1

Purpose of the 2001 annual report:

1. To provide information describing the types and scope of services

available to Iowa State University through the Department of Envi-

ronmental Health and Safety (EH&S).

2. To serve as a medium for reviewing goals for the past year and to set

new ones for the future.

3. To provide information to others outside of the university regarding

occupational, environmental, health and safety activities conducted

by EH&S.

EH&S mission:

EH&S’ mission is to provide assistance, oversight and technical consulta-

tion to the Iowa State community on all occupational and general health,

environmental and safety issues with the goal of ensuring a safe and health-

ful environment for employees, students and the visiting public.

2

3

• Developed and filled a new position of Biosafety Specialist in January,

doubling the number of staff specializing in biosafety.

• Biosafety Officer fulfilled the requirements for certification by the National

Registry of Microbiologists as a Certified Biological Safety Professional

(CBSP).

• Rewrote and published the Bloodborne Pathogens Manual to increase

effectiveness and comply with the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration’s (OSHA’s) new Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act.

Distributed manual to over 600 affected personnel on campus. Updated

training and website materials accordingly, and met with stakeholders to

assist with implementation of regulatory changes.

• Established Q Fever Prevention Guidelines for campus based on Public

Health Service recommendations for animal work involving sheep and

goats in both lab animal and farm settings.

• Developed Iowa State University Arthropod Containment Guidelines

based on the draft “Arthropod Containment Guidelines of the American

Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene”.

Bioterrorism Information:

Bioterrorism prevention dominated the last half of 2001 for the Biosafety

program as a result of nationwide concerns about anthrax, demanding more

than 1,000 person hours of unexpected work in addition to maintenance of

normal operations. Activities included:

• Compiling a Potential Biological Warfare Agent Reference Handbook

for EH&S and local area public health and emergency response enti-

ties. The handbook was incorporated into the Story County Emer-

gency Response Plan.

Biological Safety

4

• Designing and assembling a comprehensive “Suspicious Package

Response Kit” containing appropriate protective equipment, sample

collection supplies and clean-up materials for use by the Iowa State

University Department of Public Safety (DPS), Ames Police Depart-

ment and Ames Fire Department when responding to calls regarding

packages suspected of containing anthrax.

• Creating and presenting Suspicious Package Response Training for

local law enforcement and fire department personnel. Advised and

assisted DPS and Ames Police Department with responses to suspi-

cious package calls.

• Conducting a campus wide Potential Biowarfare Agent Inventory to

determine locations of laboratories in need of immediate security

changes. Initiated a comprehensive survey of all other biohazardous

materials on campus as well, encompassing all human, animal and

plant pathogens in addition to potential biowarfare agents.

• Establishing and initiating a Biohazardous Materials Security Plan

for campus. The plan was developed in consultation with the Iowa

Department of Public Health and Iowa State University’s DPS, Uni-

versity Counsel and Provost’s Office. Biosafety personnel continue

to work closely with affected departments to implement security mea-

sures.

University Committees:

The Iowa State University Biohazards and Public Health Committee (BPHC)

reviews research projects and courses that involve the use of recombinant

DNA and/or infectious agents. More than 200 research projects are cur-

rently active, each requiring an annual review. Sixty-five of these were new

in 2001 (Figure 1).

5

Each year, bacterial swabbing is performed on eating, drinking and food

preparation utensils. Twenty-four hour temperature profiles are evaluated

for walk-in coolers in residence hall food service facilities. Profiles for 44

walk-in refrigeration units and 25 bacterial tests on utensils were completed

in 2001. Thermostat adjustments were required in several units as a result

of temperature fluctuations revealed by the profiles.

Biological Safety Cabinets:

Biological safety cabinets (BSCs) protect workers from exposure to infec-

tious agents and chemotherapeutic drugs. Nearly 140 BSCs are actively

in use on campus. Due to budget and personnel constraints, EH&S only

conducts certification testing on BSCs used for containment of biohazards.

Currently, 77% of BSCs are used for biohazardous materials and tested

annually. The total number of BSCs tested annually has doubled in the last

5 years (Figure 2). The current performance status of BSCs on campus is

shown in Figure 3.

Occupational Medicine:

The Occupational Medicine Department provides medical surveillance for

Iowa State University employees who work with regulated and/or identified

risks. Currently over 1,100 university employees from 47 different depart-

ments actively participate in this program. More than 60% of the participants

are from four departments (Figure 4), with almost 90% of all participants fall-

ing within the Respiratory Protection, Hearing Conservation and Bloodborne

Pathogens Programs.

