The Department of Environmental Safety provides technical, regulatory, and related management services to the University of Maryland community in order to achieve a safe and healthful campus environment in compliance with environmental and life safety regulations and standards. DES takes a leadership role in working with students, faculty, and staff to arrive at innovative, cost-effective solutions in response to their needs and to create a culture in which all share the responsibility for an environmentally safe campus.

Our Mission Is Achieved Through the Following Specific Services:

Policy and standard development related to Environmental, Safety and Health regulatory matters with a focus on cost containment.
University of Maryland representation and reports to MDE, EPA, NRC, NIH, MOSH, OSHA, CDC, DOE, DOT, USDA, FDA, OSFM, WSSC, other appropriate federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, neighboring communities, and professional and educational organizations.
Technical assistance and evaluation to assess and communicate risks.
Investigation of accidents, exposures, discharges, illness clusters and incidents.
Authorizations and certifications for ORAA and other in-house requirements.
Implementation of customized programs in biosafety, campus safety, environmental protection, industrial hygiene, radiation protection, fire protection and insurance.
Training and education related to Environmental, Safety and Health programs.
Management of insurance claims process and records regarding exposures, waste, compliance, permits and incidents; oversight of inspection and testing of campus safety equipment and systems.
Emergency planning and response for the University.
Departmental representation and support to relevant campus committees.

Return to Environmental Safety

Emergency
911

Administrative Services

Biological Safety
405-3975

Diving Safety
405-3982

Emergency Response

Environmental Affairs
405-3968

Fire Marshal
405-3970

Hazardous Waste Management
405-3163

Industrial Hygiene
405-3980

Insurance Services
405-3964

Occupational Safety & Health
405-3965

Radiation Safety
(301) 314-8336

Risk Management & Communications
405-3979

Workers' Compensation
405-5466

Safety Committees

Biological Safety

The Biological Safety Officer works closely with faculty to assist them in complying with federal regulations and guidelines that apply to research involving microorganisms, human blood, and recombinant DNA molecules.

Assistance and consultation are available to those laboratories using pathogenic microorganisms and other biohazards, and for certification of biological laboratories at the BSL2 and BSL3 levels of containment.

Many valuable resources such as forms, information sheets, guidelines and manuals are available online.

(301) 405-3975

Emergency Response

DES responds as appropriate to assist at campus emergencies and provides information and support to emergency response agencies such as the fire department, haz-mat team, natural resources, emergency management agency and others.

For Emergency Assistance on the University of Maryland Campus

Call 9-1-1

Environmental Affairs

DES provides administrative and technical support to plan, coordinate, and assure University of Maryland compliance actions regarding resource conservation, environmental protection and pollution control regulations. For example, departmental staff work closely with campus facilities managers to assess storm water discharge, underground storage tank integrity, ground water quality, and clean air emissions.

(301)405-3968

Fire Marshal's Office

Life safety is the primary objective of the Fire Safety Program. Minimizing property loss from fire is also a major goal. Fire risks associated with physical hazards and unsafe behaviors are managed through education programs and facility inspections.

Educating the campus community about fire prevention and emergency procedures is the principal means of protection from fire loss.

Fire Marshals provide information to the campus community on fire related issues and consultation on Fire Prevention Code requirements as well as current fire protection practices.

Services include surveying campus facilities for fire safety. Fire protection systems are inspected and tested by Facilities Management technicians. Special emphasis is placed on life safety in residential and public buildings. Major public assemblies are monitored for life safety.

Fire Marshals investigate fires occurring on the College Park Campus. The cause and origin of fires are determined, and if arson is suspected, the investigation is coordinated with the University of Maryland Police Department.

Click Here to see more information about Fire Safety.

(301)405-3970

Hazardous Waste Management

Hazardous Waste staff are responsible for developing and implementing campus-wide programs for hazardous waste management and waste minimization. Hazardous wastes include chemicals, radioactive materials, and special medical wastes.

Hazardous Waste Specialists support research and teaching faculty, physical plant, and other campus organizations in hazardous waste removal and mitigation of hazardous material spills.

