The University of California (UC) Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) team recently concluded a highly successful visit to our Clear Water Bay campus from 6 to 14 March 2023.
The UC team consisted of three distinguished experts, Mr. Larry Wong, Dr. Janette De La Rosa Ducut, and Ms. Tiffany Kwok, who brought a wealth of knowledge and expertise in managing health and safety (H&S) to the campus.
During their visit, the UC team conducted two H&S seminars co-hosted HKUST and the Tertiary Institutions Safety Advisory Group (TISAG). These seminars were the first significant in-person gatherings of H&S professionals in the higher education sector in Hong Kong since the COVID pandemic. The seminars provided attendees with essential educational and networking opportunities to learn from the UC specialists' extensive experience in the field.
H&S Professional Skills Seminar on 7 March 2023
The first seminar focused on developing essential professional "soft" skills in H&S professionals, which covered a range of topics, including safety culture, accident investigations, and core competencies that are essential for developing well-rounded professionals who can communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and lead teams efficiently. Attendees participated in group exercises, and engaged in discussions with the UC team and TISAG members, gaining appreciation of the importance of soft skills in the implementation of H&S.
H&S Technical Skills Seminar, 9 March 2023
The second seminar offered an in-depth overview of advanced technical skills in H&S management, which covered a broad range of topics related to occupational H&S, including H&S management and system, food hygiene for supervisors or managers, biological safety programs, animal care and use accreditation, and incidents/accidents lessons learned. The UC team's presentation provided attendees with reviews of the latest strategies and techniques for improving occupational and research H&S standards.
Networking and Collaboration
In total, 128 attendees participated in the seminars, including 49 from TISAG and external parties, 60 from HKUST-CWB, and 19 from HKUST-GZ, FYTGI, and Shenzhen Research Institute. Attendees expressed their gratitude for the UC team's dedication to sharing their knowledge and experience, and many remarked that the seminars exceeded their expectations.
The luncheons held during the seminars provided a conducive environment for attendees to connect with their peers, exchange ideas, and learn from one another's experiences. These networking opportunities were highly appreciated by the attendees and served as a valuable platform for building professional relationships and fostering collaboration.
Tours to HKUST Laboratories and Facilities
In addition to the seminars and networking events, the UC team also visited the laboratories and facilities of several HKUST departments, including CHEM, LIFS, OCRF, NFF, LAF, BioCRF, CLS, HSEO, and the catering outlets of CSO. These visits provided a unique opportunity for the UC team to gain first-hand experience of HKUST's current facilities, research, and teaching methodologies.
During these visits, the UC team shared their observations and recommendations with the host departments, including proper design, use, and maintenance of emergency shower and eye wash, safe handling of chemicals and wastes, and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Their feedback was highly appreciated by both HSEO and the host departments.
Tangible Benefits and Outcomes of the Visit
The UC team compiled their findings into a report for HKUST, providing a comprehensive overview of the safety practices and concerns identified during the visit, as well as recommendations for improvement. This report is an invaluable resource for HKUST, which is shared with the relevant departments, enabling them to strengthen or address specific issues.
Overall, the visit by the UC team was a resounding success, promoting collaboration between HKUST, TISAG, and UC, and contributing to the advancement of H&S management in academic institutions. The tangible benefits and outcomes of the visit are expected to have a lasting impact on the safety practices and culture at HKUST, reinforcing the importance of maintaining high safety standards.
Mr. Larry Wong, CIH, FAIHA
Former Associate EH&S Director, University of California
Larry Wong has worked in the environmental health and safety field for 49 years. In 2019 he retired as the Associate EH&S Director for the University of California Office of the President. As the Associate Director, Mr. Wong provided technical and administrative guidance to all 10 UC campuses and also represented the University of California system at several governmental board meetings. He had also served as the EH&S Director at 4 UC campuses and at San Francisco State University.
Before coming to the University of California, Mr. Wong was a Section Chief with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Prior to that position, he was an industrial hygienist with Cal/OSHA.
Mr. Wong is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and is an American Industrial Hygiene Association Fellow. Larry is a graduate of the UC Berkeley. He is currently an adjunct EH&S instructor for UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health, Labor Occupational Health Program.
Dr. Janette De La Rosa Ducut, Ed.D.
Training Director, University of California, Riverside
Janette de la Rosa Ducut, Ed.D. has over 20 years of experience in management, education, and training in a regulated environment; most recently serving in leadership positions within the University of California. Over the past decade she has changed the way on how the universities provide training by publishing hundreds of online training courses in risk, health, and safety. She specializes in eLearning, video production, and integrating active learning experiences. As the Director of Training & Education at the University of California Riverside, she established the Center of Excellence for Risk & Safety Training. Her work supports all the campuses of the University of California system. Janette has graduate degrees in education and administration; and has conducted academic research in memory, cognition, and ethics education.
She has served in positions such as Director of Education / Academic Dean, Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs, Manager of Training and Process Improvement, and Quality Assurance Associate, and Business Manager. Prior to coming to UCR, she served at Everest College, American Red Cross, and California State University Los Angeles. Janette also has experience as a publication’s manager / editor, webmaster, and IT consultant for educational and health care institutions.
Ms. Tiffany Kwok, MPA, REHS
Assistant Director, Research Safety, University of California, Riverside
Tiffany Kwok is the Assistant Director for Research Safety at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and also serves as the campus Environmental Health Specialist. She directs the biological and laboratory safety, field and drone safety, personal protective equipment, controlled substances and public health programs.
Prior to working at UCR, Tiffany worked for Los Angeles County Department of Public Health as a health inspector where she earned her state registration as a Registered Environmental Health Specialist with the California Department of Public Health in 2012. During her time at the County, she worked in the Recreational Waters program and the food, pool, and housing programs. She served on a Nuisance Abatement Team where she represented the health department in a cross-agency team to address illegal housing conversions. In 2013, Tiffany began working at UCR serving as the campus Environmental Health Specialist and continues the responsibilities today. She conducts food and swimming pool and spa inspections, ensures safe drinking water is met, and provides guidance on public health responses, especially during the COVID pandemic. Between 2015-2019, Tiffany served as the campus Biosafety Officer and later promoted to her current role.
While at UCR, Tiffany completed an intensive FEMA training course, Environmental Health Training in Emergency Response Operations (EHTER Ops) and is a FEMA certified EHTER trainer for California. As an EH&S professional, Tiffany guides many dining facilities, research laboratories and campus support personnel in conducting thorough risk assessments of their workplace, and in developing and implementing safe work practices to ensure a healthy and safe environment for the campus community.