The need for proper and compliant chemical storage is under greater scrutiny at New Mexico Highlands University following the death of a campus custodian in mid-September. Although public health officials will await the results of a pending toxicology report before releasing any potential sanctions, all industries handling dangerous chemicals should begin revisiting their hazmat storage protocols. The deceased custodian worked at the Ivan Hilton Science and Technology Building on the NMHU campus. It’s unclear if the custodian came in contact with hazardous materials in the days preceding his hospitalization. Ensuring employee hazmat protection takes a herculean and comprehensive effort to prevent and mitigate potential chemical storage incidents. Although federal hazmat regulations are often cumbersome and exhaustive in scope, every industry handling even small amounts of dangerous chemicals has a vested interest in protecting the employees and communities they serve.
“We are diligently working in tandem with our state partners to ensure all campus facilities at New Mexico Highlands University follow protocols and procedures associated with the storage of chemical, biological and radiological materials,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez via the press release. “A review is underway to ensure that the campus and community will not be put at risk now or in the future. The health and safety of all community members, students, faculty and staff must be at the forefront of all conversations and decisions at the university.”
Public Health Officials Collaborate to Ensure Hazmat Compliance
While it’s premature to conclusively link the death of the university custodian’s death with an occupational hazard at NMHU, the health department said it desires a more proactive community approach in raising public health concerns about non-compliant chemical storage. Prevention is crucial in preventing hazmat-related deaths, and health officials say they would rather receive excessive public health complaints than too few if public awareness can save lives. Still, health officials have remained firm in asserting the university will be held accountable if the toxicology report links the custodian’s death to hazardous materials.
Proper and Compliant Chemical Storage for Universities and Municipalities
Universities and municipalities require large inventories of dangerous yet necessary chemicals to sanitize and maintain sprawling infrastructures. Building materials for routine maintenance, cleaning supplies, pesticides, laboratory chemicals, paints, thinners, and solvents are common chemicals in public facilities requiring consistent protection. Although navigating complex chemical storage and OSHA regulations is daunting, vigilant and compliant hazmat protection is a top priority for public health officials. Violating often vexing but necessary chemical storage regulations can result in fines and civil penalties.
Ensuring Proper and Compliant Chemical Storage in Public Settings
Our fire-rated chemical storage lockers and warehouses can safely protect large quantities of flammable and inorganic materials that pose inherent health hazards to vulnerable personnel and equipment. Each chemical storage locker is fortified with solid-steel paneling and superior welds to prevent inadvertent cross-sector contamination and accidental pollution. Onsite chemical storage also prevents bad actors and opportunistic thieves from stealing dangerous, expensive industrial chemicals. There’s also the locker’s ease of access when evaluating your chemical storage needs. Innovative pushback racking, convenient shelving, and wide-swinging doors allow for the easy removal and storage of toxic chemicals when not used by the maintenance crew and staff. Optional overhead fire suppression piping and a standard spill sump containment system will also prevent accidental fires and spills from spreading throughout the vicinity. Moreover, our chemical storage lockers can be strategically placed without interrupting daily workflow operations. Contact us today for a free quote and consultation.