Title: Orientation School of Graduate Studies
1OrientationSchool of Graduate Studies
- Laboratory Safety
- Presented By
- Catherine Drum, BASc(OHS), CRSP
- Environmental Health Safety Officer
- Ryerson University
- 2006
2Topics
- Legal Framework
- Project Review/Approval Mechanism
- Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- General Safety Guidelines
- Responding to Laboratory Emergencies
- What-not-to-do Laboratory
- University Contacts
- Resources
3Legal Framework
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Environmental Laws
- Building and Fire Codes
- Transportation of Chemicals
- Other Legislation
- Responsibilities
- Departmental Safety Committees
4Legal Framework
- Occupational Health and Safety
- The Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act
sets out the general duties of employers,
supervisors and employees and describes how
safety and health programs are to operate.
5Legal Framework
- Environmental Laws
- Provincial environmental laws and regulations
also affect laboratory operations by regulating
the discharge of chemicals and by establishing
allowable waste disposal practices - Federal regulations also cover PCBs, hazardous
wastes, and ozone depleting or greenhouse gases
6Legal Framework
- Building and Fire Codes
- Special provisions of the National Building and
National Fire Codes of Canada apply to the design
and operation of laboratories - In some highly specific areas, regulatory
agencies use guidelines and codes developed by US
National Fire Protection Association
7Legal Framework
- Transportation of Chemicals
- Whenever dangerous goods are transported by road,
rail, air or sea the federal Transportation of
Dangerous Goods Act applies - It requires the shipper to classify, label and
package chemicals, and place a dangerous goods
placard on the vehicle that will transport them - It also requires receivers to maintain records of
shipments received
8Legal Framework
- Transportation of Chemicals continued
- The regulations specify that shippers or
receivers of dangerous goods must receive
periodic training
9Legal Framework
- Other Legislation
- Nuclear Safety and Control Act established a
system under which the University is granted a
license under which laboratories use
radioisotopes and radiation emitting equipment - Other regulations apply to areas such as
infectious agents and the health of laboratory
animals
10Legal Framework
- Responsibilities
- Directors, Chairs and Heads of Departments
- are responsible for ensuring that the appropriate
policies and procedures are in place so that
their unit's programs comply with University
policy, health, safety and environmental
legislation
11Legal Framework - Responsibilities
- Laboratory Supervisors
- Are responsible for ensuring that activities
undertaken in their laboratories are consistent
with the University policy of providing a safe
and healthful environment for staff and students
and for those who provide services to their
laboratories - In most cases this is a supervising faculty
member or Principle Investigator
12Legal Framework - Responsibilities
- Core Competency
- Performance Guideline
13Legal Framework - Responsibilities
- Laboratory supervisors shall ensure
- Identification of hazards and assessment of the
risks associated with operations - Ensuring that program personnel are aware of
hazards and of the precautions they should take
in carrying out their assigned tasks - Selection of proper laboratory safety practices
and engineering controls necessary to minimize
personal injury or property damage
14Legal Framework - Responsibilities
- In conjunction with CEHSM, selection of
appropriate preventive medical practices,
serologic monitoring, and immunization protocols,
and inform program personnel of the rationale for
their selection (Eg. Designated Substances) - Providing instruction and training programs for
personnel in the practices and techniques
required for their assigned tasks and laboratory
operations - Maintaining a laboratory procedure notebook
15Legal Framework - Responsibilities
- Ensuring that necessary safety equipment is
available in the laboratory, used when required,
and adequately maintained - In conjunction with CEHSM, establishing and
periodically reviewing emergency procedures for
accidental spills and any overt exposure to
hazardous substances
16Legal Framework - Responsibilities
- Arranging for immediate medical attention for
injured personnel and reporting of incidents as
required - Complying with all policies and procedures set
out by the University and/or by your department.
