Health and Safety

Asbestos is a naturally occurring silica-based mineral that is present as extremely small, microscopic fibers, up to 700 times smaller than a human hair.  Because they are strong and resistant to heat and corrosion, they were used extensively in building materials, such as flooring, insulation, and spray-on coatings, up until 1981.  

Asbestos becomes a human health hazard when the tiny fibers are inhaled deep into the lungs. In the alveoli, the fibers are irritating and lead to lung scarring and serious lung diseases, including cancer and asbestosis.  Smoking compounds the effects of asbestos inhalation and greatly increases the damage to lung tissue.  The size and lightweight nature of the fibers make them invisible to the eye and allow them to remain aloft in the air for hours or days.  They do not cause sneezing or coughing when inhaled.  Because we cannot see or feel the fibers, we do not know when we have been exposed.  

Many people believe that all forms of asbestos are a health hazard, but this is not true.  Asbestos is only a danger when the fibers are released into the air, where they can be inhaled.  Asbestos fibers that are contained in materials, such as floor tiles, that are intact and in good condition are termed “non-friable” and do not pose any significant hazard.  When these materials deteriorate to the point that they can be easily crumbled or pulverized by hand, they are called “friable.”  Friable asbestos fibers can be released from the material “matrix” - such as the floor tiles - and become airborne and inhaled.

Many buildings on Lipscomb’s campuses were constructed prior to 1981 and originally contained asbestos-containing materials (ACM).  Over the years, much of the ACM has been removed from the buildings during renovation and repair activities.  However, some of the ACM remains.  Because non-friable ACM only poses a hazard when it is damaged or disturbed, both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recommend that non-friable asbestos remain in place and be monitored and maintained in good condition.

OSHA has standards to protect workers from asbestos hazards (29 CFR 1910.1001).  These regulations include training for housekeeping and maintenance personnel so that they are aware of ACM in their workplaces.  Lipscomb employees do not engage in activities that would disturb or damage ACM.  Renovation projects that will impact ACM in Lipscomb buildings are performed by licensed asbestos mitigation contractors. 

The USEPA, under the 1986 Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA, 40 CFR 763, Subpart E), requires that all K-12 school buildings be visually inspected by accredited inspectors to identify asbestos-containing building materials that may be present in the school environment. As required under AHERA, Lipscomb Academy must maintain an Asbestos Management Plan (AMP), perform periodic surveillance every six months, and re inspection every three years. The AMP, along with the surveillance and reinspection records, are kept on file at the school and in the administrative offices. These are available for review electronically here.  AHERA also requires annual training for custodial personnel in areas that contain ACM. For additional information, please contact the Director of EHS.

Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. It is made from the breakdown of uranium, which is found in nearly all soils.  The radon gas moves from the ground into the air above the ground and into buildings through cracks and holes in the foundation.

When radon gas is breathed into the lungs, the radioactive gas can decay inside the body, releasing energy and damaging lung tissue, which eventually can lead to lung cancer.  Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.  Radon exposure in smokers leads to a 10-20-fold increase in lung cancer risks over non-smokers.

You cannot see, smell or taste radon. The only way to know if radon is present in a building is to test for it.  Radon can be present in any type of building, anywhere in the US.  Radon levels vary considerably over very short distances - one building may have high levels of radon, while the building next door does not.  In large buildings, significant room-to-room variations can be seen.  In general, higher radon concentrations are observed in subsurface rooms (basements) or on building levels in contact with the soil (ground level).  

Radon levels in indoor air can be reduced with radon mitigation systems, which increase ventilation and reduce cracks and holes through which radon enters.  These systems are easier to install during initial construction than they are to retrofit into existing buildings.

For additional radon resources, please click here.  Employees can view Lipscomb’s Radon program here. 

Molds are part of the natural environment and occur everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. It is virtually impossible to eliminate mold and mold spores in indoor environments, but potential issues can occur when mold growth indoors is allowed to continue unchecked. 
 

