DOW + U = Lab Safety

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Roberta EikerUniversity of Minnesota

Principal Environmental Health & Safety TechnicianDepartment of Environmental Health & Safety

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Initiative

Through a partnership with Dow Chemical the Department of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science are leading a campaign to improve and sustain the safety culture in laboratories.

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JST

The Joint Safety Team (JST) is a researcher-led organization focused on improving the culture of safety in chemical laboratories at the University of Minnesota.  The JST consists of all graduate student or postdoc Laboratory Safety Officers (LSOs) within the Departments of CHEM and CEMS. 

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JST Events

• September 24th, 2012: Kick-Off Event

• November 5th-December 17th, 2012: Student-Led Laboratory Walkthroughs

• January 7-11th, 2013: Cleanup Week

• January 16th, 2013: LSO Training and Website Launch www.jst.umn.ed

• March-April, 2013: Second Round of Student-Led Laboratory Walkthroughs

• April 30th, 2013, : Workshop on Standard Operating Procedures

• June 10th - 14th, 2013: Cleanup Week Part II: Electronics/Equipment Disposal

• July 29th, 2013: All LSO Meeting

CARE CampaignCompliance: improve compliance with lab standards on hazardous waste handling, sample and chemical storage, lab cleanliness, and the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE);

Awareness: improve awareness of safety hazards, best practices, and available resources around the theme of “Safety Starts with U!”

Resources: improve the quality of and access to safety resources, including the standardization of laboratory signs, development of safety websites, and PPE such as goggles, lab coats, and gloves; and

Education: improve the training and ongoing education of laboratory safety officers and researchers.

JST Website www.jst.umn.edu

Compliance

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Reduce Clutter

Not Enough Information

Waste Collection & Labeling

• Collection bottles and lids must be compatible with the chemicals stored in them.

• Label must have the words HAZARDOUS WASTE, START and FILL DATE.• Legible listing of contents and their percentages.• Check box for each Hazard that is applicable to the waste.

Chemical WasteDCC (Drum Designator Code): 2 numbers and 2 letters

UofM, DESHhttp://www.dehs.umn.edu/hazwaste_chemwaste_umn_cwmgbk_sec2.htm

##XXHazard class

codeDisposal type code

Waste Storage In Labs

• Collection bottles must be kept capped, properly labeled and stored in a safe location in the lab.

• Bottles containing liquids should be stored with secondary containment.

• Never store containers with an open bung or a funnel in them.

• Waste containers should be stored in appropriate locations, ideally in flammable liquid or acid storage cabinets. Keep them out of the way of foot traffic and away from drains.

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What NOT to do!

Awareness

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Joint Safety Team in the news

• February 8, 2013: UMNews• October 29, 2012: C&EN News• October 01, 2012: Minnesota Daily• September 25, 2012:

University of Minnesota Department of Chemistry

• May 4, 2012: Science Careers Blog• May 2, 2012: C&En Safety Zone Blog• April 30, 2012:

The Dow Chemical Company press release.

Resources

JST Websitewww.jst.umn.edu

LSO GuidebookFour sections to binder

1) LSO Roles & Responsibilities

2) Standard Operating Procedures

3) Record Keeping

4) Information and Templates

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Unknown Testing

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Unknown Testing Results• Instruction to 38 LSO’s and grad students on

unknown chemical testing • Identified 188 chemicals for Chemical

Engineering and Material Sciences

• Identified 133 chemicals for the Dept of Chemistry.

• DEHS involvement saved $4494- $11235

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Preparing Waste for Transport

Segregate and package waste using DDC code.

Complete waste forms.

Package waste appropriately.

Submit waste forms to the Chemical Waste Program, or S43 for Smith and Koltoff Labs.

Once forms have been reviewed by CWP, boxes will be collected by Haz Mat Technicians.

Pure Compounds

• Segregate chemicals by DDC code.• Use arrows to indicate multiple containers.• List amounts in Kilograms (solids) and Liters (liquids

Packaging Waste

• Use sturdy and appropriate sized boxes.• All bottles must be tightly capped and packed in an upright position.• Use absorbent material to separate the inner containers; acceptable

materials include vermiculite (preferred choice), cardboard dividers, or crumpled newspaper.

• There should be no "clinking" sound heard from contact between glass bottles.

Education

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TrainingLaboratory users with the CHEM and CEMS Departments

The following are required for all laboratory users with the CHEM and CEMS Departments:

• Introduction to Research Safety• Chemical Safety• Chemical Waste Management

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Safety Moments• Safety Articles & News• Emergency Procedures• Learning Experience Moments• PPE• Safe Working habits• Chemical Exposure• Chemicals=Aqua Regia, peroxide forming, H2S,Hg, HF• Equipment• Hazardous Waste• Resources• Ergonomics

Future