Biological Safety
Biosafety is a complete program of recognition, evaluation, and control to minimize the health risk from potential exposure to biohazardous materials that are used in research activities at MU. All policies and procedures relating to Biosafety can be found in the Biosafety Manual.
Chemical Safety
The hazards of chemicals vary widely, and appropriate precautions must always be used. Every chemical can be hazardous in certain circumstances.
Supervisors and Principal Investigators have primary responsibility for implementation of chemical safety policies and procedures. Students and staff are responsible for following procedures. Planning for and implementation of chemical safety must be part of every laboratory activity in which chemicals are used.
Emergency Preparedness
Emergency preparedness provides for preparatory, orderly and coordinated operations in the event of an emergency resulting from major natural or man-made disasters, an act of war or terrorism. All MU departments, organizations, groups, building managers/supervisors, principal investigators, building coordinators and other building occupants have a responsibility to work together to "Be Prepared" and build a safer MU. The key to Emergency preparedness is planning and development before the emergency event.
Environmental Matters
As a major research institution, the University of Missouri is subject to a broad range of environmental regulations. These requirements cover areas such as asbestos and lead management, air emissions, drinking water quality, stormwater control, spill prevention, and other activities that may impact air, water, or soil. Depending on the scope of a project, securing the necessary environmental permits from state agencies can take up to six months.
Ensuring compliance is a shared responsibility. Supervisors and Principal Investigators are expected to understand applicable regulations and implement procedures that maintain compliance. Students and employees must follow these procedures in their daily work.
Fire Safety
Everyone at MU is responsible for fire safety. EHS works closely with the Columbia Fire Department, Campus Facilities and campus departments to provide comprehensive fire prevention services to campus. These services include: building inspections, maintenance of fire detection, alarm and suppression systems, fire extinguisher use training, and promotional activities.
Contact EHS if you have any questions or desire consultative assistance about fire safety, the use of open flames and other fire related issues.
Food Safety
Food Safety Oversight and Requirements
Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) provides thorough oversight of all food service operations and special campus activities involving food service. EHS Sanitarians conduct multiple inspections of campus food service facilities each year to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
Any campus event where food is served must obtain a Temporary Food Permit from EHS prior to the event.
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials are chemicals that exhibit one or more of the following characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, and toxicity. MU generally uses the most restrictive regulatory definition in identifying hazardous materials.
EHS collects and manages unwanted hazardous materials. Campus activities are managed through the designation of Principal Investigators and Supervisors as Permitted Individuals, who are responsible for locations where hazardous materials are used or stored. In addition, EHS monitors these locations to assure that hazardous materials are being handled and stored safely.
Laboratory Safety
Laboratory Safety staff seek to promote a safety culture in which students, faculty, and staff feel empowered at all levels to make safety the overriding priority. This goal is accomplished by shifting the overall norms, beliefs, roles, and practices for handling hazards and risks in laboratories.
Personal Protection
Employees at the University of Missouri may be exposed to hazardous materials or potentially dangerous environments during routine academic or research activities. The first and most effective line of defense is the use of engineering controls, such as fume hoods, local exhaust ventilation, and process isolation. However, when engineering controls are not feasible or do not fully eliminate risks, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required to reduce exposure and prevent injury.
Radiation Safety
MU possesses a broad scope license issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to the Curators. This license allows MU to receive, possess, use, and transfer radioactive materials (RAM). X-ray machines and accelerators are currently regulated by the State of Missouri.
Campus activities are managed through the designation of Permitted Individuals with either a RAM or X-Ray permit. The Radiation Safety Staff (RSS) monitors the use of RAM and x-rays to ensure they are being handled and stored safely.
The RSS also provides guidance on working safely with non-ionizing radiation sources, such as lasers.
Workplace Safety
Everyone at MU is responsible for safety. Supervisors and Principal Investigators are responsible for conducting hazard assessments, establishing safe procedures in their work areas and ensuring everyone has proper training. Staff and students are responsible for learning about and implementing safe working procedures, and promptly reporting unsafe conditions to the supervisor.
EHS works with the campus community to provide training and consultative assistance on a wide variety of workplace safety issues. EHS also works with the Campus Safety Committee to review safety issues and to develop appropriate campus policies.