Prudent Practices in the Laboratory
and
Hazardous Waste Management
Presented by: Department of Safety
• & Risk Management
• University of Rhode Island
• 177 Plains Road
• Kingston , RI 02881
• Tel: 401-874-2618
• Fax: 401-789-5126
• E-mail: SRM@etal.uri.edu
• Web: http://www.uri.edu/safety
• Instructor: Barbara Ray, Hazmat
Coordinator
•
2006
UPDATE: (Mandatory) RI Fire Code
Announcement
• In all places of assembly (50 or more seats)
the following announcement must be made:
1.The emergency exits are located (state
locations and point out)
2. All attendees must evacuate when so
directed by public announcement or
when the fire alarm sounds
When: first class, all public seminars
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory and
Hazardous Waste Management
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Why is this so important?
Protect worker health
Safeguard environment
Prevent accidents and injuries
Prepare for emergencies
It’s the law
Regulatory compliance prevents fines
Receive grants from federal and state
agencies
Reduce insurance costs
Regulations
• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
• 29 CFR 1910.1450 Occupational Exposures to Hazardous
Chemicals in Laboratories *(The Lab Standard)
• Performance Based
• Protects Worker Health and Safety in the Workplace
• * based on book Prudent Practices by National Research
Council
• See http:www.nap.edu/books/0309052297.html
• EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
• 40 CFR 260-265, 270
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Regulation Based - no options - follow exact rules
• Protects Environment
3 and 4 letter Words
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OSHA
RCRA
BOCA
NFPA
SPCC
SWMP
EPA
CAA
CWA
EMS
DEM
CDC
Responsibility and Accountability
Everyone Has Responsibility for Chemical Hygiene
and Lab Safety and Proper Disposal of Hazardous
Waste at the University of Rhode Island
President
Deans
Department Chairs
Principal Investigators
Laboratory workers
Students
Department of Safety and Risk Management
Chemical Hygiene Officers
Prudent Planning of Experiments
• Define goals of the experiment
• Research the hazards of the chemicals involved
before use - consult MSDSs, Labels, and
reference materials for prudent practice
• Write Standard Operating Procedures for use of
hazardous materials and apparatus
• Follow safety guidelines in the lab and URI CHP
• Consider risk assessment, acquisition and
storage of chemicals, handling of chemicals and
equipment, and disposal of waste
Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)
• Document required by
• The Chemical
federal law in every
Hygiene Plan
laboratory in US where
provides provisions
hazardous chemicals are in
for protecting
use
personnel from the
• Laboratory personnel must
“health hazards
be familiar with URI’s CHP
associated with the
and laboratory SOPs
chemicals present
in that laboratory”
Contents of A Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)
1. Written Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) for safe chemical
use
2. Control Measures to reduce exposure:
ventilation, PPE, hygiene practices
6. Provision for Medical exams:
a)
If employee shows signs or
symptoms;
b) If air monitoring
concentration>PEL;
c)
If explosion, large spill or other event
results in the potential of exposure
3. Performance testing of hoods and PPE
7. Designate Chemical Hygiene Officer
4. Training: Hazards of chemicals,
location of CHP, PEL of chemicals,
signs and symptoms of exposure,
MSDS and other reference materials
5. Identify operations so hazardous they
require prior approval; ex. Highly
toxic or highly volatile chemicals
8. Must provide additional protection for
particularly hazardous substances:
select carcinogens, reproductive
toxins, chemicals with high acute
toxicity
9. Maintain showers and eyewashes in
operable condition. Test periodically.
Clean eyewashes weekly
What Does Your Lab Need to Do to Comply?
1. DEVELOP LABORATORY-SPECIFIC CHEMICAL HYGIENE
PLAN-Follow guidelines in URI generic Chemical Hygiene Plan.
2. Adopt good chemical hygiene and prudent laboratory practices.
3. Make sure chemical Inventory is complete and up to date.
4. Use the inventory to identify those chemicals that meet the definition
of carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and acutely hazardous chemicals
and “designate areas” for appropriate use.
5. Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
6. Write Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for each lab to minimize
occupational exposure to acutely hazardous chemicals, carcinogens
and reproductive toxins.
