RMS
Fire Safety Festival
9/8/2022
September is Campus Fire Safety Month and Auburn University is gearing up for the first ever FIRE SAFETY FESTIVAL on Wednesday September 14th from 10 am until 2pm. RMS team members and volunteers will be set up around campus with games, giveaways, and prizes.
The Brain Burners Fire Safety Quiz will be on the Haley Concourse. Participants will be asked three questions related to fire safety. Get them right and spin the wheel to win a prize!
The Hot Shots Selfie Station will be set up at the Edge at Central Dining. It’s easy to participate. Just snap a selfie and post it on social media or send it to a friend. Once you do, you win!
The Power P.A.S.S. station will be set up in the Melton Student Center. Get firsthand experience fighting fires with our state-of-the-art extinguisher simulator. Once you learn to P.A.S.S. then you’re all set and you win!
Punch-cards will be available at each station. Participants who visit all three stations on September 14th can be entered to win a number of amazing grand prizes.
Learning more about Fire Safety has never been easier or fun!
For questions or additional information, please contact Kevin Ives at pki0002@auburn.edu
Risk Management & Safety distributes "Low Blood Sugar Boxes" for Youth Camps and Campus
7/11/2022
Thousands of children attend youth programs hosted by Auburn University each year. For some participants, it’s the first time they have to manage their blood sugar level on their own. To help these participants, youth program workers and volunteers who are managing diabetes, and others, Auburn University’s Youth Protection Program has created and distributed Low Blood Sugar Kits. These kits are being given to various youth programs at no cost and as a service to participants.
These kits list the symptoms of low blood sugar so that counselors and chaperones can more easily identify the warning signs. Inside the box are instructions to help deal with low blood sugar: Testing blood glucose, eating or drinking fast acting carbs, waiting 15 minutes, and then testing again.
These kits also come pre-supplied with fast acting carbs: pretzels, raisins, glucose gel, and juice; as well as nutritional information for each item.
With the development of these Low Blood Sugar Kits, Youth Protection Program is continuing to take a proactive approach in risk management and engaging in unique ways to keep youth protected on Auburn’s campus.
To request a kit, please contact Kim White at youthprotection@auburn.edu
Risk Management and Safety Announces Winter Holiday Waste Service Protocol
11/29/2021
Both chemical and medical waste pickups will be temporarily suspended throughout the Auburn University recognized holiday period. Any chemical and/or medical waste generated during the holiday break should be properly containerized, labeled, and stored per guidelines found on the RMS/EHS webpage www.auburn.edu/administration/rms/environmental.html .
Chemical and medical waste pickups will resume on January 3, 2022, on an as-requested basis.
Pathological waste pickup service will be provided throughout the holiday period on an as-needed and as-requested basis. Pickup requests shall be submitted through the AiM work management system (https://aim.auburn.edu/aim ).
Advance notice shall be coordinated with primary contact Steven Nolen (334-703-3859) or secondary contact Billy Cannon (334-703-0419), to ensure the timely removal of pathological waste from your areas during this period.
If you anticipate your areas needing servicing over the observed holiday break, please contact me Tom McCauley, Environmental Health & Safety Program Manager at 334-844-4870 so that RMS may coordinate in advance as best we can to accommodate your needs.
Risk Management and Safety Warns of Using Certain Dehumidifiers.
8/17/2021
Over two million dehumidifiers have been recalled due a fire and burn hazards. There have been over 100 incidents so far due to these units overheating or catching fire. So far, no injuries have been reported but the incidents have resulted in almost $17 million in property damage.
This recall involves 25-, 30-, 35-, 45-, 50-, 60-, 65-, 70-, and 74-pint dehumidifiers, manufactured before September 1, 2017, with the brand names including AeonAir, Amana, ArcticAire (Danby), Classic (Danby / Home Hardware Stores), Commercial Cool, Danby, Danby Designer, Danby Premiere, De’Longhi, Edgestar, Friedrich, Generations (Danby), Haier, Honeywell (JMATEK / AirTek), Idylis, Ivation, perfect aire, SuperClima, Whirlpool, and Whynter.
Please check the model number of your dehumidifier’s model number here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2021/two-million-dehumidifiers-with-well-known-brand-names-recalled-due-to-fire-and-burn and confirm it is part of the recall.
Risk Management and Safety recommends you stop using the dehumidifiers immediately and contact New WideTech for a refund. Contact New Widetech toll-free at 877-251-1512 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.recallrtr.com/nwtdehumidifier or http://www.newwidetech.com/en/ and click on “Recall Information” at the bottom of the page for more information.
Auburn Risk Management and Safety Featured on URMIA Matters Podcast
7/7/2021
The University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) recently featured Auburn University and Risk Analyst Evan Ferguson on their URMIA Matters podcast. The podcast discussed the Student Property Insurance Program (SPIP). Evan detailed how the program has helped Auburn University Risk Management and Safety better serve the University and how the program benefits Auburn student faculty and staff. You can listen here: https://urmiamatters.buzzsprout.com/687161/8757933-problem-solved-urmia-student-property-insurance-program
The SPIP program, which is available to all Auburn University students, faculty, and staff, helps to better protect and insure some of the items we use everyday while on campus.
Frequent cases of property loss include theft and accidental damage (dropping, spilling liquids, and similar events). If this were to happen, your out-of-pocket costs to repair or replace will generally run between $500 and $2,000.
Although some homeowners policies provide some coverage, they generally do not cover “breakage” or accidental damage, and usually have high deductibles that effectively leave most property losses unrecoverable. For these reasons, it is strongly encouraged to have a personal property insurance policy for their belongings while living and working on campus. You can learn more about the SPIP at Auburn here: https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/rentersinsurance
Guide on Purchasing DEA Scheduled and Listed Substances
8/6/2020
Controlled Substances
-
Controlled substances are drugs or other substances, or immediate precursors, listed under schedules I-V of the Controlled Substance Act (21 USC §812) (CSA). Schedules are assigned based on pharmacological effect, potential for abuse and dependency, and medical use. Current scheduling can be found in section 1308 of Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR §§1308.11-1308.15).
-
Procurement, storage, security, use and disposal of controlled substances is strictly regulated by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). Research involving the use of controlled substances requires DEA registration and licensing. DEA licenses are specific to each PI, and the PI holding a DEA license is responsible for observing and implementing DEA regulations (annual registration renewal, inventory and record keeping, storage and security requirements, inspection preparedness, proper disposal etc.)
-
Purchase of schedule I and II controlled substances requires completion of Form 222 (21 CFR §§1305.11-1305.20). All relevant forms can be found here.
DEA Listed Chemicals
-
DEA Listed Chemicals are chemicals important as precursors in the manufacture of controlled substances and listed in the CSA under the Chemical Diversion and Trafficking Act of 1988. Listed Chemicals can be found in Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) §1310.02 (Table of Listed Chemicals).
-
While a DEA license is not required to purchase DEA listed chemicals, vendors may request additional information before ordering. VWR, Auburn University’s preferred vendor, requires submission of Intended Use Declaration of DEA List 1 Chemicals Form before ordering.
Please contact RMS at 334 844 4870 if you have any questions.
FDA advises consumers not to use hand sanitizer products manufactured by Eskbiochem (FDA.gov)
8/4/2020
Update [6/29/2020] FDA is alerting consumers of Saniderm Products and UVT Inc.’s voluntary recall of Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer. Following FDA’s recommendation, two distributors – Saniderm Products and UVT – agreed to recall Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer packaged in 1-liter plastic bottles and labeled with “Made in Mexico” and “Produced by: Eskbiochem SA de CV.”
- The UVT hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 0530 and an expiration date of 04/2022.
- The Saniderm Products hand sanitizer is labeled with lot number 53131626 and “Manufactured on April/1/20.”
[6/19/2020] FDA advises consumers not to use any hand sanitizer manufactured by Eskbiochem SA de CV in Mexico, due to the potential presence of methanol (wood alcohol), a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested. FDA has identified the following products manufactured by Eskbiochem:
- All-Clean Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-002-01)
- Esk Biochem Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-007-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-008-04)
- Lavar 70 Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-006-01)
- The Good Gel Antibacterial Gel Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-010-10)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-005-03)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 75% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-009-01)
- CleanCare NoGerm Advanced Hand Sanitizer 80% Alcohol (NDC: 74589-003-01)
- Saniderm Advanced Hand Sanitizer (NDC: 74589-001-01)
FDA tested samples of Lavar Gel and CleanCare No Germ. Lavar Gel contains 81 percent (v/v) methanol and no ethyl alcohol, and CleanCare No Germ contains 28 percent (v/v) methanol. Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizers and should not be used due to its toxic effects.
Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitizer containing methanol should seek immediate treatment, which is critical for potential reversal of toxic effects of methanol poisoning. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system or death. Although all persons using these products on their hands are at risk, young children who accidently ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanol poisoning.
On June 17, 2020, FDA contacted Eskbiochem to recommend the company remove its hand sanitizer products from the market due to the risks associated with methanol poisoning. To date, the company has not taken action to remove these potentially dangerous products from the market. Therefore, FDA recommends consumers stop using these hand sanitizers and dispose of them immediately in appropriate hazardous waste containers. Do not flush or pour these products down the drain.
FDA reminds consumers to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing one’s nose. If soap and water are not readily available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend consumers use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent ethanol.
FDA remains vigilant and will continue to take action when quality issues arise with hand sanitizers. Additionally, the agency is concerned with false and misleading claims for hand sanitizers, for example that they can provide prolonged protection such as 24-hours against viruses including COVID-19, since there is no evidence to support these claims.
To date, FDA is not aware of any reports of adverse events associated with these hand sanitizer products. FDA encourages health care professionals, consumers and patients to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of hand sanitizers to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:
- Complete and submit the report online; or
- Download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.
Combating Fatigue during COVID-19
6/17/2020
The drowsiness, distraction and lack of alertness that is associated with fatigue can have devastating effects for both workers and organizations in terms of injuries and fatalities. A National Safety Council survey (2018) found that nearly all American workers (97%) have at least one risk factor of fatigue, with 43% of workers not obtaining the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep a day. This reduces productivity and efficiency, and increases the risk of injury.
Organizations in safety-critical industries also have higher risk because the impact of fatigue is more than just lower productivity. Increased health care costs, lawsuits, breach-of-contract issues and lost business are just a few of the significant financial costs of fatigue that organizations may experience. With these consequences in mind, we turn now to some helpful tips to addressing workplace fatigue in light of the current pandemic.
Planning for demanding (physically, mentally) and repetitive tasks
Regular breaks during a work shift allow for both physical and mental restoration. Short, frequent breaks (say, 10-15 minutes every two hours) are better than a single longer break mid- shift, providing employees a chance to clear their heads and feel refreshed when transitioning between tasks. A dedicated break room facility can enhance these benefits. Employers may consider staggering these shorter, more frequent breaks so that employees can maintain a healthy social distance.
Days off during the week
Policies should be established to allow for regular and predictable blocks of days off. Workers should be provided as much advance notice as possible of long blocks of work days so they can best plan for rest and sleep during their time off. During a pandemic, it’s expected that some workers, especially in healthcare, will be working extended shifts with fewer days off.
Compensatory rest periods after long blocks of work days, however, will allow workers to obtain recovery sleep and return to work with more energy and alertness.
Managing shift scheduling
Planned, consistent work schedules allow workers to better plan for sleep during their time between work periods, even if work is scheduled for early morning or overnight shifts. Limiting shift work is typically preferable, considering that our body clocks are naturally at a low energy point between midnight and 6:00 a.m. Carefully planning shift schedules during pandemic times can allow business operations to continue with fewer workers on site at a time.
Fatigue reporting systems
It’s recommended that any organization include a fatigue reporting system, such as in the transportation industry, to ensure that workers in safety critical jobs are fit for duty. Another good measure is to include fatigue as an element in incident reporting so that risk factors (e.g. time of day, type of task) can be recorded and tracked. Under pandemic conditions, it’s expected that fatigue risk will increase. Having fatigue reporting systems in place can help organizations monitor and control risk even when conditions return to “normal.”
For more information on how to manage workplace fatigue, please visit nsc.org/fatigue. And for the latest information on managing workplace safety during the coronavirus pandemic, please visit nsc.org/coronavirus .
