Report 2017-119 Recommendation 23 Responses
Report 2017-119: California State University: It Has Not Provided Adequate Oversight of the Safety of Employees and Students Who Work With Hazardous Materials (Release Date: April 2018)
Recommendation #23 To: Sonoma State University
To increase oversight of chemical safety, Sonoma should ensure that its chemical committee meets as frequently as required and that it proactively addresses issues related to chemical hygiene and safety on campus.
Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2019
Sonoma State University's Chemical Hygiene Committee meets twice a year at a minimum or more often as needed. The committee is composed of representatives from Science, Biology, Chemistry, Art, and Environmental Health and Safety. The committee's discussions are included in the meeting minutes, which are posted on the university's website.
- Completion Date: May 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented
Along with its one year response in April 2019, Sonoma provided evidence demonstrating that its chemical committee met in late-2018. The campus has now provided evidence that its chemical committee held a meeting in the Spring and Fall 2019 semesters.
1-Year Agency Response
Considered fully implemented by campus at 60 day response.
- Completion Date: March 2018
- Response Date: April 2019
California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Partially Implemented
Sonoma provided evidence demonstrating that its chemical committee met in late-2018. The campus provided no evidence that its chemical committee held a meeting in the Spring 2019 semester.
- Auditee did not substantiate its claim of full implementation
6-Month Agency Response
The Chemical Hygiene Committee met on 03/29/2018 to discuss safety inspections, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and other related topics. We record and post meeting minutes to our website, http://web.sonoma.edu/ehs/safety/committees.html.
The Chemical Hygiene Plan indicates the Chemical Hygiene Committee will meet once a semester. The committee meeting for the Fall 2018 semester is scheduled for November 2018.
- Completion Date: March 2018
- Response Date: October 2018
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending
Sonoma did not provide any documentation to support its claim that it has fully implemented this recommendation.
- Auditee did not substantiate its claim of full implementation
60-Day Agency Response
The Chemical Hygiene Committee met 03/29/2018 to discuss safety inspections, the Chemical Hygiene Plan, and other related topics. We record and post meeting minutes to our website, http://web.sonoma.edu/ehs/safety/committees.html
- Completion Date: March 2018
- Response Date: June 2018
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending
Although the campus provided evidence that the Chemical Hygiene Committee met in March, Sonoma needs to demonstrate that the committee meets every six months as required in its chemical hygiene plan. As such, we will assess the campus's implementation of this recommendation in its subsequent responses to this recommendation.
All Recommendations in 2017-119
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.