Howdy! The results of the Lab Safety CoP poll are in! Based on the responses we received, we've decided to move the monthly CoP calls to the first Thursday of each month at 3:00 p.m. EST . And rather than have two calls within two weeks of each other, ...
Hi Paula, We have a "one-earbud" policy, with the caveat that they must not touch the earbud with their gloves! The second part is much harder to enforce. I strongly encourage research students to use USB-powered speakers in the lab as they are fairly ...
Hi Paula - We just implemented this rule in our chemical labs. The supervisors have the responsibility of enforcement - this may be the faculty or primary researcher (PI). Our rule is if you wear headphones it can only be in one ear - one ear must ...
Hi Brandon, See 29 CFR 1910.1450 Appendix A (3) third paragraph. Ruth ------------------------------ [Ruth] [Horowitz] [HAZMAT/Lab/Radiation Safety] [New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology] [Socorro] [New Mexico] ------------------------- ...
We've had quite a bit of pushback about mandating no headphones in the lab. Not even so much push back as it is just straight up ignoring the rule. One of our chemists awhile back switched to this type of headphone and they are a great alternative. ...
Hello everyone - I'm looking for some help on a "no headphones/earbuds allowed in the lab" policy. We currently have no policy in place, but it is a growing concern. I am interested in what other C/U do for this topic - is something integrated into ...
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory is a good source. -- Steve Stephen W. Fisenne Associate Director Department of Environmental, Health and Safety Wake Forest University 1834 Wake Forest Road Winston-Salem, NC 27109 ...
My Chemistry department is beginning an internal process to evaluate safety in teaching labs. Given that we are in Florida and the dress code of choice for most of our students is flip-flops and shorts I look forward to change. They have asked me for ...
I recommend this as a starting point in your conversation: "Current Intelligence Bulletin 59: Contact Lens Use in a Chemical Environment" https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-139/default.html https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2005-139/pdfs/2005-139.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2005139 ...
What are the recommendations/requirements regarding the wearing of contact lenses in instructional labs in your organization? I am especially interested in any information about contact lenses when working with cadavers or formalin-preserved animal specimens. ...
If it were just flammables and oxidizers, my first question would probably be if they have (or can buy) a separate freezer or refrigerator to store the oxidizer in, since that would not require rated storage. If they don't (which would be unprecedented, ...
Chris, Do you allow labs to just use standard (open) secondary containment bins? Or do you ask for it to be covered/sealed in some additional way? I think the last piece we're trying to navigate is whether, and if so how, organic peroxides can be stored ...
Thanks again Nancy and Mahdi for your suggestions! We were finally able to get a procedure from the manufacturer. ------------------------------ Mike Soles Chemical Hygiene Officer University of Hawaii Honolulu HI 808-956-5097 ---------------------- ...
Hi, For HF hood deacon in the past, we have used calcium- based HF neutralization products (liquids such as KOLOR-Safe HF neutralizer) which removes free HF ions by bonding with calcium (calcium fluoride). Product's change of color also indicates PH ...
Thanks for sharing this, Stephenie! This is definitely a topic of interest for me. Nancy ------------------------------ Nancy Eaker Manager, Environmental Health & Safety Texas A&M University College Station TX 979-845-4227 ----------------------- ...
Hi, Mike. I would think the manufacturer would be able to provide a product manual that would include instructions for decontamination and maintenance. Have you reached out to them yet? It has been a long time since I worked with HF, and my experience ...
As a general rule, a refrigerator or freezer rated for flammable storage is advisable for organic peroxides as many are also considered flammable liquids or solids. Explosion-proof units would also work, but would only be necessary if the unit itself ...
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia currently has a job opening in our Environmental Health and Radiation Safety Department for a Laboratory and Environmental Safety Manager. Please link to the posting for details and to apply at https://usciences.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/USciences/job/Philadelphia-PA/Laboratory---Environmental-Safety-Manager_R338 ...
Philip, When a student mixes two chemicals in a test tube they haven't created a waste yet. The moment they decide they don't need that mixture anymore and put it in a waste container it becomes a hazardous waste. All they have to determine is whether ...
Kennesaw State University currently has a job opening in our Environmental Health and Safety Office for a Chemical Safety Specialist Job Purpose: Works collaboratively with staff, faculty, and safety committees to support the laboratory safety ...
> About the only universal advice I can offer is establish a working relationship with your regulatory agency. I agree that this is best approach whenever this is possible. I would suggest that the LMP that Subpart K asks for is way of developing and ...
Lets all agree that RCRA is a big regulatory hairball. We have EPA HQ, ten regions and then 4 or 5 states per region. None of them are regulated the same. Here in Region VII, Iowa has a regulatory reality equally unique when compared to Kansas, Nebraska ...
As one of the people who was involved in developing Subpart K, I'd like to suggest that there are distinct advantages to using it. Specifically, those of us who have to deal with state agencies' often quirky versions of RCRA (i.e. if you're not in Iowa ...
Phillip, You are correct in that interpretation, and this is a big reason we are considering adopting Subpart K when Texas adopts the Generator Improvements Rule. However, if you look at preambles, and interpretation letters (RCRA Online) related ...
Hi, All! Just a reminder to please complete the Lab Safety CoP survey linked below, if you haven't already done so. The survey will close at end of day tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 27th). https://survey.sogosurvey.com/r/26tNRa We really value your feedback ...