6

Biological Safety Graphs

Figure 2 - Biosafety Cabinets Tested Annually

Figure 1 - Projects Reviewed by the BPHC

Recomb. DNA

Infectious Agents

99

28

67

51

RenewedNew

137128124

114

95

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98

7

Figure 3 - Performance of Biosafety Cabinets

Failed - 7%

Not tested - 23%Passed - 70%

Figure 4- Departments Using Occupational Medicine

FP&M (343) - 29%

Vet College (178) - 15%

All Other Depts. (454) - 38%

Recreation Services (117) - 10%Residence (92) - 8%

8

• Managed record levels of chemical waste, largely in response to an EPA

enforcement initiative directed towards colleges and universities.

• Fully implemented the main campus Spill Prevention Control and Coun-

termeasures (SPCC) plan.

• Submitted to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources an emission

inventory for 2001 for Iowa State University (excluding the Heating

Plant).

Hazardous Waste Management:

2001 marked another sharp increase in demand for chemical waste man-

agement services. EH&S collected a record 79,589 kilograms (87 tons) of

chemical waste (Figure 1.) A slight increase in the average size of contain-

ers collected (Figure 2) helped to decrease the time and effort required to

manage waste on a per unit basis.

Nonhazardous Waste Incineration:

Through incineration, EH&S disposed of 107,378 kilograms (118 tons) of

waste during the past year. This resulted in a 14% increase over the pre-

vious year, and continues the trend of increasing demand for incineration

services (Figure 3).

Environmental Programs

9

Environmental Programs Graphs

Figure 2 - Average Waste Container Size (kg/container or L/container)

Figure 1 - Number of Containers Collected

18,5

48

16,7

65

12,0

31

9,39

3

9,70

6

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98

4.29

3.65

4.31

4.80

4.28‘97

‘01

‘00

‘99

‘98

10

Figure 3 - Materials Incinerated (kg)

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98

0

25,000

50,000

75,000

100,000

11

• Reviewed 228 plans and specifications. Thirty-two were capital projects

valued at $61,011,410. The plans included 165 original plans, 62 addi-

tional reviews and 55 addenda.

• Conducted fire safety inspections in 80 campus buildings. The inspec-

tions involved verifying compliance corrections of previously identified

deficiencies.

• Developed Scaffold Users and Scaffold Erecting and Dismantling train-

ing courses to address hazards observed by EH&S inspectors and to

comply with OSHA’s new Scaffold Regulations.

• Developed the Fire Prevention Plan to address fire safety needs on

campus and meet OSHA regulations. Also developed training, website

materials and an e-book to accompany the Fire Prevention Plan.

• Presented a Fire and Life Safety training course at the Association of

Higher Education Facilities Officers’ (APPA) Facility Management Insti-

tutes in Newport, CA and Scottsdale, AZ.

• Developed fire attack sites (points of entry for the fire department) with

the Ames Fire Department for the Jischke Honors Building, Carver Co-

Lab, Hoover Building and Gerdin College of Business Building.

• Worked with a local television station to produce a short series titled,

“What Parents Need To Know About Fire Safety Before Sending Their

Kids To College”.

• Performed thirty Building Occupancy Readiness Audits on new con-

struction projects, a 50% increase from 2000.

• Moved the fire extinguisher maintenance equipment from I ED II, its

location since 1982, to the new addition at the Fire Service Building. The

new location provides much needed ventilation equipment for fire extin-

General Safety

12

guisher recharge protocol.

• Assisted the Department of Residence in developing a master plan

to correct fire safety deficiencies reported by the State Fire Marshal’s

Office.

• Investigated 35 workplace accidents to determine both direct and indi-

rect causes. Developed methods, procedures and/or worksite modifica-

tions to help prevent similar accidents.

• Inspected 4,340 fire extinguishers and performed service and/or repairs

on 775 fire extinguishers.

• Participated in insurance safety audits conducted by the university’s

insurance carrier, by following up on the findings and assisting in the

correction and elimination of the hazards. These efforts, reduced viola-

tions by 35% campus-wide.

Workplace Injury and Illness Data:

• 558 employees suffered job-related injuries or illnesses, a 3% increase

above 2000 rates (Figure 1.) Employees suffering workplace injuries

missed a total of 1,888 workdays, a 39% decrease.

• OSHA recordable injuries more than doubled over 2000 rates. This

change is attributable in part to a broader interpretation of injuries by the

university.

• Lost time cases decreased 40% (Figure 1.)

• Sprain and strain disability cases decreased 22% (Figure 3). This

decrease coincides with the development and implementation of Sprain

and Strain Prevention training. Twenty-two classes have been provided

to 350 employees, including all employees performing custodial activ-

ity.

