EH&S

Environmental Health & Safety

As part of the Division of Public Safety, Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) is responsible for overseeing the environmental, health, and safety needs of the University and its extended campuses. EH&S oversees Emergency Management, Public Safety, EKU Police, and Risk Management & Insurance.

EH&S Areas

As part of insuring environmental compliance, EH&S tracks all campus utilities and reports on energy consumption and emissions.

EH&S is building a curriculum of safety training that includes self-study, on-line and classroom instruction and designating the training needed for various responsibilities.

Environmental Compliance insures University compliance with environmental statutes and regulations monitored by the Kentucky Departments of Water, Air Quality, Waste Management, Environmental Protection and OSHA, as well as the Federal EPA and OSHA. EHS oversees environmental compliance aspects of university activities and provides necessary reporting to government agencies. Specific duties include managing hazardous waste, maintaining required reports, permits, and manifest. EHS develops programs to comply with applicable regulatory requirements, permitting, and regulatory agency interface. EHS works closely with Facility Services, Capital Planning, the Office of Sustainability, and other departments to achieve these goals. EHS-Environmental Compliance is responsible for administering the following programs and services:

  • Air Pollution Source Permitting and Emissions Reporting
  • Hazardous and Universal Waste Management
  • Petroleum Storage Tank Management
  • Stormwater Management

Responsible for fostering safety in the teaching labs throughout the University by providing proactive direction and facilitating compliance.

Responsible for identifying health and safety risks, establishing safety controls, and providing recommendations on avoiding accidents and health risks, for everyone in the University community.

The Department of Environmental Health & Safety is responsible for university insurance policies and managing associated risks. EH&S provides the following risk management & insurance services:

  • Coordinate Commercial Insurance claims for the listed lines of insurance
  • Answer questions regarding Insurance Coverage
  • Review Certificates of Insurance for Contractors working for EKU and for entities renting EKU facilities
  • Provide appropriate Certificates of Insurance of listed lines of commercial insurance
  • Review/placement/maintenance for the following lines of (non-benefit) Commercial Insurance:
  • Airport Commercial General Liability
  • Automobile
  • Aviation (Non-Owned)
  • Clinical Professional Liability (Malpractice)
  • Crime (Fidelity Bond)
  • Cyber
  • Educator’s Legal Liability
  • Employed Counsel
  • Equipment Breakdown (Boiler & Machinery)
  • Excess Liability
  • Fiduciary
  • General Liability
  • Healthcare Student’s Professional Liability
  • Inland Marine
  • Intercollegiate Athletics Injury (Athletes)
  • Intercollegiate Sports Injury (Cheerleaders)
  • International Travel Coverage (Employees, Spouses and Children) for Work-Related Travel
  • Police Professional Liability
  • Sports Camps
  • State Fire and Tornado Fund (Buildings and Contents)
  • Student Clinical Professional
  • Workers’ Compensation (KY and other States)

Responsible for maintaining availability of current Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s) for all hazardous chemicals on campus. Database includes over 4,000 listings.

The Workers’ Compensation Law is designed to compensate employees for loss of earning power due to work related injuries or diseases “arising out of and in the course and scope of their employment.” This coverage includes both medical expenses and loss of time (payroll) payments to an employee who is unable to work for an extended period of time due to a compensable injury or disease. This applies to all state employees, regardless of merit status or type of employment. All employees are covered under the Kentucky Workers’ Compensation Law (KRS 342).

For more information view the Workers’ Compensation Guide.

EH&S Mission, Vision & Values


Mission
To support and advance the teaching, learning and research activities of the University through promotion and enhancement of a safe and healthy campus environment by providing and coordinating programs and services that minimize safety, health, and environmental and regulatory risks to the Eastern Kentucky University community in a manner consistent with responsible fiscal, environmental and occupational stewardship.

We will provide a culture of positive influence wherein we empower others to take personal responsibility and ownership in process to reduce and eliminate known occupational and environmental hazards. Each member of the University community has the responsibility to work within the framework of established safety, risk management and emergency management programs, policies and/or guidelines. Each individual is also responsible for carrying out their activities in a manner that will protect those involved, the rest of the University community, the general public, and the environment by minimizing loss of resources including property, personnel and processes.

As part of the Division of Public Safety, Environmental Health & Safety is responsible for overseeing the environmental, health, and occupational safety needs of the University and its extended campuses.

Vision
Our department will be comprised of individuals committed to our mission and values, and the application for the highest professional practices and standards.

We will provide quality services to our customers by understanding their individual needs, by recognizing and defining our roles and responsibilities, by empowering and requiring accountability of ourselves, and by measuring our effectiveness.

Our services will be seamless and respected throughout all areas of EH&S, RM&I and EM responsibility and will be nationally recognized as a model of health and safety partnership.

We will create and maintain a flexible and supportive work environment where we can achieve our full potential, freely express ourselves, participate in team-based decisions, recognize and celebrate our achievements, acknowledge, our shortcomings, and welcome change as means for continual improvement.

Responsibility for health, safety, environmental protection, risk management, insurance and emergency management will be an integral performance requirement of all employees and students of EKU.

Values
Treat each other, and all members of the University’s diverse and multi-cultural community, with professionalism, integrity, sensitivity and respect.
Promote a trusting and honest workplace environment through teamwork and mutual support.

Maintain a strong work ethic by keeping our word and taking responsibility for our work and actions.

Create a workplace environment that encourages the development of professional and personal growth and integrity.

Even little things matter to us.

Guides & Resources


Contact Information


Environmental Health & Safety

Burnam House

859-622-3437
Fax: 859-622-1258
ehs@eku.edu