Biocontainment Is a Bigger Challenge in Medical Examiner Facilities
How well do biocontainment and biosafety guidelines written for research facilities apply to medical examiners?
Extension Cords Are Not a Permanent Solution
Extension cords should only be used when necessary and only for temporary use. If you have more than a few extension cords powering equipment in your lab, it is probably time to call an electrician to install additional strategically placed outlets or rearrange equipment.
Don't Use the Area Under the Safety Shower for Storage
The open area under the safety shower is often choice space for putting boxes or storing a cart. Resist the temptation and keep access to it free and clear of obstacles. One day you may need to find it quickly and with your eyes closed.
Provide Safety Equipment in Each Lab
Not only should fire extinguishers, safety showers, eye wash fountains, first aid kits, fire blankets, and fume hoods be provided but they should be tested or checked monthly.
Routinely Check Hoods for Adequate Flow and Velocity
One problem with all hoods, but definitely more so with chemical hoods than others in our experience, is that as a cabinet space in a lab they tend to accumulate stuff and are frequently used for storage.
Never Use a Household-Type Refrigerator to Store Flammable Liquids
Never use a household-type refrigerator to store flammable liquids (ethers, alcohols, etc). In the event of a container spill or leak an explosive concentration can quickly develop with ignition occuring when the unit cycles. Every year or two there is a new story of a university lab destroyed as a result of a refrigerator fire.
Recognize the Hazards
Understanding the required Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) programs and recognizing hazards will help you to identify and correct many of the common safety and health hazards associated with doing forensic analysis and research.
Conduct Periodic, Unannounced Laboratory Inspections
Quarterly inspections are an integral part of a good safety program. They are conducted to ensure that the working and learning environment is safe and healthy for all.
General Guidelines for Chemical Storage
Safely storing chemicals in laboratories or stockrooms requires considering many health and safety factors. In particular, proper use of containers and common lab equipment is critical.
Basic Rules for Safe Handling of Cylinders
What follows here is a condensed set of basic guidelines applicable to all compressed gas cylinders.
Chemical Classes and the NFPA Hazard Diamond
Experienced laboratory managers know that there are four basic categories of chemicals: toxic, corrosive, flammable, and reactive. These four properties are the foundation of the NFPA hazard diamond.
Different Types of Hazardous Energy
Autoclaves, centrifuges, and other automated equipment are capable of injuring employees in numerous ways. This is because there are several forms of hazardous energy.
Different Types of Hazardous Energy
Autoclaves, centrifuges, and other automated equipment are capable of injuring employees in numerous ways. This is because there are several forms of hazardous energy.
Many Injuries Arise from Poor Housekeeping
Slips, trips, and falls are too common and easily avoided. Begin with organizing the storage areas, followed by a general facility inspection.
Hazardous Wastes: Identification and Accumulation
Proper management of hazardous chemical waste is important for maintaining safety and to avoid potential expensive regulatory fines.
What are the Worst Possible Things that Could Go Wrong?
This is the world's simplest safety program. It represents the minimalist approach. If you want to know how little you can do and "get by," being able to answer these four questions is a good beginning point.
Require that All Accidents be Reported
Not only should it be required that all accidents or incidents be reported, they should also be evaluated by the departmental safety committee and discussed at departmental safety meetings.
Store Incompatible Chemicals Separately
The proper storage of chemicals has become a focal point of laboratory safety. We need to keep chemicals which are incompatible separated some reasonable distance from each other.
Require Good Housekeeping
When people are trained to clean-up and put things away as soon as they are done using them, their work areas are safer, more spacious, and more productive.
Provide Adequate Supplies of PPE
Employers are responsible for providing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, goggles, face shields, gloves, lab coats, and bench top shields. Employees are responsible for using these devices.
The Life Expectancy of Chemicals - Know the Limits
Develop a program for dating stored chemicals and for recertifying or discarding them after predetermined maximum periods of storage.
Develop a System for the Legal, Safe, and Ecologically Acceptable Disposal of Chemical Wastes
We recommend the establishment of a chemical management system. The system begins with the assumption of responsibility. Management needs to have written policies for the safe use and disposal of chemical and biological materials.
Provide Secure, Adequately Spaced, Well Ventilated Storage of Chemicals
In laboratories, the most serious issue is the restriction of access to hazardous chemicals to appropriate personnel. Keep the door to the storeroom locked and only allow authorized people to get at these materials.
Lab Safety is Not a Spectator Sport
There's a tendency to think that if someone is appointed safety coordinator, they have to do all the work for the rest of us. False! Here's a list of a number of different specific assignments:
A Checkup for Your Chemical Hygiene Plan
The OSHA Hazard Communication Program (HCP) and the OSHA Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) are cornerstones for chemical safety and health in the workplace.
