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environmental and Occupational Safety


FAQ

  • Where can I find a fire extinguisher on campus?
    • In the corridors of academic and office buildings and inside very large rooms
    • In or immediately outside of all laboratories where chemicals are stored or used.
    • In or immediately outside mechanical spaces where motorized or other equipment is present which might cause a fire.
    • In storage buildings and mounted inside certain University vehicles.
    • If you cannot find the fire extinguisher in your area, or feel you need a different type/size of extinguisher for your work area or research, contact Physical Plant.

  • If I use just a little, do I have to report the extinguisher as used?
    • Yes!  We want full extinguishers at all campus locations. While CO2 and Halon extinguishers will generally hold their pressure after a slight discharge, BC- and ABC-rated DRY CHEMICAL extinguishers will usually not hold a charge after partial use.  While the gauge may hold steady in the green immediately after a slight use, check it the next day and you’ll find the gauge on EMPTY!  This is because upon use the dry powder gets inside the seals and allows the nitrogen carrier to escape over a period of time.  After ANY use, a ABC or BC extinguisher must be serviced and recharged.  This is very important for home extinguishers also; YOU MUST HAVE THE EXTINGUISHER REFILLED AFTER ANY USE.
  • Our office had to use the fire extinguisher in our building yesterday. How do we get a new fire extinguisher?
  • There is an elevator in our building that is not operating correctly, who do we call?
    • Call Environmental & Occupational Safety. We inspect every elevator on campus monthly. If there is a problem with an elevator, it should be reported to our office.

  • If I have trouble with any kind of pests or animals, who do I contact?
    • Environmental & Occupational Safety. Two of our staff members, Barry Futch & Steve Manning, will be available for any kind of pest or animal control.

  • Where can I get a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for a chemical in my department?
    • Each department maintains copies of Material Safety Data Sheets for chemicals used in and/or purchased by that department.
    • If you prefer you can obtain a copy from our department:
      Environmental & Occupational Safety
      Ashley Hall, First Floor
      (229) 293-6171 or email: cfstorey@valdosta.edu

  • If I request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), how quickly should I expect to receive it?
    • According to the Georgia Right-to-Know Act, "Any employee may request in writing and shall have the right to examine and obtain the material safety data sheets for the hazardous chemicals to which he is, has been, or may be exposed. The employer shall provide any material safety data sheet within its possession within five of the requesting employee's working days, subject to the provisions of subsection (g) of this Code section. The employer may adopt reasonable procedures for acting upon such requests to avoid interruption of normal work operations." O.C.G.A. § 45-22-7(k)(2)

  • There is a hurricane in the south Atlantic that is heading towards us, where can I find out if my classes have been canceled?
    • Communication regarding the status of VSU operations will be done primarily through the main university web site and email. The university is also scheduled to introduce a new notification system for cell phone users. News media outlets will also be utilized if there is any change in campus operations. In the event of the loss of electrical power on campus, every effort will be made to communicate through local and statewide news media outlets and through the University System web page. All Valdosta radio stations and specifically WVVS (FM) 90.9, WVGA (FM) 105.9, and WAAC (FM) 92.9, as well as VSU-TV, WCTV and WALB-TV will be the primary contacts for VSU. In addition, Atlanta area and other regional radio and television stations will also be contacted. Every effort will be made to contact these media outlets as soon as any change in VSU status is determined. It must be stressed that campus operations are normal unless an official announcement from VSU has been made to indicate otherwise. ~ Statement from University Relations on January 17, 2007.

  • My car was broken into last night. I was parked in the Oak St. Parking lot, who can help me?
  • Are there any safety videos on campus that I can have my staff watch?
    • Yes, our office has plenty of safety videos available for you to check out and share with your staff members. We also have a listing online of the videos that we keep in our office.

  • Who is Valdosta State's Right-To-Know Coordinator?
    • Robert DeLong in Environmental & Occupational Safety