There are many types of mold, and none of them grow without moisture. Molds may produce allergens, irritants, and, rarely, toxins.  Mold exposure may cause an allergic reaction or irritate eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs.  These types of reactions can be more pronounced in some individuals who are particularly sensitive to molds or those with existing respiratory problems, such as asthma.  Reactions other than allergic or irritant symptoms are not common.

If visible mold is present in an indoor environment, steps should be taken to control the mold growth. Controlling mold growth is reliant upon controlling moisture in the building, through eliminating leaks, rerouting condensation, and, if necessary, dehumidifying.  Once moisture is controlled, the visible mold can be cleaned-up.  If large areas are involved, clean-up should be handled by trained contractors.

If visible mold is present, sampling is unnecessary to show the existence of mold in the area.  Since neither EPA nor OSHA has standards or regulations for control of indoor mold, there are no regulatory limits with which to comply.  Sampling provides little additional information that would help with clean-up or mitigation.

For additional EPA mold resources, click here.  For additional OSHA mold resources, click here.

If you have visible mold in your inside office, classroom, dorm room or workspace, your first step should be to consult with Facilities to address sources of moisture and humidity.  If a more extensive issue exists or you believe you are experiencing health effects due to mold exposure, contact EHS for a consultation.

On Lipscomb’s Nashville campuses, drinking water provided by Metro Water Services (MWS) is regulated by the USEPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act.  The source of Nashville’s drinking water is the Cumberland River.  After treatment, the drinking water supplied to customers meets all drinking water standards, per the Consumer Confidence Report which is published annually.  Some people, such as the immuno-compromised) may be more vulnerable to impurities in drinking water (both tap and bottled) than the general population.  These individuals should seek the advice of their medical providers regarding drinking water.
 

In April 2024, the USEPA issued new drinking water standards for six per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS).  This is a large group of chemicals that has been widely used since the 1950’s in many consumer products, such as coatings for non-stick cookware, food packages, etc. They persist in the environment for long periods of time and are part of a group termed “forever chemicals.”  MWS began voluntary testing for PFAS as early as 2015.  Recent analytical results were below detection limits for PFAS.

In 1991, USEPA published the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) to reduce exposure to these metals in drinking water. The rule was revised and improved in 2021 and 2024.  These changes reduce the safe level of lead in drinking water and require more rigorous testing.  In addition, public water utilities must better communicate with the communities they service regarding the risk of lead in drinking water, the location of lead and galvanized piping, and the timeline for replacing these pipes. In compliance with these regulations, MWS recently published an inventory of service line composition for Nashville consumers.

In general, lead is not a concern in drinking water as it leaves the treatment plant.  However, lead may enter drinking water through lead or galvanized service lines or mains in the water system and through private service lines, plumbing, and fittings within private houses and businesses.  Lead was a common constituent of drinking water lines until the mid-1950’s and was used in solder on drinking water lines through the late-1980’s.  Consumers living in houses or working in buildings constructed before these dates should be aware of the risks related to lead in drinking water and how to reduce the risks.  If you have concerns regarding drinking water quality on campus, please contact the Director of EHS.

It is Lipscomb’s goal, as well as federal law, to provide a safe workplace that is free of known health and safety hazards.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protects worker’s rights in the United States.  As an employee, you have the right to the following:

• Receive workplace safety and health training in a language you understand,
• Work on machines that are safe,
• Refuse to work in a situation in which you would be exposed to a hazard,
• Receive required safety equipment, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls,
• Be protected from toxic chemicals,
• Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records,

You have the right to speak up about potential hazards without fear of retaliation.  For a complete detailing of worker’s rights, consult the OSHA website.

If you are injured at work:

1. You should report the injury to your supervisor immediately, if possible.
2. Seek medical attention if required.
   1. For minor injuries, your supervisor should direct you to your choice of one of Lipscomb’s contracted medical providers and provide you with an authorization for treatment form.  If your supervisor is unavailable, contact the Director of EHS (ext 6217) or the Risk Manager (ext 5661) for assistance.  After hours or on weekends, you may choose between a walk-in clinic or an emergency room of your choice.
   2. For major injuries, you should proceed immediately to a hospital emergency room.
   3. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately to obtain medical attention.
3. When it is possible to do so, work with your supervisor to complete the First Report of Injury form, which will be submitted to the Director of EHS.
4. Continue to communicate with your supervisor and the Director of EHS regarding medical restrictions on your work activities and release to return to work.