Risk Management and Safety Offers Recommendations and Guidance for Virtual Youth Programs
5/28/2020
With the increased use and need for virtual learning and virtual camps around the country, Auburn University Risk Management and Safety (RMS) has created helpful guidance for hosting, participating, and use of Virtual Youth Programs. The guidance can be easily accessed in pdf form here or by visiting https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/virtual-youth.
The Virtual Youth Program Guidance includes recommendations for selecting appropriate technology and safety protocols, setting standards for online contact, setting conduct expectations for youth participants and staff, engaging with parents, and supporting youth privacy.
The guidance is intended to support Auburn University units with developing and implementing virtual programs for youth participants under the age 19. These recommendations and resources are offered as best practices and should not be construed as official university policy.
For more information, please visit auburn.edu/rms or emailing aurmi@auburn.edu
Create Work From Home Success with Office Ergonomics Awareness
3/23/2020
To help aide in social distancing and alternate operations at Auburn University, many faculty, staff, and students are now working and studying at home. To help support success, Risk Management and Safety has developed a short Office Ergonomics Awareness Course. This course will help you recognize potential hazards and stressors that may impact your health, productivity, and ability. This course will also give you tips, tricks, and prevention strategies to help make working from home as comfortable, productive, and rewarding as possible. The Office Ergonomics Awareness Course is available by visiting https://aub.ie/ergonomics. For more information or questions, please email aurms@auburn.edu or call 334-844-4870.
2019 Winter Holiday Waste (chemical, medical and pathological) Service Protocol
12/11/2019
In anticipation of this year’s winter holiday break, please note and communicate to your areas the following protocol:
Both chemical and medical waste pickups will be temporarily suspended throughout the AU recognized holiday period. Any chemical and/or medical waste generated during the holiday break should be properly containerized, labeled and stored per guidelines found on the RMS/EHS webpage https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/wastemanagement . Chemical and medical waste pickups will resume January 6, 2020 on an as requested basis.
Pathological waste pickup service will be provided throughout the holiday period on an as needed as requested basis. Pickup requests shall be submitted through the AiM work management system (https://aim.auburn.edu/aim). Preferably and if possible, advance notice shall be coordinated with Steven Nolen (334-703-3859) as the primary contact and Billy Cannon (334-703-0419) as the secondary contact to ensure the timely removal of pathological waste from your areas during this period.
If you anticipate your areas needing servicing over the observed holiday break, please contact Tom McCauley, Environmental Programs Manager, at 334-844-4870 so that Risk Management and Safety may coordinate in advance to better accommodate your needs.
Risk Management and Safety warns against use of Methylene Chloride Paint Remover
12/5/2019
On November 22, 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued regulations on the consumer use of methylene chloride paint removers. The methylene chloride chemical was commonly found in many popular solvent-based strippers/removers due to the effectiveness. Paint removers containing methylene chloride could strip up to 15 layers in paint in as a little as 15 to 30 minutes.
It is now unlawful for any person or retailer to sell or distribute paint removal products containing methylene chloride. This includes e-commerce retailers such as Amazon or E-Bay. These EPA regulations prohibit the manufacture, import, processing, and distribution of these products. The EPA has taken action because of acute fatalities that have resulted from exposure to the chemical. Additional information on the risks associated with methylene chloride can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-methylene-chloride .
Most retailers phased out the selling and distribution of affected products by the end of 2018. This includes Ace Hardware, Amazon, Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and Sherwin-Williams. However, many consumers may have purchased affected paint removers. Because of this, Auburn University Risk Management and Safety recommends reviewing any solvent-based paint removers/strippers you may have in your home or workspace. If you have any of these products, do not use them and ensure their containers are sealed and puncture free.
If you are in possession of any methylene chloride based solvents on campus, please contact Risk Management and Safety at 334-844-4870 or aurms@auburn.edu
If you are in possession of any methylene chloride based solvents in your home, please contact your city or community’s environmental services office.
Building surveys to be conducted the week of October 21st, 2019
10/17/2019
Risk Management & Safety will be working with Duff and Phelps, LLC to survey properties insured by the State Insurance Fund. Representatives will be on campus from October 21st, 2019 – October 25th, 2019 to assess current condition and valuation of select buildings. You may notice the surveyors entering mechanical rooms, electrical closets, and other restricted areas; however, they will be accompanied by AU Facilities Management. Every effort will be made to schedule surveys at times that are convenient for building occupants.
Questions or concerns may be directed to Risk Management & Safety at 844-4533.
RM110: Reporting Incidents and Understanding the On-The-Job Injury Program, and Managing Minors on Campus
10/3/2019
There are many programs that help Auburn and it's faculty and staff stay protected and safe.
Have you ever considered what you should do as an Auburn employee if you or your employees are injured on the job or if you need to report an incident/property damage that occurred? This course is great for HR Liaisons, supervisors and new employees looking to gain an understanding of Risk Management and Safety’s incident reporting system and the university’s On-the-Job-Injury (OJI) program. In this course, different types of incidents that should be submitted through the incident entry portal will be explored. We will also show how to enter the incident into the portal and explain how the process works from beginning to end. The course will also explain the University’s On-the-Job-Injury program including a brief history of the program. Through the presentation of several different scenarios, learn the different types of OJI claims and how they are handled. Additionally, we will review the Minors on Campus Policy and help you navigate your way through the steps in the process of compliance with the policy and share some examples where the policy should be used. There will also be time to answer any questions.
Enroll Today through FastTrain on AU Access.
RM101: Protecting the University
10/3/2019
Learn the skills to help you stay safe with this infomative HRD Course from Risk Management and Safety.
RM101: Protecting the University, will give a brief overview of what risk management is and why it is an important concept for all university employees and stakeholders. This course is an introduction into risk assessment with a focus on the value it brings, useful tools, and the concept of risk literacy. Particular topics of interested will include the use of waivers, certificates of insurance, minors on campus, the university alcohol policy, fleet safety, and linking risk management to strategic goals.
Enroll today on FastTrain through AU Access.
RM150: Social Media Safety and Security
10/3/2019
RMS will offer an informative and interactive HRD Course on November 12th, 2019.
RM150: Social Media Safety and Security, will give guidance, examples, and recommendations to keep your social media safe and protect both your personal and non-identifying information. Find out what you can and can’t do on social media and what could put both your position as a University employee and your personal security at risk.
Enroll today on FastTrain through AU Access.
Stay Fire Safe
9/18/2019
Join Auburn University Risk Management and Safety for "Stay Fire Safe", an interactive fire safety training presentation. This event will show how to use a fire extinguisher, cooking safety tips, pet fire safety tips, and more. Plus, as an added bonus there will be door prizes including an iPad, Auburn Tailgate Tent, Gift Cards, and more! Everyone who attends will get either a Risk Management and Safety Microwave Pinch Mitt or a Fire Extinguisher Stree Reliever. Join us in Haley Room 2370 from 6:30pm until 7:30pm on Wednesday September 25th
Laser Safety Awareness Day
9/9/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety (RMS) Department will be hosting Campus Laser Safety Awareness Event on October 16th, 2019 from 11 am to 2 pm at the back parking lot of Broun Hall and Woltosz. Auburn University professors and their laser users are all invited. Through this campus event, we hope to build awareness around laser safety and provide an opportunity for laser users to deepen their understanding of laser safety as laser use and application diversifies on campus.
This year we will be hosting Kentek, one of the leading companies on laser safety products. Kentek will bring the company’s laser safety expertise and educational capabilities to AU campus. Kentek’s PHOTON1 van will be filled with an interactive display of all of laser safety products. Kentek Laser safety specialist will demonstrate their products and answer some questions. This will be a unique "hands-on" learning experience for AU laser users and students.
Please save the day on October 16th for 2019 for Campus Laser Safety Awareness Event and come join us to support the event and encourage your students to be part of this educational platform.
Auburn Risk Management and Safety Reminds You to “TAKE FIVE” Before You Drive
9/9/2019
Golf Carts and other non-conventional vehicles (NCV) are abundant on campus. To ensure the safety of drivers and pedestrians, Risk Management and Safety asks you to “TAKE FIVE” before you drive and pay attention to these five simple steps before operating an NCV on campus.
TRAIN – Before you operate an NCV on campus, you must complete the online training located at http://aub.ie/carttraining
INSPECT – Check the NCV before use and inspect it thoroughly. Pay specific attention to the tires, lights, and brakes, and make sure the NCV is in good working condition.
SECURE – Passengers should always be inside the vehicle. Do not hang arms, legs, or feet over the edge of the LCV and outside. Only ride or sit in a designated space, and never on top or the hood of an LCV. When carrying items, make sure cargo is properly secured in the LCV.
OPERATE – When operating an LCV, use safe paths that are free some debris, obstacles, and hazards. Avoid distracted driving and refrain from using you cell phone or electronic device while driving. As with all vehicles, you must obey all traffic laws and regulations.
WATCH – Remember that pedestrians will always have the right of way. Be aware of some higher pedestrian areas on campus such as the Haley Concourse. Plan extra travel time if using these areas and prepare for congestion.
To help encourage these safe driving habits, RMS has developed an informative graphic located at http://aub.ie/take5 . For questions, please email aurms@auburn.edu or visit auburn.edu/rms
Risk Management and Safety Develops New Resource to Help Plan Fieldtrips
8/5/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety has developed a new resource to help academic departments safely plan university field trips. The Field Trip Guidelines page located at https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/fieldtrip has been designed to provide a central location for anyone seeking information and guidance when arranging a field trip. The resources housed on this page include guides, checklists and recommendations for all aspects of field trip planning, including accommodating students, emergency situations and accidents, transportation considerations, insurance and more.
The resources on this page will help identify and assess any hazards or potential risks associated with the upcoming field trip to make all university field trips safe and successful.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety is here to help make future field trips a success and can assist with the completion of hazard assessments and address any questions about the information and resources provided on the new Field Trip Guidelines page.
For more information, contact 334-844-4870 or aurms@auburn.edu.
August 20th Lab Safety Training
8/2/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold two Lab Safety Training Sessions: August 20th from 10:30am until 11:30 am and August 28th from 3:00pm until 4:30pm. Both sessions will be held in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive).
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
August 28th Lab Safety Training
8/2/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold two Lab Safety Training Sessions: August 20th from 10:30am until 11:30 am and August 28th from 3:00pm until 4:30pm. Both sessions will be held in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive).
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
August Lab Safety Training
8/2/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold two Lab Safety Training Sessions: August 20th from 10:30am until 11:30 am and August 28th from 3:00pm until 4:30pm. Both sessions will be held in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive).
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
RMS150: Social Media Safety and Security
6/5/2019
Join Risk Management and Safety on June 26 at 2:30pm for “Social Media Safety and Security”
Learn why companies want your personal information and why even non-identifiable information needs to be protected.
The social media landscape is ever changing and there’s an increased focused on privacy. Know what privacy changes are in store for your favorite apps and why protecting your personal information is more important than ever before.
Discover tips and tricks to protect your information. From using Virtual Private Networks to simple adjustments to your browser settings.
HRD Course RM150 will be held on June 26th from 2:30 pm until 4:30 pm in HRD Training Room 1204A. For more information, email aurms@auburn.edu
Lab Safety Training
5/13/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold Lab Safety Training Sessions on Friday, May 17th in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive). In order to accommodate as many participants as possible, these Lab Safety Training Sessions will be offered at two separate times: 10:00am and 3:00pm. Both sessions are scheduled to last 90 minutes.
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
RMS offering Lab Safety Training on May 17th
5/13/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold Lab Safety Training Sessions on Friday, May 17th in room 109 of the CASIC Building (570 Devall Drive). In order to accommodate as many participants as possible, these Lab Safety Training Sessions will be offered at two separate times: 10:00am and 3:00pm. Both sessions are scheduled to last 90 minutes.
The Lab Safety Training Sessions will cover basic lab safety, biological Safety and hazardous waste management.
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety encourages all visiting summer researchers who will be working in labs to attend either of the training sessions.
