Laboratory Safety

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Laboratory Safety
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Why Lab Safety?

• Protect yourself from laboratory hazards
• Protect others from laboratory hazards
• Comply with State and Federal regulations

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Laboratory Safety TrainingOverview

• Introduction to the Lab Standard
• Responsibilities
• Protecting yourself from Laboratory hazards
• Toxicity/Compounds of unknown toxicity
• Spills and Spill Response
• Mandatory work practices

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Regulations that Affect You

• Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in
  Laboratories
• The OSHA Lab Standard (29CFR1910.1450)
• HAZWOPPER (Chemical Spills)
• Hazardous Waste Operations Standard
  (29CFR1910.120)
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• (29CFR1910.)

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Contents of the Lab Standard

• Scope and Application
• Definitions
• Permissible Exposure Determination
• Chemical Hygiene Plan
• Employee Information and Training
• Medical Consultation/Examinations
• Hazard Identification
• Use of Respirators
• Recordkeeping
• Dates
• Appendices

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Scope and application of the Lab Standard

• Applies only to laboratories . workplace where
  relatively small quantities of chemicals are used
  on a non-production basis
• Supercedes for labs, the requirements in
  29CFR1910 subpart Z , but requires protection to
  PEL limits and prohibition of eye and skin
  contact as specified by other OSHA standards

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Permissible Exposure Limitsand Exposure
Monitoring

• The employer shall assure that laboratory
  employees exposure to OSHA regulated substances
  do not exceed the Permissible Exposure Limits set
  in 29 CFR1910, subpart Z
• Employer must monitor employees exposure to
  substances regulated by an OSHA Standard if there
  is reason to believe that exposure levels for
  that substance routinely exceed action levels or
  PELs.

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Employer Responsibilities

• Keep records of employee exposures to regulated
  hazardous chemicals
• Provide Information and Training
• Prepare, implement and maintain a written
  Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)
• Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Hazard Identification
• Provide for medical consultations\exams
• Recordkeeping

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Risk Assessment

• As a research scientist, you are responsible for
  assessing the potential Safety and Environmental
  hazards presented by your work
• When unusual or uncontrolled hazards may be
  predicted, you should consult with your
  supervisor and the Safety and Environmental
  Departments

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New Equipment PurchaseRisk Assessment for Hazards

• When you contemplate purchasing new equipment for
  your lab, please
• use the risk assessment guide below to identify
  potential hazards.
• Do you have space to use this equipment safely?
• Does this equipment require special ventilation?
• Does this equipment contain any radioactive
  sources or lasers?
• Are there any special PPE (personal protective
  equipment) requirements when using this
  equipment?
• Are all points where injury could occur guarded?
• Do you require any special heating, cooling or
  electrical components to use this equipment?
• If you have questions regarding hazards youve
  identified,
• please call Safety.

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Chemical Hygiene Plan

• What is a Chemical Hygiene Plan?
• Where can you find it?
• Why is important to you?

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Use of Chemicalsand Biological Agents

• Know the properties of chemicals and biological
  agents you use before you use or transport them
• Toxicity
• Flammability
• Reactivity/Incompatibilities
• Corrosive
• Unstable
• Radioactive
• Clean up procedures

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Where to find information on Chemical Hazards

• Where do you look to find information on new
  chemicals BEFORE you use them?
• Books available on Site
• Merck Index
• Aldrich Catalog
• Prudent Practices in the Laboratory
• Saxs Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials

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Internet Sources for Chemical Hazard Information

• American Chemical Society (ACS)
• http//dchas.cehs.siu.edu
• Howard Hughes Institute
• American Biological Safety Association
• National Institute of Occupational Safety and
  Health (NIOSH)
• Center for Disease Control (CDC)

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MSDSMaterial Safety Data Sheets

• MSDS provide you with the following
• Chemical and Physical properties
• Toxicity Information
• Computability/Incompatibility
• Appropriate spill and fire response
• and much more information......................

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Chemical Storage

• Acids are incompatible with bases, flammable
  solvents, oxidizers
• Cyanides should stored separately from acids
• Water reactive materials should be stored
  separately
• Flammable materials with very low flashpoints
  should be stored in an explosion proof
  refrigerator
• Peroxidizable chemicals must be dated when
  opened, disposed of when required per safety
  manual.
• Keep on hand only those chemicals that you have
  room to store properly.