If one of your employees is injured at work:

1. You should go immediately to the scene of the incident, if appropriate, to ensure that prompt medical attention is provided and to address any safety issues that may have caused or contributed to the accident.  If there are immediate hazards with which you require assistance, contact the Director of EHS and/or the Director of Facilities.
2. If warranted, you (or your designee) should accompany the employee to receive medical treatment to provide accurate information and support.
3. For minor injuries during work hours, provide your employee with a list of Lipscomb’s contracted medical providers and an authorization for treatment form.  The signed medical providers form should be submitted to the Director of EHS.
4. With the injured employee, complete and submit to the Director of EHS the First Report of Injury form. This should be completed as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after the injury. Lipscomb is required to report to OSHA any workplace injury that results in hospitalization within 24 hours.
5. If the injured employee received medical care, they should provide you with documentation that they were released for full work activities or for modified work activities, along with a list of those modifications.  You should provide this documentation to the Director of EHS for reporting to OSHA.
6. With the injured employee and the Director of EHS, complete an internal Incident Report form to identify the cause of the accident and to determine whether any action is needed to prevent further accidents or injuries.

For laboratory accidents and injuries:

For laboratory-specific injuries which may involve chemical exposure, consult the more detailed Laboratory Accidents and Injuries BMP.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment worn to minimize exposure to workplace hazards, such as chemical, radiological, electrical, or mechanical. Personal protective equipment can include gloves, safety goggles/glasses, earplugs, respirators, or lab coats. Requirements for this equipment are included in several OSHA standards.  When it is required, Lipscomb must provide employees with proper PPE to perform their jobs safely - and must train employees to know:

• When it is necessary,
• What kind is necessary,
• How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off,
• The limitations of the equipment, and
• Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment.

Laboratory PPE is discussed in detail in the Chemical Hygiene Plan for the University.  Outside of the laboratory, required PPE will be covered by separate programs for each department.

OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HazCom) is also called the “Worker Right to Know” standard because it requires employers to communicate to employees about the safe handling of chemicals they are exposed to in the workplace.
 

For departments that use chemicals, there are certain requirements that must be met to comply with HazCom standards.

• A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) must be maintained for hazardous chemicals used in the workplace.  This includes many common household chemicals, such as cleansers, that may be used more frequently or intensely in the workplace.  It also includes laboratory chemicals and compressed gases, including carbonation tanks used in beverage dispensers.
  • Lipscomb has decided to employ the Velocity/EHS Accelerate system for online organization of all SDS’s on campus.  To make the SDS’s immediately available to all employees, there is a link to the SDS eBinder on the desktop of all Lipscomb owned computers, as well as on the my.Lipscomb portal.
  • An SDS, as well as its location, should be added to the eBinder for each new chemical purchased in the department.  Correspondingly, chemicals that are no longer in use in a department should be marked as “not in use” and archived in the system.
  • Paper SDS’s may also be maintained, if desired, but the electronic SDS must be provided.
• All labels on chemical containers must comply with HazCom standards and provide required information regarding the chemical’s hazards.
• A chemical list should be available for each workplace location.  Once all SDS’s are added to the eBinder for a workplace location, then a current workplace chemical list can be generated at any time.
• All employees must receive training in the specific hazards posed by the chemicals used in their workspace, how to protect themselves from chemical exposure, how to read a chemical label and SDS, and how to access the SDS’s for their workplace chemicals.  Training documentation is maintained by the Director of EHS.  
   

For assistance with the SDS system, to obtain login information for editing SDS’s in the eBinder, or to arrange for HazCom training, contact the Director of EHS.

