SUNY Lab Safety Presentation

Laboratory Safety Training
Laboratory Safety, The Chemical
Hygiene Plan, Safe Practices and
Protective Measures
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
Environmental Resource Center

Training is Required
Mandated by:
OSHA/NY DOL
‒ Hazard Communication
‒ Laboratory Standard
EPA/NY DEC
‒ Hazardous Wastes
‒ Training required annually
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
OF
LABOR
DEPARTMENT

Objectives
• Review key SUNY Chemical Hygiene Plan
and Lab Safety Manual information
• Understand and identify risks associated
with chemicals and laboratory operations
• Review engineering controls, work
procedures, safe practices, personal
protective equipment, emergency
procedures, and protective measures for
laboratory operations at SUNY Downstate
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Background
• More than 500,000 workers are
employed in labs
• Lab workers are exposed to unique
chemical, biological, physical and
radioactive hazards, and particular
kinds of musculoskeletal stresses
• CSB has collected data on over 120
fires, explosions & chemical releases
at university/research labs since 2001
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

UCLA, December 29, 2008
• Grad student pulled t-butyl lithium
from sealed container with a syringe
• It came apart in hands & caught fire
• MSDS indicated to use glass syringe –
the student used a plastic one
• No lab coat; wore synthetic sweater
• Coworker wrapped student in a lab
coat which caught fire
• Student died in hospital burn unit
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety Environmental Resource Center

Texas Tech University
January 7, 2010
Chemistry/Biochemistry
Graduate student lost 3
fingers, and suffered
permanent eye damage
when his eyes and face
were burned after about 5 grams of Nickel
Hydrazine Perchlorate detonated as he was
working with a sample.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

University of
Missouri
Biochemistry
Lab Explosion
June 28, 2010
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
H2 gas explosion from use of
anaerobic chamber;
4 injured – 1 hospitalized
1 grad student,
2 post doctorate researchers
1 staff scientist

Regulatory
Requirements
• Key OSHA Standards that apply:
– Section 5(a)(1) General Duty Clause
– Laboratory Standard
– Hazard Communication
– Bloodborne Pathogens
– Personal Protective Equipment, Eye and
Face Protection, Respiratory Protection,
and Hand Protection
– Control of Hazardous Energy
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Other Standards that may apply:
– Chemical specific OSHA Subpart Z Standard
 Formaldehyde, Ethylene Oxide
 Toluene, Xylene
 Acrylamide
– NY State and local requirements
 Regulated Medical Waste
– University Health and Safety Policy
– Best practices or standards issued by
NIOSH, CDC, ANSI, NRC and NIH
Regulatory
Requirements
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

SUNY Chemical
Hygiene Plan
• Required by OSHA Lab Standard
• Provide guidelines for prudent lab
practices, setting forth responsibilities,
procedures, equipment, PPE and work
practices capable of protecting
workers from the health hazards of
chemicals in the laboratory.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
29 CFR 1910.1450

SUNY Chemical
Hygiene Plan
• Roles and Responsibilities:
– EHS Director
– Chemical Hygiene Officer or CHO
– Department Chairpersons
– Principal Investigators, Lab Supervisors,
Lab Safety Officers
– Lab Employees, Users and Volunteers
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

SUNY Training Requirements
It is the responsibility of the Principal
Investigator (PI) and Laboratory Supervisor:
• To ensure that staff/students…are provided
with adequate training and information
specific to the hazards found in their labs
• To ensure that staff/students…have
obtained the required health/safety
training and have access to Safety Data
Sheets (SDS) for all hazardous chemicals
used in their labs
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

SUNY Chemical
Hygiene Plan
• The written Chemical Hygiene Plan
and the full text of the OSHA Lab
Standard must be reviewed by and
made available to all lab employees.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Chemical Hygiene Plan
Lab-specific Procedures
• Required content
– Hazard controls
– Personal protective equipment
– Health & safety information
– Decontamination, waste disposal
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Chemical Hygiene Plan
Lab-specific Procedures
• Departmental Lab Safety Officers to
establish and implement CHP and work
with PI to ensure that lab specific
procedures are written and that
chemical and procedure-specific
training is provided as needed
• Revise CHP if chemicals or procedures
change
• Review with students & lab workers
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Understanding and
Identifying Chemical Hazards
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazardous Chemicals
• Hazardous chemical means any
chemical which is classified as
a physical hazard or a health
hazard, a simple asphyxiant,
combustible dust, pyrophoric
gas, or hazard not otherwise
classified
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazardous Chemicals
Types of Hazards
• Health Hazards
– Related to the harmful effects of a
substance that enters the human
body
• Physical Hazards
– Related to characteristics of a
chemical that cause it to be harmful
without entering the human body
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

OSHA Chemical Hazard
Classifications
Health Hazards
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Health Hazards
• Acute Toxicity
• Skin Corrosion/Irritation
• Serious Eye Damage/Eye Irritation
• Respiratory or Skin Sensitization
• Germ Cell Mutagenicity
• Carcinogenicity
● Reproductive Toxicity
● Specific Target Organ Toxicity Single Exposure
(STOT-SE)
● Specific Target Organ Toxicity Repeated or
Prolonged Exposure (STOT-RE)
● Aspiration Hazard
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Health Hazards
● Acute toxicity - adverse effects occurring
after single or multiple exposures to a
substance within 24 hours, or an
inhalation exposure of 4 hours
● Skin corrosion - irreversible skin damage
within 4 hours of exposure
● Skin irritation - reversible skin damage
within 4 hours of exposure
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Health Hazards
● Serious eye damage - irreversible damage
21 days after exposure
● Eye irritation - effects reversible within 21
days of exposure
● Respiratory Sensitizer – a chemical that
may cause hypersensitivity of the airways
following inhalation of the chemical
● Skin Sensitizer - a chemical that will lead
to an allergic response following skin
contact
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
Nickel sulfate, Toluene Di-isocyanate, MDI