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Chemical Spills Nuisance Spills

• Spills of less than 4 L. of material that you
  know the hazards of and are comfortable cleaning
  up
• Assess the hazard
• Wear appropriate PPE
• If you are unsure of the hazard of a spill
• or need assistance with PPE selection,
• call the Safety Office

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Chemical Spills Potentially Hazardous Spills

• Spills of
• greater than 4L
• smaller spills of materials of
• low LD50,
• carcinogens,
• flammable
• unknown toxicity

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Emergency Lab Evacuation

• In the event of a fire, severe weather emergency
  or laboratory evacuation scientists should
• stabilize reactions in progress
• close fume hood sashes
• notify safety if any unusual hazards exist

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HazMat Team

• 30 Team members, 10 First Responders from
  Facilities, Engineering, Safety and Scientific
  Departments
• First Responders go to the location of all
  shower, eyewash, hood and ventilation alarms.
  They evaluate and decide how to deal with each
  situation.

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Fire Extinguishers in Your Lab

• Know where all fire
• extinguishers are located in your lab
• Visually inspect them each time you walk through
  the lab
• are extinguishers in proper location?
• has extinguisher been discharged?
• Call Maintenance
• if extinguishers need to be replaced or repaired

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• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Do you know what PPE is appropriate for the work
  you are doing?
• What PPE is provided?
• Gloves - rubber, butyl, latex
• Eye Protection - glasses, goggles, faceshields
• Labcoats, aprons, scrubs
• Safety shoes
• Respirators

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Gloves

• select gloves appropriate for the task
• check gloves for leaks
• double glove if necessary
• be alert to unusual sensations in your hands
• do not touch your face, telephone, etc with
  contaminated gloves
• use clean hand / dirty hand technique

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Safety GlassesEye protection must be worn in
any area where there is the potential for eye
injury

• All eye protection used must be ANSI approved
  (Z87 is stamped on the sidebar of ANSI
  approved eyewear)
• If your prescription glasses are not ANSI
  approved, you must wear safety glasses, safety
  goggles or a full face shield over them

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Available Eye Protection

• Safety glasses
• Splash goggles
• Full face shields
• All are available
• Prescription safety glasses are available by
  contacting Occupational Health

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Respirator UseRespirator Standard 29CFR1910.134

• Required under the Standard
• exposures exceed the exposure limit
• Required by the Department
  (Not required under the standard)
• Not Required

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Respirator Use when not required by the Standard
or the Department

• Respirators are an effective method of protection
  against designated hazards when properly selected
  and worn.
• Voluntary use of disposable respirators is
  encouraged where they will provide an additional
  level of comfort and protection for Colleagues.
• If a respirator is used improperly or not kept
  clean, the respirator can become a hazard to you.

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Proper Use of Respirators

• When using respirators that are provided for
  voluntary use, you need to take the following
  precautions to be sure that the respirator itself
  does not present a hazard
• Read and follow all instructions provided by the
  manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and
  care, and warnings regarding the limitations of
  the respirator
• Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres
  containing contaminants for which your respirator
  is not designed to prevent against. For example,
  a respirator designed to filter dust particles
  will not protect you against gasses or vapors
• Keep track of your respirator so that you do not
  mistakenly use someone elses respirator.

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Obtaining a Respirator

• Disposable respirators for nuisance levels of
  particulate matter, dust, dirt and dander are
  available in the apparatus storeroom
• Respirators for use when required by the Standard
  are available by contacting the Safety Office.

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Biosafety Cabinets

• Class I and IIa,b cabinets, when used in
  conjunction with good microbiological techniques,
  provide an effective containment system for
  moderate to high risk microorganisms.
• ClassI protects worker and environment
• Class II protects worker, environment and
  research materials in the cabinet
• Class IIa exhausts air back into the room do
  not use with volatile or toxic chemicals
  (Mercaptoethanol)
• Class IIb is hard ducted to the facility exhaust
  system
• All fume hoods and Biosafety cabinets are
  inspected yearly

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Fume HoodsThe most expensive piece of real
estate in your lab!