7. Use acutely hazardous chemicals in hoods for proper ventilation
control.
8. Store hazardous chemicals by hazard class.
9. Inspect container integrity/condition frequently.
What Does Your Lab Need to Do to
Comply? (cont.)
10. Label all containers in lab with chemical name and
hazard. No unknown containers.
11. Maintain MSDS for each hazardous chemical
12. Medical Monitoring is required if signs and symptoms of
exposure occur.
13. Air monitoring is required if signs and symptoms of
exposure occur.
14. Successfully complete the annual lab inspection by SRM.
15. Attend annual training.
16. Follow the URI Laboratory Waste Guide and manage
hazardous waste correctly.
17. Plan ahead to prevent accidents and emergencies.
18. Practice Pollution Prevention and Waste Minimization
Material Safety Data Sheet
• Document created by chemical manufacturer, exporter, or
distributor.
• Describes material, it’s risks, and certain protective steps user
MUST take
• Must be kept on file for >30 years
• Must be available to all actual/potentially exposed employees
• Supervisors responsible for obtaining and interpreting MSDS
for new products
• Should be up-to-date
• Employer has responsibility to ensure availability
• Must be available while personnel are working, without
restraint to access
Hazards Evaluation and Risk Assessment
Material Safety Data Sheets
MSDS
• Contains information on the chemical
identity; manufacturer; physical,
chemical, and health hazards; target
organ health effects; precautionary
measures for safe handling handling and
storage; PPE; emergency procedures;
and first aid measures
• All warning labels placed on chemicals in
the laboratory should be based on the
MSDS
Where to Find MSDS
Sources of MSDS:
Internet-manufacturers web sites
GOOGLE: acetone and MSDS
http://www.hazard.com
http://uri.chemwatchna.com
User name URI, PW 1951
How Does OSHA Define A Hazardous Chemical?
Terms found on the MSDS
Health Hazards
carcinogens
irritants
reproductive toxins
corrosives
sensitizers
neurotoxins
hepatotoxins
nephrotoxins
agents that act on the hematopoietic
system
agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes,
or mucus membranes
 “Target Organ Effects”
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Physical Hazards
combustible liquid
a compressed gas
an explosive
an organic peroxide
an oxidizer
pyrophoric
flammable
or reactive
Important values from MSDS
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PEL – permissible exposure limit – 8 hr TWA
STEL - short-term exposure limit - 15min. TWA
TWA - time weighted average - exposure to chemical
IDLH - immediately dangerous to life/health
CEILING limit - Concentration must not be exceeded for any
time period during day
– *Exposures must be kept below the PEL or (air) monitoring
and medical surveillance are required and other OSHA
regulations apply. 29CFR1910.1450
For exposure information see:NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
NIOSH=National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
1-800-356-4674 www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html
Duration and Frequency of Exposure
• Single - acute
– damage results from a
single, short-duration
exposure
– hydrogen cyanide,
hydrogen sulfide,
nitrogen dioxide
• Intermittent - repeated
• Long-term - chronic
– repeated or longduration exposure
– damage evident after a
long latency period
– all carcinogens
– reproductive toxins
– heavy metals and their
compounds
Dose-Response
• Range of
concentrations
that result in a
graded effect
between the
extremes of no
effect and death
• Dose - amount of
chemical
• Response - effect of the
chemical
• LD50 - Lethal Dose 50 mg/kg
• LC50 - Lethal (air)
Concentration 50
ppm or mg/m3
What Is A Toxic Chemical?
Toxicity
Rating
Animal
LD50
(mg/kg)
Lethal Dose
Ingestion
150 lb. human
Example
Extremely
toxic
Less
than 5
< 7 drops
Dimethyl Mercury
Highly
toxic
5-50
7 drops to 1
teaspoon
Mercury 29,
Sodium azide 27
1 teaspoon to 1
ounce
Ammonium hydroxide
350, phenol 317
Moderately 50-500
toxic
Slightly
toxic
500-5000 1 ounce to 1
pint
Methylene chloride
1600, Chloroform 908
Practically
non-toxic
> 5000
Ethyl acetate 5620,
Ethanol 7060
> 1 pint
Guidelines for Evaluating Toxic Chemical
Hazards: When to Use the Hood
1.