17Legal Framework - Responsibilities
- Laboratory Staff and Students
- Complying with all University/Department safety
policies and procedures - Maintaining awareness of the risks associated
with assigned duties - Taking all necessary and appropriate safety
precautions relevant to performance of duties
18Legal Framework - Responsibilities
- Becoming familiar with emergency procedures prior
to accidental spills, overt personal exposures,
fire, etc. - Reporting unsafe conditions or practices to the
laboratory supervisor - Reporting all incidents resulting in injury or
exposure to hazardous agents to the laboratory
supervisor
19Legal Framework
- Faculty, Building or Departmental Safety
Committees - University policy encourages heads of units to
establish local health and safety committees - These committees provide advice to the head of
the unit and assist in dealing with local health
and safety matters - Your department office can help you contact your
local committee
20Projects Review/Approval Mechanism
21Projects Review/Approval Mechanism
- Scope
- All projects and activities involving
- Research
- Student-related Project/Thesis
- Change in Equipment, Process or Materials
- New Construction and Renovations
- Special Events
- Travel (Domestic International)
22Projects Review/Approval Mechanism - Scope
- The purposes of such a review are
- To identify hazards and assess the risks
associated with the project or activity - To evaluate the adequacy of safety procedures,
the facilities, and the equipment and - To determine the need for special training,
licensing, medical surveillance, etc.
23Projects Review/Approval Mechanism
- Procedure
- The investigator should contact the Centre for
Environmental Health Safety Management (CEHSM)
to determine whether the Risk Assessment Form
will be necessary for the proposed work - CEHSM is available to assist in the risk
assessment process
24PR/AM - Procedure
- The investigator must submit completed form to
the Department Chair/Academic Director or Dean - Upon receipt of the Risk Assessment Form, the
Dept Chair/Academic Director or Dean will confirm
the required control measures
25PR/AM - Procedure
- The investigator will be advised concerning the
acceptability of the protocol and any
modifications, additions, etc. required - A copy of the completed form will be submitted to
the CEHSM
26PR/AM - Procedure
- Review of
- Risk Assessment Form
27Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Controlled Access
- Visitors in Laboratories
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
28Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Controlled Access
- Certain areas within the University have been
designated restricted and access is controlled by
card-key access or Key. Some examples - Areas with excessive noise
- Rooms containing radiation sources
- Rooms containing hazardous materials
- Rooms containing biohazards
29Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Controlled Access continued
- To prevent unauthorized personnel from entering
restricted areas, a card key, or key, is issued
to each person officially needing access to a
controlled area - Supervisors must approve all requests for
obtaining card-keys or keys
30Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Visitors in Laboratories
- Each laboratory supervisor is responsible for the
safety of adult visitors to his or her
laboratory, including ensuring that immunization,
training, issuance of personal protective
equipment, paper work completion, and other
requirements have been met - Doors to restricted areas must not be propped
open to allow visitor access
31Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- Hazard Categories
- General Information
- Posting of Hazard Signs Labels
- Rules and Procedures
32Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- Hazard Categories
- Hazard identification signage has four distinct
categories - NOTICE states a policy related to safety of
personnel or protection or property but is not
for use with a physical hazard.
33Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous
situation that, if not avoided, may result in
minor or moderate injury. - WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous
situation that, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury. - DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous
situation that, if not avoided, will result in
death or serious injury.
34Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- General Information
- Prominent signs and labels of the following types
are generally posted in and adjacent to
laboratories - emergency phone numbers of emergency personnel/
facilities, supervisors, and lab workers - identity labels, showing contents of containers
and associated hazards
35Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- location signs for safety showers, eyewash
stations, other safety and first aid equipment,
and exits and - warnings at areas or equipment where special or
unusual hazards exist.
36Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- Some of the more common hazards found in
laboratories that are required to be or should be
identified are - Biohazards
- Radiation hazards
- Laser light
- Chemical hazards
- Explosive or flammable liquids
37Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- Cryogenic hazards
- Compressed gas storage
- Noise hazards
- UV light
38Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- Posting of Hazard Signs Labels
- The laboratory supervisor is responsible for
posting hazard warning signs as necessary and in
compliance with the requirements for each type of
hazard encountered - Information on proper types of signs and specific
requirements for signage should be directed to
the CEHSM
39Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- Rules and Procedures
- Signs must be posted only while a hazard exists
and must be removed as soon as the source of
danger is removed. - Hazard warning signs must show the name(s) of the
hazard(s) and the investigator, his/her
alternate, with their emergency telephone
numbers.
40Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- The investigator named on the hazard sign will
determine when visitors can be allowed in the
laboratory. - Signs that are to be used permanently should be
posted in permanent frames - Signs that are to be posted on a temporary bases
(less than one month) may be installed in
permanent frames or posted with tape on
appropriate surfaces.
41Identification and Control of Hazardous Areas
- Hazard Warning Signs and Labels
- The investigator is responsible for obtaining all
hazard and/or labels for the laboratory.
42General Safety Guidelines
- Common Laboratory Hazards
- Controlling Laboratory Risks
- Safe Laboratory Practices
- Equipment Safety
43General Safety Guidelines
- Common Laboratory Hazards
- Chemical hazards
- Toxins, corrosives, flammables, and reactives
- Biological hazards
- Microbes, animals, plants, and genetically
modified agents - Radiation hazards
- Ionizing and non-ionizing radiation
44General Safety Guidelines
- Common Laboratory Hazards
- Physical hazards
- Heating devices, noise, projectiles, fire, cold,
etc. - Electrical hazards
- Fire and shock
- Mechanical hazards
- Moving machinery
45Common Laboratory Hazards
- Airborne hazardous materials
- Vapors, dust, etc.
- Ergonomic factors
- Standing, repetitive motion
46General Safety Guidelines
- Controlling Laboratory Risks
- Administrative and engineering controls can help
minimize laboratory risks - However, safety conscious workers using good
laboratory practices are the most important
component of laboratory safety - The following factors are important for safe
laboratory operations
47Controlling Laboratory Risks
- Adequate facilities
- Proper ventilation
- Non-slip surfaces
- Hand washing facilities
48Controlling Laboratory Risks
- Available and appropriate safety equipment
- Personal protective equipment
- Laboratory equipment
- Safety devices on laboratory equipment, machines,
devices, and instruments
49GSG Controlling Laboratory Risks
- Appropriate emergency equipment
- Fire extinguishers
- Emergency showers
- Eye wash stations
50GSG Controlling Laboratory Risks
- Appropriate procedures
- Good housekeeping and Personal hygiene
- Chemical waste disposal
- Sharps use and disposal
- Assessment, purchase, and use of personal
protective equipment - Purchase, acceptance, storage, use, handling, and
disposal of compressed gas cylinders
51GSG Controlling Laboratory Risks
- Knowledgeable workers
- Experienced
- Trained
52GSG Controlling Laboratory Risks
- All laboratory doors should be labeled with
emergency contact information - If an incident occurs during off-hours,
respondents need to know the names and telephone
numbers of the people responsible for laboratory
operations - Keep this information current and accurate
53GSG - Controlling Laboratory Risks
- Properly trained and experienced workers have the
greatest ability to control laboratory risks - By using good laboratory practices, workers can
minimize hazards, exposure, contamination, and
workplace accidents
54General Safety Guidelines
- Safe Laboratory Practices
- Know about the chemicals and hazards associated
with your laboratory - Know what to do in different emergency situations
- Know how to read and interpret MSDSs
- Wear personal protective equipment, as appropriate
55GSG Safe Laboratory Practices
- Follow safe practices for working with chemicals
- Dedicate microwave ovens and other heating
devices exclusively for food or for laboratory
operations. Ensure that ovens are clearly labeled
to indicate their function. - Do not wear contact lenses around chemicals,
fumes, dust particles, or other hazardous
materials
56GSG Safe Laboratory Practices
- Protect unattended operations from utility
failures and other potential problems that could
lead to overheating or other hazardous events - Avoid working alone in a laboratory
- Avoid producing aerosols
- Use extreme care when working with needles,
blades, and glass - Do not eat, drink, or use tobacco products in the
laboratory
57GSG Safe Laboratory Practices
- Do not mouth pipet
- Clean contaminated equipment and spills
immediately - Avoid contaminating equipment with mercury
- Clean mercury spills immediately. (Chronic
exposure to mercury can result from a few drops
left uncleaned.) - Do not allow visitors in the laboratory
58GSG Safe Laboratory Practices
- Keep laboratory doors closed
- Decontaminate all affected equipment
- Avoid using dry ice in enclosed areas. (Dry ice
can produce elevated carbon dioxide levels.) - Hallways, corridors, and exit ways must be kept
clear. - Do not locate (even temporarily) laboratory
equipment or supplies in these areas
59GSG Safe Laboratory Practices
- IMPORTANT
- Never underestimate the hazards associated
- with a laboratory. If you are unsure about
- what you are doing, get assistance. Do
- not use unfamiliar chemicals, equipment,
- or procedures alone.
