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GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS
EHS SIGNATURE CERTIFYING COMPLIANT PROGRAMS

PURPOSE: To outline the process necessary to secure the signature of the Director (or designee) of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) certifying compliant health and safety programs.

PI submits to EHS (as soon as possible in the application process):

  1. Description (summary) of protocol
  2. Signed copy of PI Safety Program Assurance
  3. When chemical and/or biological materials will be used in the laboratory:
    1. Chemical Inventory
    2. Current Chemical Hygiene Plan (all laboratories using chemicals are required to maintain a CHP)
    3. Roster of personnel
      1. Include date trained on CHP and topics covered
      2. Include biosafety training dates and topics covered
    4. Current Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (where applicable)
    5. Completed Laboratory Safety checklist (downloadable from www.ehs.utah.edu)
    6. Occupational Medicine Clinic appointment (coordination through EHS)
RATIONALE: Certain Federal grants and contracts may contain stipulations which require pre-award and follow-up compliance agreements and certifications. Penalty for non-compliance: termination of grant, or cancellation of contract.

MINIMUM COMPLIANCE ACTION: Comply with health and safety laws of the State of Utah or the state in which the work is performed. The Utah Occupational Health and Safety division (Utah OSHA), Salt Lake City and County Health Department, State Fire Marshall=s Office, State Department of Environmental Quality Control (Utah EPA), Drug Enforcement Administration (Controlled Substances) do periodically visit campus for compliance audits and to investigate incidents. Audits are not generally schedules, but an agency could request an audit at any time, particularly when a license or certification is up for renewal. EHS provides compliance advice and counsel and acts as advocate for University supervisors and operations when appropriate (arguing defendable work practices to regulators when prudent work practices are in place).

REQUIREMENTS: The University is directly subject to OSHA Act requirements in its day-to-day activities: a signature from the campus Safety Director (Director EHS) will not be given for conditions that are unsanitary or hazardous to the health and safety of employees employed thereunder or the greater environment.

PROCESS: Insuring that compliance requirements and standards are maintained is an on-going process that is comprised of a number of elements which include but are not limited to pre-application reviews, program audits, and on-site inspections by EHS personnel and, in some situations, personnel medical evaluations.

The above exchanges are necessary in order to certify compliant programs are in place when applying for grants.