Check the Permissible Exposure Limits and Threshold Limit Values
Use the hood if the PEL or TLV < 50 ppm or 100mg/m3 (air
concentration)
2.
If there is no PEL check the LC50 (air) values
Use the hood if the LC50 is < 200 ppm or 2000 mg/m3 ( air concentration)
3.
If there is no PEL check the LD50 (oral rat) values
Use the hood if the following conditions are met:
Solids or nonvolatile liquids <50 ppm
Toxic gases or volatile liquids < 500 ppm
Olfactory thresholds may not be trustworthy or known.
Sources: Developing a Chemical Hygiene Plan, J.A. Young, W. K. Kingsley. G. H. Wahl,
American Chemical Society, 1996. (p.15)
Carcinogens
• Carcinogen: a substance that causes cancer
• Known carcinogens: benzene, cadmium, coal
tar, ethylene oxide, tobacco smoking, radon.
• Probable carcinogens: acetaldehyde,
acrylonitrile, carbon tetrachloride,
chloroform.
• If present at 0.1% in a product carcinogenic
ingredient must be listed on MSDS
• http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/roc.toc10.html
• Report on Carcinogens, 11th edition.
Reproductive Toxins
• Mutagens - substances that may cause a change
in the genetic material of a cell
• Teratogens - substances that may cause
physical or metabolic defects in the fetus- esp.
in first trimester
• Sterility/infertility - male or female
• Lactation - chemical may be transferred from
mother to baby through breast milk
• CDC website has articles on male and female
reproductive hazards http:www.cdc.gov
MSDS Signs and Symptoms of
Chemical Exposure
Behavior Change
Breathing Difficulty
Change in Complexion/Skin
Color
Coughing
Drooling
Fatigue/weakness
Irritation of eyes/nose
Headache
Nausea
Tightness of chest
Breathing difficulty
Coordination difficulty
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Irritability
Light-headedness
Sneezing
Sweating
Routes of Exposure
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Inhalation
Contact with skin or eyes
Ingestion
Injection (punctures from
sharps and needle sticks)
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NO EATING, DRINKING, SMOKING, OR
APPLYING COSMETICS IN LABS
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NO FOOD OR DRINK IN LAB
REFRIGERATORS OR MICROWAVES
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NO CHEMICALS IN FOOD OR
BEVERAGE CONTAINERS
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NO MOUTH PIPETTING OF
BIOHAZARDS, HAZARDOUS
CHEMICALS, OR RADIOACTIVE
MATERIALS
Minimizing Exposure
• Avoiding eye injury
• Avoiding ingestion of
Hazardous Chemicals
• Avoiding Inhalation of
Hazardous Chemicals
• Wash hands frequently
• Avoiding Injection of
Hazardous Chemicals
• Minimizing Skin Contact
• Use fume hoods
• Use PPE: Safety glasses,
lab coat, gloves, aprons but
remember to remove PPE
before leaving lab; don’t
take contamination home!
Avoiding Chemical Exposure
 Administrative Controls
 Written standard operating procedures (SOPs)
 Training
 Documentation
 Knowledge
 reading and understanding MSDSs and labels
 before use of new chemical - know the hazards
 PPE - gloves, eye protection [safety glasses, safety goggles, face
shield], proper foot wear, coat/apron per MSDS
recommendation
 Respirators
require pre-approval, fit testing, written plan, medical
evaluation and annual re-training - require SRM prior
approval
Avoiding Chemical Exposure
continued
 Follow OSHA guidelines for regulated carcinogenic
chemicals - see handout
 Don’t work alone when using hazardous materials
and procedures
 Plan ahead for potential emergencies
know location of eye wash and safety showers, fire
blankets, fire extinguishers, spill kits, evacuation
routes, and MSDSs
 Engineering Controls
 Hoods and Ventilation systems
 Biological safety cabinets
 Glove boxes
Choose and Use the Appropriate Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Always select PPE that is right for the task
• Eye Protection: Face Shield, goggles, safety glasses with
side shields. Goggles required when corrosives in use.
Preferred when contact lenses in use.