60GSG Safe Laboratory Practices
- Laboratory Inspections
- Formal inspections (documented) should be
performed by the lab supervisor at least once per
semester - Staff and students should perform a visual
inspection each time they enter the lab
61GSG Safe Laboratory Practices
- Storage of Chemicals
- In minimum practical quantities away from
entrances - Protected from exposure to excessive heat or
direct sunlight - Above floor level on shelves not higher than
shoulder height
62GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- On shelves with a back which prevents chemicals
from falling off the rear of the shelf - Separately from other incompatible chemicals
- In safety coated bottles where appropriate
63GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- Containers
- Store Chemicals
- In the supplier's original container or in a
container that provides adequate protection for
the contents - In containers bearing a label showing the
chemical name and safe handling instructions
64GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- Store Solvents
- In containers bearing labels which give the
chemical name and safe handling information - In refrigerators designed for storage of
flammable liquids - In flammable storage cabinets
65GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- Separation of Incompatible Chemicals
- Generally chemicals are grouped into the
following incompatibility classes - Acids and bases
- Solvents
- Dangerously reactive chemicals
- Oxidizers
- Other reagents
66GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- Separation of Incompatible Chemicals contd
- Professional judgment must be exercised in
devising a storage system which properly
separates incompatible chemicals in any
particular laboratory but, in general, chemicals
in each of these incompatible classes should be
stored separately.
67GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- Separation of Incompatible Chemicals
- For Inorganic Acids and Bases
- Store acids and bases separately from other
chemicals - Provide a secondary means to contain a liquid
spill - Exercise care when removing acids or bases or
returning them to storage as mixing of acids and
bases can generate a good deal of heat
68GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- Separation of Incompatible Chemicals
- For Solvents
- Store solvents separately from other chemicals,
where possible in a flammable liquid cabinet - Follow University policy regarding container size
and laboratory volume limit - Provide a secondary means of containment to
control a liquid spill, if solvents are stored
outside of a flammable liquid cabinet
69GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- For Solvents continued
- Protect solvents from exposure to flames or other
sources of heat - Store acetic acid as a flammable liquid rather
than an acid.