You are absolutely correct. The RCRA "Improvements" clarified that "point of generation" is both time and place. I think there are ways around subpart K. Call me sometime. Bill ------------------------------ William Diesslin Associate Director Iowa ...
Perhaps I'm confused (my expertise is in the OSHA/Fire/Construction end of safety, not hazardous waste). My understanding is that the new rule states: "262.11(a) The hazardous waste determination for each solid waste must be made ▫at the ...
No attachment was found. Kalpana Rengarajan, Ph.D,MPH, JM, RBP Director- Research Safety, Biosafety Officer Environmental Health and Safety Office 1762 Clifton Road NE, Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30322 Phone: (404)727-8863 FAX: ...
Mark, DM'd some comments to you. Jeff -- Jeff Lewin Chemical Safety Officer Research Integrity Office Laboratory Operations 207 Advanced Technology Development Complex (ATDC) Michigan Technological University ...
Thank you everyone for your responses! I'm glad to see I was on the right path and not just caffeine deficient. ~Gabi ------------------------------ Gabrielle Repik, MHS, CMAR, RLATG Co-Leader CSHEMA COP Animal Research Health and Safety BSL-3 Facility ...
Hello CSHEMA members, The mission of CSHEMA is generally educational. Occasionally, members use the CSHEMA platform to gauge peer advocacy interest or organize standard advocacy. Attached is a proposal related to the ANSI/ISEA Z538.1 standard on eye ...
Jeff, Entertaining your question in this forum will put me at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome. Why don't you give me a call sometime and we can talk about it. (515) 294-2105 Bill ------------------------------ William Diesslin Associate Director Iowa ...
The University of Washington is seeking a Lab Safety Specialist for the Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S). Under general direction, the successful candidate will help administer and implement the University of Washington's (UW) Laboratory ...
Bill/all: Am I under the wrong impression that Subpart K is really only much of an advantage to LQGs? Are there new RCRA Improvement Rules for SQGs (MI is still in the process of adopting them) that would make Subpart K attractive? Jeff ...
Great inquiry example to explore if older safety practices, processes and products remain useful and sustainable! Tuberculosis Control Manual - Louisiana Department of Health Here may be a reliable recommendation specifically for hand washing in the ...
Yes, I agree that EPA has really painted academia into a regulatory corner with the RCRA "Improvements". Rumor has it that EPA HQ regrets the unintended consequences of the "Quick Reference Guide" requirement and is quietly looking for a way out. Hopefully ...
NYS is in the process of adopting subpart K (and knowing the State they'll do the "oh, by the way these new rules go into effect tomorrow" bit). With the new EPA regs coming into place I don't see how we can continue running our teaching labs without ...
I'm opposed to anti-bacterial soap in pretty much all settings---'normal' soap and water for 30 seconds is sufficient, is much milder, and doesn't kill off a person's good personal flora! ------------------------------ Allison Koster Chemical Stockroom ...
First, you better make sure subpart K was even adopted in New York. According to this EPA link, it is not. https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/where-managing-hazardous-waste-academic-laboratories-rule-effect#ny This assumes, of course, that the EPA ...
The webinar on Lab Safety for Researchers - Responsibilities, Regulations, and Lessons Learned that was recorded in August is now available open access at https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/acs-webinars/professional-development/researcher-safety.html?sc=190815_webinar_prodev_em_eb_chas ...
The College is moving to subpart K for dealing with Lab hazardous waste regulations. As a community college, we only have teaching labs, though we also have automotive technology, nursing and veterinary science majors. I would appreciate any seeing ...
Hi Gabi, I am against using antibacterial hand soaps across the board (other than surgical settings, there is no need for it). There are many more reasons not to use it than to use it. I don't see any reason it is of any use in the lab setting-as ...
Gabrielle - There are multiple peer-reviewed publications supporting discontinuation of antimicrobial soap. We spend considerable time on this in the control of biohazards course. Richard Gilpin Dr Richard W Gilpin LLC ------------------------------ ...
Hello all, I am considering switching from antibacterial hand soap to regular hand soap for my BSL-3 facility (we only study M. tuberculosis). While that may seem counter intuitive, I'm not convinced there is any benefit to antimicrobial soap. ...
Just a reminder about our call tomorrow. See below for agenda items. * Incident report out - Jodi Ogilvie * Alternatives to SF6 for fume hood testing * Discussion: Lab Safety 101 PDS webinar series * Lab Safety CoP Survey Nancy ------------------------------ ...
We have an Idonus HF Vapor Phase Etcher that is a piece of legacy equipment. The etcher is in a fume hood and has been for "years." Does anyone have any guidance or experience on the stabilization / decon of this device for long term storage or disposal? ...
Good afternoon all, I'm sure we're not the only ones to face this, so I thought I'd see if others have good guidance or solutions they might be able to share with me. We have a lab (probably more than one!) with a number of organic peroxides that require ...
I'm late to the game on this, but I have used the same method as Chris. Cool the solution (reaction mixture or pyrophoric/water reactive in a compatible dilution solvent) in an ice bath and while stirring, add isopropanol dropwise, then methanol dropwise, ...
Quenching with iso-Octane is a classic reaction and works well as long as you proceed slowly. The ethyl acetate should also work, again adding a little at a time. (Advantage to ethyl acetate is it is less expensive.) Follow either solvent with methanol ...
My standard recommendation for quenching air or water-reactives is to add isopropanol drop-wise under inert atmosphere until no bubbling is observed. Then repeat with methanol. Then repeat with water. A cooling bath is also beneficial, but avoid anything ...