Health Hazards
• Germ Cell Mutagenicity - causes permanent
changes to genetic material in cells. These
changes may effect your health or may be
passed to your children; Hazard Categories
1A, 1B & 2
• Carcinogenicity – can induce cancer or
increase its incidence; 2 categories
– 1A – Known (human); 1B – presumed (human)
– Suspected (human or animal)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Health Hazards
• Reproductive toxins - adversely effect
sexual function and fertility in adult males
and females, and/or may adversely effect
the development of offspring
• Specific Target Organ Toxicity Single
Exposure (STOT-SE) – Significantly impair
body functions; 3 categories:
1. Significant human toxicity
2. Presumed harmful to humans
3. Transient effects – Narcotic effects, respiratory
tract irritation
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Health Hazards
• Specific Target Organ Toxicity Repeated
Exposure (STOT-RE) - specific, non-lethal,
target organ toxicity from repeated exposures;
effects may be reversible or irreversible,
immediate or delayed; does not include health
effects caused by other health hazards
• Aspiration hazard - entry of a solid or liquid
chemical, through mouth/nose or indirectly
from vomiting, into lungs; severe, acute effects
(chemical pneumonia, pulmonary injury or
death) following aspiration.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazards of Exposure
• Routes of exposure:
– Inhalation: Vapors, mists, dusts, etc.
– Adsorption: Skin, eye or mucous
membrane contact
– Ingestion
– Injection
• Bioavailability
• Dose
– Acute or Chronic
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Exposure Monitoring
• Exposure monitoring to be conducted
if reason to believe that exposure
levels for a substance routinely
exceeds OSHA action level or PEL
– EHS/PI to determine when exposure
monitoring is required
– If required, EHS to conduct, with results
made available
– Both EHS and Departmental Lab Officers
to maintain records
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

OSHA Chemical Hazard
Classifications
Physical Hazards
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Physical Hazards
• Explosives
• Flammable Gases
• Flammable Aerosols
• Oxidizing Gases
• Gases Under Pressure
• Flammable Liquids
• Flammable Solids
• Self-Reactive Chemicals
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Physical Hazards
● Pyrophoric Liquids
● Pyrophoric Solids
● Self-Heating Chemicals
● Water-Reactive
● Oxidizing Liquids
● Oxidizing Solids
● Organic Peroxides
● Corrosive to Metal
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Explosives
● Capable, by chemical reaction,
of producing gas at such
temperature, pressure, and
speed as to cause damage to the
surroundings
● Includes pyrotechnics
● Six Divisions 1.1 – 1.6
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Flammable Gases
● Gas with a flammable range in air
at 20°C and standard pressure
(101.3 kPa)
● Two hazard categories
‒ Cat 1 = old OSHA definition
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Flammable Aerosols
● Flammable
‒ Flammable components > 1%
● Extremely flammable
‒ Flammable components > 85%
‒ Heat of combustion > 30 kJ/g
● Two hazard categories
‒ Ignition distance, heat of
combustion…
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Oxidizing Gases
• Any gas which may, generally by
providing oxygen, cause or
contribute to the combustion of
other material more than air does.
Category Criteria
1 Any gas which may, generally by providing
oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion
of other material more than air does.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Gases Under Pressure
● Gas in a receptacle,
> 200 KPa @ 20°C
● Refrigerated liquefied gas
● 4 groups
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Flammable Liquids
• Flashpoint (FP) < 93°C (200°F)
• FP – min temperature at which a
liquid gives off enough vapor at
the surface to support ignition
Category Criteria
1 FP < 23 C (73 F), BP < 35 C (95 F)
2 FP < 23 C (73 F), BP > 35 C (95 F)
3 FP > 23 C and < 60 C (140 F)
4 FP > 60 C (140 F) and < 93 C (200 F)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Flammable Solids
●Flammable Solid, and Readily
Combustible Solids
‒ Flammable solid means a solid which is a
readily combustible solid, or which may
cause or contribute to fire through friction
‒ Readily combustible solids are powdered,
granular, or pasty chemicals which are
dangerous if they can be easily ignited by
brief contact with an ignition source, such
as a burning match, and if the flame
spreads rapidly
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Self-Reactive Substances
• Thermally unstable
• Can undergo strong exothermic
thermal decomposition even
without oxygen or air
• Excludes explosives, oxidizers
or organic peroxides
• 7 hazard types (A-G)
Ammonium perchlorate, azides, fulminates, triazines
29 CFR 1910.1200 App B B.8.2.3 (Page A-44)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Pyrophoric Liquids/Solids
• A pyrophoric liquid or solid ignites within
5 minutes of air contact; does not include
self-heating chemicals.
Tert-butyl lithium, alkyl zinc, boranes
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
Ex. White Phosphorus, Metal hydrides,
and Alkali metals (lithium, sodium)

