Environmental health and safety
Campus Fire Safety Month / 1 - 30 September
Respiratory Protection Day
NIOSH will recognize Respiratory Protection Day on September 1, 2026, to promote the proper selection and use of respirators in the workplace. Respiratory Protection Day recognizes the millions of workers who rely on respiratory protection every day and highlights the importance of effective respiratory protection.
For more information, visit the website or reach out to OSU Environmental Health and Safety at 405-744-7421 or ehs@okstate.edu.
Service. Quality. Knowledge.
The OSU Environmental Health and Safety Department consists of four teams - Environmental Compliance, Fire and Life Safety, Laboratory Safety, and Occupational and Construction Safety. Our primary goal is to promote health, safety, and environmental protection by providing exemplary programs and services in support of the university's mission.
Student Employee Feature
Olive Logan
Olive is a student employee for EHS, majoring in Industrial Engineering and Management with a minor in Data Analytics and is a member of Chi Omega. If she could have any superpower, she'd choose teleportation so she could travel anywhere instantly and never have to search for parking again. When she's not working or studying, Olive enjoys creative hobbies like graphic design, needlepoint, and embroidery.
We’re grateful to have you on the team and appreciate everything you do, Olive!
Laboratory Manager Spotlight
Doug Fox
Doug Fox is the research laboratory manager at the Center for Integrated Building Systems (CIBS) at OSU, where he supports HVAC and refrigerant research along with graduate students. Doug puts safety first through hands-on training, semester safety training, educational resources and mentorship in the laboratory. His work helps students gain experience while practicing environmentally conscious refrigerant research.
Thank you, Doug, for promoting safety and student success at OSU!
Quarterly Newsletters Newsletter Archive
Monthly Training
Respiratory Protection
Register- Class will take place the first Tuesday of each month.
- Next opportunity: September 1, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Facilities Management North building, Room 101C
Bloodborne Pathogen
Register- Class will take place the second Tuesday of each month.
- Next opportunity: September 8, 9-9:45 a.m. or 2-2:45 p.m.
- EHS Conference Room, University Health Services 003
Employee Training
Register- Class will take place the third Thursday of each month.
- Includes back safety, Hazcom, slip/trip/fall safety, fire safety, and office safety.
- Next opportunity: September 17, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
- EHS Conference Room, University Health Services 003
Fire Safety Training
Register- Class will take place the second Friday of each month.
- Next opportunity: September 11, 9-10 a.m.
- EHS Conference Room, University Health Services 003
Laboratory Safety and Hazardous Waste Training
Register- Class will take place the fourth Tuesday of each month.
- Next opportunity: September 22, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
- EHS Conference Room, University Health Services 003
Additional Training Opportunities
OSHA 300A Logs
Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers with more than 10 employees to keep a record of serious work-related injuries and illnesses. The records must be maintained at the worksite for at least five years.
New EPA Regulations on Methylene Chloride
Fact Sheets and Safety Info
The EPA has finalized a rule regarding methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane (DCM) under the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA). Learn more via the links below.
Timeline of Changes
As a research institution, laboratories on campus are allowed to continue some use of DCM, contingent upon new requirements and compliance with the timeline of changes.
- Initial monitoring by 05/05/2025 with periodic monitoring depending on results
- Ensure new exposure limits are met by 08/2025 and provide PPE for affected employees
- Development of an exposure control plan or Workplace Chemical Protection Program by 10/30/2025
Ensuring Compliance
If you are a PI on campus who uses DCM also known as methylene chloride in your lab spaces, please contact us to conduct air monitoring and an assessment of your current chemical hygiene plan.
Forms and Permits
New Forms
Our department is moving to a new system for submitting permits! CampusOptics is a platform specifically designed to assist with environmental, health, and safety-related program implementation and monitoring on college campuses. Login to your OSU CampusOptics account here!
We hope this new system will streamline our processes, but in the meantime, please contact us with any questions or issues.
Safety Documents
Fact Sheets
Access useful fact sheets and brief safety information. Topics include:
- Accident Investigation
- Ergonomics
- Laboratory Safety
- Slips, Trips, and Falls
Manuals
Access safety information and guidance documents. Topics include:
- Addressable Fire Alarm Systems
- Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Machine Guarding Checklist
- Respiratory Protection Program Manual
Reporting Safety Concerns Call EHS with any concerns regarding the safety of campus personnel or facilities.
Such concerns could include unsafe work environments or classrooms, unsafe work practices, perceived poor indoor air quality, and more.