Training for Students Available
September 11, 2020 - A. Bitters
Environmental Health and Safety, in collaboration with stakeholders, has developed an online training course: COVID-19 Safety for Students.
Tyler McCord, EHS Chemical Industrial Hygienist, Published in "Annals of Work Exposures and Health"
August 25, 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 17, 2020 - L. Brownlee
Krista DeYoung, Administrative Business Analyst, Departing EHS
Rebekah Mosci to Join EHS as Safety Technologist
August 12, 2020 - A. Bitters
Rebekah Mosci to Join EHS as Safety Technologist.
EHS Hiring Office Coordinator
July 29, 2020 - L. Brownlee
EHS is hiring an Office Coordinator - see story for job responsibilities.
The FDA issues additional recalls on methanol containing hand sanitizers
July 13, 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.
Positive COVID-19 Case Instruction Poster For Researchers
May 28, 2020 - A. Bitters
A new poster lists actions required after an employee working in a research setting tests positive for COVID-19.
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.
Guidelines for Cloth Face Coverings
April 20, 2020 - Kristen Bullard
Summary of guidelines for cloth face coverings, including materials/ construction, fit, cleaning, storing, donning and doffing.
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
April 19, 2020 - Genevieve Cottrell
OSHA guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 includes Steps All Workers Can Take to Reduce Workers' Risk of Exposure; Classifying Worker Exposure; How to Protect Workers in Jobs Classified as Lower, Medium, High, and Very High Risk; Workers Living Abroad or Travelling Internationally; more.
Worker Protection Standard Training Available via Zoom
April 8, 2020 - Justin Stahl
2020 dates are scheduled for Worker Protection Standard training. Training will temporarily be offered through Zoom to comply with social distancing requirements.
Interim Measures to Conserve Supply of N95 Respirators
April 6, 2020 - Amber Bitters
It is imperative that departments with essential workers requiring scarce personal protective equipment implement measures to conserve our extremely limited supply of N95 respirators. Extended use and limited reuse of N95 respirators is a legitimate strategy for extending scarce personal protective equipment in view of the current COVID-19 crisis.
Do Not Make Your Own Sanitizer
March 19, 2020 - Genevieve Cottrell
Genevieve Cottrell, the MSU Chemical Safety Officer, does not recommend units and departments make their own hand sanitizer at this time.
COVID-19 Cleaning Guidelines
March 19, 2020 - Kristen Bullard
EHS provides cleaning guidelines for healthcare and other facilities to address COVID-19 concerns.
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.