• Lab Coat, rubber apron
• Gloves (remove sharp rings from fingers)
• Select correct material, check permeation time, correct
thickness for chemicals in use/application
• Have a dress code in labs: No exposed mid-riff skin,
sandals or open-toed shoes, short shorts. Tie back long
hair. Minimize use of rayon fabrics-very flammable
Personal Protective Equipment:
Glove Selection Guide
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GLOVE MATERIAL SELECTION GUIDE
NEOPRENE
PVC (VINYL) NITRILE
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CHEMICAL FAMILY
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Acetates
G
NR
Acids, inorganic
G
E
Acids, organic
E
E
Acetonitrile, Acrylonitrile
G
Alcohols
E
E
Aldehydes
E
Amines
S
NR
Bases, inorganic
E
E
Ethers
G
F
Halogens (liquids)
G
NR
Inks
G
E
Ketones
E
G
Nitro compounds : Nitrobenzene, Nitromethane
G
NR
Oleic Acid
E
Phenols
E
E
Quinones
NR
Solvents, Aliphatic
NR
NR
Solvents, Aromatic
NR
NR
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Rhode Island Law requires that a sign be posted if latex gloves are used
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*Not recommended for Acetaldehyde, use Butyl Rubber
S – Superior, E – Excellent, G – Good, F – Fair, NR - Not Recommended
BUTYLRUBBER
NR
E
E
E
NR
G
NR
E
NR
F
E
NR
NR
E
E
G
E
NR
F
E
E
E
S
NR
NR
E
E
S
E
S*
NR
E
NR
NR
F
G
NR
E
NR
E
F
F
NR
F
NR
G
G
F
NR
E
G
E
NR
NR
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NATURAL LATEX
E
NR
NR
E
Personal Protective Equipment: Eyewear
must meet ANSI z87.1
COMPARISON CHART - EYE PROTECTION DEVICES
Type of Hazard
Goggles
Glasses (No Side
Shields)
Glasses (Shields)
Face Shield
(Various Sizes)
Front Splash
Excellent
Good
Good
Excellent
Side Splash
Front Flying
Object
Excellent
Excellent
Poor
Good
Good
Good
Side Impact
Neck, Face
Protection
Excellent
Poor
Poor
Poor
Fair
Poor
Good to Excellent
Excellent if
Adequate
Thickness
Good to Excellent
Depends on Type
and Length
Comfort to
Wearer
User Acceptance
Fair
Good to Very Good Good
Fair
Poor
Very Good
Good
Use Lifetime
Cost
Fair
Moderate
Very Good
Moderate
Very Good
Moderate
Good for Short
Periods
Fair
Moderate
(Depending on
Type)
Hazard Identification:
Labels
• Commercially packaged chemical
containers received since 1986
meet current labeling
requirements
• Name, address and telephone
number of manufacturer
• Emergency number
• Must be in English
• Base on data on MSDS
• Write full name, no abbreviations
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NFPA
Chemical identification
Identity of hazard components
Appropriate hazard warnings
Immediate use containers need
the name of the chemical contents
• NO “unknowns” or unlabelled
containers allowed
• NFPA: Values range from 0 (no
hazard) to 4 (lethal/very
dangerous)
• Blue (health), Red (fire), Yellow
(reactive), White (special)
Housekeeping
• Never obstruct access to • Secure compressed gas
exits and emergency
cylinders to walls or
equipment
benches
• Clean work areas
• Do not use floors,
regularly
stairways or hallways
• If children are permitted
as storage areas
in labs, i.e. educational
activity, make sure there • Keep minimum
amount of chemicals on
is direct supervision
lab bench. Keep other
• Do not store chemical
chemicals in storage
containers on the floor
cabinet.
Transport of Chemicals
• Use break- resistant
secondary containers
• Cylinders strapped to a
cylinder cart and valve
protected
• No passengers on
elevators while
transporting chemicals
Storage of Chemicals
• Keep minimum
quantities on hand
• Label properly
• Special hazards on
label
• Use explosion-proof
refrigerators for
flammables
• Use storage trays or
secondary containment
to minimize spills from
leaking bottles or
breaks
• Store chemicals by
hazard class (not in
alphabetical order) to
eliminate incompatible
storage
Storage Areas of Chemicals
• Must be labeled properly
• Labels must be accurate; visible
• Exterior door surfaces must state hazards [“designated”] areas for OSHA regulated
chemicals, reproductive toxins and carcinogens
• Emergency Contact on Door
– add phone # of responsible person in the
event of accidental release, exposure, etc.
