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Clayton State University Public Safety

Environmental Health & Safety

The Clayton State University Department of Public Safety is responsible for working with the various departments on campus in matters dealing with environmental health and safety concerns. Look at the following topics for further information;

Fluorescent Bulb and Recycling Program

A fluorescent bulb recycling program was set up in late 1995 and is now being administered by the college's Plant Operations Department with very positive results. In an average month approximately 100-150 fluorescent light bulbs are being reclaimed instead of being disposed of in landfills, increasing the the amounts of mercury in Georgia's wetlands.

Emergency Response Plan

Emergency situations effecting University operations most often occur as the result of severe weather. In these situations rapid, effective and accurate communications are required to ensure the proper coordination of University resources. The Department of Public Safety revised a new Emergency Response Plan in 2001. The plan specifically identifies the roles, lines of communication and safety precautions in various emergency situations.

Employee Safety Training

In 1988 the State of Georgia passed the Employees Right To Know Act to ensure that employees were provided with information and proper training for handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous chemicals in their work areas. The Environmental Health and Safety Officer began providing individualized Right To Know instruction in November of 1996 for all new employees.

Currently new employees are required to take an online Right To Know Training. This online training program is designed to educate USG employees on the importance and benefits of properly recognizing and safely working with hazardous materials.

University System of Georgia employees can receive this online training by going to: http://www.usg.edu/ehs/training/rtkbasic/

Safety Investigations

Late in 1996, a new EH&S reporting form and investigation procedure were created to adequately respond to safety concerns encountered by employees in the work place and to provide a prompt response. In the short time these procedures have been in place two potentially unsafe practices were investigated with very encouraging results. Both situations concerned potential threats to employee safety. In both instances the department initiating the EH&S investigation took immediate steps to solve the problem once they were informed of potentially unsafe practices.

Hazardous Materials Inventory

As a part of the Employees Right To Know Act, the maintenance of Material Safety Data Sheets, MSDS, is required to ensure that basic chemical hazard information, initial first aid treatment and storage requirements for hazardous materials are immediately available. In 1996 this information was subjected to an intense review to ensure that the information was accurate and up to date. Catalogs of material safety data sheets are maintained in the Public Safety Office for immediate access by Officers in the field and employees upon request. In addition, the EH&S Officer created a Material Safety Data Sheet Book specifically for custodial personnel who are often in contact with various cleaning products that may be hazardous if improperly handled.

Clean Air Campaign

On December 4, 1997, Governor Zell Miller issued an Executive Order requiring that all State Agencies, Colleges and Universities develop and implement a plan to change ozone producing behaviors from May 1 through September 30. Clayton State University was required to:

  • Reduce Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV) employee commuter trips by 20 percent EVERY day during Smog Season in 1999 and beyond.
  • Eliminate or substantially reduce all activities involving painting, using solvents, and non-vehicular diesel or small gasoline engines on Smog Alert Days.