Transcript LABORATORY INSPECTIONS - Crop and Soil Science

LABORATORY
INSPECTIONS
Jerry Gordon
Manager For Laboratory
Safety Programs
[email protected]
Who Is This Training For?

For all faculty, staff, graduate assistants,
and DSRs who want to take a proactive
approach to operating their labs safely
by identifying potential issues through
laboratory self inspections.
Objectives

Identify reasons to conduct self
inspections of labs

Identify areas of concern and common
issues found in labs

Identify corrective actions to take

Identify best management practices to
address areas of concern
Why Inspect Labs???

Determine compliance with regulations
– Raise level of awareness for lab personnel
– Identify and address issues before a “real”
inspection

Opportunity for additional training

Health and safety check of laboratory
facilities

Outlet for faculty, staff, and graduate
student concerns
Inspecting Labs

How to inspect labs
– Use of checklists vs. “the walk around”
– Include faculty, staff, and graduate students
– Send a copy of the final report to the faculty

Best to go with experienced inspector
first
– It takes time and practice to be consistent
Cooperation vs. confrontation
 Provide solutions, not just citations

Inspecting Labs

Recommended frequency of inspections
– Weekly by lab occupants
 e.g. Friday afternoon cleanups
– Formal once-a-month by designated lab
representatives or DSRs
– Minimum once per semester
– Voluntary yearly consultations by EH&S



Provides a second set of eyes
Incorporates any changes to the regulations
Can provide recommendations for similar issues
from other labs
Inspecting Labs

What to bring along during an inspection
– The checklist
– A notepad and pen
– Scotch tape
– Permanent marker
– Multi-tool (screwdrivers, wire cutters, etc)
– Examples of signs and labels to hand out
– Digital camera is useful for documentation
and training pictures
Inspecting Labs

When issues are found:
– Take corrective action to address the issue
immediately

Do you need to document the issue if corrected
in front of you?
– Notify others in the lab of any issues
discovered
– Use labels and signs as reminders
– Include as topics for discussion at lab
group and safety committee meetings
For This Training Program…

Should
– Recommendation by EH&S as a best
management practice for labs
– Things that outside inspectors LIKE to
see when they go through a lab

Must
– Regulatory requirement involved
– Specific items outside inspectors look for
to determine compliance with regulations
Inspection Areas
Housekeeping
 General Safety
 Chemical Safety
 Chemical Waste / EPA
 Other Wastes
 Other Regulations
 Emergency
 Communication

Housekeeping
Arguably THE most important issue in
your lab
 Gives a general impression of the overall
condition of your lab
 Can have a significant impact on the
outcome of an inspection by an outside
agency
 Citable OSHA violation

– Indication of more serious problems
Housekeeping

Includes benches, hoods, cabinets,
sinks, refrigerators and freezers
– Chemical containers, sharps, trash, clutter

All chemical spills must be cleaned up
– Includes drips from containers, splashes on
cabinet fronts or in hoods, etc

Keep overhead storage to a minimum
– Do not store heavy items overhead
Housekeeping

When requesting maintenance work,
please be considerate of maintenance
staff by:
– Ensuring all chemicals and apparatus
have been removed from the work area
– Ensuring the work area is clean of
chemical spills or residue
– Notifying them of any potential hazards or
possible chemical contamination
General Safety
Personal Protective Equipment
 Electrical Safety
 Refrigerators
 Machine Guarding
 Fume Hoods
 Gas Cylinders
 Respirators

Personal Protective Equipment

The department or unit is responsible for
deciding what PPE is required

Has the lab completed an assessment of
the hazards in their work area and
determined the appropriate PPE?
– Assistance with hazard assessments and
choosing the right PPE can be obtained
from EH&S
– Ex. See the glove selection chart in the CHP
Personal Protective Equipment

Is the appropriate PPE available and in
good condition?

Is the appropriate PPE being worn?

Have the lab workers been trained on
proper use of the PPE?