Self-Heating Substances
• Self-heats by reaction with air &
without energy supplied
• Do not include
‒ Pyrophoric liquids
‒ Pyrophoric solids
• Reacts slowly ‒ over hours or days;
pyrophoric liquids/solids react rapidly
• Category 1 & 2
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Chemicals Which in
Contact with Water
Emit Flammable Gases
• Solid or liquid chemicals which, by
interaction with water, are liable
to become spontaneously flammable
or to give off flammable gases in
dangerous quantities.
• 3 Hazard Categories 1, 2 and 3
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Oxidizing Liquids
• Liquid that may yield oxygen contributing
to the combustion of other materials
• 3 Hazard Categories: 1,2 & 3
Sodium perchlorate, ammonium nitrate solution
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
Oxidizing Solids
• Solid which, while itself not necessarily be
combustible, may yield oxygen contributing
to the combustion of other materials; 3
Hazard Categories: 1, 2 & 3
Calcium Hypochlorite

Organic Peroxides
● Organic liquid or solid with a bivalent
O-O structure
● Organic peroxides may
‒ Decompose explosively
‒ Burn rapidly
‒ Be sensitive to impact or friction
‒ React dangerously with other substances
● 7 hazard types (A-G)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Substances Corrosive to Metal
• Substances or mixtures that by chemical
action materially damage or destroy metal
• Corrodes steel or aluminum 6.25 mm
(1/4”)/yr @ 55 C Ferric Chloride
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
Other Hazards
• Simple Asphyxiants – displaces O2
• Combustible Dusts
• Pyrophoric Gas – ignite spontaneously in air
<130 F
• Hazard not otherwise classified (HNOC)

Chemical Labeling
Communicating the Hazards
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

NFPA and HMIS Labels
• National Fire Protection Association
• Hazardous Materials Identification
System (HMIS)
– Numbering system reverse of GHS
– OSHA does not oppose, no conflict
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Manufacturer/Supplier labels contain hazard
communication information – do not remove them.
• If label comes off or is significantly degraded, re-
label the container.
• Chemical waste being accumulated in labs in
containers must be labeled with the words
'Hazardous Waste', the name of the chemical, the
room number and the accumulation start date.
Containers should not be marked with an
accumulation end date, as this will be done by the
waste vendor.
Chemical Labels
in the Lab
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Labeling Requirements
• All chemical containers MUST be
labeled (whether hazardous or
non-hazardous)
• Point of use chemical containers
should be labeled with original
chemical names; refer to SDS
– If abbreviations, formulas, structures
or acronyms are used, then a ‘key’
must be placed conspicuously nearby.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Eribulin Mesylate
CAS No: 441045-17-6 SuperTox Inc.
4567 Cercla Court
Phone: 703-555-9876
Chemtrec 24 Emergency
Number: 800-424-9300
(International) 703-527-3887
Danger!
Suspected of causing genetic
defects. May damage fertility or the
unborn child. Causes damage to
organs through prolonged or
repeated exposure. Suspected of
causing cancer. Very toxic to aquatic
life with long lasting effects
Do not handle until all safety
precautions have been read and
understood. Use personal protective
equipment as required. Wash
thoroughly after handling. IF exposed
or concerned: Get medical
advice/attention. Avoid release to the
environment. Dispose of
contents/container in accordance with
local/regional/national/international
regulation
Quantity: 5 Litres

Chemical Labels
in the Lab
INCORRECT CORRECT
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Keep all chemicals labeled
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Safety Data Sheets
(SDS)
• The SDS is a primary source of key
hazard information
– What is in the product
– What are the hazards
– How to protect yourself
– Exposure limits
– First aid, fire, spill response
– Compatibility
– Storage precautions
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

How do I get an SDS?
• You must have an SDS for every chemical in
your lab and keep it on file
• Check manufacturer’s web site
• Check the Downstate SDS intranet at the
following link:
http://www.dolphinrtk.com/frame.asp
• Contact Environmental, Health & Safety at 718-
221-5212
• SDS must be accessible at all times… the EHS
rule of thumb is that you should be able to
produce a requested SDS for any lab chemical
in less than 5 minutes
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Chemical Inventory
• The PI, Lab Supervisor and Lab
Safety Officers are responsible
for maintaining an accurate
chemical inventory
– Investigator name
– Location in Facility
– Chemical name
– Maximum amount
– Location in the lab
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazard Assessment
• Each lab must document a formal
hazard assessment conducted to
evaluate the hazards associated with
each chemical being used in the lab:
– To identify the risks and hazards, and
– To document the nature of the hazards
associated with the chemical being used
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazard Controls
1. Engineering controls
– Fume hoods, exhaust systems
2. Safe work practices &
administrative controls
‒ Procedures, schedules, safe practices
3. Personal protective equipment
– Gloves, lab coat, respirator, goggles
– Eye wash, safety shower, spill kit, etc
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Engineering Controls
Chemical Fume Hoods
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
• Plan work carefully and
inspect before use!
• Always work with hazardous
chemicals in a fume hood
• Conduct work at least 6
inches from sash of hood
• Report problems to Control
Room x2810 and place a
sign on the hood
*Hoods should have verified face velocity of 95 – 125
ft/min at specified sash height – check the sticker

