The Safety Guys

This month the Safety Guys provide an introduction and overview of hazardous waste handling in a typical forensic laboratory. Our focus will be on hazardous chemical wastes.

The first part of this article discussed the grim statistics for worker illnesses, injuries, and deaths in American workplaces. This second, and final, installment picks up that theme and presents the rest of the story in favor of protecting workers.

With the new OSHA administration and potential new legislation, taking the risk of non-compliance could prove very costly and a bad business decision.

The following recommendations have been culled from years of dealing with IEQ complaints. Often the fix is very simple and costs almost nothing.

Of all the hazards faced as a forensic specialist, the one ubiquitous danger faced almost daily is hazard to the eyes.

Almost daily we review accident or injury reports that remind us about the dangers of slips, trips, and falls and the heavy cost associated with the resulting injuries. A few recent statistics hammer home the reality of the concern:

One of the most important fixtures in any laboratory, including a well-outfitted forensic lab, is the chemical fume hood. Regardless of the specific type selected, there are a few design parameters and basic operational principles that should be used across the board.

The increased use of computers in forensic laboratories warrants a close look at workstation ergonomics.

Preventing Indoor Air Quality Issues after New Construction or Renovations

In this column the Safety Guys take a look at building green and some of the potential health and safety issues involved.