• Injuries to kitchen workers decreased by 40% from 2000, while injuries

13

suffered by instructors and graduate assistants increased 20%. Custo-

dians experience the most injuries (137) followed by skilled workers (92)

(Figure 4).

• July and December were the safest months, while March and May were

the most hazardous. March and May accounted for 39% of Iowa State’s

lost work days.

Fire Marshal Inspections:

The number of fire safety violations attributed to building occupants (Cate-

gory A) dropped in 2001 to the lowest total since inspections began in 1986.

This is good news, considering the last inspection in 1999 revealed our

highest number of “A” violations. This can be attributed to fewer door wedge

citations and increased departmental participation in reducing fire hazards.

Fire safety violations attributed to building maintenance problems (Category

B) have remained constant.

Fire safety violations related to building design issues make up Category

C. Budget restrictions often prevent the correction of all “C” violations, so

each year there are repeat violations along with new ones. The number of

Category C violations increased since the last inspection from an average of

3 violations per building in 1999 to 5.2 violations per building in 2001.

This increase can be attributed, in part, to the Fire Marshal’s focus on dif-

ferent areas in 2001. These areas included ground fault circuit interrupters

(GFCIs), heat detection, emergency shutoff valves, and the sealing of wall

penetrations (Figure 5). These deficiencies have received minimal attention

from the Fire Marshal in past years. In 1999, there were just two citations of

this type, accounting for 1% of total “C” violations, but in 2001, the number

of these violations increased to 99, accounting for 21% of the total “C” viola-

tions. The most frequently cited areas of deficiency in 2001 included door

closures, panic hardware, positive latching, and improperly rated fire doors.

This group of deficiencies makes up 20% of all 2001 “C” violations.

14

In the future, the budget for correcting Fire Marshal citations will focus on

reducing “C” violations. Repeat violations and those that pose the greatest

risk to life safety will also receive priority.

15

General Safety Graphs

Figure 1 - Work Days Lost/Lost Time/OSHA Recordable Injuries

Figure 2 - Days Lost by Injury

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98

Lost TimeNumber of CasesOSHA Recordable

1,941 1,888

3,107

1,984

1,532

683

76 139 284140

586

139610

565552

Fractures (361)

Bumps, bruises (201)

Punctures, lacerations (29)

Sprains, strains (1,264)

Burns (17)

Miscellaneous (3)

16

Figure 3 - Disability Cases and Days Lost

Figure 4 - Injuries by Job Classification

Instructors and Grad Assts. 10%

Professional and Scientific 3%

Clerical 7%

Skilled Workers 16%

Custodians 23%

Semi-Skilled 9%

Kitchen 5%

Unskilled 8%

Admin and Tech 8%

Students 11%

1,264

2,498

1,672

‘01‘00‘99

Cases

Sprain and StrainDisability Days

307228

177

Days Lost

17

Figure 5 - Types of Category C Violations

Heat Detection - 10%

Gas Shutoff Valves - 6%

GFCI - 5%

Panic Hardware, Closures, Positive Latching, Fire Rating - 20%

Emergency and Exit Lighting - 12%Louvers, Access Panels,

Wire Glass - 13%

Smoke Detectors and Sprinklers - 5%

Wall Penetrations - 15%

Others - 14%

18

• Assisted with mercury cleanup at the Power Plant. A leaking barometer

caused significant mercury contamination.

• Coordinated emergency cleanup of glass and mercury contamination in

an elevator shaft in Agronomy Hall. Vandals threw a barrel of fluorescent

light bulbs down the air shaft and on top of the elevator car, shattering

bulbs and spreading mercury contamination throughout the shaft.

• Managed over 100 asbestos abatement projects, including significant

projects in Gilman Hall, the Knoll, Helser Hall, the Iowa School for the

Deaf, the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, and the Iowa Depart-

ment of Transportation’s administrative building.

• Conducted over 50 indoor air quality investigations. A number of these

investigations were mold related. Several buildings required significant

remediation projects to correct water infiltration and other moisture

sources to prevent future mold growth.

• Created a website containing class lectures for Chemistry 550. EH&S

coordinates and provides instructors for this Department of Chemistry

course.

• Completed mandatory 3-year re-inspections for asbestos in buildings at

both the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School and the Iowa School for

the Deaf.

• Conducted PCB air and wipe sampling project in Sweeney Hall. Sam-

pling was prompted by a fire that occurred in one of the basement air

handlers contaminated with low levels of PCBs.