• Don’t block air flow
• Large equipment
should be on blocks or
racks to allow air flow
• Fume hoods must be
inspected annually by
ENV services. An
inspection sticker will
be placed on each
inspected hood.
Chemical Fume Hood Use
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Fume Hood Use
• If a hood has no sticker, do not use and
contact EHS at 221-5212
• Written reports of the results of the
annual hood surveys are furnished to the
PI, Lab Supervisor, & Lab Safety Officer
• Check magnehelic gauge or indicator to
ensure proper operation of hood
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Chemical Fume Hood Use
• Set sash at correct
working height
• Wear PPE
• Work towards
middle of hood
• Keep hood work
area uncluttered
• Store or dispose of
unused chemicals
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Excess storage and clutter reduces air flow -
increases risk of exposure and accidents
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Fume Hood Limitations
• Not designed for particulates or for gases
escaping at high pressure
• Not capable of containing explosions
• Not for perchloric acid
• Do not run tubing from another area into
hood as an exhaust
• Do not connect other devices or equipment
to the hood without pre-approval
• Never use a hood for waste disposal
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Administrative Controls
Safe Work Practices
Limit employee exposure through
limiting access to areas where
particularly hazardous chemicals
are handled
Phone/communication device
Eyewash
Shower
Spill Control Equipment
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit (Recommended)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Access to
emergency
equipment is
essential
• Ensure it is
not blocked
• Bump test
eye wash
weekly to
flush and
ensure
readiness
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
Safe Work Practices

Compressed Gases
• Do not store incompatible gases next to
each other. O2 cylinders >20 feet from H2
or flammable gas, or separate by firewall
• Do not use adaptors with regulators
• Do not use Teflon tapes on threads
• Always perform a leak test
• Use full/empty tags
• Toxic gases need flow-limiting orifice
• All cylinders/lecture bottles in inventory
• See Lab Safety Manual for more details
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Gas Cylinders Must Be Secured
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Is this OK?
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
• Better to use a chain than a strap
since straps can burn through in a
fire; chain must be high enough to
prevent tip over
• Cylinder must be out of high traffic
areas, yet be accessible
• Contents must be clearly identified
• When transporting, use hand truck
with chain, secure the protective
cap and never move with regulator
attached
• Don’t transport O2 & combustible
gases together

Safe Work Practices
Chemical Storage & Handling
– Keep away from open flame or sparks
– Have fire extinguisher nearby
– Store away from oxidizers
– Be sure to ground and bond when
transferring to avoid static discharge
– Do not store in standard freezers or
refrigerators – must be rated for
flammable storage or be explosion
proof in some cases
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Chemical Storage
– Do not keep more than 10 gallons outside
of proper flammable liquid storage; keep
minimum amount possible in work areas
• Chemical storage areas
– Central stockrooms, storerooms, lab work
areas, cabinets, refrigerators
– Keep storage in hoods to a minimum
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Chemical Storage
• Storage areas
– For cabinets, store larger containers to
the rear and smaller to front
– Labels facing out
– No storage on the floor unless
secondary containment provided
– Keep out of sunlight & away from heat
– Date containers when they arrive
– For reagent shelves use anti-roll lips
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Handling Precautions
• When possible use plastic or metal safety
cans
• Keep the smallest usable containers in
areas where work is conducted.
• Avoid generating static electricity when
working with solvents
• Catalyst ignition – Recovered hydrogenated
catalysts become H2 saturated, and must
be carefully filtered, not allowing the cake
to become dry and placing funnel into filter
bath immediately
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Separate Incompatibles
• Do not store acids with bases
• Do not store nitric acid with other acids
• Do not store flammable solvents with
oxidizers
• Do not store cyanides with acids
• Do not store acids with flammables
• Store corrosives in corrosion resistant
cabinets; do not store above eye level
• See Chemical Incompatibility Chart
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Incompatibles & Peroxidizables
• Store water reactives alone
• Store flammables with very low flashpoints
in an explosion proof refrigerator
• Peroxidizables (ethers, tetrahydrofuran,
dioxanes), mark on bottle the Date Received,
Date opened, Date for disposal and then
submit as Waste <1 year from receive date
• If purchasing, choose container size that will
ensure use of entire contents
• Keep a careful inventory of these materials
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Peroxide Forming Compounds
• Peroxides become unstable when stored for long
periods & exposed to light & air; also detonate if
concentrated by evaporation or distillation, when
disturbed via friction or shock or when combined
with other compounds; HANDLE WITH CARE!
• Know which chemicals can form peroxides, and then
research carefully before use
• Inspect for crystalline solids but do not open
container!
• Review the Lab Safety Manual section on Peroxides
• Contact EHS if there are any questions
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Cryogenics
• Boiling point < 100 F – liquid N2, liquid O2
• Hazards include fire, explosion, embrittle-
ment, pressure buildup, frostbite and
asphyxiation
• When cryogenic gases vaporize, they expand
violently (liquid N2 696:1, liquid H2 851:1)
• Avoid splashing and use correct PPE!
• Do not overfill cylinders and dewars; do not
lower head over dry ice baths to avoid
suffocation
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Transporting Chemicals
• Always use secondary container appropriate
for type of chemical
• Use a wheeled cart with a lipped surface
• Do not use passenger elevators
• Avoid riding elevators with cryogenic liquids
or compressed gas cylinders
• Wear appropriate PPE
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Unattended Experiments
• Must be designed to prevent releases of
hazardous substances in the event of
interruptions in utility services such as
electricity, water, and gas.
• Lab lights must be left on and signs must be
posted identifying the nature of the
experiment and substances used.
• Provide an Emergency Information poster
with contact information
• Consider all contingencies!
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Particularly Hazardous Substances
• OSHA defines particularly hazardous
substances as:
‒ Carcinogens
‒ Reproductive toxins
‒ Substances with high acute toxicity
‒ LD50 of <50 mg/kg by oral dose
‒ LD50 of <200 mg/kg by 24 hr contact
‒ LC50 of <
‒ 200 ppm (gas/vapor)
‒ 2 mg/L (mist, fume, dust)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Particularly Hazardous Substances
• Additional procedures apply to use of
particularly hazardous substances (PHS). All
lab workers planning to use must receive
explicit written permission from the PI
‒ Submit list of all uses with identity, PPE &
controls, area used, storage plan, waste &
decontamination procedures to CHO/PI
‒ Place approved signage designating area
‒ Follow all procedures and keep records of
amounts used, dates and names
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