Has this information been included in
the lab’s Standard Operating
Procedures?
Electrical Safety

Maintain plugs, cords, and equipment
in good condition
– Get repaired immediately if needed
– Look for cracked cords, bare insulation
– Electrical tape is not acceptable
Extension cords are for temporary use
only
 Use power strips if necessary
 Do not cascade power strips and
extension cords

Electrical Safety

Do not block electric power panels
– Need to maintain clearance and have ready
access to breakers

Ensure all missing breakers are reported
to building coordinator
– Missing breakers need breaker caps
installed

Emergency cut off switches and
breakers must be labeled
– Contact building coordinator for assistance
Electrical Safety

Do not store oxidizers or flammables
around power panels or other ignition
sources

Be aware when using electrical devices
around sinks and other sources of water
– Use a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)
around wet areas
Electrical Safety

Do not alter or repair fixed wiring in
buildings
– Contact building coordinator for
assistance

All electrical devices or equipment
must be third party tested
– Underwriters Laboratories – UL listed
Refrigerators

Do not store food in chemical
refrigerators
– Chemical refrigerators should be labeled as
“Chemicals Only, No Food”
For sample storage, include an
identification key on outside of
refrigerator
 Should store liquid chemicals in
secondary containers such as trays
 Practice good housekeeping

– Clean up all spills
Refrigerators

Clean refrigerators on a regular basis

Defrost freezers on a regular basis

Only special rated flammable storage
refrigerators may be used for storage of
flammable liquids
Refrigerators

All refrigerators should have an ECO
disposal registration sticker
– Check with your DSR or Building
Coordinator OR
– Contact Facility Coordinator or Anne
Wildman at ECO at [email protected]
Cold Rooms
Same principles of refrigerator storage
apply
 No storage of food
 Should not store flammable liquids and
cryogenic gases in cold rooms

– Flammability and explosion hazard
– Asphyxiation hazard
Machine Guarding

All moving parts need to be properly
guarded

Includes belts, pinch points, and
blades
– Vacuum pumps, hydraulic presses,
cutting devices, grinders, rotating shafts
Fume Hoods

Hoods are not storage cabinets
– Temporary storage for experiments is
acceptable
– Excess storage interferes with air flow
– Any equipment stored in hoods should be
elevated to allow air to flow properly under
equipment

Keep sash as low as possible
– Safety measure during use
– Energy conservation measure when not in
use
Fume Hoods

Hoods are not disposal devices
– Illegal to evaporate hazardous waste

Do not use heated Perchloric acid in
standard fume hoods
– Vapors can form shock-sensitive
compounds that can explode
– Requires a Perchloric acid fume hood with a
special wash down function
Gas Cylinders

Must be secured upright at all times
– Includes half size cylinders
– Use of chains is preferred

Label with a Full/In Use/Empty tag

Replace cap when not in use
Gas Cylinders

Keep away from ignition sources

Separate Oxygen and fuel cylinders
– At least by 20 feet or a half hour fire wall

Only order what you need – do not
stockpile on loading docks

Just-In-Time delivery by Airgas
– Next day service
Respirators

Includes half face and full
face respirators
– Does not include dust masks

Must be in the Cornell
University Respirator
Protection Program
– If job requires a respirator
– And for voluntary use

Contact Dustin O’Hara at
5-5082
Chemical Safety
Proper Labeling
 Chemical Segregation
 Chemical Storage
 Peroxide Formers

Chemical Labeling

All containers must be labeled
– Includes wash bottles, reagent bottles, and
other chemical containers

Labels must identify contents

For original containers
– Tape label if it is falling off
– Relabel with permanent label

Deface old labels that do not accurately
describe contents of chemical containers
Chemical Labeling

Labels on non-original containers
should include:
– Full chemical name
– Hazards present > flammable, corrosive,
health hazards

If using structures, formulas, or
abbreviations
– Should have a key explaining abbreviations

Recommend using EH&S Right-To-Know
labels (see www.ehs.cornell.edu)
Chemical Labeling

Should date containers when received
and opened
– Dispose of expired and old chemicals

Especially recommended for peroxide
formers
Chemical Segregation
Store chemicals according to hazard
class
 Do not store chemicals by:

– Alphabetically
– Carbon number (organic chemicals)
– Liquids versus solids
– Small bottles versus large bottles
– Whatever fits on the shelf

Until chemicals have been segregated
Chemical Segregation

Benefits of segregation by hazard classes
–
–
–
–
Safer storage
Increase knowledge about the chemical
Identify potentially explosive chemicals
Identify multiples of the same chemical
Read container labels and MSDSs
 Assistance with lab cleanouts and
segregating chemicals is available,
contact EH&S for more information

– Email [email protected]
General Hazard Classes
Flammable liquids
 Flammable solids
 Water reactives
 Oxidizers
 Cyanides
 Compressed gases
 Poisons

Organic acids
 Inorganic acids
 Nitric acid
 Perchloric acid
 Bases
 Radioactive
 Biohazards

Chemical Storage

Minimize amount of chemicals stored
– Take advantage of Just-In-Time delivery

Store small bottles in front of large
bottles

Store with labels facing out
Chemical Storage

Store older and used bottles in front of
full containers
– Use up the older containers and
containers with smaller amounts
remaining first

Do not store hazardous liquids above
eye level
– Especially no acids or bases
– Other chemicals injurious to the eyes
Chemical Storage

Recommend storing chemicals in
secondary containers such as trays,
buckets, or bottle holders

Recommend labeling cabinets and
storage areas with hazard class labels

Rule of thumb - should not store more
than 10 gallons of flammables outside a
flammable cabinet
– Includes flammable chemicals in use
Peroxide Formers

Hazards of peroxide formers
– Flammable
– Can form potentially explosive crystals

All peroxide formers should be tested
for peroxides every 6 months from the
date opened
– Record test date and results on container
– Should also record date opened
– Test strips available at Chemistry
stockroom

Minimize quantities stored
Peroxide Formers

Common examples include:
–
–
–
–
–

Ethyl ether
Dioxane
Tetrahydrofuran
Sodium amide
Potassium metal
There are many others out there –
read material safety data sheets
Chemical Waste / EPA

Hazardous Waste Issues

Satellite Accumulation Areas

Other Wastes

Universal Wastes

Used Oil
Hazardous Waste Issues

All hazardous waste containers must
be labeled with the words “Hazardous
Waste” and with words identifying the
contents

All hazardous waste containers must
be kept closed

Containers must be in good condition
– EPA and “Inherently waste-like”
Hazardous Waste Issues

Do not store chemicals in or around
sinks without secondary containment

Waste should be stored in secondary
containment
– Trays, buckets, etc
– Segregate by hazard class
Hazardous Waste Issues

Leave some airspace in waste containers

Do not accumulate excessive amounts of
waste

Accumulate waste in the smallest size
container needed for the experiment

Date containers when you are ready to
submit a waste tag to EH&S
Hazardous Waste Issues

Satellite Accumulation Area
– The term EPA uses for where you generate
your waste

Hazardous waste must be stored at or
near the point of generation
– Means in the lab the waste was generated
– Do not move waste between rooms
 EPA would interpret this as creation of a 90 day
storage area similar to what EH&S maintains
Other Wastes

Check with building manager first to
see what program they have for other
wastes

Universal wastes

Used oil

Solutions containing Silver
Universal Wastes

Includes used batteries and light bulbs

Needs to be labeled with the words
“Universal Waste _______”

Universal waste needs to have an
accumulation start date

Dispose of within one year
– Recommend disposal within 9 months
Used Oil

Must label container with the words
“Used Oil”

Must store used oil in a proper
container in good condition

Keep containers closed to minimize
spills
– Should store in secondary containers
such as trays
Used Oil

Do not mix other waste with used oil
– Doing so can result in hazardous waste

Contact your building manager for the
location of used oil drum in the
building
Solutions Containing Silver

EH&S has a program to recycle Silver
– Using a Silver filtering unit

Examples include:
– Photographic fixers
– Silver nitrate staining solutions

Contact your DSR for the location of
the nearest Silver filtering unit or call
Nathan Clark at EH&S at 4-8068
Other Regulations