Risk Management and Safety Announces Change of Third Party Administrator Handling On-the-Job-Injury, General Liability, Auto Liability, and Auto Property Damage Claims
5/1/2019
Effective May 1, 2019 Brentwood Services Administrators will assume the role of Third-Party Administrator for Auburn University. Brentwood Services Administrators will handle administration for all new and existing On-the-Job-Injury, General Liability, Auto Liability, and Auto Property Damage claims for Auburn University. Claims or incidents can be reported through the incident entry portal at https://cws.auburn.edu/rms/pm/claims. After hours emergency claims can be reported directly to Brentwood Services Administrators at (800) 524-0604. If you should have questions regarding the transition, please contact Risk Management and Safety at (334) 844-4533.
Annual Vehicle Fire Extinguisher Inspection
4/16/2019
On Wednesday April 24th, Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold their annual Vehicle Fire Extinguisher Inspection from 12pm until 4pm at the Facilities Vehicle Servicing Area. This event serves as an easy and convenient opportunity to have all University Fleet vehicles equipped with a Fire Extinguisher to have their existing units checked, tested, or even replaced.
The process is simple, and participants will be back on the road in a short time. The Annual Vehicle Fire Inspection helps ensure that all fleet vehicles and equipped with adequate and working extinguishers and ensures that the University Fleet can operate safely and efficiently.
If you have any questions, please contact Patricia Pressley at Auburn University Risk Management and Safety.
Auburn RMS and Auburn Global partner for unique Fire Safety Presentations
4/8/2019
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety (RMS) partnered with Auburn Global for a series of Fire Safety Demonstrations. Three separate sessions were held and were attended by close to 450 students. Safety and Health Specialist Jon Haney delivered a specially tailored message to promote fire safety in off-campus living spaces. This message included a hands-on demonstration of proper fire extinguisher use, video examples of the power of fire, and simple and effective tips for cooking safety.
This collaboration between Auburn Global and Auburn Risk Management and Safety to was specifically designed to serve Auburn’s International Student population and to target an area of need on campus. RMS is committed to find unique and specialized trainings and outreach efforts to better serve the entirety of Auburn University.
After the success of this event, RMS will incorporate more individual and specialized trainings during September’s Campus Fire Safety Month. If your group, organization, or office would like to arrange Fire Safety Training or partner with RMS during Campus Fire Safety Month then please contact Auburn Risk Management and Safety at aurms@auburn.edu
Annual Vehicle Fire Extinguisher Inpsection
3/25/2019
On Wednesday April 24th, Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will hold their annual Vehicle Fire Extinguisher Inspection from 12pm until 4pm at the Facilities Vehicle Servicing Area. This event serves as an easy and convenient opportunity to have all University Fleet vehicles equipped with a Fire Extinguisher to have their existing units checked, tested, or even replaced.
The process is simple, and participants will be back on the road in a short time. The Annual Vehicle Fire Inspection helps ensure that all fleet vehicles and equipped with adequate and working extinguishers and ensures that the University Fleet can operate safely and efficiently.
If you have any questions, please contact Patricia Pressley at Auburn University Risk Management and Safety.
Creating a Safer Auburn: Managing Risks through Accident Reporting
3/25/2019
Risk Management and Safety will offer a unique HRD program entitled: Creating a Safer Auburn: Managing Risks through Accident Reporting on Wednesday March 27th at 2:30pm.
This informative and important course is designed for Auburn employees and will help foster a proactive safety culture for any department by helping you become an impactful safety ambassador for your unit.
Accidents can occur at Auburn University. Before they do, RMS wants you to have the best tools and resources to manage risk.
RMS will cover a broad range of informative topics related to Accident Reporting including an overview of the accident investigation process, awareness of the resources available to help you collect an effective report, and what to expect after an accident using key lessons learned from real-world experiences.
The offering number 19632 and course code RM140.
If you have any questions, please contact Auburn University Risk Management and Safety at aurms@auburn.edu
Campus Building Surveys
3/25/2019
Risk Management & Safety will be working with Duff and Phelps, LLC to survey properties insured by the State Insurance Fund. Representatives will be on campus from February 25, 2019 – March 1, 2019 to assess current condition and valuation of select buildings. You may notice the surveyors entering mechanical rooms, electrical closets, and other restricted areas; however, they will be accompanied by AU Facilities Management. Every effort will be made to schedule surveys at times that are convenient for building occupants.
Questions or concerns may be directed to Risk Management & Safety at 844-4533.
Volunteers Needed for Parkerson Mill Cleanup on February 23rd
2/15/2019
Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS), the City of Auburn, Auburn University Crop, Soils, and Environmental Sciences Club, and the Alpha Epsilon Honor Society will host a creek clean-up event on Saturday, February 23rd, from 1:30 pm until 4:00 pm along the banks of the campus’ Parkerson Mill Creek. Students, faculty, staff and those associated with the university community are invited to participate in the event.
A small stream that stretches past the football and baseball fields and the old coliseum on the campus, the Auburn University Parkerson Mill Creek was transformed in 2014 into an area used as outdoor classrooms for environmental research. It is up to the Auburn University community to keep this living stream vibrant, clean and beautiful.
Volunteers for the event should meet behind the intramural fieldhouse, next to the parking lot, at 1:00pm. Gloves and bags will be available for collecting, but participants will be responsible for bringing appropriate footwear, such as rubber boots or waders. Students will need to sign a Volunteer Release & Acknowledgement of Risk waiver prior to collecting; forms will be available the day of the event.
To register, please visit aub.ie/creek
For more information or to request a waiver, please contact Tom McCauley at mccautp@auburn.edu or Dusty Kimbrow at dkimbrow@auburnalabama.org
Parkerson Mill Cleanup
2/15/2019
Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS), the City of Auburn, Auburn University Crop, Soils, and Environmental Sciences Club, and the Alpha Epsilon Honor Society will host a creek clean-up event on Saturday, February 23rd, from 1:30 pm until 4:00 pm along the banks of the campus’ Parkerson Mill Creek. Students, faculty, staff and those associated with the university community are invited to participate in the event.
A small stream that stretches past the football and baseball fields and the old coliseum on the campus, the Auburn University Parkerson Mill Creek was transformed in 2014 into an area used as outdoor classrooms for environmental research. It is up to the Auburn University community to keep this living stream vibrant, clean and beautiful.
Volunteers for the event should meet behind the intramural fieldhouse, next to the parking lot, at 1:00pm. Gloves and bags will be available for collecting, but participants will be responsible for bringing appropriate footwear, such as rubber boots or waders. Students will need to sign a Volunteer Release & Acknowledgement of Risk waiver prior to collecting; forms will be available the day of the event.
To register, please visit aub.ie/creek
For more information or to request a waiver, please contact Tom McCauley at mccautp@auburn.edu or Dusty Kimbrow at dkimbrow@auburnalabama.org
Risk Management and Safety implements new 12 & 15-passenger van policy
1/29/2019
In response to new federal regulations that now require newer 12 and 15-passenger vans to have additional safety features like Electronic Stability Control and Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems, Risk Management & Safety has updated Auburn University’s 12 & 15-passenger van policy to allow for the purchase of vans model year 2012 and newer. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently stated that rollover is no longer a danger for newer 15-passenger vans due to the implementation of these new safety requirements.
Other highlights of the updated policy include:
- The requirement that the number of occupants must be less than eight (8) has been removed for vans that are model year 2012 and newer.
- Please note seat belts should be worn by all occupants at all times, so the number of occupants should never be more than the number of seat belts.
- For vans that are model year 2011 and older, the requirement that the number of occupants should be less than eight (8) remains in effect.
- Additionally, vans that are model year 2011 and older should not be driven distances greater than 25 miles from the point of origin nor should they be driven on interstate highways.
- In addition to the existing driver training requirements, there are new requirements for drivers of 12 & 15-passenger vans and mini-buses:
- Drivers must be age 21 or older (18 or older if driving is restricted to on-campus)
- Drivers must have a current motor vehicle record (MVR) within the past two years on file with Risk Management & Safety prior to operation
Departments will be responsible for providing Risk Management & Safety with a list of their van drivers so that MVR’s can be ordered and reviewed for approval.
A full copy of the updated policy can be found here.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Waste Pickup Changes for Holiday Break
12/5/2018
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety will adjust their normal waste pickup routines during the 2018 Auburn University Winter Break.
Both chemical and medical waste pickups will be suspended through the holiday period (December 20th – January 2nd).
Any chemical or medical waste generated during this period should be properly containerized, labeled, and stored per guidelines found on the Environmental Health and Safety page of the Auburn University Risk Management website ( http://aub.ie/waste ).
Chemical and medical waste pickups will resume on January 7, 2019 on an as requested basis.
Pathological waste pickup service will be provided throughout the holiday period on an as needed and requested basis. Pickup requests should be submitted through the AiM work management system ( https://aim.auburn.edu/aim ). To ensure the timely removal of pathological waste during this period, advance notice should be coordinated through Steven Nolen (334-703-3859) or Billy Cannon (334-703-0419).
If you anticipate the need for service over the Holiday break, please contact Tom McCauley, Environmental Program Manager, at 334-844-4870 so that Risk Management and Safety may best coordinate and accommodate your needs.
Campus Fire Safety Month 2018 is a success for RMS and Auburn
10/1/2018
With September ending, Auburn University Risk Management and Safety wrapped up another successful Campus Fire Safety Month. The month of September saw an increased push for fire awareness and campus readiness with activities, events, and signage throughout campus and the community.
The events kicked off with “Popcorn and Prevention”, where RMS Staff met students and handed out bags of microwave popcorn. The popcorn was labeled with cooking safety tips and was chosen because improperly cooked popcorn was one the leading cause of fire alarms going off. This simple example showed how even the smallest things should be noticed and remembered when it comes for fire safety.
RMS Staff members also brought a new activity to students, faculty, and staff: the FireSmarter Gameshow. The knowledge of basic fire safety tips was tested in a fun and interactive man-on-the-street game and after answering, students could spin the wheel for prizes and left a little fire smarter and fire safer.
Finally, Risk Management and Safety welcomed national renown speakers Sean Simons and Alvaro Llanos as they shared their personal and inspirational story of recovery, redemption, and hope after surviving a fatal campus fire at Seton Hall University. This intimate setting allowed for a personal communication and a better appreciation of this impactful and life-affirming message.
This year, Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged, recognized, and proclaimed September officially as Campus Fire Safety Month across Alabama. The Auburn University Student Government Association also recognized Campus Fire Safety Month and passed their own resolution to personally recognize and participate in the event.
“Campus Fire Safety Month,” was founded by the Center for Campus Fire Safety, and is a nationwide effort to raise fire and life safety awareness on college campuses throughout the month of September each year. According to the Center, August and September are historically the worst times of the year for fatal campus-related housing fires.
Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS) has recognized officially recognized and support Campus Fire Safety Month for over three years. Through their participation, Risk Management and Safety hopes to bring understanding to our 25,000-plus student body (and eventually, the surrounding community) about the dangers of housing-related fires. Students need to be aware of how fire could touch their lives, that fires DO happen in campus-related settings, and that they should take steps to protect and educate themselves about fire safety, no matter their place of residence.
The 2018 edition of Campus Fire Safety Month at Auburn University was supported and sponsored by Auburn Bank, Belfor Restoration Johnson Controls, and Brendle Fire Equipment. Risk Management and Safety personally thanks these community partners and their commitment to keeping Auburn University safe.
For more information on Campus Fire Safety Month and to be a partner in 2019, please contact Kevin Ives at pki0002@auburn.edu or follow Risk Management and Safety on Twitter @AuburnRMS.
AURMS Presents Safety Training Sessions in August
8/10/2018
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety invites you to attend one of four Safety Training Sessions in August. These sessions will cover Laboratory Safety, Biological Safety, and Hazardous Waste Management and are a requirement for all laboratory personnel. The events will be August 22nd at 10:00 a.m., August 23rd at 3 p.m., August 24th at 10:00 a.m., and August 31st at 2:00 p.m. These informative training sessions will be presented by our experienced Safety Specialists, Officers, and Managers. The training sessions are free to attend and will be held at the Center for Advanced Science, Innovation, and Commerce (CASIC) Room 109. CASIC is located at 559 Devall Drive in Auburn at the Research Park.
Human Resource Development Class details Auburn Univeristy's OJI Program
6/13/2018
On Wednesday, June 13, Auburn University Risk Management and Safety held a Human Resource Development course on the On-the-Job Injury Program (OJI).