NO Food/Drink in Lab
• No Water Bottles
• No Soda / Coffee / Coke
• No Food / Lunch / Meals
• No Candy / Energy Bars / Mints
• Never eat or drink ANYTHING in Labs
• Do Not Take Above Items Into Lab
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Electrical Safety in the Lab
• Extension cords should not be used for
permanent wiring
• Only qualified persons should install/repair
electrical equipment
• Use only three-wire grounded electrical cords
• Keep electrical panels clear from obstruction
and all circuits properly labeled
• Inspect wiring of equipment before each use
• Know location of and how to use ‘shut-off’
switches and/or circuit breaker panels
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Electrical Safety in the Lab
• Minimize the potential for liquid spills near
any electrical equipment
• Do not keep flammables near outlets
• Disconnect power sources before servicing
equipment
• Be aware of the potential for spark hazards
related to switches on equipment
• Carefully review the Electrical Safety section
of the Lab Safety Manual (Section 7E) which
contains additional details
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
Appropriate for the hazard
based on hazard assessment
• Gloves, eye protection
• Lab coats, aprons, scrubs
• No shorts, skirts or open-toed
shoes where hazardous
materials are in use
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
• Lab coats should use snaps instead of
buttons so they could be removed
more quickly in an emergency
• Other PPE – respiratory protection,
thermal gloves or pads, cut resistant,
etc.
• If special PPE is needed or if there are
questions, contact Environmental,
Health & Safety at 718-221-5212
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Gloves
• Appropriate for specific
chemicals – correct material
• Check for leaks
• Double glove if necessary
• Be alert to unusual sensations in hands
• Don’t touch your face, phone
• Remove gloves before leaving lab
• Latex: use discouraged due to low
protection and allergenic properties – use
non-powdered hypo-allergenic instead
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Gloves
• Use a glove box for handling highly
hazardous chemicals, according to
approved procedures
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Safety Glasses
Required in any area where
there is a potential for eye injury
• Must be ANSI approved (Z87 stamped on
sidebar)
• If prescription glasses are not ANSI
approved, wear safety glasses, safety
goggles, or a full face shield over them
• See your CHP, SOP or Lab Supervisor for
specific PPE requirements
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazardous Waste
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

What is a Waste?
EPA Definitions:
‒ Discarded: Any material that is
abandoned, recycled, or inherently
waste-like
‒ Abandoned: Accumulated or stored
instead of being disposed
It does not have to be in the trash or
dumpster …
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

THESE are Wastes!
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazardous Waste
• Characteristic waste
• Listed waste
• Hazardous waste
mixtures
Listed
F003
Characteristic
D001
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Characteristic Waste
Ignitable Reactive
Corrosive Toxic
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Characteristic Hazardous Waste
• Liquid with FP < 140°F
• Non-liquid, at standard temperature &
pressure: can cause fire through friction,
absorption of moisture or spontaneous
chemical changes and when ignited
burns so vigorously and persistently it
creates a hazard
• Flammable gases, oxidizers
Ignitable D001
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• pH < 2
• pH > 12.5
• A liquid that can corrode steel at
a rate > 0.25” per year
Corrosive D002
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Unstable and reacts violently
without detonating
• Reacts violently with water
• Forms explosive mixtures with water
• Generates toxic gases, vapors, or
fumes when mixed with water
• Explosive or detonates if heated
under confinement
Reactive D003
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Characteristic Hazardous Wastes
Toxicity Characteristic
EPA HW Regulatory EPA HW Regulatory
Number Contaminant Level (mg/l) Number Contaminant Level (mg/l)
D004 Arsenic 5.0 D032 Hexachlorobenzene 0.13
D005 Barium 100.0 D033 Hexachlorobutadiene 0.5
D018 Benzene 0.5 D034 Hexachloroethane 3.0
D006 Cadmium 1.0 D008 Lead 5.0
D019 Carbon Tetrachloride 0.5 D013 Lindane 0.4
D020 Chlordane 0.03 D009 Mercury 0.2
D021 Chlorobenzene 100.0 D014 Methoxychlor 10.0
D022 Chloroform 6.0 D035 Methyl Ethyl Ketone 200.0
D007 Chromium 5.0 D036 Nitrobenzene 2.0
D023 o-Cresol 200.0 D037 Pentachlorophenol 100.0
D024 m-Cresol 200.0 D038 Pyridine 5.0
D025 p-Cresol 200.0 D010 Selenium 1.0
D026 Cresol 200.0 D011 Silver 5.0
D016 2,4-D 10.0 D039 Tetrachlorethylene 0.7
D027 1,4-Dichlorobenzene 7.5 D015 Toxaphene 0.5
D028 1,2-Dichloroethane 0.5 D040 Trichloroethylene 0.5
D029 1,1-Dichloroethylene 0.7 D041 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 400.0
D030 2,4-Dinitrotolene 0.13 D042 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 2.0
D012 Endrin 0.02 D017 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) 1.0
D031 Heptachlor (& its hydroxide) 0.008 D043 Vinyl Chloride 0.2
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Listed Hazardous Waste
• Non-specific source waste (F-list)
• Commercial chemical products
(P & U lists)
• Specific Sources (K-List) – does
not apply to labs
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