Radioactive Materials

Biohazardous Materials

Lasers

Pesticides

Shipping

Security
Radioactive Materials

All rooms using radioactive materials
must be listed on the radioactive
materials permit

Exposure areas marked
– All rad work surfaces must be labeled with
rad signs or tape around the perimeter

No food or drink are allowed in rad labs
Radioactive Materials

Radioactive stocks must be locked up if
no one is in the lab

Contact Agnes Morris with questions at
5-5600
Biohazards

Requirements for Biohazardous
materials
– Access to room must be restricted
– Includes proper signage on door
– Hygiene and decontamination protocols are
required
– No food or drink are allowed in labs with
biohazardous materials
Biohazards

Biological Safety Cabinets
– Used for containment procedures for
aerosols/splashes

Not designed for use as a chemical fume hood
– Requires annual certification by an outside
contractor


Vet school has a contract with B&V Testing
Other schools need to make their own
arrangements
Biohazards

Training may include Blood Borne
Pathogen and/or Basic Biosafety training

Self audit form available on the EH&S
webpage
– http://www.ehs.cornell.edu/bio/Selfaudit.htm

Contact the Biosafety Officer - Frank
Cantone at 4-4888 with any questions
Biohazard Sharps

Sharps that require disposal in a
sharps container
– Needles and syringes
– Or any item contaminated with a
biohazardous agent or used in a
biomedical laboratory

Pasteur pipettes, razor blades, scapels,
microscope slides, and broken glass
Biohazard Sharps

Must use a commercially
available sharps container
– Puncture resistant
– Leakproof
– Labeled with the biohazard
symbol

Used food containers are
NOT acceptable
Biohazards

All Regulated Medical Waste non-sharp
items must be placed in red biohazard
bags
– Plasticware, gloves, toweling, etc

Must have a completed Cornell
University Medical Waste Tracking Tag
for disposal of Regulated Medical
Waste
Biohazards

Dispose of Regulated Medical Waste
through EH&S
– Vet College has separate procedures

Contact Kevin Fitch with questions at
5-4624
Lasers

There are special requirements for
class 3A and higher Lasers
Lasers

Class 3A Lasers must be labeled with
– The words “Caution” or “danger”
– The hazard class
– Power output
– Type of laser
– Wavelength
– Pulse duration, if applicable
– The room/work area must also be labeled
with this information
Lasers

Class 3B or 4 Laser requirements
– Labeling similar to Class 3A requirements
– Signs, including lighted signs when in use
– Proper eye protection
– Interlocking and/or blocking
– Power control / cutoff switches
– Standard Operating Procedures
Lasers

There are special requirements for
class 3A and higher Lasers

Proper training is also required
– EH&S offers a Laser Safety training class
– Contact Cindy Martin at 4-4473 for more
information
Pesticides

Pesticide use requirements
– Proper labeling of containers
– Proper training
– Proper certification

Agricultural use, including
greenhouses, require Worker
Protection Standard (WPS) training

Contact Eric Harrington at 5-0485 or
[email protected]
Shipping

If shipping hazardous materials
(including packages with dry ice), then
you need proper training
– DOT Hazardous Materials Shipping
training

EH&S offers this training class
– Contact Mike Lonon at 5-6995 for more
information
Security

Understand that security of laboratories
is a real issue in today’s world

Recognize that security is related to but
different than laboratory safety
– Accidental vs. intended

Realize there are simple steps you can
take to help protect your laboratory and
your research materials
Security Steps You Can Take

First identify what items you should try
to protect
– Take a fresh look at your building and work
areas

Minimize the quantities of highly
hazardous materials kept on hand
– Utilize substitution or disposal

Control access to research areas
– Keep doors locked when no one is present
Security Steps You Can Take

Secure your highly hazardous materials
– Locked storage cabinets

Know who is in research areas
– Question people you don’t know
 “Can I help you?”
– Consider using ID badges

Be informed and train research group
members on your security policy
Security

Highly recommend attending the new
EH&S training program:
“Security of Hazardous Materials
Used in Research”

Contact Czora at EH&S at 4-4693 for
more information
Emergency
Aisle Space
 Fire Extinguishers
 Combustible Storage
 Spill Kits
 Emergency Procedures
 Eyewash/Showers
 HASP

