5.1 Hazard Assessment and Control

An essential component of the EHS Management System is the ongoing processes and procedures for identifying, assessing, mitigating, and controlling potential EHS hazards and identifying EHS regulatory requirements that exist throughout the MIT campus. These systems for identifying hazards and regulatory requirements include the PI/Space Registration Program described in Section 3, Getting Started, and the Inspection and Audit Program described in Section 6, Inspections and Audits.

5.1.1 Hazard Assessments

Hazard/regulatory assessments are performed within MIT spaces when:

• data collected during the PI/Space Registration process identifies activities involving hazardous and/or regulated materials or practices;
• required by a specific regulation;
• a potential violation of regulatory requirements is identified and requires further evaluation;
• an accident or incident occurs;
• or requested by MIT faculty, staff or students.

Assessments are done by PI/Supervisors, EHS Representatives, DLC EHS Coordinators, or EHS Office professional staff. The objective of an assessment is to determine if improvements are needed in: guidance, procedures, training, engineering or administrative controls, facility or equipment maintenance, or enforcement of policies to reduce or eliminate EHS impacts.

Hazard/regulatory assessments by EHS Office staff are initiated through four primary channels:

• a request from DLC personnel;
• identified need as a result of the PI/Space Registration Program;
• identified need as a result of the Inspection and Audit Program;
• or a requirement for an accident or incident investigation.

5.1.2 Hazard Control

When a hazard/regulatory assessment results in a determination that improved controls are needed, a report is written that includes recommendations for the type of controls needed. The report is sent to the affected party, (usually a PI/Supervisor), with a copy sent to the DLC EHS Coordinator. Controls may involve a need for action by the DLC, a need for EHS Office services, or a combination of both. When the DLC must take action, it is the responsibility of the affected party to ensure the controls are implemented. The DLC EHS Coordinator is responsible for providing assistance to the affected party and tracking action to ensure the controls are implemented. When there is a need for EHS Office services, the Director of the EHS Office ensures appropriate follow-up action is initiated.