F-Listed Hazardous Waste
• F002 – F005 Spent solvents
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

F002 – F005 Spent solvents
• A "Spent material" is any material that has
been used and as a result of contamination
can no longer serve the purpose for which it
was produced without processing.
• Includes spent xylene, acetone, ethyl ether,
methyl isobutyl ketone, n-butyl alcohol,
methanol, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone,
isobutanol, pyridine and others.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

P-List Acutely Toxic
40 CFR 261.33
U-List Toxic
UNUSED
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

P List – Chemical and Container
are Hazardous Wastes
• Do Not Rinse empty container
• Do Not put in Trash
• Do Not put in Broken Glass Boxes
• E-mail:
jonathan.carrelli@downstate.edu
with the location of the waste along
with a description of the waste and
the quantity and volume of the
containers
(e.g. 2 x 500mg Sodium azide)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Commercial Chemical
Products (P and U Lists)
• Commercially pure
• Technically pure
• Sole active ingredient
in a formulation
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazardous Waste
Generator Status
• Based on how much hazardous waste
is generated each calendar month
• SUNY Downstate is a Large Quantity
Generator or LQG
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazardous Waste
Areas
• Satellite Accumulation Area(s) –
accumulation in containers at or near
a point of generation where wastes
initially accumulate (in a lab)
• 90 Day Accumulation Area(s) –
hazardous wastes are accumulated
for disposal
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Satellite Accumulation
• Containers must be:
‒ At or near the point of generation
where the waste is initially
accumulated
‒ Under the control of the operator of
the process generating the waste
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Satellite Accumulation Point
• Maximum amount allowed
‒ 1 quart (~1 Liter) of P-waste; or
‒ 55 Gallon (~220 Liters) of Non-Acutely
Toxic Waste
• Waste stored near drains must have
secondary containment; unused
sinks or drains should be
plugged/sealed
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Satellite Accumulation
Point Requirements
• Dating a container will require that
it be moved from the satellite
accumulation area to the main
waste room within 3 days.
Therefore, the date will be added
to the container upon pick up by
the waste vendor.
• Once >55 gal or 1 quart (~1 liter)
of P-waste, must be moved to the
90 day accumulation area within
3 calendar days
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• In good condition
‒ Has a cap or lid with a good seal
‒ No cuts, rust, or damage
• Compatible with the waste
‒ Ex. No Acids in Metal Containers
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Kept closed
‒ Must be closed/sealed unless actively
transferring material into or out of
‒ Must be original screw caps
‒ NO Foil, Parafilm, or Plastic Wrap
• At minimum, marked “Hazardous
Waste” & with identify of contents
(Acetone, Hexane)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Labeling and Pick-Up of
Chemical Waste Containers
• Waste container labels can be obtained from EHS
at 718-221-5212
• Labeling should be legible & include name of
generator, name of lab group or PI, department
and a contact number to call if questions
• When the waste container is 90% full, e-mail
jonathan.carrelli@downstate.edu with the location
of the waste along with a description of the waste
and the quantity and volume of the containers (e.g.
2 x 1gal paraformaldehyde waste)"
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

OK?
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Special Hazardous Wastes
• Mercury, Thallium, Beryllium, Osmium
• Used oil does not include vacuum pump oil,
cutting oils, PCB contaminated oils, or any
oils mixed with hazardous waste;
• Label used oil containers with words “Used
Oil” – do not mark ‘Hazardous Waste’
• Radioactive waste – uranium, thorium cmpds
• Silica gel, molecular sieves & desiccants may
not be hazardous waste unless grossly
contaminated; silica gel can be recycled
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

90 day Accumulation
Area Requirements
• All containers must be dated with
an accumulation start date
• Sufficient aisle space to allow for
inspection of containers
• Marks and labels must face out to
be visible
• Emergency equipment (phone, fire
extinguisher, spill absorbent)
must be readily available
• Area must be inspected weekly
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
1/19/2013

Container Management
• Properly emptied containers not regulated
as HW (typically triple rinsed with suitable
solvent and air dried)
• Rinsate may be HW! (watch for P-waste)
• Glass containers
• Metal containers
• Secondary containers
• Contact EHS with questions
at 718-221-5212
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hazardous Waste
Emergency Procedures
Contingency Plan
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Emergency Procedures
Contingency Plan
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
• Refer to the site Contingency Plan
and the Emergency Procedures
section of the Lab Safety Manual for
details concerning:
‒ Medical Emergencies
‒ Chemical Exposures

Reporting Accidents
and Injuries
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
• In all cases, incidents should be reported to your laboratory
manager, supervisor or principal investigator, regardless of
severity
• Seek medical consultation
‒ Employee Health Services
‒ Emergency Department
• All injuries, regardless of severity, should be accompanied
by a Report of On the Job Injury/Illness form. If the
employee is unable to complete the form, it must be
completed and signed by their supervisor.
• The signed original should be submitted to the Human
Resource Benefits Office (Box 1191), University Police (Box
1201) and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety
(Box 13) within 48 hours of occurrence.

