The Joint Committee on Health, Safety and Environment (JCHSE) was created in 1992, consolidating all occupational safety and health related activities and compliance efforts of the Johns Hopkins Hospital and University.
The rationale for the consolidation was that Hospital and University employees work side-by-side and are exposed to common environmental hazards.
A single entity oversees the health and safety of these employees and the development of common policies and procedures used to protect them.
The Joint Committee and Department is lead by Edward Bernacki, M.D., M.P.H., associate professor of medicine, director of the Division of Occupational Medicine and executive director of Health, Safety and Environment, of the Johns Hopkins University and Hospital.
Major Regulatory Organizations Governing HSE
- Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
- Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD)
- Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD)
- Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Association for Assessment of Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (MWCC)
- Clinical and laboratory safety inspection
- Accident investigations
- Safety training
- Response to fire and other emergencies
- Response to chemical, biologic and radiologic spills
- Investigate safety complaints/conditions
- Monitor food service facilities
- Review safety related designs for buildings
- Evaluate and insure appropriate indoor air quality
- Design and maintain containment facilities for chemical, biologic and radiologic agents
- Register and evaluate Recombinant DNA research protocols
- Evaluate the appropriateness of safety practices for research grants
- Collect and dispose hazardous waste (chemical, biologic and radiologic)
- Order, receive, inspect and deliver radioactive materials to users
- Monitor exhaust stacks for chemical and radioactive emissions
- Investigate mis-administrations involving radiopharmaceuticals or radiation therapy
- Personal protective equipment maintenance and training (biologic and chemical terrorism, exposure to infectious agents, chemical exposures)
- Evaluate and insure all means of egress from buildings (healthcare versus “business occupancies”)
- Pre-placement employment health screening, including drug testing, TB assessment and antibody status among healthcare workers
- Evaluate employee exposure to infectious agents and initiate prophylaxis
- Periodic health screenings (TB, hearing, vision, etc.)
- Conduct immunization programs (Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Rabies, Influenza, etc.)
- Conduct return to work programming (job analyses, impairment assessments)
- Maintain OSHA Logs and report required safety data to city, state and federal agencies
- Evaluate and treat occupational injuries and illnesses
- Conduct Bloodborne Pathogen Program
- Pay and adjust workers’ compensation claims
- Manage the medical care and disability duration for workers’ compensation cases
- Perform all required filings with the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission
- Assess employees suspected of having a mental illness or drug abuse problem that effects work performance
- Conduct an Ergonomic Program
To reach the HSE Office during business hours, call 410-955-9213. You can also send us your questions by e-mailing us at HSEInfo@jhmi.edu and we'll get back to you as soon as possible