When is a “Designated Area” Sign
Needed?
• Use designated area sign when these types of chemicals
are present:
• Chemicals of High Toxicity (Acute or Chronic)
• Carcinogens
• Reproductive Toxins
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Warning
Designated Area for Handling the following substances with High
Acute or Chronic Toxicity, Carcinogenic,Reproductive Toxins
Benzene – carcinogen
[List substances – identify hazard]
Authorized Personnel Only
Working Alone and
Unattended Experiments
• Avoid working alone develop list of high hazard • Laboratory lights should be
operations that cannot be
left on at all times
done when alone- need prior • Arrangements should be
approval from supervisor
made for someone to check
• Make arrangements for
on the operation
individuals working alone to • Information should be
check on each other
posted indicating how to
• Design experiments to
contact the responsible
prevent the release of
individual
hazardous substances in the
event of utilities shutting
down (power failure)
Writing Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs)
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Required for OSHA regulated chemicals
Required for OSHA Select Carcinogens
Required for all Reproductive Toxins
Required for all Hazardous Chemicals
Required for toxic gases especially with NFPA value of 3 or 4
• What to put on an SOP:
• Chemical Name, Hazards, PPE, Administrative Controls,
Engineering Controls,Special Handling and Storage
Requirements, Lab Specific Procedures-Detail how lab is going to
Minimize Exposure, Spill and Accident Procedures,
Decontamination Procedures, Waste Disposal Procedures,
Location of MSDS, Document that all lab workers (employees and
students) have read and understand MSDSs and SOPs
When to Re-Write/Review
Standard Operating Procedures
• New hazardous chemical introduced to
lab
• New hazardous process/equipment:
lasers, high voltage, radioactivity, etc.
• New employee or student
• Change in procedure
• Accident or near miss occurs
Acquisition of Chemicals
• Considerations when
ordering chemicals
– available from another
laboratory
– minimum quantity needed
– optimize size container for
storage
– proper management of
chemical
– time sensitive materials
• Considerations when
receiving chemicals
– delivery to departmental offices
(personnel trained?)
– expectations if there is a spill,
stock spill kits
– compressed gas deliveries (have
cart handy)
– think twice before receiving
“gifts”. The cost for disposal
may outweigh the initial savings
Inventory and Tracking of Chemicals
• Maintain an up-to-date chemical
inventory. If inventory has been barcoded coordinate with SRM for new
additions and deletions
• Date chemicals when received and
again when opened
• Disposal of chemical if not needed
within a reasonable time
• Containers should be inspected
frequently. Replace those in
deteriorating condition.
• Decommission labs before lab
personnel leave
• Develop plan for moving
chemicals when labs are
renovated
• Dispose /recycle chemicals
before the expiration date
• Cull from inventory chemicals
that require special handling
or are time sensitive
• Examples: Peroxide formers:
acetaldehyde, dioxane, ethyl
ether, tetrahydrofuran [O-O]
Record Keeping
• Chemical Inventory Lists - 30
years
• All MSDSs - 30 years*
• Training - 5 years*
• Exposures - 30 years - keep
records of exposure monitoring
and medical monitoring*
• Work-related injuries and
illnesses - one year*
• Training Certificates,
inventories, inspection reports,
SOPs, etc. should be retained in
laboratory
* Federal
Requirement
Training
29CFR1910.1450, the OSHA Lab Standard requires that employees
are to be apprised by training and Information of any hazardous
chemical in the work area:
• At the time of employee’s initial assignment to area
• Prior to assignments involving new exposures situations
• All individuals working in labs with chemicals MUST take SRM’s
“Prudent Practices in the Laboratory & Hazardous Waste
Management” Training (yearly refresher class)
• ALL other employees with the potential for chemical exposure must
take “Hazard Communication” Training (yearly refresher class)
Hazmat Security
• Keep labs storing chemicals, biohazards and
radioactive materials locked when unattended.