Risk Management Specialists Holly Leverette and Brooke Patton gave real world scenarios and statistics showing how critical proper claim reporting is and the frequency, severity, and type of claims that have been handled by Auburn University.
The majority of the presentation went over how to report an OJI Claim and explained the program in more detail. This will allow for future claims to be handled promptly and properly and will benefit all Auburn University student, faculty, and staff.
Auburn University is exempt from State of Alabama’s Worker’s Compensation laws (25-5-50); however, Auburn’s OJI Program provides financial assistance to injured employees where no other benefits exist. The program is a benefit, not insurance, and provides benefits only after all other applicable insurance coverage has been exhausted. The program’s goal is to help protect employees from financial hardship caused from on-the-job injuries or illnesses. Risk Management and Safety is responsible for administration of the OJI Program.
More information on the OJI program can found at Risk Management and Safety’s website. There you will be able to view today’s presentation, get step by step instructions, and most importantly, file a claim.
For more information on today’s presentation or Auburn’s OJI program, please contact Auburn University Risk Management and Safety at 334-844-2502 or online at auburn.edu/rms.
Risk Management and Safety's Flapjack Forum Helps Educate, Advise, and Inform.
4/9/2018
Auburn University Risk Management and Safety held their quarterly Flapjack Forum on Thursday, April 5th at the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. Guests were treated to free pancakes and a casual and relaxed atmosphere designed to improve communication of university risk across all units, departments, and colleges of Auburn University to better support the University’s mission. In a previous forum, data security was identified at a high impact and high likelihood risk for Auburn University. To help inform, educate, and begin a dialogue on data security; the Office of Information Technology presented recommendations to protect Personally Identifiable Information.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is currently defined by Auburn University as Social Security and Credit Card numbers. When PII is compromised through a data breach, it can lead to reputational damage, potential lawsuits and fines, and create a significant administrative burden. According to the 2017 Ponemon Institute Cost of Data Breach Study, the average total cost for a data breach in 2017 was $3.62 Million and the average size of a breach was 24,000 records.
OIT presented easy and hassle free ways to protect your PII on personal and university computers. These included recommendations to not store PII on external devices (such as thumb or flash drives), permanently deleting PII no longer needed (such as old budget files or hiring documents), and emptying the recycle bin of your computer regularly. One example of a recent PII scan by OIT discovered that 50% of the PII that was found resided on external drives. Although some units must handle PII on a regular basis, OIT recommended having secure business processes to help mitigate some of risk. OIT is here to help and aide any department to better protect their PII and determine where any weak points may reside and can be contacted at 334-844-4944. It is recommended that you reach out to OIT and find how to better protect yourself and your department.
Risk Management and Safety is committed to protect people, the environment, property, financial, and other resources in support of Auburn University’s teaching, research, outreach, and student services. The Flapjack Forum helps to accomplish this by understanding the needs and priorities of the university and developing materials and resources to provide guidance. For more information about how to attend the next Flapjack Forum and the mission of Auburn University Risk Management and Safety, please contact Kevin Ives at 334-844-2502 or email at pki0002@auburn.edu .
Now Available: New Online Claim Reporting Tool
2/7/2018
Accidents are difficult enough to get through, which is why filing incident/accident-related claims should not be… Unfortunately, despite advances in technology, few insurance companies today offer online filing options…
But at Auburn University, the process of reporting your campus-related claim just got a lot simpler thanks to the implementation of a new web-based claim reporting system, introduced by Auburn’s Risk Management & Safety (RMS). This new system eliminates the need for those reporting an accident/incident to have to contact the third party adjuster PMA Companies through a 1-800 phone number to file their claims.
From anywhere in the world, the Auburn University community can access the RMS website, and, with a simple click of a button, report their incident/accident. The new web-based reporting system streamlines the claim-reporting process, making it easier for the user and allowing for a quicker, more accurate turnaround time on the issue being reported. The new system puts control of claim reporting in the hands of those filing the claim. No phone calls, no waiting for the right time to make contact with a provider, and no hassles.
RMS Risk Management Specialist Brooke Patton said the new system was in the works for some time. “To better serve Auburn University and its community, our transition to this new system will streamline the way employees, students and visitors report accidents occurring on campus,” Patton said. “This system was in the works for the better part of a year, and we are excited to be able to offer this new tool to the Auburn community. Our hope is that the claims reporting process will be much easier for those needing to utilize it.”
Those submitting a claim through the new online system should be prepared with the appropriate information that will make their claim complete, such as the date of the injury/illness and location information for where the injury/illness occurred.
The new online claims-reporting tool is available on the Risk Management & Insurance section of the RMS website. For questions or comments, please contact Risk Management Specialist Brooke Patton at x4-6231.
Need to report a claim? Click here.
RMS ALERT: Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall
2/5/2018
The Kidde Corporation is recalling over 40 million fire extinguishers. Specifically two styles of Kidde disposable fire extinguishers: plastic handle and plastic push-button. This recall does not include Kidde Professional or Badger branded fire extinguishers. Units with metal handles/valve assemblies are not included in the recall. According to the manufacturer:
The replacement program was initiated because certain fire extinguishers can become clogged or require excessive force to activate, posing a risk of failure to discharge. In addition, the nozzle can detach with enough force to pose an impact hazard. The product recall involves two styles of Kidde disposable fire extinguishers: plastic handle fire extinguishers and plastic push-button fire extinguishers.
If you feel that you are affected by this recall, please follow these steps:
- Locate and College the Model Number, Serial Number, and Date Code of your extinguisher. For help identifying this information refer to these documents
- Contact Kidde at at (855) 271-0773 between 8:30 a.m.. and 5 p.m.. EST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays), or between 9 a.m.. and 3 p.m.. during the weekend to determine whether your extinguishers are affected.
- Retain your original existing extinguisher until your replacement has been received. Upon receipt, you will be given instructions how to return your recalled unit.
Auburn University Department of Risk Management and Safety will monitor and address all on-campus fire extinguishers. If you feel that you are in possession of an affected model then please contact Risk Management and Safety at 334-844-4870.
For additional information and support please refer to Recall FAQ or watch the tutorial video below:
Media Contact: Kevin Ives, RMS Communications & Marketing | 334-844-2502 | pki0002@auburn.edu
VCOM-Auburn Inaugural Disaster Drill Day invites emergency response preparedness collaboration between medical students, AU units and local agencies
6/30/2017
The scene was completely unexpected.
Dozens of second-year medical students in dark blue scrubs milled around the triage tents and tarps, many with looks of uncertainty on their faces, as disaster “victims” were brought into their areas. The “victims,” played by first-year medical students, all had pre-determined injuries and were in various stages of distress. Suddenly, recalling their training, the second-year medical students sprang into action, pulling from the medical skills many of them had cultivated thus far, mostly from a computer screen or classroom.
The inaugural VCOM-Auburn Disaster Drill Day took place at the back of |
Such was the atmosphere on April 28 at the inaugural Disaster Drill Day, hosted by the Edward via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn (VCOM) and in collaboration with Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS). Other participants included first responders with the Auburn and Opelika Fire divisions, Auburn University Public Safety and members of the Campus Community Emergency Response Team (CCERT). Through two simulated disaster incidents – including a wreck with hazardous chemical spill and a tornado strike - more than 150 second-year VCOM medical students were evaluated on their emergency response abilities in order to obtain their National Basic Life Support certification.
The participants went into the drill blind, with no clue as to what the disasters would be or of the injuries they would have to know how to treat. The same can be said for real-life mass casualty situations, where every person affected – from local first responders and medical professionals, to universities and community members – must know how to respond in order to survive or save a life.
Though the original purpose of the Disaster Day Drill was to introduce medical students to the realities of a natural or man-made disaster as part of their learning, the overall resulting significance of the event was twofold…
Full-Scale Disaster Preparedness Scenarios Offer Life-Like Learning Environment
Firefighters and first responders with Auburn & Opelika |
Tornados, fires, flooding, active shooters, bomb threats, hazardous chemical spills, civil disturbance… all these, and more, are risk vulnerabilities faced by today’s public/private universities and colleges.
Campus emergencies involving natural disasters and/or man-made crisis are not new developments in the academic environment, but in the last decade, disasters have affected university and college campuses with disturbing frequency, causing not only death and injury, but also monetary losses resulting from classroom disruption and damages to buildings/infrastructure.
The 2007 Virginia Tech massacre claimed the lives of 32 people. In 2009, students were evacuated from a Central Michigan University building following a chemical spill in a lab where one person was injured. Hurricane Irene caused damage and flooding to five east coast universities in 2011, while the April 27 tornado outbreak wreaked havoc on Alabama campuses just five months earlier. A murder/suicide resulted in nine deaths at an Oregon community college in 2015, and in mid-2017, two separate fires caused mass evacuations and damage at Boston University.
Though disasters themselves are common, colleges and universities that practice massive disaster preparedness scenarios involving students, faculty, staff and outside agencies have just become more prevalent. The State University of New York College at Oneonta (SUNY) has been conducting emergency simulations annually for several years, including simulated power failures, heat waves, and suicide and terrorist attacks. According to the Daily Star, SUNY partners with local police and fire agencies and other first responders “to create drills that are as life-like as possible to best prepare students, faculty and staff.”
Though Auburn University has held disaster drills on campus before, this was VCOM-Auburn’s first experience with disaster simulation and training as part of student curriculum. VCOM is a private, non-profit Osteopathic Medical School, with a campus located in Auburn University Research Park. The college has two other campuses – one in Virginia and one in South Carolina – where disaster simulations and training have been familiar annual events since the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings. Disaster simulations give medical students a closer look at how the environment inside a hospital could be impacted during a mass casualty situation and what type of skills would be expected of them.
VCOM-Auburn students in theater paint played "victims" of the first disaster scenario, a car crash and chemical spill. |
The first scenario of VCOM-Auburn’s Disaster Drill Day was a wreck involving university vans and a truck carrying hazardous chemicals, resulting in a hazardous chemical spill. Training alongside VCOM-Auburn students during this first scenario were more than 10 local first responders from Auburn and Opelika Fire divisions, and the East Alabama Medical Clinic EMS. Several of them suited up in HAZMAT gear to survey the scene of the accident, get the chemical spill under control and then venture through a life-like decontamination station.
Nearby, “casualties” of the wreck were delivered to the triage station where medical students began to assess their injuries before having them transported inside the school where three different simulated emergency rooms had been erected. Here, the real challenge for the students began. Assessing the wounded, they were tasked with performing various medical procedures on their patients to include delivering a baby from a “casualty” who went into labor (this was completed on a simulation dummy); properly sewing up a flesh wound; and/or inserting an IV, among others.
Second-year VCOM-Auburn medical student Clayton Lester said the hands-on experience of the drill was eye opening for him. During the first scenario, Lester had the opportunity to apply a suture to a wound and to insert a chest tube on a patient.
“I’ve done medical missions before where I learned how to set up a clinic,” said Lester, who was also a graduate of Auburn University. “But this type of learning, early on in my career, has given me a glimpse of what I might expect to see during a real disaster. It was chaotic, but beneficial training.”
VCOM-Auburn Associate Dean for Simulation and Technology Glenn Nordehn, DO, said there is no perfect drill. “However, this was a great training opportunity for the students to use their skills to improvise as well as problem solve the unexpected,” Nordehn added. “The expectation is for the students to learn how to act and how to manage in a disaster situation.”
Serving as the first joint disaster-training event involving VCOM, Auburn University and outside first responder’s organizations, much went into preparing the most useful and realistic disaster scenarios…
Where University & Local Agency Disaster Preparedness Intersect
RMS Mike Freeman, pictured with a reporter from the Opelika-Auburn News, was enlisted to plan the VCOM- Auburn disaster scenarios. |
Members of RMS HAZMAT suited up to run the |
Michael Freeman is a 28-year veteran of the environmental health and public safety industries, and has been employed with Auburn University’s RMS Department for more than 10 years. A former member of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army, Freeman has worked in fire, EMS and law enforcement. As a member of RMS, Freeman is a certified HAZMAT technician, responsible for HAZMAT management, spill response and transportation, among other things.
In January, VCOM contacted Freeman, who had experience conducting tabletop-type drills and had helped to train local responders on HAZMAT specifics, to ask for his help planning disaster scenarios for the Disaster Drill Day event.
