Environmental Health and Safety

About EHS

Mission

EHS actively promotes a positive, responsible, integrated safety culture at all levels of the university community, advocates providing a safe and healthy living, learning, and working environment for all, and assists departments with complying with regulations and mandates.

EHS accomplishes our role of regulatory liaison through education, consultation, and compliance monitoring.

  • EHS educates top management on environmental, health and safety issues and actively promotes integrating these issues into the business plan and day-to-day operations of the university.
  • EHS supports departmental efforts to recognize, evaluate and control hazards, and integrate environmental, health and safety considerations into their daily operations and planning, by imparting knowledge and affirming roles and responsibilities.
  • EHS supports employee’s efforts to maintain a safe and healthy workplace by providing training, information, consultation, and effective feedback in a courteous, ethical, professional, timely manner.
  • EHS provides necessary services to the university community to monitor and ensure a safe and healthy living, learning and working environment.

EHS also supports university compliance by assuring that certain regulatorily-required reports are submitted to state and federal authorities.


Organization

  • Assistant Vice President Dr. Lance Franklin, PhD, PE

EHS Organizational Chart (pdf)


Video

Watch the EHS Information Video.


Technical Areas

Laboratory Safety serves all university members by helping to create a safe work environment through the promotion of laboratory safety, responsible disposal of hazardous wastes, and environmental oversight.

Programs include:

  • Chemical/Hazardous Waste Disposal
  • Eye Wash and Safety Showers
  • Fume Hood Certification
  • Environmental Compliance
  • Pollution Prevention
  • Surplus Chemicals
  • Hazardous Materials Spill Response

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)'s serves all university members by helping to create a safe and healthy work environment through the promotion of occupational safety, fire safety and occupational health programs. OSH staff also perform industrial hygiene monitoring and evaluations of potential health hazards, and assist with the development of controls to reduce or eliminate exposure to these hazards.

Programs include:

  • Asbestos Operations and Maintenance
  • Confined Spaces
  • Contractor Safety
  • Construction Safety
  • Electrical Safety
  • Ergonomics
  • Excavation Safety
  • Fall Protection
  • Fire and Life Safety
  • Hazard Communication/Right to Know
  • Hearing Conservation
  • Laser Safety
  • Lead Hazard Control
  • Lockout/Tagout
  • Machinery and Equipment Safety
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Respiratory Protection
  • Walking-Working Surfaces (ladders, stairs, scaffolds)

Radiation Safety provides guidance and support to all users of radioactive isotopes and x-ray equipment at the University.

Programs include:

  • Radiation Safety
  • X-Ray Safety

Biosafety serves all university members by helping to create a safe work environment through the promotion of sound biosafety research practices, providing guidance and training for the use of biological agents, and the inspection of biological research activities.

Programs include:

  • Autoclave Use and Verification Program
  • Biological Safety
  • Biosafety for Research Program
  • Bloodborne Pathogens
  • Indoor Air Quality
  • Select Agent and Toxin Program


Location

The Health and Safety Building is located at 575 Beamer Way, across from Burrows-Burleson Tennis Center. Main building access is from the paved parking lot on the south side of the building.

The EHS Occupational Health Clinic is located at 2020 Kraft Dr in Suite 2100. From campus, heading south on Southgate Drive, turn onto Research Center Drive and then right onto Kraft Drive.

Location on Campus Map

On this map (1 MB PDF), the Health and Safety building is located in quadrant N-12, building number 459.

Driving Directions

  • Follow the directions to Virginia Tech.
  • From US 460, exit onto Route 314, Southgate Drive. Proceed on Southgate through two roundabouts. Turn right at the stop light onto Beamer Way. The Health and Safety Building is located on the left near the top of the hill.