• Allow only authorized personnel in labs. Escort
visitors.
• Keep accurate inventories of hazardous
materials and laboratory supplies.
• Report suspicious behavior to campus police.
• Call 874-2121 all emergencies
Shipping Hazardous Materials
• All packages being offered for transport
by commercial carrier, air, rail or truck,
must follow USDOT regulations.
• All packages must be packaged, marked,
labeled, and documented properly.
• See http://www.uri.edu/safety for details.
Safety Showers and Eyewashes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Run plumbed eyewashes weekly to remove bacteria and dust. Use
clean wipe if not plumbed.
Inspect/test all units annually for mechanical performance. Need
to use containment shower curtain and bucket. Need plumber for
old systems to make sure shut-off valve works.
Locate emergency equipment within 10 second walk from hazard;
level- no stairs or ramps.
Water must be tepid. Check temperature when testing.
Align flow of eyewashes using chart
The drain dilemma if no drain then use of shower can make trip
hazard; if drain -then need acid neutralization tank. These have
maintenance issues and not widely used any more.
Reference: ANSI Z358.1
Emergency Eye Wash and Shower Equipment
Design of New Buildings
Avoid safety issues of the past:
1.
Proper loading dock for receipt and pick-up of chemicals
2.
Proper ventilation in stockrooms - 20 air changes/hr.
3.
Proper ventilation in labs – 10 air changes/hr
4.
Adequate eyewashes and showers
5.
Store more flammable solvents in stockrooms, not individual
labs.
6.
Take field trips-UCONN, PFIZER
7.
Develop concept for all the new buildings as a complex
8.
Achieve economies of scale by centralizing, not duplicating
facilities: stockrooms, instrument rooms, wash-down hood, etc.
Role of the Safety Committees
1. Establish Departmental Safety Committees
2. Track injuries, accidents, fires, explosions in teaching and research
labs. Try to prevent recurrence of accidents and injuries.
3. Review teaching lab experiments for hazards. Substitute less
dangerous chemicals and procedures where feasible.
4. Report dangerous conditions to Facilities Services for repairs and
maintenance.
5. Establish lock-out /tagout procedures when hoods and other
equipment are taken out of services. Use Signs, notification.
6. Identity and fix those things within the department that you can fix.
Get rid of old equipment that sparks or has damaged cords.
Biosafety
Infectious Agents (plant or animal) are
categorized in risk groups based on
their relative risks
BSL-1: biological agents pose low risk
to personnel and the environment;
unlikely to cause disease in healthy
workers, plants or animals
BSL-2: biological agents that pose
moderate risk to personnel and the
environment; rarely cause infection
that would lead to serious disease
BSL-3: infectious agents may cause
serious or lethal disease by
exposure by inhalation
BSL-4: high risk of life threatening
disease
Bacteria
Viruses
Fungi
Parasites
All work with infectious
agents must be preauthorized by the URI
Biosafety Committee
http://www.absa.org
http://www.cdc.gov
Use PPE, Hazard
Communication,
biological safety
cabinets, containment,
frequent hand washing,
disinfection
Common OSHA Violations
1. Failure to communicate hazards of chemicals
2. Unlabelled containers
3. Lack of PPE or incorrect PPE
4. Lack of training of new employees or when
hazard changes
5. Food and beverage containers in areas where
chemical exposure is possible.
URI Environmental Principles
1. Comply with all applicable regulations
2. Educate and train all personnel on programs and
procedures
3. Minimize University impact on the environment and
surrounding community (SPCC and SWMP)
4. Continually reduce URI impact to the environment by
implementation of pollution prevention and waste minimization
5. Develop environmental management systems (EMS)
Green Chemistry: EPA 12 Principles
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Prevent waste
Design safer chemicals and
products
Design less hazardous
chemical syntheses
Use renewable feedstocks
Use catalysts, not
stoichiometric reagents
Avoid chemical derivatives
Prudent Practice: Since
chemicals are “cradle to grave”.
Buy, use, store, and dispose the
minimum amount.
