Purpose
The mission of the University Occupational Health and Safety Committee is to provide essential guidance and oversight on regulations and standards that impact the health, safety, and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and the university community across all operations. Representing diverse areas of the institution, including academic divisions, clinical and healthcare institutions, research units, and administrative services, as well as facilities management, fire code, and building code enforcement, the committee reviews the organizational impact of federal and state environmental health and safety regulations and recommends appropriate written programs to ensure institutional compliance. By bringing together a broad range of expertise, the committee advocates for stakeholders to reduce regulatory burdens, promotes uniformity in compliance, and fosters a safe, inclusive, and sustainable campus culture. Through continuous evaluation of existing programs, development of effective strategies, and proactive collaboration with university leadership, the committee upholds the highest standards of safety, health, and environmental responsibility while addressing emerging challenges
General Information
The University Occupational Health and Safety Committee consists of members from multiple disciplines to provide a comprehensive and balanced approach to environmental health and safety. The committee meets 3-4 times per year to advise the University on the technical aspects of health and safety, to recommend policies and procedures, and to report on the quality of programs under its purview
| Member | Title | |
|---|---|---|
| John Bell | Captain University Police | john.bell@rutgers.edu |
| Laura Berman | Assistant Vice President Planning Development and Design | lb814@ipo.rutgers.edu |
| John Borja | University Sanitarian and Special Services Administrator | joborja@dining.rutgers.edu |
| Julie Caruth | Director of Employee Health Services EOHSI | jec253@eohsi.rutgers.edu |
| Lisa Cox | Vice President of Operations UBHC | lisa.cox@rutgers.edu |
| Vincent DeNota | Director of Securtiy Services | vincent.denota@rutgers.edu |
| Steve Dubiago | Senior Director of Facilities and Maintenance NB | sdubiago@ipo.rutgers.edu |
| Brian Emmett | Captain University Police | brian.emmett@rutgers.edu |
| James Erdogdu | Director of Grounds NB | james.erdogdu@rutgers.edu |
| Jeetendra Eswaraka | Vice President CMR | je352@research.rutgers.edu |
| Steven Keleman | Director Emergency Management | skeleman@ipo.rutgers.edu |
| Douglas Kokoskie | Assistant Director of Facilities and Utilities | douglas.kokoskie@rutgers.edu |
| Georgia Kyrifides | Director of Operations RWJ | georgia.kyrifides@rutgers.edu |
| Abigail Lazofsky | Health and Safety Specialist I | atl78@rutgers.edu |
| John Malley | Senior Director of Environmental Services NB | john.malley@rutgers.edu |
| Jeffrey Maschi | Director of Labor Relations | j.maschi@oulr.rutgers.edu |
| Christopher Pepsin | Director of Physical Plant | pepsincj@ipo.rutgers.edu |
| Wayne Persad | Senior Director of Operations and Services | wp204@ipo.rutgers.edu |
| Ian Pracher | Health and Safety Specialist I | ian.pracher@rutgers.edu |
| Alex Ruiz | Executive Director and University Occupational Safety Officer | ruiz@rutgers.edu |
| William Scott | Chief of Emergency Services | william.scott@rutgers.edu |
| Milind Shah, Chair | Director Occupational Health | mns42@echo.rutgers.edu |
| Shaun Shahani | Director of Occupational Medicine | ss2701@njms.rutgers.edu |
| Jennifer Shaw | Director of Policy and Employment Practices, University Human Resources | jennshaw@hr.rutgers.edu |
| William Troy | Executive Director of Risk Management | bill.troy@rutgers.edu |
Please feel free to contact members of the committee if you have a question or problem related to occupational safety.
Contact
Overall Program Management:
Ian Pracher
(848)445-3070
ian.pracher@rutgers.edu