“VCOM needed eight hours of instruction for the event,” Freeman said. “They also had certain components their students needed that I had to work into the scenarios. For example, they needed a HAZMAT component, traumas, a mass casualty situation, decontamination and EMS-type training.”
Around these components, Freeman also determined how best to utilize local first responders and university first responders, to maximize training for all. For example, during the chemical spill portion of the first scenario, other members of RMS trained in HAZMAT management, refreshed their skills by suiting up in personal protective equipment and helping casualties through the decontamination station, while local first responders trained in HAZMAT were responsible for utilizing their skills to contain the spill. In addition, members of Campus CERT - groups of trained individuals who have volunteered to take an active role during campus emergencies - got a refresher in search and rescue procedures as part of the tornado strike scenario later that day.
“This was the first large-scale disaster simulation to be held at VCOM-Auburn and in conjunction with local agencies,” Freeman said. “We could have done this without the local agencies, but it would not have been as realistic. If you do not practice real-life scenarios, you will not be prepared."
Deputy Chief of Auburn Fire Division Matt Jordan said first responders do not get the opportunity every day to train for HAZMAT situations. “It’s good to go through the motions like this, and we’ll go back to the station and talk about what we could have done differently,” Jordan said. “Training like this with the university is a benefit for everyone and is the type of infrastructure we want to set up. We like knowing what our resources are.”
With the Disaster Drill Day event, Jordan said local agencies get to combine their training with the knowledge from Auburn University’s subject matter experts to perfect disaster response.
While the various scenarios were playing out on the ground throughout the day, second-year VCOM-Auburn medical student Mike Brisson had quite a different view from above. A part-time paramedic with EAMC, Brisson not only brought along an ambulance to be used as a prop during the event, but also his personal Phantom III drone, which he used to take pictures of and survey the disaster drill scene from the air.
Brisson, also an Army captain and Black Hawk pilot, said his role of the day was to test how applicable drone footage could be, not only to first responders on a scene, but also to medical student training. Drones have become popular allies to first responders in the last few years, being used to more quickly and efficiently survey accident scenes to provide data.
Inside the makeshift hospital, second-year VCOM- |
“I can use this drone to get a better view of what type of hazardous materials have spilled,” Brisson said. “A drone can be sent in to survey a scene, like this chemical spill, ahead of first responders. I could see if the truck in the wreck was registered and determine what types of chemicals it was carrying. This type of information all allows first responders to safely prepare for and enter a scene without endangering their lives further.”
While Brisson’s drone provided invaluable footage for first responders to study, it was also broadcast on YouTube for other VCOM-Auburn students and administrators to watch as the events unfolded.
“It’s invaluable experience to offer these types of scenarios,” Brisson said. “From this vantage point, you get familiar with the entire picture of emergency care. To be able to integrate the medical school with community responders is invaluable training.”
Auburn University RMS is currently working on an official Drone Policy for the university as a result of increased drone usage on campus.
VCOM-Auburn marked Disaster Drill Day 2017 as a success and an important learning opportunity, and hopes to make it an annual event the school hosts going forward, possibly expanding involvement to the greater university community in years to come. To see footage of the April 28 event, click here.
Media Contact: Kati Burns, RMS Communications & Marketing | 334-844-2502 | klb0095@auburn.edu
Auburn Fire Department, university units to conduct special fire safety training at Jordan-Hare
6/29/2017
The Auburn Fire Department will conduct a training exercise at Jordan-Hare Stadium this summer that will have long-term benefits for not only local firefighters, first responders and the university community as a whole, but future game-day fans as well.
On Thursday, June 8, between 10 and 15 Auburn firefighters will hook up firehoses to pressurized pipes at different connection points around the stadium to conduct firefighting scenarios. The training will take place from 8 a.m. to noon, and several sidewalks around the stadium will be closed during this time, due to water that will be released from the hoses. The sidewalks on the east side of the stadium near the Tiger Transit bus stops and the Student Center will be closed, as well as the sidewalks on the west side of the stadium on Donahue Drive. Ongoing summer construction projects around the stadium will also be a factor, so anyone entering the area during this time is required to follow proper safety precautions by wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as a hard hat, safety glasses and steel-toed or sturdy shoes.
The firefighter-training event was scheduled in conjunction with testing of the stadium’s sprinkler system, to be performed by university contractor Brendle Sprinkler Company. According to the Auburn University Risk Management & Safety Department’s (RMS) Safety & Health Programs Manager Chris Carmello, the university is required by the National Fire Protection Association to test dry sprinkler systems every five years.
“It was time for us to test the system at Jordan-Hare, and the fire department had already asked if they could come get some training at the stadium if we ever charged the pipes with water,” Carmello said. “This is not a safety issue; that’s not why we’re doing this. This is simply a once-in-every-five-years opportunity for the fire department to get some hands-on experience on-site, at an outdoor location where they’ll actually be able to use high-pressure water hoses while training.”
According to Carmello, there are important differences between a “wet sprinkler system” and a “dry sprinkler system” that made this training at the stadium more attractive to the fire department. Wet sprinkler systems always have water in the pipes, but dry sprinkler systems, such as those at the stadium, do not, which means there will be a bit of a lag in the time it takes the water to spread throughout the pipes when charged.
“This training will give the fire department a better idea of how quickly the water can get to where it needs to be in the event of an emergency at the stadium,” Carmello said.
In addition, unique factors during the training will present some challenges to the firefighters. For example, there are three connection points around the stadium that will be utilized for training – one on the east side of the stadium and two on the west side. The connection on the east side requires a different type of connection, so the firefighters will be challenged to run a different type of hose.
Carmello said this entire scenario would be a troubleshooting opportunity for everyone involved. “The fire department will get to troubleshoot what kind of issues they might be presented with during the event of a real emergency at a very high profile facility. Our contractor, Brendle, will be able to look for leaks or any weaknesses in the pipes, and, based off these results, RMS will be that much more prepared and able to address issues that could arise during game days. This entire effort ensures the safety of our game days and our game day fans.”
Several university departments and units worked with the fire department to make this training possible, including Risk Management & Safety, Auburn University Athletics, Facilities Management and Auburn University Public Safety.
Media Contact: Kati Burns, RMS Communications & Marketing | 334-844-2502 | klb0095@auburn.edu
Special Firefighter Training Day at Jordan-Hare: Auburn Fire commends RMS for help making game days safer for fans
6/29/2017
Despite recent days of dark clouds and heavy rainfall, firefighters with Auburn Fire Division were thankfully met with sunny blue skies for their training at Jordan-Hare Stadium on June 8. It had been a busy night and morning for Auburn firefighters, with more emergency calls than usual, but close to 10 firefighters were on hand for the special fire safety training the division had desired to do for more than a year.
The fire department partnered with Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS) to receive important training on the stadium’s wet and dry fire protection systems, while university contractor Brendle Sprinkler Company and RMS tested the sprinklers at the same time. This testing of the stadium’s dry water fire protection systems happens every five years, a requirement of the National Fire Protection Association.
“This was a once-in-every-five-years opportunity for the fire department to get some hands-on experience on-site, at an outdoor location where they would actually be able to use high-pressure water hoses while training,” said Chris Carmello, RMS Safety & Health Programs manager. “There are important differences between a “wet sprinkler system” and a “dry sprinkler system” that made this training at the stadium more attractive to the fire department.”
Wet sprinkler systems always have water in the pipes, but dry sprinkler systems, such as some of the standpipe systems at the stadium, do not, which means there will be a bit of a lag in the time it takes the water to spread throughout the pipes when charged. There are five fire hydrants around the stadium and two standpipe systems inside the stadium.
The training began on the ground level of the stadium with firefighters and staff with Brendle testing the pressure of the water and releasing any old water standing in the pipes. Firefighters then carried hoses up five flights of stairs to the very top of the stadium where they hooked up to the stadium’s standpipe system and waited for the hose to fill with water.
“It’s invaluable that we have this kind of training where some 80,000 fans could be gathered,” said Jeff Nolin, Auburn Fire Division battalion chief. “We need this kind of muscle memory and the experience of stretching the hoses in a building that we’re actually going to be working in.”
The training lasted from 8 a.m. until about noon. The testing allowed both firefighters, RMS and Brendle to find any leaks, breakages or other defects throughout the system.
“These scenarios help us to think about logistics ahead of time, like where we need to have personnel during game days and any situations they might run into trying to get to the fire,” said Deputy Fire Chief Matt Jordan. “If there is a fire, we’re going to have to evacuate people, move people around also.”
The stadium training was the first opportunity the Auburn Fire Division has had to use the “high-rise packs” purchased specifically for the stadium almost two years ago. The division typically has firefighters staged at the stadium during game days, with additional personnel to call-in if need be.
“This time of year, we’re thinking about football season, putting our people in place and just preparing for any new developments – like new constructions that may have gone up that could affect our response times or typical staging areas,” Jordan said.
“It’s our job to prepare for “worst case scenarios.” The university has done a great job making this a safe environment for the university community and the fans. RMS does a great job collaborating with us, inspecting fire extinguishers ahead of time, and managing contractors and vendors. We are always very impressed with their help.”
Media Contact: Kati Burns, RMS Communications & Marketing | 334-844-2502 | klb0095@auburn.edu
Auburn RMS Campus Fire Safety video named a “Pearls of Wisdom” contest winner
5/24/2017
Auburn University’s Risk Management & Safety Department (RMS) was recently named a winner in the United Educators (UE) 30th Anniversary “Pearls of Wisdom” video contest.
Member institutions of the UE were tasked in late 2016 with highlighting through a short video the innovative ways they have successfully reduced liability exposures on their campuses. Videos were judged on creativity and universal impact, or rather, their potential to teach others how to promote safer communities at their own institutions. Winners of the video contest received a $3,000 prize.
The winning video submitted by RMS featured the university’s first annual Campus Fire Safety Month campaign, part of a national awareness initiative created by the Center for Campus Fire Safety and recognized annually throughout the month of September. The video showed scenes from the department’s four-week series of fire safety activities, which included: A mock firefighter training obstacle course with the City of Auburn Fire Department; fire extinguisher training; informational campus booths; and a speech/documentary film screening given by Alvaro Llanos and Shawn Simons, two survivors of the 2000 Seton Hall University dormitory fire.
Photos and snippets of videos shot on staff members’ smartphones were pieced together using Windows Movie Maker to form the more than six-minute final video, and RMS Safety & Health Programs Manager Chris Carmello was the voice behind the narration.
According to Safety & Health Specialist Jon Haney, who led planning for Auburn’s Campus Fire Safety Month, most college students living on their own for the first time have not had fire safety education since elementary school, and the goal of the campaign was to reach as many students as possible.
“Unfortunately, students do not always realize how quickly a fire can occur,” Haney said. “Our job is to educate them and the campus community, to provide them with the tools they need to prevent fires from happening. Every individual has to take responsibility for fire safety.”
Haney thanked RMS Executive Director Christine Eick, Associate Director Chris O’Gwynn and Carmello for putting together the video and for their support, along with other members of RMS and the students for participating and making the campaign a success. “It’s truly an honor to receive this recognition,” Haney said. “A year’s worth of planning went into making this awareness campaign happen, and to have it recognized in our first year just reiterates that we’re headed in the right direction.”
Planning for the 2017 Auburn University Campus Fire Safety Month is already underway. To see Risk Management & Safety’s winning Campus Fire Safety video, click here. Other winners of the UE “Pearls of Wisdom” video contest included Gonzaga University’s four-minute video on managing risks presented by campus activities and events.
Media Contact: Kati Burns, RMS Communications & Marketing Specialist | 334-844-2502 | klb0095@auburn.edu
Parkerson Mill Creek cleanup lends evidence to importance of keeping campus streams litter-free
5/24/2017
“Out-of-sight, out-of-mind” – this might be the best way to describe parts of Parkerson Mill Creek, one of Auburn’s natural resources, hidden by brush, discreetly meandering past the soccer, baseball and football fields and the Intramural Fieldhouse on the Auburn campus. Of course, this might also be the best way to describe the numerous amounts of campus litter that finds a way into the creek, tucked away beneath rocks in the slow-moving water of the creek bed and underbrush on the muddy banks…
Many of the university community walk past Parkerson Mill Creek on a daily basis, in a rush to get to one appointment or another, perhaps vaguely aware of its existence but unaware of the vital role it - and other small waterways just like it – plays in the sustainability of our precious drinking water resources.
