Laboratory
Safety
Emergency Information

Escape Route

Fire Extinguisher

Fire Alarm Pull Station

Safety Shower & Eyewash
Environmental Health &
Safety

Kevin Brady – Director, RM/EHS


3-3527
Tanyi Obenson– Chemical/Radiation Safety
Officer


3-3546
Andrew Wilson – Biological Safety Officer /
Hazardous Materials Technician


Richard Brennan – Health & Safety Coordinator


3-6359
3-3549
Student Assistant

3-6358
Before you do a laboratory
assignment

Know the hazards

Know the worst things that could happen

Know what to do if something should
happen

Identify & Use prudent practices and
protective equipment needed to minimize
the risks
SAFETY GOAL

Prevent injury and the loss of life

Comply with federal and state regulations

Learn about general laboratory procedures at
CSULA
Know the Hazards
Flammable
Flammable Liquids
•Organic solvents
-Methanol
-Ethanol
-Ether
•Acetic acid
•Formic acid
Flammable Solids
•Phosphorus
•Magnesium
•Lithium
Flammable Gases
•Methane
•Propane
Corrosive
Acids
•Boric acid
•Hydrofluoric acid
•Fluoroantimonic acid
Bases
•Calcium hydroxide
•Barium hydroxide
•Sodium Amide
Poisons and Toxics
Cyanide compounds
-Potassium cyanide -Potassium
ferracyanide
-Trimethylsilyl cyanide
Mercury and Mercury compounds
-Mercury (III) oxide
-Mercuric chloride
Lead and Lead Compounds
-Lead acetate
-Lead perchlorate
Arsenic and Arsenic compounds
-Arsenic (III) oxide
-Potassium arsenate
Tetradotoxin
Carcinogen
Benzene
Formaldehyde
Methylene chloride (Dichloromethane)
Carbon tetrachloride
Cadmium
Cadmium sulfide
Chromium (VI) Compounds
Chromium phosphate
Dioxin
Oxidizers
Potassium nitrate
Hydrogen peroxide
Potassium dichromate
Bromine
Sodium hypochlorite
Nitric acid
Benzoyl peroxide
Peroxide forming compounds
-Ethers
-Diethyl Ether
-Tetrahydrofuran
-Vinyl Compound
Water Reactive
Sodium
Potassium
Aluminum powder
Sulfuric acid
Calcium carbide
Sodium hydrosulfite
Aluminum powder
Acetic anhydride
Calcium hydride
Pyrophoric
Many water reactive are also
Pyrophoric (air reactive).
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=MS6XaKhzV3Q
Titanium Dichloride
•$31875 Tributylaluminum
in proposed penalties
Arsenic Hydride
•Violations:
Felony
Charges
Lithium Aluminum
Hydride
•Employees
not trained
& no
• PI and
UCCarbonyl
Regents
brought
Nickel
record
of training
up on
3
counts
of willfully
Phosphorus
•Issues
found during inspections
violating
OSHA’s
Butyllithium
not corrected
standards.
•Personal protective equipment
not used

Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji died as a result
of an accidental fire in the organic
chemistry research laboratory in UCLA’s
Molecular Sciences Building on December
29, 2008. Following an investigation of the
accident by the California Division of
Occupational Safety and Health, criminal
charges were filed against the UC
Regents and Patrick Harran, Ph.D.,
Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Plea Deal 6/20/2014



Professor Harran struck a deal with prosecutors that freed him from criminal
liability in a 2008 laboratory fire that killed staff research assistant
Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji.
Patrick Harran, charged with four felony counts of willfully violating state
occupational health and safety standards, had faced up to 4 1/2 years in
prison if convicted.
Instead, under an agreement approved by Los Angeles County Superior
Court Judge George Lomeli, Harran, 44, was fined $10,000 and ordered to
perform 800 hours of community service.
Biological Hazards

