The PVAMU Risk Management & Safety Department (RMS) is committed to the responsible support necessary to implement the various federal, state, and locally required safety programs and for carrying out Risk Management & Safety policies and procedures that have been established by PVAMU.

RMS takes a proactive approach and has the authority to abate unsafe conditions or operations within PVAMU when, in the professional opinion of the Director of Risk Management & Safety, or respective safety officer, the condition or operation constitutes an imminent hazard to life and/or property. Other conditions or operations considered not to be of an imminent nature, but in violation of federal, state, local, A&M System or PVAMU standards are recommended for correction through appropriate administrative channels.

RMS will continue to work with administration, academic departments, service departments, clinics, laboratories, and specialized committees for the development and implementation for the continued improvements of the PVAMU safety programs. These programs, listed below, are designed to prevent accidents and to identify and correct risks:

Indoor Air Quality

RMS recognizes that good indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential to employees, student’s health and productivity.  We have established the following IAQ program to promote good indoor air quality for employees and students in our building.

Laboratory Safety

RMS in conjunction with Research Compliance is responsible for the institutional Biological and Chemical Safety Programs, and for the development of protocols designed to ensure that safe work practices are followed when working with biologically or chemically hazardous materials (infectious agents, biohazards, or recombinant DNA).

RMS is responsible for conducting laboratory safety surveys, and for inspecting laboratory safety equipment, such as eye washes, safety showers, and fume hoods. RMS develops and presents laboratory safety training in electronic and face-to-face formats, as appropriate.

Hazardous Materials

Many don’t realize just how much hazardous materials are a part of our lives. We can help you manage your chemical inventory, consolidate and Provide guidance for properly shipping hazardous materials.

Waste Management

The Risk Management & Safety Department is responsible for designing and implementing methods to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of chemical or biological hazardous wastes in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines.

Accident Investigations

RMS is responsible for investigating work-related safety incidents, injuries, and hazards; making corrective recommendations; and coordinating safety Education and Training division is responsible for coordinating safety education and training programs as required by federal, state, and local rules, regulations policies, procedures, and guidelines; or as necessary to promote reduction of unsafe incidents or hazardous exposures among PVAMU faculty, staff, students, patients, visitors, and volunteers.

Radiation Safety

TAMU Radiation Safety division is responsible for implementing the policies, procedures and for assuring that PVAMU radioactive material and machine sources of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation are used in accordance with applicable rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines. TAMU Radiation Safety division performs routine inspections and audits of PVAMU institutional radiation facilities.

Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP)

The PVAMU Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan was developed to minimize personnel exposure to BBP in blood or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM).  This plan covers all PVAMU personnel who have the potential for exposure to blood and/or OPIM, including but not limited to principal investigators, supervisors, research personnel, and service/support staff.  A copy of the plan can be found by clicking the “BBP” in the above header/title.

Waste Water Treatment Plant

RMS also is responsible for providing technical assistance and compliance input to the Physical Plant’s management of PVAMU’s 2 Million Gallon a Day (2 MGD) waste water treatment plant ensuring it is in compliance with all federal, state, local and A&M System rules, regulations and policies. The Physical Plant has contracted out the operation of WWTP to Severn Trent.

Emergency/Crisis Management Response

The PVAMU Police Chief and Director of Risk Management & Safety are responsible for emergency management planning and operations. The Vice President for Business Affairs is charged with primary responsibility for developing and maintaining the institution’s operating policies and procedures governing emergency management (Business Continuity Plan). These policies and procedures comply with applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations, and each department has developed its own specific Emergency Operations Manual based on their unique departmental needs and functions. The PVAMU Emergency Management Plan (EMP) compliments the National Incident Management System standards, and will be tested using tabletop exercises and real-time drills.

Risk Management & Safety Advisory Committee

RMS Advisory Committee was created to function as an oversight committee that will investigate and review PVAMU safety issues, incident data, and actual and/or potential occupational and health problems for a higher quality cross functional product. The committee evaluates such data and formulates and implements recommendations to improve the overall PVAMU safety program. The committee will meet quarterly and as needed to address and respond to urgent safety-related issues, and it coordinates the exchange of information among the other safety committees.