DEHS has new Research Safety Program Manager

Joe Klancher will be joining the Department of Environmental Health and Safety on July 23^rd as Research Safety Program Manager, and will lead our research safety staff.  Joe comes to us from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, where he served as safety coordinator and developed and implemented safety and environmental programs for the research community.  Joe has previous experience as a loss control specialist with Allina Health Systems, as an industrial hygienist for Hennepin County, as a research assistant in the School of Public Health and a medical technologist at the U of M Hospitals.  He received his B.S. in medical technology and his MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health at the University.


Click here to  view his profile on LinkedIn

Campus building numbers and energy information

U of Minnesota Facilities Management has a pdf database which links the building name with the building number on the Twin Cities Campus.  They have a new feature which also shows the building's energy report card compared to other buildings on campus.  If you want to view a specific building go to this the building energy dashboard site.

If you know the building name you can also find the building number using DEHS's searchable database.

The University of Minnesota is part of the Billion Dollar Green energy challenge.  The campus has a $4 million dollar revolving loan program to provide resources for energy conservation progress with a payback of less than six years.

Photo of U of MN Twin Cities campus as viewed from above the Mississippi River looking northeast

Excessive heat warning for Minnesota Update

Excessive heat warning for Thursday 8/30/2012.

Notice taken in part from Lisa Dressler, DEM, U of MN:    An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING has been issued by the National Weather Service through July 5th, 2012.  This means a combination of hot temperatures and high humidity combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely.

Update: OSHA has a free heat safety tool App for blackberry, iphone and android.  

The most common heat illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat  stroke is life threatening.  Individuals suffering from this heat related illness will often be uncooperative. 

  http://navyadvancement.tpub.com/14325/css/14325_407.htm

http://www.doctortipster.com/2926-heatstroke-sunstroke-symptoms-causes-riks-factors-treatment-and-prevention.html

Simple steps you can take (and encourage your neighbors to take) to prevent illness due to extreme heat include:

·         Drink lots of cool, nonalcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages

·         Rest

·         Avoid strenuous activity outdoors, if you can 

·         Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath

·         Seek an air-conditioned environment such as a library or shopping mall

·         Wear lightweight clothing

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has some great information on heat safety and emergencies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has excellent resources on prevention of illness due to extreme heat.  You may also access these resources through links posted on our department website.

In addition, our emergency preparedness partner, ECHO (Emergency and Community Health Outreach), currently has a recorded message on how to protect yourself during extreme heat.  This recorded message is available in 10 languages.  If you know people with Limited English Proficiency, prompt them to call ECHO phone toll free at (888) 883-8831 to get information.

MN OSHA heat stress guide

OSHA Heat stress quick cards

OSHA web site on heat stress - very user friendly

NOAA National Weather Service Heat index information