• Filled a Hazardous Materials Shipping Specialist position to meet federal

regulatory requirements. The timing was crucial, as EH&S registered

record high numbers of both domestic and international shipments and

packages mailed.

Occupational Health

19

• Completed an extensive beryllium contamination investigation in

Wilhelm, Gilman and Physics Halls. The investigation was the result of a

Department of Energy (DOE) program to evaluate sites having potential

histories of beryllium usage. Ames Lab’s beryllium usage was part of

the Manhattan Project. Over 100 samples were collected from Wilhelm,

Gilman, Physics, Science I, Forker and Veterinary Medicine. An exten-

sive report was written and distributed to Ames Lab and DOE.

• Re-engineered and filled the position of Training Coordinator to better

meet the training needs of the Iowa State community.

Asbestos Program:

• Managed 102 asbestos-related projects in 2001 totaling over $900,000.

• Completed asbestos labeling in 80 General Fund buildings. Over 1,500

labels were placed on pipe chase and mechanical space entrances.

• Operated an accredited asbestos analytical laboratory. The laboratory

analyzed over 1,200 asbestos air and bulk samples in 2001 (Figure 1).

• Completed semi-annual survey of asbestos containing materials in

Department of Residence dormitory rooms. A total of 660 different rooms

were inspected three times in 2001 (over 1,900 dorm rooms inspected in

2001).

Lead Programs:

The number of lead survey and abatement projects undertaken at Iowa

State University since the enactment of OSHA’s revised lead standard

in 1993 appears in Figure 2. A Niton XRF (x-ray fluorescence) spectrum

analyzer is used to detect lead in painted surfaces and in dust. Over 600

painted surfaces were analyzed in 2001.

20

Chemical Fume Hoods:

EH&S evaluated over 1,000 chemical fume hoods in 2001. Ninety-four per-

cent of all campus chemical fume hoods met safety performance criteria,

while 3% of the hoods failed (Figure 3). Three percent of the hoods were

tagged with restricted use notices. The failure and restricted numbers are

lower than last year’s evaluation. This indicates the importance of FP&M

follow-up when hoods are turned in for maintenance.

Ergonomics:

The continued development of an on-campus ergonomics program exempli-

fies a proactive effort to control costs and improve productivity by preventing

ergonomic injuries at Iowa State University. Figure 4 illustrates ergonomic

evaluations completed over the last six years. Although the OSHA Ergonom-

ics Standard was officially repealed, the Secretary of Labor has promised to

formulate federal action on the ergonomics problem. EH&S will continue to

work with various campus departments to address the issue.

Hearing Conservation:

In 2001, over 400 employees participated in the Hearing Conservation Pro-

gram. Employees in the program receive medical surveillance and training

through Occupational Medicine, while EH&S conducts noise surveys in

work areas and makes recommendations to reduce employee exposure.

Respiratory Protection:

Over 300 Iowa State University employees participated in the Respiratory

Protection Program in 2001 (Figure 5). This program includes medical sur-

veillance, hazard assessment, record keeping and annual respirator train-

ing and fit-testing. EH&S offers employee training and fit-testing classes

on a monthly basis. EH&S also completed respiratory fit testing for Story

County emergency responders, including DPS and the Ames Police and

Fire Departments.

21

Hazardous Materials Shipping:

In recent years, the Department of Transportation has launched a program

to aggressively pursue persons and companies who fail to comply with

regulations that dictate how biological, chemical and radioactive materials

must be mailed or shipped. This has been accomplished by increasing the

number of inspectors five-fold. That, coupled with the increased awareness

on campus, has resulted in significant increases in the number of hazard-

ous materials shipments processed by EH&S. This trend is expected to

continue, resulting in the increased need for personnel training. Figure 6

demonstrates the large increase in the number of hazardous materials

packages shipped over the last six years.

Indoor Environmental Quality:

In 2001, EH&S completed over 50 indoor environmental quality investiga-

tions. Building occupant complaints triggered most of these investigations.

Nearly 75% of the investigations conducted were resolved by identifications

of the problem source. Corrective actions were then recommended to pre-

vent re-occurrence.

In 2001, moisture infiltration and mold growth were the most common

sources of indoor environmental complaints. Several of these complaints

required the hiring of contractors to abate the problems. This was an area of

significant cost increase for the campus in 2001.

