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Sustainability, Health and Safety
(Formerly Environmental Health and Safety)

Associate of Applied Science Degree Program

MHCC Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Javid Mohtasham: 503-491-7440 - Room AC 2571 Javid.Mohtasham@mhcc.edu

The Environmental Health and Safety program provides students a basic understanding of the environmental health and safety issues. The technical nature of this field requires basic courses in math and chemistry in order to understand and work more effectively in this field. The program includes lectures, class projects, and an internship. The curriculum would be suitable for high school graduates, people now working in industry in the areas of occupational safety and health, or environmental management, and those with no related job experience wanting to change careers. Persons assigned new duties in this area may find individual courses will fulfill their needs for continuing professional education. Students completing an Associate’s Degree in the EHS program may transfer to several different four-year schools for the Bachelor of Science degree in different environmental fields. Interested students should contact the program adviser for additional information.

What are the Possibilities for Employment?

The Environmental Health and Safety program prepares students for well paid jobs in the growing fields of environmental health and safety. Small to large companies have the need for at least one person responsible for environmental health and/or safety issues. Employment in the environmental field include such jobs as program managers, regulatory officers, auditors, field and lab technicians, scientists, researchers, educators, and trainers. Employment in the health and safety field include such jobs as safety technicians, safety officers, accident investigators, industrial hygienists, risk managers, program developers, and program managers.

Program Outcomes

At the completion of this program, the student should be able to:

• evaluate hazardous materials and hazardous waste sample data
• safely handle hazardous materials and hazardous wastes
• respond to hazardous materials and hazardous waste emergency situations in accordance with regulatory requirements in 29CFR
• identify and label hazardous materials and hazardous wastes in accordance with regulatory requirements in 40CFR and 49CFR
• calibrate, operate and maintain instrumentation and equipment related to hazardous materials and hazardous wastes operations
• collect, prepare, document, and ship samples for analysis
• compile, record, and maintain documents for hazardous materials and hazardous wastes management activities
• select and use appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with regulatory requirements in 29CFR
• operate hazardous materials and hazardous wastes treatment and disposal systems
• transport and store hazardous materials and hazardous wastes in accordance with regulatory requirements in 40CFR and 49CFR
• implement applicable safety regulations and procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements in 29CFR
• demonstrate the use of Ecological Footprint and other sustainability indicators
• describe the relationship between ecological, economic and social sustainability
• relate land use planning, health, population and institutional issues to social sustainability
• investigate the appropriate level of analysis ranging from the personal to the global
• demonstrate systems for stakeholder management and engagement
• implement applicable environmental regulations and procedures in accordance with the regulatory requirements in 40CFR
• implement applicable environmental auditing requirements based on the requirements in the ASTM-1527
• demonstrate “best practices” in conducting and implementing environmental audits.

1 Any two 200 or higher level chemistry courses may be substituted for CH104 and CH105.
2 Students may not use demonstrated proficiency on the College Placement Test (CPT) to satisfy this requirement.
3 Any two 200 level biology courses may be substituted for BI101 and BI102.
4 Higher level Math or Computer Science course may be substituted.
5 EHS154, EHS155, and EHS156; student must have adviser approval to select other options.

See pages 7-10 of the printed catalog.