Hello - We've had about 8 years without MPTP research but two of our labs are now wanting to begin working with this neurotoxin. In reviewing university SOPs I see online, I see some requiring respiratory protection (N95s primarily) and some not, and ...
Jodi, Thanks for sending this account to your friends and colleagues here at CSHEMA. This took some work to put together and I found it quite helpful. Your management team is to be commended for allowing it to be posted so that others can learn. Dennis ...
Good afternoon, In June there was a large explosion at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities chemical waste processing facility. I talked with many of you about the incident at the annual conference in Indy, but wanted to update you with some of the ...
At MIT we can set EHS training requirements for academic courses using our same Learning Management System through which all other EHS trainings are tracked and administered. Somehow in the "back end" there is a feed from the Registrar's Office into ...
Greetings all, I have a group of researchers who have gotten funding for a couple of pieces of equipment. We are working with them to ensure that the lab space is set up correctly. I have site guidelines and requirements that I am working through now, ...
We require all students in a biology or chemistry lab to complete an online safety training. It is very basic - covers SDSs, basic PPE, general lab safety - for biology it also addresses infectious agents and decontamination. We have worked with our ...
Our policy - In general, children without a valid reason should not be permitted in research facilities. And then we say - Unsupervised volunteers and visitors, including minors, create a risk for injury and increased liability for the University ...
Colleagues, An auditor is asking us to report training completion metrics for students in lab courses. In my experience, this is done for research labs / research assistants (who are often employees). However, I am unsure if this is done widely with ...
Thanks for sharing your experience on this topic! Bill, I'll check out your policy. I agree that getting the key stakeholders involved is going to be critical. Once we decide on how to move forward at my institution, then I will certainly share the ...
Thanks Barbara, Reflecting on our own policy, the restriction (no kids in labs) is quite brief, like yours. It is all the exceptions, qualifications and referral to other policies that make up most of the text in the policy. https://www.policy.iastate.edu/policy/children/workplace ...
Minors are permitted to work in labs. The Research Advisor/Principal Investigator must complete a "Volunteer Agreement" which was created by our legal counsel. This agreement includes information regarding the work assignments, work hours, health insurance, ...
From our Safety Manual: https://www.mtu.edu/ehs/documents/safety-manual/ch3.html If applicable, must also meet: 1.02-Minors Involved in University-sponsored Programs or Programs Held in University Facilities https://www.mtu.edu/policy/policies/general/1-02/ ...
Hello Barbara, How does your policy accommodate minors doing research in a lab? Or would such individuals be "authorized children"? Bill ------------------------------ William Diesslin Associate Director Iowa State University Ames IA 515-294-2105 wmdiess@iastate.edu ...
Excerpt from our Bennett Department of Chemistry safety rules for research laboratories: "Unauthorized personnel, children, and pets are not permitted in the laboratory." ------Original Message------ Hi Dionna, Some of the ...
Hi Dionna, Some of the issues we encountered before establishing a "Children in the Workplace" policy included: 1) Infants seats on lab counters. 2) Grad students feeling obligated to watch faculty children during lectures. 3) Unattended children utilizing ...
Good Morning: I work at a small research facility in Madison, WI. We have noticed that laboratory staff bring their children to work with them during school breaks or on weekends. We currently don't have a policy for this situation, and we are looking ...
Bill Perhaps the doctor should recite in the mirror, "I am not an IH". Carol, I am happy to send you general guidance that I share with researchers in these situations. The guidance does include links to resources for information. ...
Thanks Carol you made my morning brighter. Happy I could help. J All my best, Jon ------Original Message------ Hi Jon - Thank you for your insight -very valuable. I was approached by the faculty member who already reviewed ...
If a pregnancy is openly announced, one tangible thing that EHS can do is to encourage a thorough clean up of the lab by all the other lab members. Usually lab teams have additional opportunities to dispose of nasty leftovers, wipe down surfaces, and ...
This is less relevant in the case of a pregnant faculty member, but another good general step is asking if a pregnant worker has declared her pregnancy to her supervisor. If the conversation gets to the point of discussing accommodations, their participation ...
Jon, My "I am not a doctor" was a suggestion of what we must tell ourselves, not the community we serve. It's just a reminder to "stay in your lane", because suggesting the need for accommodation without input from a doctor (and HR, ADA coordinator) could ...
Thanks Bill. ------------------------------ Carol McMillin EH&S/Risk Manager Ursinus College Collegeville PA 610-409-3221 ------------------------------
THanks ------------------------------ Carol McMillin EH&S/Risk Manager Ursinus College Collegeville PA 610-409-3221 ------------------------------
Hi Jon - Thank you for your insight -very valuable. I was approached by the faculty member who already reviewed the hazards in her lab. She avoided research this summer. I recommended speaking with her doctor who she said referred her to speak with ...
Hi Carol, Looks like others have chimed in with advice on what types of teratogenic substances to look for a good start. I'll offer some experiences and advice in another area how we engage with and actively support folks who come to us ...
