Environmental Health and Safety
Environmental Health & Safety goes beyond compliance to protect our campus community, while our Occupational Health team keeps that commitment personal — delivering accessible, high-quality care for every employee.
Our Focus
The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) develops, establishes, and administers the University’s policies and procedures for environmental management, occupational safety, and health practices and ensures the University’s compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulatory guidelines, and industry standards. We provide environmental management services to the campus community through technical support, information, training programs, consulting services, and the periodic auditing of campus environmental, safety, and health practices.
EH&S expects 100% compliance with all applicable environment, health, and safety requirements; however, compliance is our minimum operating expectation at Montclair State University. We choose to be leaders by exceeding the minimum expectation.
Methylene Chloride & Industrial Hygiene Use in Labs
Methylene Chloride
The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new rule for methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane) for worker safety and public and environmental protection. Methylene chloride is a volatile solvent used in a variety of consumer and commercial products.
Most uses of methylene chloride will be prohibited (including use in paint stripping, adhesive removal and degreasing).
Use as a laboratory chemical will still be permitted, but all laboratories are encouraged to find an alternative product. The EPA has evaluated a list of alternative products (Appendix A and B) which can be used to help find a replacement based on condition of use.
If you are using or plan to use methylene chloride in the laboratory, please click the link below and EH&S will follow up to perform an assessment.
All laboratories that intend to use methylene chloride will be required to submit an standard operating procedure (SOP).
All laboratories should ensure that methylene chloride is entered into Chemtracker in Bioraft.
Report Methylene Chloride Use in the Lab
Industrial Hygiene
What Is Industrial Hygiene (IH)?
Industrial hygiene is the science of identifying, evaluating and controlling workplace hazards such as chemicals, dusts, fumes, noise, vibration and extreme temperatures.
Why Is IH Important?
The educational and maintenance activities we conduct on campus can require the handling of chemical substances, use of dangerous power tools, and heavy lifting. IH requires that these workplace hazards are correctly assessed and exposure controls are used to reduce any potential harmful effects.
There are two critical components of IH:
- Hazard communication ensures employees are aware of the hazards employed with the hazardous substances and work they are exposed to.
- Workplace risk assessments help us understand the exposure levels faced by employees when performing their job. These risk assessments help us develop and implement proper work practices and procedures.
The introduction of new agents (chemical, physical and biological), or a change that involves agents that are already in use, must be evaluated by EHS. Proper controls can be integrated into the design stage to avoid bottlenecks and help ensure the smooth progress of projects.
What Should I Do?
- Properly train employees to handle the chemical, physical and biological agents in their work areas, and ensure they follow the established safe work practices and procedures.
- Provide employees with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and respirators required in training, and enforce PPE use.
- Make sure that the necessary risk assessments for all chemical, biological and physical agents in the workplace are conducted, documented and communicated.
- Take action when employees don’t use PPE or don’t comply with maintenance requirements.
- Inform EHS of all changes in the handling of agents (new activity, new agent, or a change in process) as soon as the changes are being discussed.
- Make sure hearing and respirator medical surveillance is conducted annually.
Occupational Health
Montclair State University employees can take advantage of the following services we currently offer:
- Medical Surveillance: Part of the Occupational Health Program (OHP) pertains to job hazard management to prevent occupational injuries or diseases.
- Animal Research Clearance: Employees and students working with animals (whether in our animal facilities on campus or in the field) must complete a health screening to obtain clearance to work in these environments and reassessed annually.
- Respirator Clearance Exams: Employees who are required to wear respirators during certain work tasks must secure a respirator clearance which consists of a respirator clearance questionnaire, fit test and, in certain cases, a spirometry test.
- Work-Related Travel Health: We provide advice and counsel to employees traveling for work, including recommended immunizations.
Email: ohd@montclair.edu
Phone: 973-632-0136
Patient Forms
Animal Exposure Baseline Assessment Questionnaire
Animal Handlers must complete and submit this form prior to obtaining clearance to work in Vivarium facilities.
Animal Exposure Periodic Assessment Questionnaire
Animal Handlers must complete and submit this form annually for clearance to work in Vivarium facilities.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Participation/Declination Form
This form must be completed by all employees subject to the Hepatitis B vaccine program.
Medical Questionnaire for Respirator Users
Respirator Users must complete and submit this form prior to obtaining clearance to use a respirator on-the-job.
Animal Handler Injury Report Form
This form must be completed after an incident (injury or illness) has occurred while handling animals.