Northeastern University’s Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) is now the Office of Academic and Research Safety (OARS) and the Environmental Compliance and Occupational Safety office (ECOS).
What are the specifics of the restructuring?
Northeastern University is committed to keeping our students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe on and off campus. As part of this commitment, we have realigned the former Office of Environmental Health & Safety into two new offices to provide the resources, guidance, and oversight necessary to fulfill the health and safety needs of a world-class university.
Additionally, the University has established a Safety Leadership Council (SLC) to develop and evaluate initiatives that improve the overall safety climate at Northeastern.
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What is the role of each group?
- The Office of Academic and Research Safety (OARS) is primarily responsible for laboratory safety, both research and academic, including oversight and training related to the University’s chemical, biological, and radiation safety programs.
- The Environmental Compliance and Occupational Safety (ECOS) office, embedded with Facilities, is responsible for occupational safety and environmental compliance associated with campus building operations/maintenance, grounds management, construction, and renovation.
- The Safety Leadership Council (SLC) is a representative governing body providing informed guidance, advice, and recommendations on policy, program and compliance matters related to safety to university leadership and the campus community at large.
What process was used to evaluate the restructuring?
In 2018-2019, an Integration Team (I-Team) was assembled to conduct a comprehensive review of Northeastern’s existing health and safety infrastructure. This review included a comprehensive internal evaluation and external peer review process. The result of this evaluation was the creation of a new role on campus, the Associate Vice Provost of Education and Research Safety. Marne Smith was hired to fulfill this role in 2020. Subsequently, an effective realignment expertise and resources between Facilities leadership and the Office of the Provost resulted in the creation of the Office of Academic and Research Safety and the Environmental Compliance and Occupational Safety office, along with the establishment of Safety Leadership Council.
When will these changes take effect?
The transition of EH&S into OARS and ECOS has been underway throughout the 2021-2022 academic year and culminates with this announcement and website launch. The Safety Leadership Council launched on April 7, 2022.
I work in a research lab. How do these changes affect me?
Research and academic labs will continue to receive all usual services from OARS, and their groups will continue to be maintained in the BioRAFT risk management platform. OARS will continue to service the hazardous chemical waste pickups from labs through our vendor. Other types of hazardous waste management may be handled by ECOS.
What if I have indoor air quality or mold concerns?
The ECOS group will handle all mold and indoor air concerns. The OARS group will be brought in by ECOS specifically when needed for technical assistance.
Is the contact information the same?
Emails sent to ehs@northeastern.edu will still reach us.
OARS updated information is oars@northeastern.edu and the phone number is unchanged: 617-373-2769.
ECOS updated information is ecos@northeatern.edu and the phone number is 617-595-7165.
