Training Principal Investigators
Robin Izzo
Assistant Director
Princeton University EHS
An Unfortunate Truth
• Researchers need to know a lot about a few things.
They go around learning more and more about less
and less until they know everything about nothing
• Administrators need to know a little about a lot of
things. They go around learning less and less
about more and more until they know nothing
about anything.
• Safety professionals start out knowing everything
about everything and end up knowing nothing
about anything because they have to deal with
researchers and administrators.
Outline
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A Princeton Profile
The Challenge
Lab Supervisor “Briefing”
Laboratory Profiling
Princeton’s Lab Profile
• 12 Science and
Engineering Departments
• Population
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4600 undergraduates
2000 graduate students
1100 faculty
11,500 staff (5500 FTE)
• >100 Principal
Investigators
• ~500 Laboratories
• Summer institutes
The Challenge
• Conducted comprehensive health and safety
program reviews for all science and
engineering departments in 1999-2000
• State of the Laboratory report to president
• Some problems with Laboratory Safety
Training attendance
The Policy
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University Research Board
Recognize role of PIs as supervisors
Established new training program
University Laboratory Safety Training
Policy
– Lab Supervisor Briefing
– Laboratory Safety Training
– Periodic Refresher Training
PI as Supervisor
• Laboratory Standard
– From non-mandatory Appendix B, Section B
» 4. Laboratory supervisor, who has overall responsibility for chemical
hygiene in the laboratory including responsibility to
» (a) Ensure that workers know and follow the chemical hygiene rules,
that protective equipment is available and in working order, and that
appropriate training has been provided
» (b) Provide regular, formal chemical hygiene and housekeeping
inspections including routine inspections of emergency equipment;
» (c) Know the current legal requirements concerning regulated
substances;
» (d) Determine the required levels of protective apparel and
equipment; and
» (e) Ensure that facilities and training for use of any material being
ordered are adequate.
Chemical Hygiene Plan
• Responsibility of Principal Investigator
– Ensure laboratory workers attend general lab safety training given
by EHS.
– Ensure laboratory workers understand how to work with chemicals
safely. Provide chemical and procedure-specific training, as
needed.
– Provide laboratory workers with appropriate engineering controls
and personal protective equipment needed to work safely with
hazardous materials. Ensure such equipment is used correctly.
– Ensure laboratory workers complete and submit Particularly
Hazardous Substance Use Approval forms and submit them for
approval before using any particularly hazardous substance.
– Review and approve work with particularly hazardous substances.
Disconnect
• University and EHS has expectations of PIs
• Laboratory Safety Training focuses on lab
worker, rather than lab supervisor
• Approval processes for biological and
radiological work, but not chemical
• Communication of expectations is not
adequate
Lab Supervisor Briefing
• Briefing vs. Training
• Meet individually with incoming PIs
– Notification process through Provost office
– ASAP, preferably before their lab is set up
– Approximately 5 per year, usually by me
• Non-responsive PIs
– Warning first, then report to URB
– Has never happened
Lab Supervisor Briefing
• Approximately 1 hour
• Serves many purposes
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Lab design review, as needed
Supervisory training
Introduce EHS and EHS resources
Profile lab and learn about proposed research
Sets an example for the Princeton University
laboratory culture
Briefing Agenda
• Introduction
– Letter from University
president
• Introduction to EHS
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Organizational chart
Web page mini-tour
Services
Consultation
Briefing Agenda
• Training Policy
• Training Matrix
– by Department
• Responsibility for ensuring attendance
• In-lab Training
• Attendance Database
Briefing Agenda
• Emergency Procedures
– Evacuation
– Eyewashes and Safety Showers
» Flushing, maintenance
– Preparedness
» Spill control materials
» Special materials (e.g., calcium gluconate gel)
» Fire extinguishers
Briefing Agenda
• Emergency
Procedures
Booklet
• Emergency
Information
Posters
Briefing Agenda
• Laboratory Standard
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Chemical Hygiene Plans
Chemical Hygiene Officers
SOPs
Prior Approval Procedures
» Particularly Hazardous Substances
– Documentation
Briefing Agenda
• University Policies and Procedures
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Select Agents
Laboratory Security
Funding for Safety
Regulatory Fines
Minors in the Laboratory
Regulatory or Law Enforcement Agency Visits
Briefing Agenda
• Personal Protective
Equipment
– Selection
– Funding
– Choices
• Fume Hoods and Lab
Ventilation
– Maintenance
– Testing Schedule and
Procedure
– Ratings
Briefing Agenda
• Inspections
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General Laboratory
Lasers
Radioactive Materials
Chemical Waste
Self-Audit Checklists
Briefing Agenda
• University Commitment to Environmental
Stewardship
• Pollution Prevention
– Waste Minimization
– Conservation
– Incentives
Briefing Agenda
• Chemical Waste Disposal
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Procedures
Minimization
Drain Disposal
Surplus Chemicals
Regular Waste Streams
Inspection Recommendations
Briefing Agenda
• Shipping Hazardous Materials
• Lab Risk Assessment
– High Value Materials
– Mission-Critical Equipment
– Potential for Use/Abuse by Terrorists
• Power Supply and Outages
– Cogen Plant
– Generators
– UPS
Briefing Agenda
• Experimental Review
– High/Unusual Hazard Experiments
– Review Team
• Lab Moves
• Surplus
Laboratory Profiling
• Expanded our Departmental Health and
Safety Programs Profiling tool
• Series of questions to help determine which
EHS program apply to the laboratory
• References to
– EHS resources
– EHS staff
Profile
• Sample Questions
– Do individuals work on or near exposed electrical
circuits?
– Do individuals use materials regulated by the DEA?
– Does your lab use highly hazardous gases?
– Does your lab utilize high temperature equipment
(e.g., ovens, furnaces, etc.)?
– Do
Profile
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Injury/Illness Proc.
Accident Investigation
Emerg. Action Plans
Required Postings
Computer Workstation
Electrical Safety
LOTO
PPE Standard
Hydrofluoric Acid Prep.
High Hazard Gas Proc.
Water Reactive Materials
High Magnetic Field Safety
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Noise Exposure
Fall Protection
Ladder Safety
Confined Space Entry
Cutting and Welding
Hoisting and Rigging
Temporary Employees
Respiratory Protection
Haz Mat Shipping
Silver Recovery
High Temp Equipment
Electromagnetic Radiation
Profile
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Laboratory Standard
Eyewash/Shower
Chemical Waste
Emerg. Info Posters
Minors in Workplace
Bloodborne Pathogens
Laser Safety
UV Light Safety
Spill Control Plans
Laboratory Security
Pressure Vessel Safety
Powder Actuated Tool Safety
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RAM – Open/Sealed
Electromagnetic Rad.
Live Virus Worker
Animal Worker
Select Agent Regis.
DEA Registration
Particular Haz Substances
Business Continuity Plan
Hazardous Metal Program
Reactive Chemical Safety
Pollution
Prevention/Sustainability
In a Nutshell
• Briefing given to all PIs and
their appointed Lab Managers
• Helps mold the laboratory
safety culture
• Introduces EHS
• Proactive
Questions?
Contact Information
• Robin Izzo
Assistant Director for Laboratory Safety
Environmental Health and Safety
Princeton University
262 Alexander Street
Princeton, NJ 08544
• 609-258-6259 (phone)
• 609-258-1804 (fax)
• rmizzo@princeton.edu
• http://www.princeton.edu/ehs
• http://web.princeton.edu/sites/ehs/labsafetymanual/index.html
(Lab Safety Manual)