• Use Properly
• keep sashes down
• dont store flammable liquids, equipment in hood
• limit traffic behind you

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Mercury Spills

• All mercury spills should be cleaned up in a
  timely fashion
• To clean Hg spills, use the mercury vacuum
• Call Safety or Environmental if you have any
  questions

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Glassware

• rinse all visible residues and chemicals from
  glassware
• decontaminate/chemically destroy any biologically
  active or noxious materials before sending items
  to glassware
• ENSURE that no sharps go in glassware bins
• do not overload glassware bins
• visit Glasswash facility

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Toxicity

• The dose determines level of toxicity
• Dose Concentration X exposure Time
• Acute vs. Chronic
• alcohol consumption
• Local vs. Systemic
• pet flea shampoo

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Toxicology Definitions

• PEL-Permissible Exposure Level
• Levels established by OSHA for personnel exposure
  to air contaminants.
• IDLH-Imminently Dangerous to Life and Health
• NIOSH recommendation refers to acute respiratory
  exposure that poses an immediate threat of loss
  of life or immediate or delayed irreversible
  effects on health

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Routes of Exposure

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Skin Absorption
• Injection

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Toxicity Definitions

• Asphyxiant - prevents oxygen from reaching body
  tissue.
• carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
• Allergen/Sensitizer - causes allergic reaction
  which can be lethal (anaphylaxsis)
• DCC, isocyanates, organophosphates, heavy metals
• Carcinogen - known to, or suspected of, causing
  cancer
• benzene
• Teratogen - reproductive toxins which may do
  damage to the fetus
• dioxins, DES
• Mutagen - reproductive toxins which may damage or
  interfere with genetic material

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Select Carcinogenslisted in your Safety Manual

• OSHAs Thirteen Carcinogens
• NTP listed Known to be Carcinogens
• IARC Group 1 carcinogenic to humans
• IARC Group 2A or 2B or NTP designated
  reasonably anticipated to be carcinogensthat
  cause tumor incease

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Working with Select Carcinogens

• Discuss with your supervisor
• Follow procedures outlined in the CHP
• Follow departmental procedures
• Ensure that designated area is defined and used,
  ventilation and all appropriate PPE is being used
  properly.

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Working with Compounds of Unknown Toxicity

• These are chemicals for which there are no known
  statistically significant studies to establish
  their toxicity
• 1. Use a designated work area, isolate items used
  there decontaminate the area when work is
  completed
• 2. Use local exhaust ventilation
• 3. Use appropriate PPE and wash hands often

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Pregnancy

• Women who are pregnant are encouraged to discuss
  work assignments with their supervisor and to
  seek alternate work assignments if the colleague
  believes the potential for exposure to teratogens
  exists.
• If alternative work assignments cannot be agreed
  upon, the colleague and supervisor should
  contact the Safety Office.

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Mandatory Safety Rules

• 1. Comply with Emergency Evacuation procedures.
• 2. Access to eyewash/drench hoses, safety
  showers, and fire extinguishers must be kept
  clear.
• 3. Eating and drinking in the laboratories and
  animal rooms is forbidden.
• 4. Adequate eye protection must be worn in areas
  where there is the potential for eye injury.
• 5. Open toed shoes and sandals are not
  acceptable footwear in laboratories or animal
  rooms.
• 6. All fires that cannot be extinguished with a
  fire extinguisher must be reported immediately.
• 7. Fires that have been extinguished must be
  reported to your area supervisor, the Safety
  Office and to the Maintenance Department.

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• 8. Immediately report any work related illness
  or injury to your Supervisor and the Occupational
  Health Department.
• 9. Tasks that present unusual hazards must be
  reviewed with the appropriate supervisor before
  they are conducted.
• 10. Labels on containers must not be defaced,
  and all containers of chemicals stored in common
  areas must be labeled as to the contents,
  hazards, name of owner and date.
• 11. Any chemicals, biological materials
  experimental compounds, or other hazardous
  materials must be shipped by CBI or Shipping and
  Receiving.
• 12. When working with select carcinogens, comply
  with all safety procedures.
• 13. Pipetting by mouth is forbidden.
• 14. Is anyone in this room still awake?
• 15. Gas cylinders must be secured whether in use
  or stored. Regulators must be removed and caps
  used when moving cylinders.
• 16. Materials with offensive odors must be
  decontaminated before disposal.
• 17. Do not modify electrical equipment yourself!
  The electrical shop will modify or fix
  electrical equipment for you SAFELY.

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Last, not Least.......

• Before you leave your work area each day, check
  the area to ensure
• Overnight operations are properly set-up and
  waterlines are adequately clamped
• Heat sources are turned off
• Hoods sashes are closed
• Chemicals and biological agents are stored
  properly