Sharps

Infectious material

Recombinant DNA
Radioactive
Different hazards are associated with
each type of radiation
α-particles
β-particles
γ-rays
X-rays
Don’t forget about the chemical
hazards.
Lasers
Class IIIB Lasers
-May be hazardous under direct
viewing conditions.
-Use goggles depending on type of
laser.
Class IV Lasers
-Beam is hazardous to the eyes
and skin.
-Diffuse reflection is potentially
hazardous.
-May be a fire hazard.
ELECTRICAL HAZARDS

In the laboratory, workers may be exposed
to electrical hazards including electric
shock, arc blasts, electrocutions, fires and
explosions. Potential exposures to
electrical hazards can result from faulty
electrical equipment/instrumentation or
wiring, damaged receptacles and
connectors, or unsafe work practices.
What work practices help protect you against
electrical hazards?
Electrical accidents are largely preventable
through safe work practices. Examples of these
practices include the following:
 Exercising caution when working near energized
lines, and
 Using appropriate protective equipment.
 Keeping electric tools properly maintained and
keep electrical equipment away from gas
cylinders and flammable substances.
Cryogenic
Liquid nitrogen boils at -196°C
Liquid Helium boils at – 269°C
Chemical Compatibility
Acids
Bases
Acids
Keep Acids away from metals
Organic
Inorganic
Chemical Compatibility
Acids
Bases
Keep Bases away from metals
Bases
Chemical Compatibility
Acids
Flammables
Bases
Chemical Compatibility
Acids
Oxidizers
Keep Oxidizers away from metals
Bases
Chemical Compatibility
Acids
Poisons
& Toxins
Bases
Chemical Compatibility
Acids
Acetic Acid(Organic)
Bases
Chemical Compatibility
Acids
Peroxydisulfuric
acid (Inorganic)
Keep Acids away from metals
Bases
Chemical Compatibility
Acids
Phenol
Bases
What’s the Worst
that Could Happen?
We See It Every Day
2008 UCLA Research Assistant
 August 1998 CSULA Fire

CSULA 1998 Fire Door
CSUF
Dimethyl Sulfoxide &
Sodium Hydride Incident
CSULA 6-4-2013
Fume Hoods and Glove Boxes
Dimethyl Sulfoxide Sodium
Hydride Incident CSULA 6-42013
Burnt Bottle
Safety Procedures
in the Lab
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6WARqVdWrE
HOW TO REMOVE GLOVES

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4gyNA
sPCbU
Fume Hoods
Bio-Safety Cabinets
Chemical Storage
Separate incompatible chemicals
 Keep the amount of chemicals in the lab to a
minimum
 Never store chemicals on the floor
 Store chemicals below shoulder height when
possible
 Use secondary containment
 Do not store food in a chemical storage
refrigerator or anywhere in lab

Secondary
containment
used to
separate
incompatible
chemicals
Chromic Acid
Wrong Here?
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
Chemicals in
secondary
container
not
compatible.
Spill
not
cleaned
up.
Personal Protective Equipment
Safety Goggles
 Gloves
 Lab Coat. No exposed
skin
 Proper Attire.


No Open Toed Shoes
No exposed
skin, no shorts.

Safety Equipment
Know where it is!
 Know how to use it!
 Maintain clear access to
equipment

Prudent Laboratory Practices:

Good Housekeeping






Clean-up and properly store materials
No eating, drinking, smoking or applying make-up
Remove gloves and wash hands – Don’t take
hazardous materials home with you
Never smell or taste chemicals or pipette by
mouth
Never work alone – Let someone know where
you are (Public Safety 3-3700)
DO NOT use the lab if you are intoxicated or your
coordination is otherwise impaired.
Slips, Trips and Falls
Keep aisles and passageways clear and in
good repair, with no obstruction across or
in aisles that could create a hazard.
Provide floor plugs for equipment, so
power cords need not run across
pathways.
 Keep floors dry.

