In efforts to honor NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK (Dec 4-10), the EHS staff of Kennesaw State University would like to remind all students, faculty, and staff of the importance of flu vaccination.  Influenza is a virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs.  Common symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Runny Nose/Stuffy Nose
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Muscle/Body Aches
• Vomiting and diarrhea (Most common in children)

The Flu is a contagious virus that can spread from person to person when coughing, sneezing, or talking to infected individuals in close proximity. Flu can be prevented not only through vaccination but also by using tissue to cover your nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing and proper disposal of the tissue in waste containers.  Avoid constant contact/touching your mouth, eyes, and nose, minimize close contact with those who are infected, and those who are infected should stay home at least 24 hours after their fever has subsided.  Always remember that proper hand hygiene is the number 1 preventive method to reduce illness.

If symptoms worsen, seek further care through a physician or hospital.  Please remember to keep the KSU Community safe and Influenza free for the season. For further information on Influenza please refer to the CDC and please contact EHS via web or phone at 770-499-3321if you have any further questions on Influenza.

Right-to-Know – Chemical Inventory and Training

In 1988 the Georgia Assembly passed into law the “Public Employees Hazardous Chemicals Protection and Right-to-Know Act”.  The Law was written to protect the State’s public employees from exposures to hazardous chemicals in the workplace, and to ensure that all public employees who are exposed to hazardous chemicals are informed of the hazards of those chemicals, and of the measure to protect themselves.  The Georgia Department of Labor Safety Engineering Division was assigned the administrative duties as required under the Act to ensure compliance with the law.

It is the time of year again where we are required to complete our semiannual chemical inventory.  This requirement is part of the Right-to-Know law.

The Board of Regents Business Procedures Manual Section 20.4.7 RTK Chemical Inventories Report states:  This report is a complete chemical inventory from each USG institution.
Submit to: Environmental Health and Safety Program Manager, Facilities via mail, fax, or email
Submission Date(s): Semi-annually, January 1st and July 1st

At KSU, we have chosen to use the Chematix chemical inventory system to keep up with all of the chemicals and products that we use.  Twice a year the Principal Investigator or Supervisor is responsible for updating or reconciling his/her inventory.  This year, the reconciliation is due by December 13th so that the report can be prepared and sent to BOR by December 16th which is the last working day of the year for us. 

Any chemical or product that presents a physical, environmental or health hazard should be listed in the inventory.  We employ MSDSonline to ensure that we have all of the material safety data sheets (MSDSs) available for anyone to view whenever necessary. 

All public employees who are exposed to chemicals at KSU are required to complete initial Right-to-Know training and also annual refresher training.  You can complete this training online by clicking here.

Please email or call if you need help completing your inventory or if you have questions regarding training for the Right-to-Know law.  We will be happy to assist you. 

Please contact Vanessa Biggers, Chemical Safety Manager, via email or by phone at 678-797-2415.