50 Things Any EH&S

Staff Member Should

Know
Robert Emery, DrPH, CHP, CIH, CSP, RBP, CHMM, CPP, ARM
Assistant Vice President for Safety, Health, Environment & Risk Management
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Associate Professor of Occupational Health
The University of Texas School of Public Health

Need for Comprehensive

Understanding
University health and safety issues are rarely
limited to a single risk or aspect most issues
are typically multi-faceted
University enterprises continue to expand in
scope and complexity, but EH&S budgets may
not grow in suitable proportions
Ability to demonstrate how EH&S program
furthers the key missions of an institution is
critical for program survival and continued
proportional support

Observations/Remarks
Experience based on multiple EH&S program peer
reviews across the country, and 8 years of conducting
the EH&S Academy has shown:

A consistent lack of understanding about how universities

operate and how to succinctly convey what the EH&S
program does to further the mission of the institution

Shortcoming likely due to lack of specific training in this area

virtually every person enters the university EH&S field from
other settings, with no formal academic preparation on
university operations

The 50 Questions
To address this shortcoming, a list of 50 key
items collectively considered important for any
EH&S person to be able to answer about their
institution was developed
Consists of both objective and subjective
issues
Debated (heatedly) amongst EH&S
management staff and system level staff until
consensus list identified (almost)

Disclaimer
Knowledge of the 50 questions will not make
everyone an expert nor omnipotent
Intended merely to equip persons with a
fundamental awareness of issues and the
ability to adequately handle basic inquiries and
problems
Your list may vary
Ability to answer and comprehend the 50 items
likely places persons in the top 5 to 10% of the
profession (this is inclusive of EH&S
management as well!)

50 Question Major Topic Areas

Institutional parameters, program aspects
Fire & life safety
Risk management & insurance
Chemical safety
Biological safety
Radiation safety
Environmental protection
Indoor air quality
Security

Pilot Application:
The Sanity Check
16 participants in an EH&S Academy session
held in Houston, TX in August 2005 provided
the 50 questions on first day (without the
answers) and asked 2 questions:
Could you answer this question for your institution
(yes or no)?
In your opinion, would knowing the information be
of benefit to you fulfilling your EH&S function (yes
or no)?

Ability to Answer 50 Questions?

gray = yes, white = no,
participants: n = 16 August 2005 EH&S Academy

Administration

Biosafety

Chemical Safety

Radiation

Environmental

Fire Safety

Risk Mgmt
Security

Benefit Knowing Answer?

yellow = yes, white = no,
participants: n = 16 August 2005 EH&S Academy

Administration

Biosafety

Chemical Safety

Radiation

Environmental

Fire Safety

Risk Mgmt
Security

Ability to Answer 50 Questions?

gray = know and should know, yellow = should know but dont, white = see no need to know,

participants: n = 16 August 2005 EH&S Academy

Administration

Biosafety

Chemical Safety

Radiation

Environmental

Fire Safety

Risk Mgmt
Security

The
50
Questions

Implementation at UTHSCH
Questions presented to staff during
weekly professional development
seminars (over 4 to 5 sessions, each
lasting one hour)
Answers and rationale for importance
also discussed
Expectation for ability to answer such
questions in the future established

Outcomes to Date
Improved staff understanding of overall processes, inclusive
of important perspectives
Improved customer service and improved point of service
delivery
Improved management confidence and assurance staff
understanding and conveying knowledge of the big picture
Improved stakeholder perception of program less
perception of unnecessary specialties or duplication of
efforts
Initiated pathways for future learning, professional
development

Outcomes for EH&S Academy

Participants in August 2005 edition echoed the
comments of the UTHSCH staff
Enjoyed novel approach in class
Will employ as some sort of course contest in
future editions
Exploratory efforts with others (UC System) also
promising

Comments/Questions?
Your feedback on this approach is
welcomed!