DES operates a permitted hazardous waste storage facility where chemical, radioactive, and special medical wastes are segregated and stored while awaiting shipment by a hazardous waste contractor. Wastes are shipped off-campus to various EPA permitted treatment or disposal facilities.

Hazardous Waste personnel are available for department or individual consultation regarding hazardous waste cost reduction and waste minimization.

Many valuable resources such as forms, information sheets, guidelines and manuals are available online.

(301)405-3163

Industrial Hygiene

The Industrial Hygiene Program is concerned with the recognition, evaluation, and control of occupational disease and injury caused by chemical, biological or physical hazards at University of Maryland facilities. The Industrial Hygiene staff interact with the campus community to identify and resolve issues concerning personal health and safety.

The staff conducts investigations of indoor air quality conditions by utilizing equipment and procedures to identify factors contributing to an unhealthy workplace.

Industrial Hygienists provide workplace surveys of buildings, laboratories and workshops. Several required programs are administered through the Environmental Hygiene Office. These programs include Respiratory Protection, Hearing Conservation, Hazard Communication (Right-To-Know), Asbestos Control, Laboratory Safety, and Bloodborne Pathogens.

Duties in the Industrial Hygiene Program include the review of safety protocols and procedures for campus research, ergonomic evaluations, lead control, assistance in accident investigation, and personal exposure monitoring for hazardous substances.

Many lab safety and occupational safety & health resources are available online.

(301)405-3980

Insurance Services

Insurance and tort claims are investigated and processed. Reports of bodily injury and property damage are documented. The data provided is utilized by the State Treasurer's Office and the University Legal Office.

(301)405-3964

Occupational Safety & Health

The Occupational Safety & Health Program is primarily concerned with prevention of accidents caused by physical hazards. Occupational Safety & Health inspectors survey, identify, and report campus risks and suggest appropriate courses of action to prevent accidents from occurring. The Occupational Safety & Health staff performs surveys of work areas and construction sites, investigates complaints and accidents, and protects campus personnel from hazardous conditions related to walking/working surfaces, machinery, power tools, welding, and electrical equipment.

Many valuable resources such as information sheets, permits, guidelines and manuals are available online.

(301)405-3965

Radiation Safety

Radiation Safety staff monitor activities where radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices are used. The goals are to protect the University population and surrounding communities from potential radiation hazards, prevent contamination of the environment, and ensure that individual exposures and releases of radioactive material to the environment do not exceed permissible levels and are As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).

All applications for using radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices on the campus are reviewed to determine if the facility and procedure comply with university, state, and federal regulations. Once reviewed, the application is referred to the Campus Radiation Safety Committee for approval.

Radiation Safety Health Physicists order, receive, and monitor all radioactive materials; provide dosimetry service; calibrate all radiation monitors; and survey laboratories and other areas utilizing radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices.

Many valuable resources such as forms, information sheets, procedures, and manuals are available online.

(301) 314-8336

Safety Committees

University of Maryland

Several University of Maryland advisory committees have been established which work closely with DES to develop campus policies and procedures. Key committees include:

Biological and Chemical Hygiene Committee (BACH)

This committee consisting of faculty, staff, and community members recommends policy for the control of biological and chemical hazards on the campus to the Dean of the Graduate Studies and Research. BACH also serves as an advisory body on technical issues to the Department of Environmental Safety.

Indoor Air Quality Committee

This committee oversees campus responses to issues such as asbestos management, biological contamination, lead-based paint abatement, and other health issues related to air quality.

Radiation Safety Committee

This faculty/staff committee is responsible for assessment and approval of research protocols for the use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices as required.

Risk Management Committee

This coordinating committee serves to implement programs required by the State Employee Risk Management Agency, such as risk assessment surveys, and schedules training programs for the Injured Workers Insurance Fund to minimize campus employee accidents.

Traffic Accident Review Board

Mandated by the Governor's Fleet Safety Commission, this board reviews accidents involving state vehicles or drivers on University business to determine if the accident was preventable.

In addition, several campus departments have formed internal safety committees or have assigned safety coordinating duties to designated faculty or staff. DES assists these committees and safety coordinators to establish departmental programs.

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