mfety in the chemicol loboratory
edited by MALCOLM M. RENFREW Univerrity of ldaho
MOSCOW, ldaho 83843
Occupational Health and Safety Program at Metropolitan State College Fred M. D e w e y Metropolitan State College, 1006 1 l t h Street, Denver, CO 80204
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 declares its purpose "to assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions" (I).Under the terms of the act, the Federal Government is authorized to develop and enforce occupational health and safety standards for industry affecting interstate commerce. This act, and the increasing concern about potentially hazardous chemical and physical agents in the work place, have resulted in a strong demand for personnel trained in occupational health and safety. In response t o this demand, a baccalaureate degree program with specialization in Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) was developed in the Department of Chemistry a t Metropolitan State College. The OH&S program is designed to prepare personnel for the job of recognition, evaluation, and control of occupational hazards.
Historical Development of the Program Development of the OH&S program began approximately two years prior to its inaguration in 1979. Data documenting the increasing demand for OH&S personnel were obtained from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) (2). Additional information was collected through a survey of industry and government agencies in the Denver metropolitan area conducted by the MSC Department of Chemistry. Copies of OH&S curricula were requested for all the known OH&S and industrial hygiene programs in the country (3). A number of practicing industrial hygienists and educators were consulted and an advisory committee was formed. Suggested cur-
ricula stemming from a NIOSH funded study (4) were reviewed. Following this preparation, a curriculum proposal was written and, after review by the advisory committee, was submitted to the College for approval. The oromam was formallv initiated bv the Departrnent of Chemistry in September, 1579. During the dewlopmenr id the prugram. Metnrpditan Sfncc C01legp encouraged and supported the professional development of the program director in O H M . Travel funds were provided permitting participation in short courses and seminars. A sabbatical leave was approved permitting the director to work with several eomoanies over a oeriod ~. " l a year mgnm valunlrle practical experience in indusrrial hyg~ene.The leave was supported by a National Science Foundation (Continued on page A941
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Malcolm M. Renlrew draws on varied industrial and academic experiences in his approach to goon safety pramces A I m grad~atostro, at me Un v e r r q ol M nnem t a ne Has a %pan sor of research and deveopment rim O~Pontand Gonnal MI! s. men on adm n strator and teacher at me Jnwersh of ldano, n s Alma M a w rle or actwe m the Amercan Chemca Soclety. incl~dnorewce uoth the Commlnee on Safety &I the new division at Chemical Health and Safety. He now is professor emeritus of ckmistry and is patent director of his University's ldaho Research Foundation, lnc.
Volume 58
Number 3 March 1981
A93
Science Faculty Professional Development Grant (5).
Curriculum The degree program in OH&S is designed t o provide students with a solid background in chemistry and other basic sciences, necessary technical course work to practice in the OH&S field, and general studies courses needed t o develop communication and management skills. An internship with a I d company or agency provides students with essential practical experience in OH&S. Completion of 120 semester hours leads to a bachelor's degree in chemistry (OH& option). The courses are distributed among several categories as follows:
Chemistry Courses Occupational Health and Safety Courses Supporting Science and Math Courses General Studies Courses
Table 2. Third and Fwrlh Year Courses, Occupatlonal Health and Safety Program Third Year
24
Fall Semester Instrumental Analysis Bimhemisby Industrial Relations General Shldier Elective Semester Hours Spring Semester Survey of Physical Chem. insbumentation and Analysis in the Occupational Environment Biostatistics Technical Writing Semester Hours
28
Fwrth Year
Semester Hours 41 27
During the first two years, the curriculum for the OH&S option consists mostly of basic courses in chemistry, other sciences, and in non-science disciplines (Table 1).In addition, "Introduction to OH&S" is offered the second year. The classes schedule for the first year is very similar to that of a biology major, and the first two years are almost parallel Table 1. Flrst and Second Year Courses, Occupational Health and Safety Program FIrsl Year
Fali Semester General Chemistry i Oenerai Biology Economics Composition Semester Hours
Spring Semester Organic Chemistry I1 Organic Chem. Lab I1 Calculus I Microblolagl Speech Semester k r s Journal of Chemical Education
-
This course will include a discussion of the orincioles of accident control. facilitv inspertionr, measurement and evaluation of physical hazards such as radration and noise. ergonomics, handling of hazardous m a t e d , fire control, and personal protective equipment. The elements of a comprehensive safety program will be studied. Lecture and laboratory. Text (8).References (7,9,12).
-3 16
.
Occupational Health a n d Safety Internship (8 semester hours)
13-14
Occupational Safety ( 3 s e m e s t e r hours)
.
This course is a continuation of the preceeding Instrumentation and Analysis & m e . The concepts and techniques of sampling, eva1uation;and control of airborne hazards are presented. Principles of ventilation are included. Lecture and laboratory. Text (6). References (7,9-12).
The various types of toxic suhstances are discussed .with emphasis upon modes of contact and entry of toxic agents, recognition of physiological effeds, occupational diseases, toxic dosage, and exposure limits. Lecture. Text (14). References (13,15,16).
This course is an introduction to occupational health and safety and includes a bistorical perspective, development of various health agencies, and the impact of the Oecupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Students will he introduced to reeoenition. evaluation, and control of hivards in the work e n h m m e n t . Lecture. Text ( f i ) Retrrcnres (7,bJ.
Fall Semester Organic Chemistry I Organic Chem. Lab I Ouantitative Anaivsis Ouant Anaiysls Lab intradun~onlo Occupational Health 8 Satsty Oenerai Stdrer Elect vs Semester Hour6
Evaluation and Control of Air Quality (3 s e m e s t e r hours)
Occupational Toxicology ( 3 s e m e s t e r hours)
Intrcduction to Occupational Health a n d Safety ( 3 semester hours)
Second Year
The instruments used to sample and analyze potential occupational hszards are described. Students gain experience in thecalibration and use of direct reading and field sampling instruments. Lecture and laboratory. Text (6). References (7,9-12).
The general principles of recognition, evaluation, and control of occupational hazards are applied in salving field programs. Lecture. References (6-9,12,13).
Fall Semester Evaluation 8 Control of Air Quality Occupational Safety Occupational Toxicology Elective Semester Haun Spring Semester Principles of Occupational Health ard Safety OH8S Internship Eie~tlve Semester Hours
Instrumentation a n d Analysis in the Occupational Environment (4 semester hours)
Principles of Occupational Health a n d Safety (3 semester hours)
during which they will work with a local company or government agency to gain practical experience in their field. Desmiptions of the OH&S courses follow.
Spring Semerter General Chemlsby I1 Physics Human Physiology Composltian Semester Hours
A94
with the curriculum for other chemistry majors. Consequently, biology and regular chemistry majors have an opportunity to change their major t o the OH&S option without losing credits. This structure also allows students who have basic science credits from junior colleges to transfer easily inta the program. The curriculum for the third and fourth years (Table 2) includes more advanced chemistry courses and OH&S courses. Students may register for the Internship any time after the third year of the program
A one-semester internship with local industry provides field experience for Oecupational Health and Safety students.
Continuing Education The strong demand in the Denver area for continuing education courses in OH&S is evident from conversations with many working in the profession and from the strong interest in local seminars and professional meetinw. This demand is aooarentlv a result of several factors. The f~eld;rf OH&$ is dgnamic and gwwing. and profeusic~nsl~ must keep pace with new davel