70GSG - SLP - Storage of Chemicals
- For Dangerously Reactive Chemicals
- Store reactive chemicals with regard for their
reactive properties well separated from
incompatible chemicals. - For Oxidizers
- Store oxidizers separately from combustible
materials and particularly from reducing agents - Store perchloric acid as an oxidizer rather than
as an acid
71GSG - SLP Moving Chemicals
- Between University Buildings
- Laboratory staff or students should not move
chemicals between University buildings without
authorization - Federal government regulations require that only
staff who have received TDG training may ship
chemicals
72GSG - SLP Moving Chemicals
- Within University Buildings
- Care is needed to prevent accidents while moving
chemicals within a building and particularly
through public areas - Exercise extreme care if you must use an elevator
to move chemicals - Elevator cars as so confined, a spill or leak of
a chemical could result in a severe exposure - In addition, a liquid spill could contaminate the
entire elevator shaft
73GSG - SLP Moving Chemicals
- To Move Chemicals Safely within the University
Buildings - Use a cart to move chemicals in containers larger
than can be easily carried in one hand - Move liquids in a leak proof secondary container
- Move inorganic acids and other corrosive liquids
in "rubber buckets"
74GSG - SLP Moving Chemicals
- Moving chemicals, as received in the supplier's
original shipping package, is permitted - Be careful using elevators or stairs to move
chemicals
75General Safety Guidelines
- Equipment Safety
- There are four fundamental elements of equipment
safety - use the correct equipment
- know how to operate the equipment
- inspect the equipment
- use the equipment properly
76GSG Equipment Safety
- Use equipment for its intended purpose only
- Do not modify or adapt equipment without guidance
from the equipment manufacturer - Do not defeat, remove, or override equipment
safety devices - Working in a laboratory requires various types of
equipment
77GSG Equipment Safety
- To ensure equipment safety, you must be familiar
with the following - Equipment operation
- Applicable safeguards
- Maintenance requirements
- Always inspect equipment before using it
78GSG Equipment Safety
- Ensure that the equipment meets the following
requirements - Controls and safeguards are adequate and
functional - Location is safe (and well-ventilated, if
necessary) - Equipment works properly
79GSG Equipment Safety
- IMPORTANT
- Disconnect any equipment that is unsafe
- or does not work properly, tag it, and
- remove it from service.
- Notify other users of the problem.
80Responding to Laboratory Emergencies
- Responding to a Fire
- Dealing with Chemical Spills
- First Aid for Chemical Exposures
81Responding to Laboratory Emergencies
- IMPORTANT
- Review all the emergency response
- procedures with your supervisor
- PRIOR to commencing work
- specifically, spill response, fire and
- first aid.
82Responding to Laboratory Emergencies
- Responding to a Fire
- Prompt response to a fire is the key to
preventing injury and property damage - The primary consideration is to prevent injury
83RLE Responding to a Fire
- Ryersons Procedure If You Discover a Fire
- Exercise good judgment in deciding whether to
attempt to extinguish the fire or not, withthe
fire protection equipment available. - If in doubt, leave the fire scene, close all
doors, and activate the nearest pullbox. - Call Security by dialing 80 from a safe location,
and give all the pertinent facts.
84RLE Responding to a Fire
- Ryersons Procedure If You Discover a Fire
- Leave the building by the nearest safe exit.
- Do not use elevators.
- Stand outside the building to direct the Fire
Department and/or Security to the exact location
of the fire. - You should be familiar with the evacuation policy
(www.ryerson.ca/cehsm/policies/index.htm
85Responding to Laboratory Emergencies
- Dealing with Chemical Spills
- Chemical spills are common laboratory accidents
to which all staff and students should be
prepared to respond - Planning ahead and equipping the laboratory with
the required equipment usually ensures a quick,
safe and effective response
86RLE Dealing with Chemical Spills
- Spill response requires a knowledge of the
physical, chemical and toxicological properties
of spilled chemicals - When a spill occurs, laboratory occupants must
immediately assess the situation to see if the
spill has created a serious or even
life-threatening situation requiring an immediate
building evacuation
87RLE Dealing with Chemical Spills
