GT Fire Safety Winter Safety

It is common knowledge that a lot of fires and deaths are caused from portable space heaters (PSH) being used improperly. Portable space heaters are restricted in many businesses due to fear of fire. Per the National Fire Codes, Space heaters can be used safely. Space heaters should be restricted on the Georgia Tech campus due to other important reasons, not due to fire safety concerns.

Portable space heater use cause the following issues in Georgia Tech buildings:

Radiation Safety Officer, Steve Grimm, Retires

All-New Revamped BUCKET TRUCK TRAINING that features classroom and hands on training 

Lab Floor Cleaning

We have received consistent feedback that our lab staff are unsure of how to request floor cleanings, that lab staff do not always feel comfortable having their floors cleaned, and that building services does not always feel comfortable entering lab spaces to clean floors. We have developed a few guiding documents for you to ensure that the floors in your labs remain clean and that a consistent process is in place to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety. 

The Hazardous Materials Team (HazMat) manages various types of waste on campus such as regulated and non-regulated chemical waste, biohazardous waste, universal waste, and used oil. 

Key Changes to EHS Chemical Fume Hood Certification:

· Elimination of Bi-Annual Requirement:

There is no longer a need for bi-annual fume hood certification. Annual certifications will begin in January 2025. Each building or facility manager receives notice prior to certification testing.

· Board of Regents (BOR) Requirements:

Institutions must comply with the annual verification standards outlined below.

Annual Hood Verification Requirement:

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. The required actions and timelines to comply with the new rule are described below. The new EPA rule is in addition to existing Washington State Department of Labor & Industries rules for workplace safety.

Late one evening, the EH&S On-Call Number received an urgent call about a loud bang and a chemical spill involving an unidentified substance. Upon arriving at the scene, our Hazardous Materials Specialist found broken glass bottles and debris scattered across the floor, within the chemical fume hood, and throughout the laboratory. The sash of the chemical fume hood was visibly cracked along its length, and a computer screen had also been shattered.

The asbestos awareness training and mold awareness training are required annually for certain staff at Georgia Tech.