Risk Management & Safety

Risk Management and Safety provides support, guidance and leadership to the campus in the areas of environment, health, occupational safety and the campus’ risk management efforts. This is done through program development and management, which includes customer relations, finance and resource management, program administration and operations that promote the safety and well-being of the human and physical resources of the campus community, in support of the vision and mission of Cal State San Marcos and the division of Finance and Administrative Services.

Regulatory and Internal Audit Controls

  • To maintain regulatory compliance RM&S was active in the following:
  • Renewed the Schedule I DEA license.
  • Updated and submitted to the county the hazardous materials business plan.
  • Responded to the FDA on their Select Agents inquiry due to the Patriot Act.  It was reported that Cal State San Marcos does not utilize any Select biological agents.
  • Completed the annual audit of the radiation program as required for the campus radioactive materials license.  We also amended the campus’ radioactive license.
  • Assisted inspectors from the Air Pollution Control District and the County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Division with the annual review of their respective programs.  The University passed both inspections with no material findings. 
  • Revised and received Cabinet acceptance for the Risk Management, Public Records Access, and the Smoking on Campus policies and procedures.  The smoking policy has been held at the union level.
  • Finalized the open flame policy and added it to the campus’ Injury and Illness Prevention program.

Collaboration and Staff Development

  • In support of Balanced Scorecard measures and due to the advisory nature of RM&S programs:
  • Created an agreement that supports training goals and regulatory compliance issues in the subject of CPR/First Aid/AED with Director of the CFH/USU.
  • Collaborated with the American Chemical Society and the chair of the 2004 national conference, resulting in an invitation for attendance valued at $350.00.
  • Collaborated with the Community Action and Emergency Response Association and assisted them with their regional conference related issues, resulting in an invitation for attendance valued at $300.00.
  • Utilized campus resources and cross training opportunities to complete 123 trainings, in which 93 were free of charge. 
  • Collaborated and revised several issues with SRL, which include domestic student travel, student community volunteer opportunities, and student club/organization activity risk assessments in an effort to streamline the processes and better assist students.
  • Collaborated with the chair of the biotechnology department to develop procedures and agreements for procuring donated research equipment from industry. 
  • Participated in the development of the new employee orientation and refined its presentation to include the Emergency Planning Coordinator and University Police.
  • Collaborated with CFH/USU and OGC to develop several risk exposure mitigation measures, including waivers and facilities use.
  • Collaborated with the Southern California CSU campuses and hosted the 8 Hour HAZWOPER Refresher course. This course is required to maintain certification.
  • Continued to be primary in the blasting communication for the campus and collaborated with FS, UP and PDC in physical evacuations.
  • Reimbursed along with other campus entities by the Office of Emergency Services for financial resources expended during the San Diego fires.

Hazardous Materials and Waste

  • In an effort to support regulatory compliance and fiscal responsibility RM&S maintained the campus Hazardous Material and Waste program.
  • Managed eight Bio-hazardous, two Chemical and four Universal waste pickups.  The Universal Waste program is a collaboration between RM&S and Facility Services.
  • Managed the radioactive waste stream at no cost to the University due to our decay in storage program. 
  • Responded to and mitigated nine hazardous materials spills/incidents; two of which were major releases. The first was on our property and the responsibility and successful remediation went to Hanson Aggregates; the other was a sewer release at the University Village Apartments. 

Process Improvements and Program Developments

  • Assumed responsibility for the campus Workers’ Compensation and Disability Case Management programs.  Added a new Workers’ Compensation section to the Risk Management & Safety web page to facilitate the transfer of vital Workers’ Compensation information to the campus community.  
  • Completed development of the RM&S web page as a self-service instrument to communicate with our customers.  
  • Prepared and distributed a University Insurance program brochure, a Workers’ Compensation brochure, and three electronic Safety Sense newsletters.

Risk Assessments and Loss Mitigation

  • Completed the Visual & Performing Arts Safety manual and initial training that addressed the hazards and compliance issues in this area.  
  • Trained 590 participants in 80 training venues, which included but are not limited to: Fire Extinguisher, Food Safety, Risk Management, Radiation Safety, IIPP, Supervisor Responsibilities, Bloodborne Pathogen, Electric Cart Safety, Hazardous Communications, Laboratory Safety, Back Safety, CPR/First Aid/AED, Woodshop Safety, Sit Safe, etc.
  • Conducted and completed 74 safety and risk assessments for the campus community, to include the University Village Apartments and Kellogg Library.
  • Responded, investigated and developed remedies or responses to 28 indoor air quality complaints, 20 safety concerns, and 13 accidents and injuries/illnesses. 
  • Performed 51 ergonomic evaluations for the campus community. 
  • Processed 4,492 requests for facility use, 16 subpoenas and 6 requests for records.

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