The environmental safety/biosafety group at Princeton EHS conducts health and safety inspections, responds to concerns and sets standards for a wide variety of environmental and biological safety matters on campus. Their purview reaches from air and water quality to radon, asbestos and mold, food safety, response to animal and pest reports, and research safety related to biological materials and hazardous waste.
Shaundree Davis, Assistant Director, Environmental Health
Shaundree oversees the industrial hygiene program, which involves recognizing, evaluating and adjusting workplace hazards to help keep people safe and healthy. This often involves the use of monitoring and analysis to determine the levels of hazardous exposure to agents and also requires identifying engineering solutions and control measures to help minimize those hazards.
"I get a great deal of satisfaction from helping people to work safely so that they can avoid being exposed to harmful agents that could make them ill, either now or sometime in the future," Shaundree says.
Jackie Wagner, Assistant Director, Biosafety and Environmental Health
Jackie’s primary responsibility at Princeton EHS is overseeing policy and services related to biosafety, animal research health and safety, food safety, microbial growth investigations, management of hazards caused by lead-based paint and management of the University’s Bloodborne Pathogen Program.
"I am fortunate to be part of a smart, hard-working team of EHS professionals and to support the University’s research, teaching and work communities," Jackie says. "I appreciate every day that provides an opportunity to work side-by side with a team, a researcher or staff member to assess and control risks."
Halina Staniszewska-Goraczniak, Laboratory Safety Specialist
Halina is primarily responsible for supporting the implementation of biosafety programs. She works directly with laboratory staff providing consultations, technical assistance and training to integrate biosafety into laboratory operations and promote safe work practices based on regulatory requirements.
Halina performs audits of laboratories to ensure appropriate work practices are performed, inspects proper storage, management and disposal of regulated medical waste and appropriate operation and certification of Biological Safety Cabinets and autoclave units.
"What I like about my job is that I interact with lab staff on all different levels performing a variety of tasks," Halina says. "I appreciate the collaborative environment of the EHS team where everyone is very knowledgeable and supportive."
What does “Environmental Health and Safety” mean to you?
Shaundree: When I think of EH&S, I think of a broad discipline that is focused on preventing injuries and illnesses to people, as well as protecting the environment from harm.
Jackie: It means that a significant investment has been made by the University to assemble a team of experienced professionals who can help identify, assess and control risks for every member of the our community. We are here to help prevent injuries, illnesses, lab-acquired infections and minimize negative impacts of our teaching and research mission on the campus and surrounding environment.
Halina: EHS means campaigning for safety and health in spaces where people work. It means protecting workers and the natural environment, and also ensuring compliance with legal regulations.