About the Department

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Business Administration, and in cooperation with other department directors plus the Berea College Safety Committee, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) will develop, implement, and maintain policies and programs to assure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations involving environmental / occupational health and safety of employees, students, and visitors of the college. These programs include the Berea College Comprehensive Safety Plan, any program / policies required or recommended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (including the Kentucky Labor Cabinet and Kentucky Department for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection), and Berea College's general liability insurance carriers.

EHS will be responsible for working with other department directors and supervisors across campus to help identify and anticipate hazards in existing and future systems, equipment, products, facilities, processes, operations, and procedures. EHS will be compiling and maintaining data from accident and loss event reports and other sources regarding worker safety, environmental effects, or public impacts to help improve programs. Also, the department is responsible for the chemical inventory systems and the implementation of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. This plan defines work practices and procedures to help ensure laboratory workers are protected from health and safety hazards associated with hazardous chemicals.