- A spill of a few millilitres of a solvent may not
present a major hazard - A spill of an appreciable volume of a flammable
liquid might call for a building evacuation
88RLE Dealing with Chemical Spills
- For example, a spill of 4 L of a volatile,
flammable liquid in a small room might well
produce vapour levels in the flammable range. A
spark, a flame or even a hot surface could cause
a fire that might engulf the room - A total evacuation might also be required in the
event of a leak of an appreciable quantity of a
flammable or toxic gas
89RLE Dealing with Chemical Spills
- Most departments should have spill kits which
contain absorbents, protective equipment and a
selection of small tools for use in responding to
small chemicals spills - Information on the location of these spill kits
and a list of the contents is available from your
Departmental office
90RLE Dealing with Chemical Spills
- If the spill or leak is significant and there is
risk of fire, explosion or toxic levels of
Airborne contamination - Immediately evacuate the area, stopping the leak
only if it is safe to do so - Close doors behind you
- Warn others in the area to evacuate
- Sound the building alarm
- Call Security by dialing 80
91RLE Dealing with Chemical Spills
- If you feel confident of your ability to deal
with the spill and you are sure that you and
others in the building are not in danger - Stop the source of the leak or spill
- Provide ventilation
- Extinguish sources of ignition
- Wear protective equipment including lab coat,
impervious gloves, safety glasses or goggles,
face shields, aprons, and shoe covers or
impervious boots as needed
92RLE Dealing with Chemical Spills
- Contain the spill
- Neutralize or treat the spill to reduce the
hazard - Collect liquid spills using clay or commercial
absorbent products - Store waste for proper disposal
93Responding to Laboratory Emergencies
- First Aid for Chemical Exposures
- The first aid provider should first quickly
assess the situation to ensure that, in trying to
help, he or she is not at risk - Although many minor injuries can await the
arrival of medical assistance, some require
immediate action - Excessive bleeding, person has stopped breathing,
splash or spill of corrosive chemical
94What-not-to-do Laboratory
95University Contacts
96Contacts within the University
- Julia Lewis, Associate Dir, CEHSSM, x 6270
- Cate Drum, EHS Officer, CEHSM, x 7086
- Liz Krivonosov, CBR Safety Officer, CEHSM, 4212
- Carrol Scanlan, Univ. Insurance Officer, x 5013
- Departmental Safety Officer (DSO)
- Faculty Advisor/Principal Investigator
- Lab Technician
- Technical Expert
- Co-ordinator, Manager, Chair/Academic Director
97Centre for EHS Mgmt
- Services
- Consulting
- Technical Assessments
- Auditing
- Investigations
- Training
- Website
- www.ryerson.ca/cehsm
98Resources
- Books/Materials
- Links to websites
99Resources
- Bretherick L., Hazards in the Chemical
Laboratory, 4th ed. Royal Chemical Society,
London, 1986 - Prudent Practices in the Laboratory, National
Research Council, National Academy Press,
Washington, DC, 1995. - www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/prudent/
- Laboratory Safety Handbook, The Chemical
Institute of Canada, Ottawa, ON, 1984.
100Resources
- Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines, Health Welfare
Canada and Medical Research Council of Canada,
Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1990. - Furr A.K., Handbook of Laboratory Safety,. 3rd ed
CRC Press, Cleveland OH, 1990. - Ryerson Website www.ryerson.ca/ohs
- Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/manual/labsfty.htm
101Resources
- University of Texas
- Laboratory Safety
- www.utexas.edu/business/oehs/lab/labman/toc.html
- Texas AM University
- Laboratory Safety Inspection Checklist
- http//ehsd-online.tamu.edu/programs/laboratory/la
boratory.htm - Oklahoma State University Laboratory
Environmental Audit Form - www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/HAZMAT/Labaudit.htm
102Resources
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Hazardous Materials
- www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/pgdstart.html
- University of Kansas
- Laboratory Safety Manual
- www.ehs.ukans.edu/documents/LSM1.html
- Dalhousie University
- Laboratory Safety Manual
- http//is.dal.ca/ehs/lab1.htm
103Resources
- Carleton University
- Laboratory Health Safety Manual
- www.carleton.ca/ehs/lsm1.htm
- Spill Kits
- www.carleton.ca/ehs/lsmapp8.htm
- Warning Unattended Procedure in Operation
- www.carleton.ca/ehs/lsmapp13.htm