Emergency

Keep corridors and hallways clear of
equipment, boxes, and other items

Aisle space
– Storage of bottles, waste, boxes,
equipment, wires, cords on floors
– Need minimum of 36” aisle space
between benches and equipment
Fire Extinguishers

Do not block fire extinguishers

Check to make sure extinguishers are
fully charged
– If not, contact Clayton Bronson at 5-8200

Do not block or wedge fire doors
Combustible Storage

Combustibles include:
– Wood, paper, boxes, plastics

Keep amount of combustibles stored
to a minimum

Keep away from sources of ignition
– Electric power panels, open flames, etc
Combustible Storage

Ceiling clearance for the entire room
– Sprinklered areas - must not store
combustibles within 18” below the crown
of the sprinkler head
– Nonsprinklered areas - must not store
any combustibles within 2 feet of ceiling
Eyewash/Showers

Ensure easy access to eyewash and
emergency showers
– Handheld bottles not acceptable

Should test eyewashes weekly
– Run/flush for 2-3 minutes
– EH&S does annual inspections

Contact EH&S at 5-5237 when new
units are installed
Spill Kits

In case of an emergency or when in
doubt, CALL 911 or
– Call 255-1111 when using a cell phone

Spill kits are recommended, but need
proper procedures and training

EH&S offers the training class
“Cleaning Up Small Spills”
Hazard Assessment Signage
Program (HASP)
All labs should have HASP signage on
outside of door
 HASP will be available on the EH&S
webpage soon
 Need to submit updates to your DSR

– HASP files need to be sent to EH&S to
convert the updates for you
– Contact Robin Goodloe at 5-5613 or
[email protected]
Communication

Chemical Hygiene Plan

Standard Operating Procedures

Material Safety Data Sheets

Training
Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) needs to
be readily available
– Required by OSHA
– Recommend keeping hard copy in lab
– Electronic version is acceptable

As part of the campus CHP, you still
need to have site specific standard
operating procedures
SOPs

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
are required for handling highly
hazardous materials:
– Highly toxic chemicals
– Carcinogenic materials
SOPs

SOPs include information such as:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Chemical hazards
Authorized personnel
Training requirements
Use location
Personal Protective Equipment
Waste disposal
Decontamination
Exposure
Spill control
SOPs

See Chemical Hygiene Plan for more
information
– Generic and specific examples are available
via the EH&S webpage - ww.ehs.cornell.edu
– EH&S offers a “Writing SOPs” training class
Material Safety Data Sheets

Responsibility of supervisors to ensure
MSDSs are accessible
– Paper or electronic format
– Should have MSDS websites bookmarked
– Should be able to produce a MSDS within
5 minutes
EH&S recommends keeping hard copy
of MSDSs in the lab
 Always read the MSDS before working
with new chemicals

Training

All lab workers are required to attend
laboratory safety training
– Should attend the EH&S training program
“Chemical Safety for Laboratory Workers Graduate Students and Employees”

Recommend hazardous waste training
provided by EH&S for all generators of
hazardous waste
– Required by some departments and colleges
Training

To see a complete list of EH&S training,
go to www.ehs.cornell.edu and point to
Training, then click on Safety Education
Course Listing
Keys To Success
Cooperation vs. confrontation
 Provide solutions, not just citations
 Be patient and persistent with changes
 Be proactive and schedule a
Laboratory Workplace Consultation
with EH&S to get started NOW!

–
–
–
–
Voluntary assistance
Includes a consultation report
Contact EH&S at [email protected]
Or call Agnes Morris at 5-5600
My Offer To You….

This training is available to all DSRs,
faculty, staff, and graduate assistants at
your location

“Hands On” In-Lab training is also
available
– You do the inspections
– I’ll provide assistance and advice

Email to set up a time for this training
program or for In-Lab training on
inspecting your labs
QUESTIONS???
Your comments are appreciated, please fill out a
training evaluation form. Thank You!
Jerry Gordon
Manager For Laboratory Safety Programs
[email protected]