7. Maximize atom economy
8. Use safer solvents and reaction
Conditions
9. Increase energy efficiency
10. Design chemicals and
products to degrade after
use
11. Analyse in real time to
prevent pollution
12. Minimize the potential for
accidents
EPA’s Hierarchy of Pollution
Prevention
• Source Elimination and Reduction
–
–
–
–
–
–
Source elimination of waste stream
Chemical recovery ( solvent distillation)
Chemical substitution of less hazardous material
Micro-scale experiments
Alternative teaching methods - virtual experiments
Use digital photography rather than wet chemistry
• Recycling and Reuse
– Redistribution of chemicals to new owner
• Treatment – render less hazardous prior to disposal
• Disposal
EPA Hazardous Waste Identification
Wastes are
considered
hazardous if they
exhibit
one or more
of the following
characteristics:
Corrosive
RCRA: pH<2 or >12.5
Sewer prohibited: pH <5.5 & >9.5
Ignitable
Flash Point <93°C
 Reactive
reacts w/ air or water
 Toxic
highly toxic LD50 <50mg/kg
carcinogen, fatal
RI toxic LD50
< 5000mg/kg
 Listed
i.e. pesticides
pyridine, toluene
Disposal of Chemicals
• Containers should be:
– compatible with waste
– clean, sturdy, leak
proof
– closed, tight-fitting
– appropriate size
– under control of person
producing waste
– label with Hazardous
Waste Label
• Hazardous Waste Label:
– Identify hazardous waste
– Write full chemical
names, no abbreviations
– list all components and
percentages
– identify hazard properties
– name, location and phone
number of generator
– remove extraneous
labels/bar codes
Disposal of Chemicals continued
• Hazardous Waste
Accumulation Areas:
–
–
–
–
–
–
Located in the lab
Clearly marked
Segregate incompatibles
Secondary Containment
Spill kit (spill pads, sand)
Emergency information
posted
– Maximum storage: 55
gallons or 1 quart of (“P”,
acutely hazardous waste
– Pick-up for Disposal:
• SRM is responsible for
retrieval and transport
• When bottle is “full”,
arrange for immediate
disposal
• Fax form 789-5126
• and call 874-2618
• Container is labeled
• Remove bar code labels
• Knowledgeable user
available for pick-up
Disposal of Chemicals
Crawford
255
Gregory
HCL /H2O
hydrochloric acid
50%
50%
water
4 L total
Wrong Way
Right Way
Hazardous Waste Satellite Accumulation
Area-Label all bottles at first use!!!
Biological Waste Management
• Biomedical
– Biohazardous
– Infectious
– Pathological
– Sharps: needles,
syringes, scalpels,
broken/unbroken
microscope slides,
Pasteur pipets - use
“sharps box”
• Animals
Source Reduction and other ways to
Minimize Hazardous Waste
• Minimize chemical
orders
– just-in-time ordering, do
not overstock, buy
smallest feasible sizes
• Strategies to avoid
multi-hazard waste
– substitution of materials
• Minimize hazardous
waste
– micro-scale work
– step-by-step planning
for minimization
– substitution of less toxic
chemicals
Common EPA Hazardous Waste
Violations in Labs
1. Waste not “at or near point of generation”
2. Unknowns = unlabelled waste containers
3. Abandoned waste - have check out procedure for all
chemicals when students or staff leave the lab.
4. Containers open – 15 minute rule
5. Incompatible wastes not segregated.
6. Satellite waste accumulation area not designated.
7. Too much waste in satellite area > 55 gallons
or 1 quart of acutely hazardous,”P,” waste
Fines = $32,500/ violation/day
Fire Code: Chemical Storage
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1. There is a maximum quantity of hazardous chemicals that is allowed in a building.
There is a maximum quantity of chemicals that can be stored in any given fire control zone.
The type of chemicals determine the f ire rating , 2hour, 4 hour, etc. of doors and other
building materials that is required.
The amount of chemicals that can be stored in a laboratory is limited. Many fire
jurisdictions restrict this working quantity to a one week supply of flammable and
combustible liquids.
Most of the flammable/combustible chemicals should be in “inside storage rooms”,
“[stockrooms]”, separated from other occupancies, with high rates of ventilation. The
exhaust ventilation must be powered by a back-up generator.