Unattended Lab Operations

Frequently, laboratory operations must run continuously
or overnight. Equipment and experiments that run
unattended during the day or overnight can cause
significant problems and harm to personnel, facilities,
and equipment. If unattended operations are necessary,
it is essential to plan for potential interruptions in utility
services such as electricity, water and inert gas. Make
sure you perform a hazard analysis to identify potential
consequences of failures in utility services or equipment.
Design operations to be "fail-safe", so that one
malfunction will not cause a propagation of additional
failures.
Laboratory Procedures

Chemical Hygiene Plan – (29 CFR 1910.1450 & CCR,
Title 8, Section 5191)
 Standard operating procedures (performance based)
 Cal/OSHA Std.: http://www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/5191.html
 CSULA Plan: http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ehs/chem_lab.htm

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory (National Research
Council)

See your Lab Supervisor or Principal Investigator
Have You
What’s
Identified
Them
All?
Wrong
Here?
Fume hood sash
above indicated
maximum
opening
Monitor
needs to be
calibrated
Where to find
Hazard Information
http://www.calstatela.edu/ehs
USE FIREFOX NOT IE
Labels
Globally Harmonized System (GHS) label
changes (2014)
SDS
Laboratory
Signage
EXPOSURE LIMITS-TWA



Threshold Limit Value, Time Weighted
Average (TLV-TWA) – the average
concentration over an 8-hr day and a 40-hr week
that a worker can be exposed to without adverse
effects
Threshold Limit Value-Ceiling (TLV-C) –
Concentration that should not be exceeded at
any time throughout a working day
Lethal Dose (LD50) – the single dose of a
substance that can result in the death of 50% of
the exposed population
Chemical Inventory
Chemical Inventory System
Keep the database current
Computer Database/ Bar Code Labels


Notify EHS when new chemicals arrive

Track empty containers and chemical
disposals
Have You
What’s
Identified
Them
All?
Wrong
Here?
Fume hood sash
above indicated
maximum
opening
Wear
appropriate
PPE.
Do not save
used
disposable
gloves.
Compress
gas cylinder
must be
secured.
What is wrong here?
Proper
PPE not
in use
Proper
disposal
method
No safety
eyewear
What’s
Wrong
Here?
Buddies?
Incompatible
chemicals
Wrong Here?
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
Lower
sash on
Bio Safety
Cabinet
Unsecured
overhead
storage is a
hazard to
room
occupants.
Do Not use
large volumes
of flammable
solvents in Bio
Safety Cabinet.
HAZARDOUS
WASTE
Is it “HAZWaste”?
“HAZWaste" means any discarded
material of any form (for example, liquid,
semi-solid, solid or gaseous) that excludes
 Exclusions:

Radioactive Materials
 Infectious animal carcasses that are not
otherwise hazardous


HAZMAT that is no longer in
use is HAZWASTE
Flammables
Corrosives
Oxidizers
Is My Waste “Hazardous”?


Toxicity
Listed Waste

Listed by EPA or Cal-EPA as a hazardous waste
When in Doubt---EH&S IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
HAZARDOUS WASTE DETERMINATION
Laboratory Hazardous Waste
Designate a hazardous waste
accumulation area (NOT ON THE
FLOOR!)
 Label all waste containers

Include date of initial accumulation
 Eliminate inaccurate/improper labels

Do not accumulate for more than 1 year
 Contact RM/EHS for disposal (Ext. 3-3531 or

3-3527)
Hazardous Waste
Labels
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Hazardous Material (name & concentration): __________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
Quantity: _____________________
Hazardous Properties: ___flammable ___toxic ___reactive
___corrosive ___other-explain___________________
Physical State: ___liquid ___solid
Satellite Accumulation Start Date: ____/____/____
Final Accumulation Start Date: (EHS only) ____/____/____
Prepared by: ______________ Room #: ______ Ext: ________
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 University Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Environmental Health and Safety Office
(323)343-3546
Biological Waste

Sharps


Animal carcasses



In a sharps container
Infected or not
Animal bedding
Solid waste


Absorbent pads
Gloves
Biological Waste



Must be in covered receptacles
Labels must be visible from all angles
(i.e. lids must be labeled as well as 2 to
3 sides)
Pipette Keeper Boxes cannot be used
for serological pipettes.
Instead, use…
 Reusable autoclavable trays
 Large sharps containers
Treatment of Biological Waste