The safe use of hazardous chemicals in the laboratory setting is governed by Federal OSHA provisions under the Laboratory Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450) and Tennessee OSHA (TOSHA), which has adopted the Standard directly. Lipscomb maintains a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) that details the safety procedures that are maintained in all Lipscomb laboratories. The Director of EHS is designated as the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) for the University, and each department chair is responsible for implementing and maintaining the CHP in their respective work areas.
 

Training is an integral part of the safety procedures under the Laboratory Standard. Each new laboratory employee should be provided with safety training prior to beginning work.  For assistance with any aspect of the CHP or to request training, please contact the Director of EHS.

In compliance with OSHA requirements, Lipscomb maintains a Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Plan for normal university operations, including College of Pharmacy immunization clinics, as well as a separate plan for healthcare workers at the University Clinic and the Academy nurses’ offices.
 

These plans provide for engineering controls (handwashing stations, sharps management, etc.) and policies for the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (gloves, masks, and face shields).  In addition, the plans provide procedures to follow in the event of a needlestick or BBP exposure incident, which includes reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Biological laboratories are special environments that can pose a toxin or infectious disease risk to anyone who enters or works in the laboratory.  These hazards may be caused by the following types of agents:

• Biological agents, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
• Recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules.  Although not explicitly a risk, nucleic acids can encode for or interact with macromolecules that may pose a significant concern.
• Biological toxins or venoms.
• Blood, tissues, and cell lines derived from humans or animals.
• Environmental specimens, such as plant, soil, or water samples that may be a reservoir for biological agents or toxins.
• Novel nanoparticles conjugated to biologically active molecules.  
   

Laboratory working personnel or visitors can be exposed to these agents through injection, ingestion, inhalation, or absorption through the skin or mucous membranes.  Safety procedures in biological laboratories provide for methods to properly contain these biological agents and prevent exposure through any of the various routes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have defined four levels of precautions and procedures needed for laboratories that handle potentially infectious or dangerous biological materials.  Lipscomb laboratories are currently operating under the lowest of these tiers: Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1).  This level is generally considered to be appropriate for undergraduate and secondary educational training and teaching laboratories that work with defined and characterized strains of viable biological agents not known to consistently cause disease in healthy humans. In the future, research endeavors may require elevation to BSL-2, which will require additional structural safeguards, as well as enhanced training and safety policies.

Analytical instrumentation that utilizes X-rays are currently operated in the Chemistry and Physics department at Lipscomb.  A Procedure-Specific Standard Operating Procedure (PSOP) has been developed for the safe use of the Chemistry Department’s X-ray instrument and is maintained as an appendix to the Chemical Hygiene Plan for the University.  

The University maintains licenses for all X-ray equipment through the State of Tennessee Division of Radiological Health.  These licenses include the payment of annual fees outline and compliance with the State Standards for Protection Against Radiation, which require the development of a written radiation protection program.

Medical equipment often makes use of X-rays for various diagnostic and assessment purposes.  Lipscomb maintains an X-ray bone densitometer that is used in various Kinesiology programs. The University maintains licenses for all X-ray equipment through the State of Tennessee Division of Radiological Health.  These licenses include the payment of annual fees outline and compliance with the State Standards for Protection Against Radiation, which require the development of a written radiation protection program.

Laser equipment uses “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation” (LASER) to generate a beam of coherent monochromatic light.  Many consumer laser goods, such as printers, disc players, and barcode scanners, are low energy and do not require significant safety consideration.  However, medical and industrial laser equipment may utilize significantly higher energy and pose a much greater safety risk.  Laser enclosures can pose a potential fire hazard, and the most common biological damage is burns to the skin or eye injury.  OSHA protects against laser hazards under the General Duty Clause (29 CFR 1910) for personal protective equipment (PPE), protecting eyes and skin.  OSHA also defers in many cases to industry standards, such as the ANSI Z136.1 Standard, Laser Safety Standard, which provides industry guidelines for safe laser usage, including protective housing, interlocks, labels, controlled area, etc.

Lipscomb’s College of Engineering maintains a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser instrument for cutting operations.  Students requiring access to this piece of equipment should contact the Engineering Lab Manager for appropriate safety training prior to instrument operation.