This is the main reason Auburn University Risk Management & Safety’s Environmental Health and Safety Department annually hosts an on-campus cleanup of Parkerson Mill Creek for faculty, staff and students. RMS Environmental Health and Safety Technician Michael Freeman has been leading the event for almost 10 years now and has had a longtime passion for maintaining the earth’s water quality.
This year, less than 20 members of the campus community gathered on Tuesday, Feb. 28, and, wearing protective gloves and rubber boots, spent several hours filling more than eight sturdy garbage bags of litter gathered from Parkerson Mill. The clean-up area stretched from the Auburn Wellness Kitchen to the Jane B. Morrison Field. University units typically taking part in the cleanup include Navy ROTC., U.S. Coast Guard AUP, Alabama Water Watch, College of Agriculture, College of Engineering, Greek Life, Honors College, COSAM, Office of Sustainability and AU Facilities Management, among others.
“I just want to see more people on campus interested in this,” said Freeman, who was also a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army. “Parkerson Mill Creek is listed as impaired by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for pathogens and sediment load. I feel that it is our duty and obligation to not only clean up the creek, but to also make people aware of the litter that ends up in our waterways from poor management of solid waste.”
“Clean water is a vital component of life, and we must be better stewards of this most precious natural resource.”
Unknown to many, streams play a critical role in providing clean drinking water by ensuring a continuous flow of water to surface waters and by helping to recharge underground aquifers. According to the EPA, approximately 117 million people – one in three Americans – get drinking water from public systems that rely on these streams.
The Parkerson Mill Creek clean-up volunteers collected a number of interesting things from the banks and water that day, including orange and blue pom-poms with their ribbons embedded into the creek underbrush; sunglasses; a decorative eyeball; household cleaning instruments; Styrofoam; and a bale of rusty barbed wire.
Thomas Loxley, a Kentucky native and second-year Auburn graduate student in Biosystems Engineering, was among the volunteers and said, though he had helped with roadway clean-ups in the past, this was his first creek clean up. “I think this is a much bigger deal, and I wish more students would get involved,” Loxley said. “Litter in the water travels further and can have a greater negative impact. This is also a great way to give back to the campus.”
The next creek clean-up event will take place November 2017. For more information about Auburn University creek clean-ups, or to see how you can get involved, contact Michael Freeman at freemms@auburn.edu.
|
| ||
| |||
Thomas Loxley makes an odd find while gathering litter from Parkerson Mill Creek. | Volunteers included members of RMS, the Office of Sustainability, Facilities Management and Auburn students. |
Media Contact: Kati Burns, RMS Communications & Marketing Specialist | 334-844-2502 | klb0095@auburn.edu
Media Coverage: Inaugural VCOM Disaster Drill Day
5/1/2017
On Friday, April 28, Auburn University’s Risk Management & Safety (RMS), several other campus units and local first-responder agencies from the community, took part in the university’s first ever Disaster Drill Day, hosted by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn, or VCOM.
“Disaster Drill Day” was an emergency response training and disaster simulation event specifically for second-year VCOM medical students, who were evaluated that day by VCOM faculty on their ability to respond and triage casualties. More than 150 second-year students participated as part of evaluation, while another 100 students played the roles of “casualties” or other necessary characters.
To see photos of the event, visit @AuburnRMS on Twitter or search for the hashtag #VCOMDisasterDrill. Several members of the media covered the event extensively including the Opelika-Auburn News and WSFA 12 News of Montgomery. See the full stories below.
Inaugural Disaster Day prepares responders, students for worst, Opelika-Auburn News
Disaster Drill helps first responders, students in Auburn, WSFA 12
Risk Management & Safety, other AU units to participate in VCOM Disaster Simulation & Training Day
4/26/2017
On Friday, April 28, Auburn University’s Risk Management & Safety (RMS), several other campus units and local first-responder agencies from the community, will take part in the university’s first ever Disaster Day, hosted by the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine-Auburn, or VCOM.
“Disaster Day” is an emergency response training and disaster simulation event specifically for second-year VCOM medical students, who will be evaluated that day by VCOM faculty on their ability to respond and triage casualties. More than 150 second-year students will be participating as part of evaluation, while another 100 students will play the roles of “casualties” or other necessary characters.
VCOM Disaster Day is Friday, April 28 |
---|
Members of the media are invited to attend. Interviews
|
Disaster Day will take place on the VCOM campus at 910 South Donahue Drive, and VCOM classes will be suspended that day as most faculty, staff and students will be participating in the event. Other university units participating will include Auburn University RMS, Auburn University Public Safety, Auburn University ROTC and members of the Auburn University Campus Community Emergency Response Team or Campus CERT. In addition, a few local agencies will also participate, including the Auburn and Opelika Fire Divisions, and the East Alabama Medical Center EMS.
The first disaster simulation of the day will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the second disaster scenario beginning at 1:30 p.m. The event is for VCOM faculty, staff and students only, and participating Auburn University units. It is not open to the public.
Though this is the first Disaster Day hosted at the Auburn University campus, this is not VCOM’s first experience with disaster simulation and training as part of student curriculum. The college has two other campuses – one in Virginia and one in South Carolina – where disaster simulations and training are familiar annual events. VCOM students complete online learning modules and then put them into practice during Disaster Day. Disaster simulations give students a closer look at how the environment inside a hospital would be impacted during a mass casualty situation and what type of skills would be expected of them. Upon completion of the modules and Disaster Day, students will receive a Basic Disaster Life Support Certification, or BDLS.
RMS Environmental Health and Safety Technician Michael Freeman planned and formed the disaster scenarios for the event, based off input from VCOM. Freeman, who was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army, and has worked for fire, EMS and law enforcement in the past, said this is the first full-scale disaster simulation the university has had on campus since he arrived in 2006.
“We’ve conducted table-top type drills with Public Safety in the past, and I have helped train the Fire Department on HAZMAT specifics, but this is the first disaster simulation to be held on campus and in conjunction with local agencies,” Freeman said. “We could have done this without the local agencies, but it would not have been as realistic. If you do not practice real-life scenarios, you will not be prepared."
"This disaster simulation training allows our local agencies, university first responders and VCOM students to better understand our individual roles and what we may have to deal with together during a live situation." - Mike Freeman, RMS Environmental Health & Safety Tech
Freeman said VCOM’s Disaster Day will be good not only for those students participating, but for the surrounding communities as well. “This simulation teaches university first responders AND local responding agencies how to work together during the event of a possible disaster,” Freeman said. “The students can also take the skills they’ve learned back out into the communities that they will be working in. This is a multi-layered approach, and we are so appreciative of those local agencies who have made time in their very important schedules to help.”
Local agencies will be involved in the first scenario taking place at 8:30 a.m., while Campus CERT will play a bigger role in the second scenario at 1:30 p.m.
Freeman and VCOM’s Dr. JJ White will appear on WANI 98.7’s Auburn-Opelika This Morning Show on Thursday, April 27, at 8:35 a.m. to talk about Disaster Day. Follow @AURMS to see the live tweets from Disaster Day on April 28.
Managing Cybersecurity in Higher Education
3/30/2017
From United Educators, March 30, 2017 - Ever-evolving cybersecurity attacks constantly threaten higher education institutions. Last year, the education sector moved from third to second—tied with business—in the number of breaches by industry, with health care in the No. 1 spot, according to Symantec’s 2016 Internet Security Threat Report. The EDUCASE Center for Analysis and Research (ECAR) found 562 reported data breaches at 324 higher education institutions between 2005 and 2014. Those breaches represent about 15.5 million records.
Breaches and their aftermath are costly... Higher education institutions possess massive amounts of data, including personal information about students, faculty, staff, and donors, making them tempting targets for hackers and other digital criminals...
Discussed in this article:
- Security measures higher education institutions are taking
- Definition of the "Human Factor" some institutions are using to train their communities
- Outreach beyond just campus
- Tips for preventing breaches
Continue reading the full story on Cybersecurity in Higher Education.
National Fire Protection Association offers fire safety tips on crowded buildings
12/15/2016
Take necessary precautions to protect yourself in crowded buildings this holiday season and always be aware of your surroundings were just two of several tips offered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on Tuesday, Dec. 13. The NFPA delivered the tips following the recent fire catastrophes in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Oakland, California and Cambridge, Massachusetts, urging people to not be complacent.
In early December, a small forest fire in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, grew into an uncontrollable inferno as a result of sudden high winds and dry weather, burning thousands of homes and businesses, and killing 14 people. In Oakland, California, a deadly fire engulfed a warehouse during an electronic dance concert, killing at least nine people. And in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a massive, fast-moving 10-alarm fire – described as the largest seen in Cambridge in more than 35 years – destroyed 11 buildings and several cars before it was contained.
According to NFPA President and CEO Jim Pauley in a statement to Occupational Health & Safety Online, these reminders are particularly important during the holiday season, when public areas are often overcrowded. “Most people don’t consider fire a significant risk, and complacency is one of the greatest dangers when it comes to fire safety,” Pauley said. “No one ever thinks it will happen to them. We hope these tragic incidents remind people that fires can and do happen, and that they need to be prepared in the event of one.”
NFPA’s fire safety tips for entering and spending time in crowded buildings include some of the following reminders:
- Be aware of surroundings. Are exits visible and easily accessible? Know your escape route ahead of time. If exits are blocked, file a complaint with the local fire marshal.
- Have a communication plan in place. In the event of an emergency, know who you will contact, and designate a “family meeting spot” outside of the building.
- React immediately. If an alarm sounds or there is smoke, exit the building. Do not return to the building for any reason; let trained firefighters conduct their operations.
For the full release from the NFPA, visit ohsonline.com. For specific questions or concerns about fire safety on the Auburn campus, visit RMS Fire Safety.
RMS participates in SGA Town Hall, talks threat reporting & new student rental insurance
11/17/2016
Representatives from various areas of campus participated in the Student Government Association's Town Hall Meeting on Nov. 15, fielding questions of concern from a crowd of more than 40 students. Photo Credit: Kelsey Prather. |
Dining options, residence hall issues and campus safety were topics of concern during the Tuesday, Nov. 15, panel-style Auburn University Student Government Association (SGA) Town Hall Meeting held in the Student Center. This was the first panel discussion held by the SGA in a couple of years, and more than 40 students were in attendance.
Representatives from Auburn’s Risk Management and Safety (RMS), Tiger Dining, Parking Services, Housing and Residence Life, and Public Safety participated in the discussion, listening attentively to student concerns and giving updates on various campus projects of interest. SGA Advisor Brad Smith said the purpose of the Town Hall was to give the student body a chance to voice their opinions to representatives of areas where they traditionally have concerns. A second Town Hall Meeting is planned for spring 2017 and will feature representatives from other areas of the campus.
SGA President Jesse Westerhouse led the panel discussion, reading from a list of previously submitted student questions the SGA had gathered from Auburn Answers. RMS Executive Director Christine Eick and Risk Management Specialist Holly Leverette represented RMS during the discussion.
Risk Management and Safety-related concerns arising from the discussion included the following:
- On the topic of how the university handles campus hate crimes or bias, Associate Director of Public Safety Susan McCallister said the university does not tolerate hate crimes and that any such issues should be reported immediately to Public Safety.
RMS Executive Director Eick also added that the university has a Threat Assessment Team in place to investigate such incidences. The goals of the Threat Assessment Team are to advise on incidents involving members of the university community who pose, or may reasonably pose, a threat to the safety and well-being of themselves or others. Any member of the university community who becomes aware of such a situation can report the matter to the team.
To make a report to the Threat Assessment Team, call 334-844-5010 or email autat@auburn.edu.
- On the topic of key issues faced by RMS or any updates, Eick mentioned the relatively new Student and Employee Renter/Property Insurance Program provided to Auburn students, faculty and staff through the Arthur J. Gallagher & Company. The program, designed specifically for college-related audiences, offers deductibles as low as $25, much less than a Homeowner’s deductible. The benefits of the policy includes such things as replacement cost valuation; flood and earthquake coverage; and limited identity theft expense coverage.
“There are different levels of the policy that you can purchase, and it is very affordable,” Eick said. “We are always looking for opportunities to assist students in any way that we can.”
