Agents from government regulatory agencies may show up at your doorstep on campus without prior notification. Should inspectors from any local (Cobb County), state (GA-EPD, GA-DOL), or federal governmental agencies (EPA, Department of Transportation, Drug Enforcement Administration) appear in your department offices or laboratories and ask to conduct an inspection or review documents, please do the following:

1. Be courteous.  Kennesaw State University fully cooperates with all regulatory officials while maintaining our rights to ensure inspections are lawful and to have agency officials accompanied by appropriate University representatives. Request that the inspectors refrain from conducting their inspection until you contact a University representative/official who can be present at the inspection.  You can politely state that you do not have authority to authorize an inspection and that you will contact the appropriate university officials who can provide the necessary consent. You won't be considered rude or uncooperative if you ask them to wait. Typically, someone will arrive to accompany the investigators within 15 to 30 minutes.  If there is break room or waiting area nearby, ask the inspectors to wait there, preferably accompanied by a department representative.
2. Call the University EHS&RM office: (770) 499-3321, identify yourself and your location, and inform the attendant that inspectors from a regulatory agency (specify which one) are in your department and you are calling to request EHS&RM send a representative to accompany them on their inspection. 
3. Refrain from answering any specific questions until someone from the Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management office arrives.  Most important, do not speculate.  Be strictly factual in any information you provide.  It is acceptable to say that you do not know the answer to a question, but will forward it to the appropriate person for a response.
4. If the inspectors are not willing to wait to begin the inspection or search, do the following:

• Request identification from the inspectors or get their business cards.  Call the number on the card to verify that the person is an employee of the organization noted on the business card.
• Alert someone in your department to call EHS&RM (contact numbers above) to inform them that the inspection is taking place without University officials present.
• Ask if they will be conducting a general inspection or are responding to a specific issue.
• Accompany them and take notes concerning what is searched or reviewed, and what is taken. 
• Write down any questions that they ask, including searching for items that are not located. 
• You have the right to speak or to not speak to the inspectors.  
• Do not interfere with the search or inspection.  

Please contact EHS&RM at (770) 499-3321 if you have any questions. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

See you around campus!

Gerald C. Donaldson, REM
Executive Director-EHSS&RM

Safety Issues while Working Outdoors

There are several factors to consider when working outdoors during the Georgia summers, such as heat stress, biological hazards, skin protection and visibility when working near roadways. Hot conditions put your body under a lot of stress; physical activity stresses the body even more. When heat is combined with physical activity, loss of fluids, fatigue, and other conditions can lead to a number of heat-related illnesses and injuries. Death is even possible.  Heat stress is commonly associated with warm weather. Be alert for conditions which could cause heat stress and take precautions. Adjusting to these factors and/or controlling them reduce the chance of heat stress. Six main factors are involved in causing heat stress:

Your body can adjust to working in a warm environment through a process known as "acclimatization." Keep in mind, though, even if you're already acclimatized, conditions can change which stress your body even more. Bright sunshine, high humidity, and sources of heat in the workplace can affect your body's ability to cool itself. If conditions change, make sure you re-acclimate yourself to the new conditions. Common-sense precautions, such as dressing properly for the job, include:

• wearing lightweight clothing which allows moisture to evaporate quickly.

• using extra caution if you are required to wear clothing on the job which limits evaporation--you could succumb to heat stress much more quickly.

There are a number of types of heat stress injuries. Some are annoying but not very serious. Others can quickly lead to life-threatening situations. Knowing what to look out for is important. This is especially true because the more serious heat stress conditions cause the victim to become disoriented and unaware of their condition. People who are overweight, physically unfit, suffer from heart conditions, drink too much alcohol or are not acclimated to the temperature are at greater risk of heat stress and should seek and follow medical advice. The major heat stress injuries and illnesses are: Heat Rash, Heat Cramps, Heat Syncope, Heat Exhaustion, and Heat Stroke.  See web links for more information.

Heat Stress Warning Signs - Warning signs of heat exhaustion are heavy perspiration, fatigue and weakness, muscle and body ache, headache, nausea, rapid heartbeat, confusion, loss of consciousness, and vomiting, with or without loss of consciousness.The Importance of Heat Stress Training - Education of employees is the most critical element in reducing heat stress-related accidents in the workplace. Many workers and supervisors feel the need to "get the job done" in the toughest situations. When they do not take into account the effects that heat stress can have on the body, dangerous events can take place.

Visibility – TRAFFIC – If your job takes you anywhere around traffic; visibility is crucial. Wear brightly colored clothes, preferably day-glow articles. Bright orange vests are very inexpensive and readily available. Day-glow hats and gloves are also good choices. 

Biological Hazards – Mosquitoes, ticks, fire ants, snakes, and poisonous plants are other issues that must be addressed when working outdoors.  Most of us have some experience with these hazards; use that experience and take precautions.

And last, don't forget about protection from the sun itself. Skin Cancer is a growing concern in today's world, but is easily protected against. Apply a good sunscreen any time you are going to be exposed to the elements for a long period of time, even on cloudy days. This simple procedure can save a lot of grief as you get older. Also, don't forget your eyes. Wear adequate UV protection in the form of a quality pair of sunglasses. 

Thanks for your time.  Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work. This article is courtesy of DOAS.  Contact Karmen Binion in EHS&RM by email or call (678) 797-2460 for additional information.

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