Report 2017-119 Recommendation 73 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 #73 To: San Diego, California State University

San Diego should ensure that it documents all self-audits it conducts, including when it does not identify any violations during the audit. Further, San Diego should continue to implement and follow its new process to include reviews of safeguard inspections as a part of its self-audits.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From November 2020

San Diego State University has revised its process for documenting all self-audits and now requires notations, including when it does not identify any violations. EH&S now uses a new software application, "Fulcrum" on mobile devices to document inspection results, even when it does not identify any violations.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Fully Implemented

San Diego provided evidence demonstrating that it now requires EH&S to document all self-audits it conducts, including when it does not identify any violations during the audit. In addition, San Diego provided evidence demonstrating that it has continued to implement and follow its new process to include reviews of safeguard inspections as a part of its self-audits.


Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2019

The campus has implemented documenting all self-audits, including when it does not identify any violations. Currently SDSU is utilizing a new software application, Risk and Safety Solutions, to better document compliance inspections of laboratory and workshop facilities. Environmental Health and Safety Department (EHS) Compliance Officers conduct inspections three times yearly. Non-compliance items should be resolved within 30 days. Corrections to non-compliance issues are noted by the responsible person designated for each laboratory facility or workshop area on the inspection reports. Compliance officers review or physically verify the corrections, if warranted. Compliance officers monitor unresolved non-compliance issues and will elevate to Department Chair or higher if necessary.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Partially Implemented

San Diego implemented procedures that outline the responsibility for the compliance officer to conduct self-audits, including reviews of safeguard inspections, and document the results in a report. However, the procedures do not indicate that the compliance officer will document the results even when it does not identify any violations.


1-Year Agency Response

Implementation is in progress.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Pending


6-Month Agency Response

Implementation is in progress. The campus has started documenting all self-audits, including when it does not identify any violations. The campus will continue to include reviews of safeguard inspections as a part of its self-audits. The campus will also implement and utilize a new software application, Risk Safety Solution, provided by the Chancellor's Office to document inspections.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending


60-Day Agency Response

Implementation is in-progress. The campus will document all self-audits, including when it does not identify any violations. The campus will also continue to include reviews of safeguard inspections as a part of its self-audits.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending


All Recommendations in 2017-119

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.