NFPA 3&4 gases require gas cabinets with sensor alarms to detect leaks.
NFPA 45 Laboratories > 10,000 sq. ft prohibited unless sprinklered.
Instructional and research laboratories have different allowed quantities of
flammable/combustible chemicals.
Reference: NFPA 30 (OSHA 1910.106) Flammable and Combustible Liquids,
NFPA 45 Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals
Fire Code: Flash/Boiling Points for NFPA
Categories
Flash Point
Flash Point
Boiling
Point
Boiling
Point
Examples
Type
˚F
˚C
˚F
˚C
Class IA
<73
<22.8
<100
<37.8
Ethyl ether,
isopentane
Class IB
<73
<22.8
>100
>37.8
Acetone, ethanol,
toluene, gasoline
Class IC
73-100
22.8-37.8
MIBK, xylene
Class II
100-140
37.8-60
#2 fuel oil,
kerosene
Class IIIA
140-200
60-93.3
Cyclohexanol,
aniline
Class IIIB
>200
>93.3
ethylene glycol
Flash Point: Minimum temperature at which a liquid or solid emits vapor
sufficient to form an ignitable mixture with air near the surface of the solid or
liquid.
Fire Code: Maximum Quantities of Chemicals
Allowed in Laboratories*
Lab unit
hazard class
Flammable,
Combustible
Liquid Class
Max/100 sq.ft.
Max/lab
Without
Sprinklers
Max/lab
With
Sprinklers
A (High)
1
I,II,IIIa
10 gallons
20 gallons
300 gallons
400 gallons
600 gallons
800 gallons
B (Moderate)
1
I,II,IIIA
5 gallons
10 gallons
150gallons
200 gallons
300 gallons
400 gallons
C (Low)
1
I,II,IIIA
2 gallons
4gallons
75 gallons
100gallons
150 gallons
200 gallons
D (Minimum)
1
I,II,IIIA
1.1 gallons
1.1gallons
37 gallons
37 gallons
75 gallons
75 gallons
•Flammables storage cabinets are designed to contain fire for 10 minutes to provide you
time to escape. Keep doors shut, bungs in place unless mechanically ventilated. Quantity =
stored + in use + waste. *Quantity doubles if flammable storage cabinets in use.
Distribution of Chemicals in Buildings:
Max. Qty. Allowed Per Floor
Floor level
Above grade
% of Max.
Allowable Qty.
of entire bldg.
# Control area
per floor
Fire barrier
rating (hours)
6
12.5
2
2
5
12.5
2
2
4
12.5
2
2
3
50
2
1
2
75
3
1
1
100
4
1
-1, below grade
75
3
1
Fire Safety in Labs
• PROPER CHEMICAL USE AND
STORAGE
• Store minimum amount of flammable
chemicals in lab
• Design new buildings with proper
• Use proper rate of ventilation
stockrooms and use them
• Frequently check peroxide
• Store flammable materials properly in
formers
flammables cabinet
• Eliminate sources of static electricity and • Do not mix incompatible
chemicals
sparking equipment
• Keep picric acid wet!
• Check on Lithium Battery
Recalls- Dell, Apple, Kycera
phones
Chemical Accidents
• A copy of the MSDS should
go to the hospital with a
victim who has been
contaminated.
• File accident report with
Human Resources (staff) in
the case of a serious chemical
exposure. Students file
reports at Potter Health
Clinic.
• General decontamination
procedure is to flush affected
area with water for a
minimum of 15 minutes.
Responding to Accidents and
Emergencies
• Evacuate
– assess hazards and
dangers- if unknown,
assume the worst and
evacuate
• Confine
– Close doors and isolate
area
• Report
– from a safe place call
874-2121 for emergency
personnel to clean-up
spill and provide medical
attention
• Secure
– area until emergency
personnel arrive
AllEmergencies
Emergencies
All
• To report spills, fires, medical assistance, etc.
call campus police 874-2121 which is
monitored 24/7
• Call Safety and Risk Management at
• 874-2618 for routine calls and technical
information
QUIZ
• Please take the quiz at home
• Review the cartoon. If you have any of
these problems in your lab please correct
them.
TAKE TIME TO PRACTICE SAFE
SCIENCE!