22

Occupational Health Graphs

Figure 1 - Asbestos Samples Analyzed

Figure 2 - Lead-Related Projects

Bulk (92) - 8%

Air (1,110) - 92%

5340

26

48

76

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98

23

Figure 3 - Performance of Chemical Fume Hoods

Figure 4 - Ergonomics Evaluations

Failed - 3%Restricted - 3%

Passed - 94%

656876

42

72

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98

24

Figure 5- Employees in Respiratory Protection Program

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘980

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

1000

Figure 6 - Hazardous Materials Shipments

‘01

‘00

‘99

‘98Domestic

International91 / 9

527 / 18

474 / 17

763 / 26

25

• Revised the Radiation Safety Manual and forwarded a copy to the Iowa

Department of Public Health (IDPH), as required by our license.

• Developed a new X-ray Annual Refresher Training module for the Online

Training Center.

• Disposed of four barrels of long half-life radioactive waste, one barrel of

mixed waste and one barrel of radioactive sources.

• Completed an assessment of the 13th Street site (the Driver’s Education

site), which indicated that no restrictions should be placed on the site.

The assessment was sent to the IDPH, who concurred with the evalua-

tion.

• Revised the primary Health Physics SOPs.

• Assisted the Iowa Emergency Management Department in conducting

a study of the current stock of potassium iodide (KI). EH&S was able to

obtain an extension on the expiration date, saving the state thousands

of dollars.

Project Approvals:

Each new research project involving the use of radioactive materials or

radiation-producing devices, or any major change to an on-going project,

must be reviewed and approved by EH&S and the Radiation Safety Com-

mittee. In 2001, EH&S reviewed and approved 8 new projects and made

271 changes to on-going projects.

Radioactive Material Procurement:

All purchases or acquisitions of radioactive material must be approved and

processed through EH&S. Each shipment of radioactive material is then

delivered to EH&S, where it is inspected for damage or possible contamina-

tion, before being released to the laboratory.

Radiation Safety

26

In 2001, EH&S processed 881 orders for radioactive materials (Figure 1).

This amount was slightly higher last year, yet down from earlier years due

to ordering larger lot sizes and sharing of materials among researchers. The

total activity of material purchased in 2001 was 12,180 mCi.

Laboratory Audits and Surveys:

EH&S conducts periodic audits and surveys of all Iowa State laboratories

using or storing radioactive materials. The audits review safety-related pro-

cedures and practices, while the surveys monitor radiation levels and check

for possible contamination.

At the end of 2001, there were 301 radionuclide laboratories in use at Iowa

State. Depending upon the hazard potential, laboratories are audited and

surveyed at intervals ranging from monthly to annually, with the majority

performed on a quarterly basis. In 2001, EH&S performed a total of 840

surveys and 331 audits.

Instrument Calibration:

Approximately 140 portable instruments are used for radiation surveys

across campus. Iowa State’s radioactive material license requires that

these units be calibrated on an annual basis. The ability of EH&S to provide

“in-house” calibration services results in an annual cost savings to the uni-

versity of approximately $10,000.

Waste Disposal:

A total of 2,554 kilograms of solids and 2,700 liters of liquids were collected

from laboratories in 2001. An additional 5,000 kilograms of waste were

incinerated and 6 barrels of waste were shipped off-site for disposal.

27

X-ray Device Safety:

EH&S inventories and inspects the x-ray devices on campus and regis-

ters each with the IDPH on an annual basis. Forty-five such devices were

inspected on campus in 2001.

28

Radiation Safety Graphs

Figure 1 - Radionuclide Orders Received and Processed

8818358951,001

1,058

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98

29

• Developed and implemented Spill Prevention Control and Countermea-

sures course, delivering it to 130 employees.

• Added CPR and First Aid training courses to the training curriculum.

• Developed and implemented Scaffolding User Awareness and Scaffold-

ing Safety Training - Erecting and Dismantling.

• Event attendance increased 8% over the past year (Figure 1).

• Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control and Radiation Retraining

availability boosted online training participation to 57%, an increase of

102% from 2000 (Figure 2).

Support for Academics:

During the past year, EH&S staff presented lectures and conducted training

for the following departments, organizations and offices:

• Ames Fire Department

• Ames Police Department

• Chemistry Department

• College of Design

• Health and Human Performance Departments

• Horticulture Department

• Industrial Education and Technology

• Iowa State University Extension

• Midwest Student Health Organization

• Residence Department

• Women in Science and Engineering

Training

30

Training Graphs

Figure 1 - Classroom Attendance

Figure 2 - Online vs. Classroom Training

Classroom (2,082) - 43%

Online (2,808) - 57%

1,762

1,557

2,149

1,9202,082

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98

31

Figure 3 - Total Training Contacts

4,890

3,298

2,470

2,149

1,557

‘97 ‘01‘00‘99‘98