Solid waste

Autoclave





Shipped to contracted biowaste disposal
Liquid waste that has biowaste component

Bleach – 10% and 90% water. Must sit for 30 minutes



Must be trained to use (Helen Fabian x-2038)
Autoclave must be spore tested monthly
Autoclaved waste disposed in dark trash bag and taken to a dumpster
Must be prepared in fresh batches, as needed, due to rapid decay rate.
After deactivating liquid biowaste if a chemical component remains
then dispose of as chemical waste.
Sharps

Shipped to contracted biowaste disposal contractor
Guide for Selecting Appropriate Decontamination Agents
Biological Waste Disposal Guidelines
AUTOCLAVE MACHINE
Autoclave tape
autoclaved/ unautoclaved
Non-Hazardous Waste

Broken glass

Put in a broken glass box


Do not put contaminated glass in a broken glass box
Empty bottles

Triple rinse and throw in the dumpster
 Do
not triple rinse if chemical is “extremely
hazardous” or “acutely hazardous”




Sodium azide
Cyanide compounds
Arsenic compounds
Mercury compounds
Wrong Here?
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
Do not
use
large
volumes
of toxic
solvents
in Bio
Safety
Cabinet.
Laminar
air flow
is
blocked.
Uncovered
sharps &
biowaste
containers.
Wrong Here?
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
chemicals
in waste
container
not
compatible
Lid not
closed
Date
incorrectly
filled in
Wrong Here?
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
Fume
hood
sash too
high
Food not
allowed
in the lab
No safety
eyewear
No lab
coat
What’s Wrong Here?
Incompatible
chemicals
stored
together in
secondary
containment
Wrong Here?
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
Container over
filled
Not specific
enough.
Max fill line
Do not use
chemical
structures
Both
dates
filled in.
Wrong Here?
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
No
autoclave
indicator
present.
What to Do
When Things
Go Wrong
Spills

You can clean it up if the spill:
 Is not spreading rapidly
 Does not endanger people, property or the environment
 Is small in quantity and/or is minor in hazard

Clean up Procedures:
 Warn others
 Contain the spill
 Consult MSDS
 Absorb liquids
 Collect residues
 Dispose wastes (through the RM/EHS Office Ext. 3-3531)
 Decontaminate area and equipment
 Always use PPE
Contact RM/EHS for Clean-Up of Large/Complex Spills
at Ext. 3-3531 (Off-Hours 3-3700)
Spills Continued
Stop and think
 Warn others
 Isolate the area
 Monitor the area
 Stay in area until assistance arrives

Eyewash & Safety Shower
Flush area for 15 minutes
 Remove contaminated clothing – no time
for modesty


Get medical attention
 Call 911 or 323-343-3700 (from cell phone)
 Student Health Center
CONTAMINATION CONTROL
VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1clxO3PyOc
Emergencies

Call 911 or 323-343-3700


Campus Phone – University police
Cell Phone – California Highway Patrol if you dial 911
Identify yourself
 Give information:

 Nature
and severity of the Emergency
 Location

CHP can connect you to campus police
Injuries


First Aid – Student Health Center
All Emergencies – Call 911


Public safety will arrange for transportation to the
appropriate medical facility
Report injuries:

To Immediate supervisor and to…


As soon as possible after getting medical attention
Worker’s Compensation Office

State Employees


Denise Watson-Cross, Workers Compensation Coordinator
 3-3657
UAS Employees

Dorothy Wu Payroll & accounting Benefits manager
 3-2533
Fires
Alert others
 Get out
 Pull fire alarm
 CALL 911
 Only extinguish fires if you feel comfortable
doing so.


Small fires only
Next Fire Extinguisher Training
http://www.calstatela.edu/ehs
Fires Cont’d
Rescue anyone that needs help if
possible.
 Activate the nearest fire alarm.
 Confine fire by closing lab doors.
 Evacuate to an area for refuge.