Chemical Spill Procedures
• Only attempt to respond to a spill if
you are trained and have proper spill
cleanup materials available
• These procedures are for spills
within a University Building; for
spills to the outside environment,
calling University Police will initiate
appropriate action
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Incidental Spill criteria
– Small quantity of a known material
– No gases or vapors that require a
respirator
– Spill cleanup material available
– Correct PPE available
– Hazards are understood, procedures are
known
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Incidental Spill Cleanup
– Notify others in area & keep them away
– Don correct PPE & stop source of spill if
safe to do so
– Confine the spill so it does not escape area
or enter environment
– Use appropriate absorbent or spill kit
– Place in leak proof container (if hazardous
waste, mark & dispose through hazardous
waste management program)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Major Spills / Fires
1. A major spill is any spill that
requires assistance from outside the
immediate laboratory area
2. Contact University Police by calling
x2626 from a campus phone or dial
718-270-2626
3. Notify EHS at 718-221-5212
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Major Spills / Fires
1. Alert people in immediate area and
evacuate room
2. Confine hazard by closing doors on way out
3. Use eyewash stations/showers as needed
4. Evacuate nearby rooms; if entire building
impacted, pull fire alarm
5. Once out, notify emergency responders
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Provide
Information
• Location of spill (Building & Room #)
• What happened: spill, fire, explosion,
other release
• What chemicals or wastes are involved
• Estimated amount
• Injuries, if any
• Time occurred
• Potential or actual off-site
contamination
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

BIOHAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Proper Handling, Labeling,
Storage and Disposal
Refrigerator
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Biohazardous Material
An agent of biological origin
that has the capacity to
produce harmful effects in humans;
i.e. microorganisms, toxins and
allergens derived from micro-
organisms; and allergens and
toxins derived from plants or animals.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Pathogen
• A microorganism that is a disease
causing agent, or an infectious agent.
• 4 categories:
Bacteria Fungi Viruses Parasites
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Biohazards ‒ Pathogens
• Transmission
‒ Bloodborne – parenteral, mucous
membrane contact, transfusion
(HBV, HCV, HIV)
‒ Airborne – inhalation, mucous
membrane contact (Flu strains)
‒ Contaminated water or food (HAV)
‒ Hand to mouth
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Bloodborne Pathogens
• HIV, Hepatitis B, C
• Agents that cause:
‒ Babesiosis, Brucellosis, Leptospirosis
‒ HTLV-1 Infections, Arboviral Infections
‒ Malaria, Relapsing Fever
‒ Viral Hemorrhagic Fever
‒ Syphilis
• Blood is the major source of infectious
pathogens
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Hepatitis Viruses
• Very infectious!
• Hepatitis B can live in a dry
environment for >7 days
• Often no symptoms, or it could
take 1 – 9 months to appear.
• Mild to severe flu-like
symptoms; liver inflammation
and damage; liver cancer.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Infectious Pathogens
• Other Potentially Infectious
Materials (OPIM)
‒ Human body fluids
‒ Any unfixed tissue or organ
‒ Human cells
‒ Any cells, tissue, organ cultures, culture
medium or other solutions from human
or animal experimentation reasonably
likely to contain pathogens such as
HIV, HBV, HCV, etc.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Bloodborne
Pathogen Program
• Exposure Control Plan – controls to
eliminate employee exposures
‒ Exposure determination
‒ Controls
‒ Vaccination program
‒ Communication and Training
‒ Recordkeeping
• Needle-stick Prevention Program
• Safe Work Practice
‒ Precautions, engineering controls, use of PPE
and hygienic housekeeping practices
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Safe Work
Practices
• No food or drink to be kept in refrigerators,
freezers, cabinets, or in any areas where
blood or OPIM are present
• Careful hand washing is single most
important thing to prevent infection spread
• Universal Precautions – treat all blood or
OPIM as if infectious
• Sharps program
‒ No recapping of needles
‒ Do not bend, break or remove needles
‒ Dispose of properly in approved sharps container
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Safe Work Practices
• Personal Protective Equipment
‒ Based on careful hazard analysis and specific to
usage and risk level
‒ Lab coat and gloves are minimum
‒ If splash hazard, use eye/face protection and
double glove
• Use good housekeeping practices
‒ Sanitizing and decontamination procedures
‒ Laundering and disposable clothing
‒ Follow regulated medical waste (RMW)
procedures for disposal of contaminated
materials
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Controls
• Ventilation hoods and Biological Safety
Cabinets
• Secondary transport containers
• Sharps disposal containers
• Plastic shielding or barriers
• Sealed rotor heads or centrifuge safety cups
• Use better sharps safety devices
‒ Needleless IV
‒ Retractable syringes and lancets
‒ Puncture resistant capillary tubes
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Biohazardous Waste
• Use approved biohazard bags for biowaste
‒ Red color only and > 1.5 mil thickness
‒ Word “Biohazard” and biohazard symbol
‒ Waste container large enough for bag
‒ Fill only to ¾ full
‒ Properly secure with knot
• Biohazard Waste Containers
‒ Rigid, puncture proof & leak proof; tight fitting lid
‒ Labeled with biohazard label/symbol on all sides
‒ Clean and free of any visible contamination
‒ Do Not overfill!
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Regulated Medical Waste
• Regulated Medical Waste (RMW)
includes the following materials
generated in research or health care:
‒ infectious animal wastes,
‒ human pathological waste,
‒ human blood and blood products,
‒ needles and syringes (sharps) and
‒ cultures and stocks (microbiological
materials)
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Sharps
• All users of hypodermic needles and
syringes must comply with NY State
Department of Health regulations
– All non-medical and non-veterinary use of
syringes and needles require a Dept. of
Health Certificate of Need.
– Follow guidelines for disposal in one of
the waste segregation and disposal tables
– Lock up unused needles and maintain
written log of use and distribution
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Biological Safety Cabinets
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
The BSC is used only for biological agents