Visit Student and Employee Renter/Property Insurance to learn more about why the program might be right for you or to purchase coverage.
In other updates, Eick said RMS is also working on safety initiatives to reduce the amount of potentially hazardous chemicals used in labs on campus.
Other safety-related topics of interest during the panel discussion:
- McCallister of Public Safety said that date-rape drug concerns are a topic of heavy interest from both students and parents alike. She said victims of date-rape drugs often fail to get the incident reported before the drugs have left their system. Educating students on the topic so they have a better awareness will be a priority going forward.
- In regards to “community policing,” McCallister said that Public Safety is going through some changes, which will include the addition of more police officers from Auburn Police Department on campus. The officers will not be on a rotating schedule as before, however, but will be a staff dedicated specifically to the university. This will allow officers to get more familiar with the university community and to do more outreach.
City of Auburn issues drought warning, tips for staying water wise on campus
11/17/2016
Seasonably high temperatures and little rainfall led the City of Auburn in early November to declare a Phase II Drought Warning, which implemented mandatory restrictions as well as surcharge fees for water usage over a set threshold.
The drought is not restricted to Auburn, however, but all across the Deep South, and has spawned wildfires in east Tennessee and north Georgia that have led to smoke being blown into Alabama. The issue has become a national story, according to al.com.
In response to the Phase II Drought Warning, Auburn University Facilities Management has discontinued any university activities that involve washing sidewalks and vehicles, in addition to lowering irrigation levels. The Office of Sustainability and Auburn University Housing and Residence Life requests that students living on campus join the university in preserving drinking water.
The university community should:
- Save water at the sink. Turn off water while you brush your teeth; wash/shave your face; and/or scrub dishes
- Take shorter showers
- Do full loads of laundry instead of partial loads
- Report any water-related issues, such as running toilets, dripping faucets and/or sprinklers watering pavement
Alabama’s Office of Water Resources declared Lee County under emergency drought on Nov. 1, as the majority of the state is either in the same drought level or drought warning. According to The Plainsman, the last time the city implemented a phase II warning was June 2011. The water demand in August and September this year was 20 percent above the average demand for those months. The state’s climatologist predicted last week that 10 to 15 inches of rain will be needed over the next two months to wipe out the drought.
For further tips on how you can help the university and the Auburn community withstand the drought, visit the Office of Sustainability website. For up-to-date reports on the drought conditions, visit Alabama Extension’s new drought response website.
SGA Town Hall Meeting, Nov. 15 - Risk Management & Safety to participate
11/9/2016
Representatives from Risk Management and Safety, Dining, Residence Life and Parking Services will participate in the SGA Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15, from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the Auburn University Student Center. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about these respective areas, and to voice any questions or concerns they might have.
For more information about the Town Hall Meeting, visit Auburn SGA on Facebook.
Meeting location:
Auburn University Student Center
255 Heisman Drive
Auburn, AL 36849
Alert from Risk Management and Safety regarding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones
10/12/2016
Due to reports of "overheating" and other safety risks involving the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone, Auburn University Risk Management & Safety is advising all individuals in possession of this device to follow the manufacturer's instructions as stated in the following link: http://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/
Samsung is asking all carrier and retail partners here and around the globe to stop sales and exchanges of the Galaxy Note7. Since the affected devices can overheat and pose a safety risk, Samsung is asking consumers with an original Galaxy Note7 or a replacement Galaxy Note7 to power it down and contact the carrier or retail outlet where the Galaxy Note7 was purchased. If you bought your Galaxy Note7 from Samsung.com or have questions, you should contact Samsung at 1-844-365-6197 for further assistance.
Public Safety Advisory: Pokémon Go
7/13/2016
Auburn University Campus Community,
As many of you are aware, the game Pokémon Go has become very popular over the past week. The game gets people outside, walking, and interacting with each other in a fun environment. However, it also poses some risks.
At about 3:00 a.m. today, Auburn Police responded to a report of a robbery near the Jule Collins Smith Museum. The robbery victim notified police immediately and the four robbery suspects were quickly apprehended. The victim did sustain minor injuries but was treated at East Alabama Medical Center and released. The preliminary police investigation indicates that the robbery suspects were using the Pokémon Go game to target the suspect.
For your safety, if you are playing Pokémon Go, please remember the following:
• Pokéstops and Pokégyms are focal points that attract more users. Criminals may take advantage of this. Make sure to look up, look around, and be aware of who and what is around you. It's best to visit Pokéstops and Pokégyms during the day, with a friend or in a group.
• Avoid areas that are isolated, especially if you are alone.
• Some Pokémon will randomly appear in dangerous locations, such as roads, bodies of water, or inside construction sites. Realize when one is out of reach and don't risk your safety to retrieve it!
• Some Pokémon appear on private property. Do not trespass to catch Pokémon.
• When looking for Pokémon, you may become overly focused on your phone screen and become oblivious to your surroundings. This goes back to being aware of your surroundings. Look out for obstacles, tripping hazards, and other dangerous situations.
• Avoid parking lots, roadways and busy intersections. Try to stay on sidewalks and in designated crosswalks as much as possible. It is your responsibility to make yourself visible to vehicles, bicyclists, and other pedestrians. Always follow traffic safety rules.
• You should never catch Pokémon (or do other screen-intensive things on your phone) while operating a motor vehicle, bicycle, or skateboard. It creates a hazard for you, other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• If using earbuds, leave one ear open so you can hear what is happening around you.
• Keep your information secure! Make sure to check your Pokémon Go security settings so you know what kind of information the app collects.
Have fun, but remember to be safe!
Auburn University Public Safety & Security
Temporary Ban On Hoverboards use in all university facilities
1/7/2016
Due to safety concerns associated with hoverboards that have been raised by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the potential impact to the safety of our community, effective January 6, 2016 Auburn University is instituting a temporary ban on these devices.
Until further notice the use of self-balancing devices inside of university facilities is banned and charging of these devices is prohibited in all university facilities (owned or leased). This action is being taken as part of the university's efforts to maintain a safe campus through a comprehensive fire prevention program. Restrictions will remain in place until safety concerns are resolved.
Several agencies are investigating fires and injuries related to these devices. This link provides information from the CPSC:http://www.cpsc.gov/en/About-CPSC/Chairman/Kaye-Biography/Chairman-Kayes-Statements/Statements/Statement-from-the-US-CPSC-Chairman-Elliot-F-Kaye-on-the-safety-of-hoverboards/.
Individuals who are returning to campus via air travel are encouraged to review their airline’s policy regarding hoverboards as most/all major airlines do not allow the devices on their planes. Taking a few minutes to check with your airline prior to travel might save time and inconvenience while traveling to Auburn.
As you return to campus after the holidays, remember that campus safety is a community responsibility. Please be aware of potential hazards and be mindful of others by not introducing potential hazards to the community. Safety tips and precautions from the NFPA can be found on our website here: Hoverboard Tip Sheet.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Risk Management & Safety
316 Leach Science Center
334-844-4870 Office
334-844-4640 Fax
Hover Board Tip Sheet
1/6/2016
Here are the reasons why so many hoverboards are catching fire
1/6/2016
http://www.cnet.com/news/why-are-hoverboards-exploding-and-catching-fire/
December 22, 2015
"Back to the Future Part II" got it partly right. In the year 2015, the hoverboard is a real form of transportation that lets trendy kids get into trouble while effortlessly zipping along the sidewalk. There are a handful of important differences, though. These self-balancing scooters don't actually hover like the ones in the movie.
Also, they could potentially catch on fire and burn your house down.
Enlarge Image
A New York man filed a lawsuit after his Swagway hoverboard exploded while charging.
Hoverboards have become one of the hottest news stories this holiday season -- and not just because they're selling like mad. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, there have now been 12 incidents in the United States where the lithium ion batteries in these hoverboards reportedly caught fire -- destroying bedrooms and even entire homes.
The fires have started in all sorts of different circumstances, too. According to owners and witnesses, some of the hoverboards exploded while charging, others while riding and one while it was simply sitting near a kiosk in a Washington shopping mall. (There have been several other hoverboard fires reported in the UK, and at least one in Hong Kong.)
Here's the really scary part: there's no single reason why these hoverboards are exploding, and there's no sure-fire way to avoid potential catastrophe if you want to buy one yourself. There's no particular brand of hoverboard to avoid -- they all seem to come from thousands of interchangeable factories in China -- or any label on the box that guarantees a product won't explode. And much of the advice we've seen issued by local fire departments and government agencies isn't likely to help.
Jessica Horne lost her family's Louisiana home after her 12-year old son's Fit Turbo hoverboard exploded.
For instance, officials have been warning that you should only use the charger that comes in the box. That sounds like common sense -- until you realize that these hoverboards tend to use a plug you won't find on any other type of device. Meaning you don't really choose which type of charger you can use, so it's pretty unlikely that any of these fires occurred due to someone mistaking a laptop charger for a hoverboard one.
Similarly, many officials now warn against overcharging hoverboards -- but when was the last time you had to think about overcharging a gadget? With modern laptops and smartphones, you simply plug them in and leave them there, trusting that they'll automatically shut off the flow of electricity when they're done.
While the US Consumer Product Safety Commission is now working nonstop to figure out the actual root causes of these incidents, they don't have the answers yet. "We want to be able to deliver for the public, but we hope they'll be able to appreciate that what's going on right now is a very thorough science-based investigation," said CPSC spokesman Scott Wolfson.
For now, your best bet might simply be not to buy a hoverboard at all. The US airline industry has already decided not to take any chances: American, Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Southwest and United Airlines have banned hoverboards on passenger flights, and the US Postal Service has stopped shipping hoverboards by air as well. Amazon and Target both temporarily suspended sales, and Overstock.com has stopped selling hoverboards at all.
But in case you're curious, here's what we know about hoverboard fires so far.
The science
The science behind hoverboard fires is actually pretty simple, and fairly well understood. Much like your laptop, tablet or phone, these hoverboards use lithium ion battery packs for their power -- and it just so happens that the liquid swimming around inside most lithium ion batteries is highly flammable. If the battery short-circuits -- say, by puncturing the incredibly thin sheet of plastic separating the positive and negative sides of the battery -- the liquid electrolyte can heat up so quickly that the battery explodes.
You don't necessarily need to stab a lithium ion battery to set it on fire: a defective battery might have tiny sharp metal particles inside that could puncture the separator all on its own. "When this happens, especially when the batteries are charged, a lot of heat is generated inside the cells and this leads to electrolyte boiling, the rupture of the cell casing, and then a significant fire," Carnegie Mellon University materials science professor Jay Whitacre told Wired. You can see what a lithium ion battery fire looks like in our Droid Turbo 2 torture test video:
It shouldn't be a revelation that lithium ion batteries are volatile, because fires like these aren't exactly new. We've been living with potentially deadly explosions in our pockets and laptop bags for years. In 2004, a spike in the number of cell phone battery explosions prompted this CNET report, and Dell recalled millions of laptop batteries in 2006 after just six incidents of fire. More recently, Boeing had to ground the 787 Dreamliner airplane until it could find a way to keep its lithium ion batteries from overheating.
Safety standards, or the lack thereof
If lithium ion batteries are so volatile, why are we still using them today? The traditional argument is that the energy density of lithium ion batteries is significantly higher than batteries that use less flammable materials. (In other words, a lithium ion battery can be smaller, lighter, and/or last longer than say, a lithium iron phosphate one.)
Another reason: The consumer electronics industry has gotten much better about safety standards, to the point where most of us don't think twice about leaving a phone connected to a charger. "We said to the companies, you need to come together, create a voluntary organization and set a safety standard," says the CPSC's Wolfson, recalling how we went from big battery scares and recalls in the mid-2000s to the relatively safe laptops and phones we have today.
Many modern batteries incorporate all kinds of safety measures, such as emergency vents, and many products filled with lithium ion batteries have to endure a barrage of drop tests, crush tests and electrical stress tests before they can pass.
But hoverboards are brand-new. "It's a product without a safety standard," says Wolfson.
Enlarge Image
Sean Kane, a longtime product safety researcher, says cases like the hoverboard are precisely why his nonprofit organization The Safety Institute is advocating for more general categories of safety standards like "computers" and "personal mobility devices" instead of the specific ones that exist today.
