Parkerson Mill Creek Litter and Invasive Plant Removal
11/17/2022

Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS), the Department of Crop, Soils, and Environmental Sciences, the AAES Water Resources Center, and the city/municipal governments of Auburn, Opelika, Lee County, and Smiths Station, will host a creek clean-up event on Wednesday, November 30th, from 2:00 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 beside the Auburn Wellness Kitchen, at 1:30 pm. Gloves and bags will be available for collecting, but participants will be responsible for bringing appropriate footwear, such as rubber boots or waders. Participants will need to sign a Volunteer Release & Acknowledgement of Risk waiver prior to collecting; forms will be available on the day of the event.

Register Today at aub.ie/creekcleanup 

For more information or to request a waiver, please contact Tom McCauley at mccautp@auburn.edu

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 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

From: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-advises-consumers-not-use-hand-sanitizer-products-manufactured-eskbiochem

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.

Risk Management and Safety Encourages Recycling of Used Electronics
1/30/2020

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – RMS encourages recycling of used electronics.

Many old electronic devices such as computer monitors, television, printers, etc; contain toxic and harmful elements including chromium, mercury, lead, and cadmium. Electronics also contain valuable raw materials and by recycling these items you can reduce impacts from mining and manufacturing.

For recycling of electronics owned by AU departments contact Surplus Property at 334-844-4984 to arrange drop-off of your electronics.

To find out where you can donate or recycle your personal electronic devices go to https://www.epa.gov/recycle/electronics-donation-and-recycling

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
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. 

PHOTON1 Coming to Campus for Laser Safety Awareness Day
10/7/2019

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 in 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.

More on PHOTON1:

LASER CURTAINS:  Suspended from the 6.5’ high ceiling are four examples of laser curtains including high power EVER-GUARD® all metal laser barrier curtains (1200 Watts/cm2 ), heavy duty FLEX-GUARD™ fabric laser barrier curtains in black (250 Watts/cm2 ) and tech blue (100 Watts/cm2 ), plus laboratory-friendly blackout curtains. The laser curtains demonstrate operating interlocks and several modes of attachment including Kentek’s unique “curtain door” which enables construction of a secure and interlockable entry in any laser barrier curtain. PHOTON1 also displays dozens of hardware components so visitors can see how Kentek’s curtains can be suspended, attached to wall, or built up from the floor in an open environment.

LASER WINDOW COVERINGS: The laser viewing window displays built into one of PHOTON1’s walls show:

• Fully interlocked roller shade with clutch-driven mechanism and both side and bottom channels.
• FLEX-GUARD™ window block with magnet and Velcro® type fasteners.
• Semi-transparent and laser safe viewing window fabricated from cast acrylic sheet.

LASER ENCLOSURE and ACCESSORIES:  A small optical table in PHOTON1 carries a Class1 laser enclosure with an operating low-power infrared laser. This display area demonstrates some of Kentek’s capabilities in enclosure design including ports, doors, and windows. The laser can be operated to show several products from Kentek:

• Zap-It® paper burns can be achieved with the laser.
• Beam images are visible on the View-It® infrared detector products.
• Laser power is calculated in live time on a Gentec-EO power meter with graphic display.

LASER ACCESSORIES: A second optical table features Kentek’s Bench-Guard and Table-Guard optical table barriers which serve as end stops, bench partitions, or optical table surrounds to help keep stray radiation away from personnel. PHOTON1 also demonstrates several Trap-It™ beam dumps including both air-cooled and water-cooled versions. PHOTON1 shows both infrared and UV variants of Kentek’s View-It® laser detection and imaging products.

LASER INTERLOCK SYSTEM: Kentek’s Entry-Guard™ laser safety interlock system (SIS) is mounted on a wall in PHOTON1 and is fully functional. The control panel is connected to multiple switches and controls and oversees access to the enclosed laser display on board Kentek’s showroom vehicle. The interlocks on the laser curtains and the roller shades are connected and operational. The laser, the laser shutter, the enclosure interlock, and two lighted signs are controlled by the main panel of Kentek’s interlock system. Visitors can explore how the many components and options available with Kentek’s Entry-Guard™ system might work in their environment.

LASER SAFETY EYEWEAR: PHOTON1 is stocked to demonstrate more than 50 laser safety eyewear options including goggles and spectacles, glass and polycarbonate. Specialists can help visitors not only pick the optimal laser eyewear filter, but also to try on multiple options to ensure fit and comfort.

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 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. 

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

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 

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. 

Parkerson Mill Creek Clean-up Event
11/20/2018

Auburn University Risk Management & Safety (RMS) and the City of Auburn will host a creek clean-up event on Tuesday, November 27, from 9 a.m. until Noon 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 9 a.m. 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.

For more information or to request a waiver, please contact Tom McCauley at mccautp@auburn.edu or Dusty Kimbrow at dkimbrow@auburnalabama.org

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. 

Young Water Ambassadors Experience Auburn and Conservation Firsthand
7/30/2018

One hundred High School Juniors and Seniors from the Birmingham Area visited and toured the Donald E. Davis Arboretum on Wednesday, July 18, as part of Birmingham Water Works’ Young Water Ambassadors Program. This interactive tour was hosted, staffed, and was a collaborative effort from multiple research and conservation groups at Auburn University: the Donald E. Davis Arboretum, Auburn Risk Management and Safety, Alabama Cooperative Extension Services (ACES) Water Program, Auburn University Museum of Natural History, Auburn School of Forestry of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, and the Auburn University Water Resources Center’s Alabama Water Watch Program.

“This annual partnership with the Birmingham YWA Program positively reflects Auburn University’s collaborative commitment to educate Alabama’s youth.  Alabama is a water and ecologically rich state however with human populations, water pollution and climate variability on the increase these resources more than ever need to be protected,” said Tom McCauley, Environmental Program Manager for Auburn University Risk Management and Safety.

The Young Water Ambassadors (YWA) program consists of students who show an interest in science and environmental studies. The students participate in a six-week summer program that emphasizes the critical importance and preservation of water in Alabama. While at Auburn, the students broke into five groups to get interactive hands on demonstrations, thought-provoking discussions, and exceptional educational presentations. They learned how to monitor water, watershed stewardship, storm water management, sustainability, and unique biodiversity of Alabama’s water ways.

Mona Dominguez, Director of Alabama Water Watch, added “Inspiring young people to consider careers in water related fields directly relates to the AU Water Resource’s Center education and outreach goals. The Young Water Ambassadors Program does an excellent job of exposing students to a wide range of water related fields and thus makes for an excellent partner program for AUWRC. The annual YWA visit provides AU Staff with the opportunity to contribute positively not only to the future of the students, but also to the future of our state.”

Some highlights of the event included a tour of the Arboretum; hands-on activities illustrating the importance of soil quality, clean water, ecological research, and a presentation of some native species of amphibians, crustaceans, plant life, and reptiles for students to touch, interact, and view up-close.

All of these groups, while separate, united together to make this year’s event a success and help encourage these students and others to be positive ecology influencers in their community and help foster an understanding of conservation and preservation for all of Alabama’s natural beauty.

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 .

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
  • Plastic Handle Fire Extinguishers
  • Push-Button Fire Extinguishers
• 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