Environmental Health & Safety Department

Mission Statement

The mission of the OSU Environmental Health & Safety Department is to reduce loss of life and property and to protect Oklahoma State University's infrastructure from all types of hazards through a comprehensive risk-based emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

History of the Department

The Fire Protection Services Department was begun in 1954, by Richard W. Giles, under the School of Fire Protection.  At first the primary duties consisted of refilling fire extinguishers; then Fire Prevention, Inspection and preventive maintenance programs were initiated.   In 1960 the department was moved under the Physical Plant and designated as a University department.  Mr. Giles and three part-time students handled inspections, etc. and in 1962 began working with the University architects on new construction.  In 1968, the University furnished the department with a 1948-model response vehicle.

With the advent of OSHA in 1971, the department's responsibilities were expanded to include personnel safety for all University employees, students, faculty and staff.  At that time, the department's name was changed to Safety Department.

In 1981, a Hazardous Materials Section was added to the department to handle the increasing chemical and environmental concerns of the University, and in 1984, the Safety Department began an Asbestos Abatement Program complete with its own in-house certified abatement crew and certified on-campus testing laboratory.  

In 1988, Mr. Giles retired and Don Pierce was named the new Director.

The Hazard Communication Section was added in 1991 to bring all hazard compliance areas under one roof. 

In 1992, the Safety Department was re-named the Environmental Health & Safety Department in response to its now varied responsibilities.

With the goal of reducing injuries and Workers Compensation costs, Safety Training became its own Section in 1994.  In 1996, Safety Training was expanded to cover training requirements at OSU's sister institutions across the state.

The EHS website was begun in 1995 as a way to disseminate the Laboratory Safety Manual to all departments with laboratories on campus.  The website became a useful tool to communicate safety compliance and awareness to all faculty, staff and students of Oklahoma State University.  In 1998, the website received the first place award for best campus safety webpage from the National Safety Council's Campus Safety, Health & Environmental Management Association.  Today, the website continues to grow and is recognized by agencies across the country and around the world as a good source of information on safety and compliance.

Today, the EHS Department's duties include the installation and maintenance of security alarms, fire alarms and sprinkler systems.   All older residence halls have now been retrofitted with up-to-date fire alarms and sprinkler systems (a project that began in 1980).  All plans for new construction or renovation on the OSU Stillwater campus, as well as most other OSU campuses, are reviewed by EHS for code compliance.  Recent projects have included Gallagher-Iba Arena, the Colvin Center, the Atherton Hotel, the Classroom Building renovation, all phases of the new campus apartments, and Boone Pickens Stadium.  Of particular concern are the design requirements of laboratories, both chemical and biological, which includes the proper storage and handling of hazardous materials, and the proper functioning of fume hoods and other laboratory equipment. 

Through the integrated functions of plans review, inspection, training, and emergency response, the Environmental Health & Safety Department is able to provide a safer environment for those who live on, work, study, research, or visit the campus of Oklahoma State University.