• All Biological Safety cabinets must
be certified:
‒ Before being put into use
‒ After repair or movement
‒ After a filter is replaced
‒ At least annually
• The PI or Lab Supervisor must
ensure that BSC are certified
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Continuous inward airflow
protects the employee from
aerosols
• Exhaust air is HEPA filtered to
protect the environment from
becoming contaminated with
aerosols
• HEPA-filtered downward laminar
airflow over the workspace
protects the product from
contamination
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

UV Light in BSC
• Biocidal device to help protect user
• Effectiveness is questionable
• Poses other hazards due to UV
radiation (skin & eyes); use proper PPE
• UV lamps must be periodically tested
to ensure that energy output is
adequate to kill microorganisms.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Types of BSC
• Class II
IIA IIA2 IIB1 IIB2
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Guidelines for BSC
• The proper use of BSC can complement
good microbiological practices
• Locate the BSC deep in the lab, away from
air currents, doors, windows, traffic, etc.
• Plan and prepare your work in the BSC and
place into the BSC before commencing
• Minimize disruptions to air flow such as
arm movements across the air barrier
• Move slowly and deliberately
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

BSC Operational
Procedures
• Operate the blowers for 5 min before
beginning work
• Disinfect and ready work area
• Assemble all material
• Don protective clothing
• Move slowly and avoid rapid movement
inside the cabinet
• Avoid using open flames inside the BSC
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

BSC Operational
Procedures
• Always disinfect before and after every
procedure
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Radioactive Materials
Standard Guidance for Working with
Radioactive Materials
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Radiation
The energy transmitted through space in the
form of electromagnetic waves or ‘energetic’
particles. These streams of energy composed
of tiny high-speed particles, or bundles of
“electromagnetic” energy, are spontaneously
released by certain atoms or generated by
electronic devices.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Radiation
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Ionizing Radiation
• Certain radiation has sufficient energy to remove
electrons from atoms in material through which
it passes.
• This is called ionization, & these high frequency
electromagnetic waves that produce ionizations
are called ionizing radiations.
‒ alpha particle radiation
‒ beta particle radiation
‒ neutrons
‒ gamma rays
‒ x-rays
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Ionizing Radiation
Ionizing radiation can pass through materials
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Ionizing Radiation
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
Exposure
(rem)
Health Effect
Time to Onset
(without treatment)
5-10 Changes in blood chemistry
50 Nausea Hours
55 Fatigue
70 Vomiting
75 Hair loss 2-3 weeks
90 Diarrhea
100 Hemorrhage
400 Possible death Within 2 months
1,000
Destruction of intestinal lining
internal bleeding
and death
1-2 weeks
2,000
Damage to central nervous
system
Minutes
Loss of consciousness;
and death
Hours to days
• Health effects both
acute and chronic;
chronic exposure
may lead to cancer
due to cellular
mutation.
• Acute health effects
could include burns,
radiation sickness,
radiation poisoning
and even death.

Non-Ionizing Radiation
• Nonionizing radiation is not energetic
enough to ionize atoms, yet can still pose
serious health hazards. Non-ionizing
radiation would include:
‒ UV Light
‒ Lasers
‒ RF Radiation
‒ Sunlight and visible light
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Regulation
• Radiation in most any form in the workplace
is regulated by OSHA, EPA and by state
agencies.
• Radiation exposure level limits have been
established by OSHA and ACGIH.
• State registration, licensing and use permits
are typically required, often with specific
recordkeeping, medical evaluation and
training requirements.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Regulatory
Requirements
• Contact Environmental, Health and
Safety for specific instructions and
information concerning the Radiation
Safety Program at SUNY Downstate.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

General Handling
Precautions
• Training: Only personnel who complete radiation
safety training may use radioactive materials.
Contact Environmental, Health and Safety
concerning appropriate Radiation Safety Training.
• PPE: Wear appropriate PPE, including full length
pants, closed toe shoes, gloves, lab coat and
protective eyewear in lab. Wear dosimeters if
provided by EH&S.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• ALARA: Radiation exposures should be reduced
to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) by
employing principles of time, distance & shielding.
• Work in designated radioactive materials
area: Use designated benches covered with an
absorbent liner. A certified fume hood should be
utilized with volatile radioactive materials.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
General Handling
Precautions

Radioactive Material Storage
• Labels and Shielding: Clearly label each item in
storage and properly indicate all storage and work
areas. Ensure all materials in storage have
adequate shielding.
• No Food or Drink: Do not store food or eat,
drink, smoke or use cosmetics in areas (including
refrigerators) where radioactive material is stored
or used.
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

• Secondary Containment: Provide
appropriate secondary containment for
all liquid radioactive materials, including
waste. A tray with a lip should be used
to catch spills.
Radioactive Material Storage
Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety

Office of
Environmental
Health & Safety
• Thank you for your attention!
• Don’t forget to take the test.

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