In addition to the recitations that Bill suggests there should be one more "it depends." ------------------------------ Gary Yarrow Director, Env Health & Safety South Dakota State University Brookings SD 605-688-6332 ------------------------------
Unless you are a medical doctor and working in that capacity, there is absolutely nothing you can do. I wouldn't even "review" the hazards, I would simply compile them and tell the faculty member to consult with their personal physician. If their doctor ...
Thanks Jeff. ------------------------------ Carol McMillin EH&S/Risk Manager Ursinus College Collegeville PA 610-409-3221 ------------------------------
Thank you, Mary. No biological or radiation hazards thankfully. ------------------------------ Carol McMillin EH&S/Risk Manager Ursinus College Collegeville PA 610-409-3221 ------------------------------
Thanks Kevin. This is helpful. ------------------------------ Carol McMillin EH&S/Risk Manager Ursinus College Collegeville PA 610-409-3221 ------------------------------
Step one, if you haven't done so, is to talk to your Title IX coordinator to understand what you can and can't discuss, control, or limit in her scope of work. Jeff -- Jeff Lewin Chemical Safety Officer Compliance, Integrity, and ...
Hi Carol, In addition to chemical hazards the other things I would consider, depending on the type of lab the person is in, include: 1) Biological hazards - Does the lab work with any organisms that could pose an increased risk during pregnancy? 2) ...
Hi Carol, A few thoughts coming from the perspective of a small research institution: First, it depends heavily on what is being done in the lab. In NY, work with radioactive materials has its own set of regulatory requirements for pregnant ...
Good morning - it's been a while since I've had a pregnant faculty member doing lab research. Aside from reviewing the hazards of chemicals that may be used and the faculty member consulting with her doctor, anything else to consider? Anyone have ...
No but I have experience with trying to pick up a drum of hazardous waste with no lift gate on my truck. I purchased a hydraulic lift cart for $250.00. Depending on how high your loading dock is that might work for the cylinders. You might need a more ...
Google finds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=uwBR1VFAHXI https://handtrucks2go.com/Motorized-Dewar-Cart.html?variantid=2767&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Google-PLA&gclid=CjwKCAjw1f_pBRAEEiwApp0JKPRn9efzHEVZKeI87okoCOrV6f8XmxrQ394PX_NklEDICKEGn4DZOxoCj3gQAvD_BwE ...
Hi All We've now been notified by a second gas supplier that they will no longer push 230 liter nitrogen Dewars up wheel chair ramps to make deliveries into our buildings. This is a significant issue for us as we do not have ground level loading docks ...
Register at https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/acs-webinars/professional-development/researcher-safety.html?sc=190815_webinar_prodev_em_eb_chas ...
Hi Mary, You have to consider federal requirements (OSHA), national (International Building Code and NFPA), your state requirements (ex. California has specific requirements), and then local city or town requirements. Two exits are a good idea whenever ...
I think the applicable standard is NFPA 45, section 5.3.1 Means of Access to an Exit. "A second means of access to an exit shall be provided from a laboratory if any of the following situations exist: (1) A laboratory work area contains an explosion ...
Hi all, We have a researcher here who will be using hydrogen cylinder in his lab. He also proposes to use highly flammable metals like sodium. He has asked for a lab with 2 doors for safety purposes. We in EH&S have been tasked with "show us in the ...
Thanks for sharing your presentation, Jack! ------------------------------ Nancy Eaker Manager, Environmental Health & Safety Texas A&M University College Station TX 979-845-4227 ------------------------------
Hello all, Back from my post-CSHEMA vacation and all caught up on email, so I wanted to post the slides from my presentation. Please feel free to contact me with any questions/comments! ------------------------------ Jack Reidy Research Safety Specialist ...
Unfortunately, I/we don't have experience with this firm; however, I would simply look into what quality certifications they carry, test methods used, how long in business, etc. We have most often returned equipment to manufacturer for re-calibration. ...
Hi Paul- I'm curious to hear what your opinion ends up being about this company if you go forward with using them. We had our ADM-860 calibrated through Shortridge last time it needed it and it was obscenely expensive, in my opinion. ~Lindsay ------------------------------ ...
I often reference the Oregon OSHA Appendix D (Information For Employees Voluntarily Using Respirators) under the General Requirements for Protective Equipment document: https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHARules/div4/div4I.pdf#page=71 ------------------------------ ...
Marcus Agree it upsets many people however because it makes their risk analysis easier if they can simple use RG to designate biosafety level. Dr Richard W Gilpin RBP CBSP SM(NRCM) Dr Richard W Gilpin LLC Control of Biohazards Course ...
"Voluntary Use of Respirators Voluntary users of tight fitting respirators in an environment where no respirators are required shall complete the Research Safety Respiratory Protection training and be medically cleared to wear a tight fitting face ...
Someone in the Industrial Hygiene Community of Practice may know. You may want to cross post. ------------------------------ Markus Schaufele Northwestern University ------------------------------
Hi Despina, You may want to share how you used Jeopardy and Kahoot to spur more discussion on your request. Good luck. ------------------------------ Markus Schaufele Northwestern University ------------------------------