Building Evacuations
Know your escape route
 Think about Emergency shut down
procedures, but…
 Life safety is more important


Don’t Die for your Research!

Live long enough to publish.
Earthquakes




Locate safe and danger spots in your area. Decide if
you would go under a desk or table, in a safe corner,
or out of the lab against a corridor wall.
Consider flying glass hazards from windows and
glass and falling hazards from light fixtures, books,
pictures, and equipment when selecting safe spots.
Know evacuation routes.
Make sure gas cylinders and chemicals are secured
at all times.
In Case The Worst Happens:









Know where to find fire extinguishers, emergency
eyewash/showers, exits and alarm stations
Chemical in eye – flush for 15 minutes
Emergency shower – remove clothing in the shower and
rinse for 15 minutes
Sound alarm and clear the area
Call for emergency assistance – 911
Contain spills if possible…or get assistance
Extinguish small fires…Know your limitations
Render assistance and first aid
Provide emergency personnel with the identity and
information on the chemical involved (preferably with a
copy of the MSDS)
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
Wrong Here?
Lab door
is
propped
open.
Safety
shower,
eyewash and
fire
extinguisher
are blocked.
Bio waste
container
uncovered
Laminar
air flow
is
blocked.
Do not
save used
disposable
gloves.
Wrong Here?
Have What’s
You Identified
Them All?
Original label
not removed
&
Incompatible
chemicals
Have You
What’s
Identified
Them
All?
Wrong
Here?
No food or
drinks in lab.
Chemicals should
not be stored on
the floor.
Use proper PPE
when working with
hazardous
materials.
Compressed gas
cylinders should
be secured.
What’s wrong here?
No
gloves.
Always use
secondary
containment
when
autoclaving.
Laboratory
Security
“It is Everyone’s Responsibility to
Ensure that Labs Remain
Secure.”
Lab Security Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf5vhtzk
yIk
Criminal Activity in Labs



University laboratories are vulnerable to theft of
chemicals and equipment for potential criminal and
extremist purposes .
Case and Point- In January 2013, a researcher at an
identified university in California was arrested and
locally charged with 10 felony counts, including
possession of destructive devices (homemade
bombs) after an explosion occurred at the
researcher’s apartment.
Police officers discovered that several dangerous
chemicals present in the apartment were obtained
from the university laboratory.
FBI Academic Chemical
Security Initiative

As a result of several incidents that
resulted in either students, staff and “lab
visitors” attempting to use dangerous lab
chemicals for malevolent acts, the FBI
devised the Academic Chemical Security
Initiative which is designed to educate
faculty, students, and staff about chemical
counterterrorism initiatives.
Initiatives
The FBI’s initiatives involved ensuring that student and staff working in a lab to be aware of the following;

Individuals attempting to access a laboratory with no legitimate reason;

Missing supplies, chemicals, or laboratory equipment;

Requests to borrow or purchase chemicals or equipment from unidentified individuals;

Unsolicited requests for technical information in person or over the Internet;

Chemical purchases charged to a laboratory purchase card or grant that are never delivered;

Delivery of chemicals to a laboratory without a corresponding and approved chemical purchase order;

Insistence on picking up chemicals at the delivery facility instead of having them shipped directly to the
laboratory;

Individuals who are radicalized or have anti-US views; and Individuals who have literature, manuals, or
recipes that discuss making explosives or chemical warfare agents.
Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) Chemicals of Interest









Carbon monoxide
Benzilic acid
Fluorine
Hydrogen bromide (anhydrous)
Hydrogen chloride (anhydrous)
Methyl bromide
Nitric oxide
Phosphorus
Trimethylamine
And There Are Many More…
http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/laws/gc_1166796969417.sht
m
Lab Security Considerations…






Recognize Lab Security is Related to Lab Safety
Develop Lab Specific Security Measures
Control Access to Chemical Use and Storage
Areas
Know Who is in the Lab and Why
Secure Your Highly Hazardous Materials
Have an Emergency Plan & Reporting Protocol
Be Aware…Be Prepared!
Any Questions?