There are existing standards for motorized scooters and toys, says Kane, but the hoverboard just doesn't fit. "What you have is a product coming in here where no one knows which safety standards are applicable to the product."
For now, retailers like Amazon and Target are making sure individual components of these hoverboards -- namely the batteries and the chargers -- have been certified for safety. (Amazon is currently asking that all hoverboard sellers provide proof they comply with UN 38.3, UL 1642 and UL 60950-1, specifically.)
But before you breathe a sigh of relief, you should probably know that while batteries and chargers can be certified individually, it doesn't mean those hoverboards have been certified as a whole. Until those parts have actually been tested together, it's more of a legal cover-your-ass measure for the manufacturers and retailers than anything else.
When Florida resident Timothy Cade's hoverboard caught fire, it wasn't connected to a charger.
Screenshot by Sean Hollister/CNET
And you might not be able to find a hoverboard that's been tested in its entirety by a reputable independent firm like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) even if you looked hard. Swagway, one of the more popular brands, claims its entire hoverboard is UL-certified because it has a UL-certified battery and a UL-certified charger inside, but that's not accurate. "There are presently no UL-certified hoverboards," says UL consumer safety director John Drengenberg. (Incidentally, Swagway is now facing a lawsuit from when one of its hoverboards caught fire.)
Besides, there's another problem with certifying batteries instead of the hoverboards themselves. There's no easy way to tell what kind of battery is inside a hoverboard -- or if it's a counterfeit.
Supply and demand
In 2004 when an increased number of cell phone batteries were bursting, many blamed cheap counterfeits made in China -- batteries produced with far less stringent standards than phone manufacturers might have wanted.
That's a popular theory when it comes to the hoverboard fires, too. "There are some factories right now that will say they use Samsung batteries, but don't," a sales manager for Chinese hoverboard manufacturer CHIC told Quartz. "They wrap a piece of paper around the battery that says 'Samsung' when it's not Samsung."
But unlike cell phones, it's not like we have known, reputable hoverboard manufacturers that merely got a bad batch of batteries to go with their own carefully designed proprietary components. Even the top hoverboard brands -- Phunkeeduck, IO Hawk, Swagway -- are ones you've probably never heard of, ones that sprang up out of nowhere to take advantage of the hoverboard craze.
And those companies are merely distributors for a sprawling array of factories in China that supply components to one another practically interchangeably.
Enlarge Image
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue
That's not a reflection on the quality of Chinese manufacturing in general, by the way. Practically every high-quality Apple product comes off a Chinese assembly line, not to mention those of Lenovo, a Chinese company that's one of the top computer vendors worldwide. But China has also become famous as a place where tiny factories can pile onto a hot new idea like the selfie stick or the miniature R/C helicopter, churning out copycats in record time.
By the time the hoverboard fad took off in the United States, there were already too many Chinese companies building hoverboards to tell who came up with the idea first. Practically every hoverboard you see is a counterfeit, in that sense.
"Right now there are thousands of workshops making identical hoverboards in China, and the only obvious differentiator is the costs," says Jay Sung, CEO of popular electric-scooter company EcoReco. And since there are so many different ways these Chinese companies could have cut costs among the different components they trade with one another and piece together to form the final product you see, it's hard to narrow down the actual point of failure.
So far, some reports have blamed the batteries, others the cables, but we don't know for sure. The UK divisions of retailers Amazon and Costco are specifically telling customers to destroy charging cables that have plugs that weren't built to UK safety standards. (Costco is providing replacement cables, while Amazon is offering full refunds.)
Another possible culprit is the cut-off switch, a safety feature that keeps an electronic device from overcharging, which the UK's National Trading Standards consumer protection agency says can often fail in these hoverboards. EcoReco's Sung suggested that to save costs, some hoverboard manufacturers might not even include a cut-off switch to begin with. That's clearly not the issue everywhere, though: Mashable recently tore down a Swagway hoverboard that appeared to have a cut-off switch installed.
What happens now
In the UK, the government is already cracking down on hoverboards. Not only is it illegal to ride one on public roads or walkways, but the UK National Trading Standards body has now seized and reportedly destroyed 32,000 hoverboards -- the vast majority of the 38,800 devices that the organization has been tracking since it started investigating the devices in October.
More about hoverboards
- Before you even think of buying a hoverboard, read this
- 'SNL' skewers hoverboards
- The Lexus hoverboard is real, but it isn't coming to a skate park near you
In the United States, we're waiting to hear what the Consumer Product Safety Commission uncovers. It could be that the organization finds a specific batch of defective batteries or other defective component and issues a recall. Perhaps the CPSC will push for more voluntary standards like the ones that made laptops and phones safer today.
Or it could be that the CPSC pushes to ban hoverboards altogether. It wouldn't be the first time a popular toy was deemed too unsafe to sell. There are good reasons that lawn darts and magnetic Buckyballs, both popular toys, were banned. (Fires aren't the only reason that hoverboards are dangerous. The CPSC has received "dozens" of reports of injuries from falls from US hospital emergency rooms.)
Perhaps next time, we could reserve the name "hoverboard" for a gadget that actually floats above the ground.
Winter workplace eye protection
12/10/2015
Winter workplace eye protection | ||||
|
According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are nearly 800,000 work-related eye injuries each year. Every day, approximately 2,000 U.S. workers receive medical treatment for eye injuries related to or sustained at work. While eye injuries occur most often among those who operate heavy machinery or equipment with moving parts and among those who work in construction, many are caused by exposure to UV rays or ice and snow. Seventy percent of eye injuries are caused by an object or piece of equipment coming into contact with the eye, and 26 percent of eye injuries are due to exposure to harmful substances or environments. One of those environments is extreme temperatures and winter weather conditions. Eye injuries come with significant costs: Prevent Blindness estimated $300 million annually in medical bills, compensation and lost productivity are the result of workplace eye injuries, with more than 27,000 lost work days being reported by private industry employees. OSHA has established a wide range of standards regarding workplace eye and face protection to guard against chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants. But what do you need to know to keep workers' eyes safe in winter weather conditions? UV Is Not a Summer-Only Hazard While most adults see a pair of shades as a fashion accessory, sunglasses are a critical health necessity. A significant number of Americans still are not aware of the health risk they take when going outside without protecting their eyes against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In fact, one in four adults (26 percent) rarely or never wears sunglasses outside. And it's not just the bright summertime sun that puts us at risk. Every day, whether it's sunny or cloudy, spring or winter, UV rays can damage eyes in profound ways. Short-term UV exposure can leave eyes bloodshot, swollen or hyper-sensitive to light. But over a longer term, this exposure can accelerate serious eye health problems, including cataracts, macular degeneration, abnormal growths on the eye's surface and even cancer of the eye and surrounding skin. UV damages your eyes similar to how it damages skin. UV damage is cumulative, meaning that damage done to the eyes adds up over time, and once the damage has been done, it cannot be reversed. For this reason, it is never too early or too late to start protecting your eyes from damaging amounts of UV radiation. You can decrease your UV exposure by wearing sunglasses any time you are outdoors, year-round. Although it can be easier to feel the impact of sun on skin in the summer, UV radiation is always present and can be even more damaging during colder months when many adults (and children) stop wearing UV protection. In winter months, UV rays can reflect off of snow and into the eyes. After a fresh snowfall or during winter sports activities, individuals can experience photokeratitis, also known as "snow blindness." 3 Ways To Keep Eyes Safe This Winter With the weather changing and snowfall on the horizon, it can be easy to focus on staying warm and not on the safety of workers' eyes. Cold weather, though, can be just as irritating to the eyes as the UV rays of summer. Whether you're hitting the slopes or working in winter weather conditions, it remains important to protect your vision. 1. Keep your eyes moist – One of the main problems with winter weather is the dryness in the air caused by heating or frigidly cold air. Although it may be difficult, try not to sit directly next to heat sources so the dry air impacts your eyes as little as possible. The use of heaters or blowers creates dryness in the air and workers might need to take extra steps to keep eyes moist and healthy. Humidifiers can be used to put moisture back in the air or eye drops can moisturize dry eyes. 2. Wear sunglasses – Sunglasses are not just for summer! Actually, UV rays are almost twice as strong in the winter because snowy conditions can intensify and reflect the rays from the sun. While it may seem silly, wearing sunglasses outside during winter can help minimize the effect of UV rays by blocking almost 99 percent of UV light and by providing a barrier to the chilling winter winds. Sunglasses particularly can be useful when doing any outdoor activities in the snow – work or play. If necessary, goggles also can be worn during outdoor activities to block any particles such as slush, ice or dirt from getting into the eyes. Aside from protecting your eyes from the reflection from the snow, it is important to keep in mind that elevation plays an important role in eye safety during winter as well. At higher elevations, the air is much thinner, which means more UV rays are able to reach down through the atmosphere. Similarly, UV rays also are naturally higher near the equator. If you live or work in a high elevation or nearer the equator, you should be extra vigilant about the safety of your eyes this winter. 3. Opt for eyeglasses, not contacts – Contacts, because of their direct contact with the eyes, can significantly contribute to already dry, winter eyes. They act as sponges and require extra amounts of moisture in order to function properly and stay comfortable. Once they begin to dry out, contacts can cling to the eye, making them uncomfortable, cloudy and difficult to remove. Eyeglasses make everything easier by reducing the contact with your eyes, making it simpler to keep your eyes moistened. So, if you do opt for contact lenses this winter, keep them extra moisturized. Remember that eye safety and protection are not topics that are reserved for summertime weather. In winter, UV rays are magnified by snow, elevation and proximity to the equator, making it even more necessary to take precautions like wearing sunglasses and moisturizing with eye drops to keep your eyes safe all throughout the season. |
2015 Penton Media |
Are You Travel Ready? Tips from the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies.
12/10/2015
Click on Picture for Valuable Tips.
http://www.chubb.com/infographics/chubb/index.html
E-cigarettes may cause fatal 'popcorn lung' disease
12/9/2015
|
SMOKERS of e-cigarettes could be at risk of developing the deadly disease "popcorn lung" after scientists found a toxic chemical in 75 per cent of flavoured vaporisers. Diacetyl, a chemical that is used as a butter substitute in flavours such as Cotton Candy and Cupcake, has been linked to bronchiolitis obliterans, the respiratory disease. Although it is thought to be safe when eaten, the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has said it could be hazardous when inhaled over a long period. It follows incidences in several factories that manufacture microwave popcorn where workers developed bronchiolitis obliterans. Diacetyl is known to cause inflammation, scarring and constriction of the tiny airways in the lung known as bronchioles, reducing air flow. There is currently no known cure except for a lung transplantation. Joseph Allen, the lead author of the study and assistant professor of exposure assessment science at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said: "Recognition of the hazards associated with inhaling flavouring chemicals started with 'Popcorn Lung' over a decade ago. "However, diacetyl and other related flavouring chemicals are used in many other flavours beyond butter-flavoured popcorn, including fruit flavours, alcohol flavours, and, we learnt in our study, candy flavoured e-cigarettes." E-cigarettes use battery-powered cartridges to produce a nicotine hit via inhalable vapour without the tar and other carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Scientists and health officials are divided over whether they are safe. Earlier this year Public Health England urged smokers to switch to socalled vaping, saying that e-cigarettes were far safer than tobacco. But the World Health Organisation and scientists from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Liverpool remain concerned about their safety. Dr Allen and colleagues tested 51 types of flavoured e-cigarettes and liquids sold by leading brands for the presence of diacetyl, acetoin, and 2,3-pentanedione, two related flavouring compounds that may pose a respiratory hazard. At least one of the three chemicals was detected in 47 of the 51 flavours tested. Diacetyl was detected in 39 of the flavours tested. Acetoin and 2,3-pentanedione were detected in 46 and 23 and of the flavours, respectively. "Since most of the health concerns about e-cigarettes have focused on nicotine, there is still much we do not know about e-cigarettes," said study co-author Dr David Christiani, professor of environmental genetics. "In addition to containing varying levels of the addictive substance nicotine, they also contain other cancercausing chemicals, such as formaldehyde, and as our study shows, flavouring chemicals that can cause lung damage." Although the study was conducted in the US, last year Greek researchers found that diacetyl was present in 70 per cent of European brands. American brands are also available online for international consumers. The study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. |
(c) 2015 The Telegraph Group Limited, London |