OSHA in the Laboratory

Lance Jones

Env Health & Safety

Goals

OR-OSHA Inspection Chemical Hygiene Plan General Chemical Information Specific Chemical Information

Chemical class Eyewash Spills

OR-OSHA

“The employer did not provide lab employees with information and training at the time of their initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals were present or prior to assignments involving new exposure situations.”

OR-OSHA inspection

What’s the most hazardous chemical you work with?

What are the hazards (what can it do to you)?

Chemical Hygiene Plan

Responsibilities Laboratory CHP Laboratory Chemicals Exposure Sampling Safety Controls Employee Training

Special Precautions Medical Surveillance Laboratory Accidents Laboratory Audits Chemical Inventory Recordkeeping

Based on OSU’s plan (template on EH&S website)

Chemical Hygiene Plan

Add Inventory Hazardous operations Allergens, embryotoxins and teratogens High acute or chronic toxicity Animals, radiological, recombinant DNA Infectious agents

SDS

Safety Data Sheet - expectations Access MSDSOnline or File cabinets at EH&S Chemical companies:

Sigma/Aldrich/Fluka Mallinckrodt & JT Baker Fisher

SDS – What is it Good For?

Manufacturer name Physical characteristics Flammability Reactivity Harmful levels (PEL) Route of entry Target organs

Systemic effects Signs and symptoms Exposure risks

Acute Chronic

PPE Control methods

Chemical Classifications

Know about general hazards Check on specific hazards Handling solvents Handling acids/bases

Health Effects - Chemical Categories

Aromatic hydrocarbons – irritant, CNS benzene

Aldehydes – irritant formaldehyde

Straight-chain hydrocarbons – irritant, CNS

Alcohols – irritant methanol

Esters - irritant

More Health Effects

Chlorinated solvents - CNS dichloromethane

Amines – irritant Toxic – mercury, lead, nickel, cadmium, arsenic,

chromium Acids & Bases – corrosive and irritant

Carcinogens

Three categories: Extreme (committee review & approval) High (registration of use) Moderate

Facility impacts

Lab Practices

NO consumption or storage of food or drink in labs

NO handling of contact lenses, lip balm, cosmetics in labs

Keep exit paths open

Hierarchy of Hazard Prevention Engineering controls

Substitute Enclose Barriers

Safe work practices (CHP)

Administrative PPE

Eyewash

Requirements: Locate any place corrosive materials are used Cannot pass through doorway Stays on 15 minutes One hand operation Weekly test

Shower

PPE

Personal Protective Equipment Types

Head Eyes Lungs Skin Feet

Levels Glasses – goggles – face shield

Spills

Prepare Assess hazard Get backup Get equipment

PPE Spill response (pads, pigs, loose)

What if you need to get help?

Fire Safety

Keep exits clear Extension cords-

temporary use only Frayed cords

Fire extinguisher use

What Else?

Biohazards Radiation hazards Carcinogen registration Occupational health program Hazardous materials transportation