Environmental Health and Safety

Department of Public and Environmental Safety

The Department of Public and Environmental Safety is committed to providing a safe and secure educational and working environment. The department publishes the Annual Security Report. This publication represents Tufts University's efforts to comply with the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 and the Jeanne Clery Act of 1998 and all updated requirements including the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). In this regard, included are guidance and resources for the prevention and awareness of sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking, as well as programs and policies required under the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and The Higher Educational Opportunity Act of 2008.

Industrial Health and Laboratory Safety

Tufts Industrial Hygiene and Laboratory Safety (IH) promotes health, safety and environmental protection in teaching, research, public service and administrative activities by providing training, advice and other compliance assistance. IH provides leadership in developing and supporting high quality programs that allow students, faculty and staff to protect themselves from potential health hazards they encounter at the university. In addition, IH staff has the expertise needed to direct efforts toward compliance with health, safety and environmental laws and regulations.

Safety Training

  • Annual Laboratory Safety Training
    This online course encompasses the following trainings: Hazard Communication, Chemical Hygiene, and RCRA Hazardous Waste Training. This training is required for all personnel working in laboratories and clinical areas, such as the Dental and Veterinary Clinics. It must be completed initially and thereafter on an annual schedule.

Biological Safety

The Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBC) are responsible for ensuring that all research involving potentially biohazardous agents done at or sponsored by Tufts University or Tufts Medical Center is conducted in compliance with National Institutes of Health guidelines and with proper concern for the safety of research personnel, the environment, and the surrounding communities.

Chemical Safety

At Tufts University, all highly reactive and toxic chemicals must be registered with Tufts Environmental Health and Safety.

Environmental Management

The Environmental Management program handles a broad spectrum of environmental compliance matters for Tufts University by managing Tufts environmental management system. Our goals are to support Tufts mission by developing, managing and coordinating quality environmental services for the university, minimizing environmental risks and costs, as well as promoting environmental compliance and performance.

Radiation Safety

At Tufts University, the Radiation Safety Program provides guidance on all sources of ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation sources include radioactive materials and x-ray machines while non-ionizing radiation includes lasers and ultraviolet radiation sources.