1. Laboratory Safety & Hazardous Waste Training

2. Agenda Laboratory Safety Hazardous Waste Management
Regulatory Introduction
Hazard Recognition
Physical
Chemical
Exposure Management
Engineering Controls
Administrative Controls
Material Segregation and Management
Personal Protective Equipment
Fire Safety and Procedures
Spills and Emergency Response
Hazardous Waste Management

3. Regulatory Introduction
Columbia University laboratories must comply with rules set by the following regulatory bodies:
New York City
Fire Department (FDNY)
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
New York State
Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
Federal
Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

4. New York City Fire Department
Peroxide-Forming Chemicals
Peroxide-forming chemicals
must be dated immediately
upon opening
Discard any unused chemicals
within a year of opening date
Ethers, THF, dioxanes are
common peroxide-formers

5. New York City Fire Department
Compressed gas cylinders
Compressed gas cylinders must be stored upright and be restrained.
Oxygen cylinders should be kept at a minimum of 25 feet away from flammable gas cylinders.

6. New York City Fire Department
Flammables in Refrigerators
Flammable chemicals must be stored in a “Flammable Material Storage” or “Explosion Proof” refrigerator
Domestic refrigerators located in labs are labeled
“Store No Flammables Flashing below 100 F”.

7. New York City Fire Department
Chemical containers must be Clearly and Visibly labeled to indicate their contents at all times.

8. New York City Fire Department
Certificate of Fitness Program
At least one C of F holder is required per lab while the laboratory is in operation (includes nights & weekends).
Certificate (C-14) indicates that holder knows emergency procedures in the event of a fire in the lab.
Labs with large amounts of compressed gases or cryogenics may require additional Certificates.
Contact EH&S for information on obtaining a C of F.

9. OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is the federal regulatory agency governing workplace health and safety.
OSHA Laboratory Standard (29 CFR ) is the specific regulation that applies to laboratory environments:
Information on hazard identification and protection
Information on chemical exposure, detection, and management
Emergency procedures
Employers’ and employees’ rights and responsibilities

10. Questions What type of refrigerator is required for
storage of flammable chemicals?
Peroxide forming chemicals must be
upon opening.

11. Hazard Recognition
“The employer shall provide employees with information and training to ensure that they are apprised of the hazards of chemicals present in their work area.” 29CFR
Safety and hazard information is available from multiple sources.

12. Hazard Recognition Sources of hazard information:
USDOT (Department of Transportation) Diamonds
NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association) Diamonds
Manufacturers’ labels
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Office of Environmental Health & Radiation Safety/ Environmental Health & Safety

13. Hazard Recognition
Chemicals are often marked with the NFPA Diamond or similar hazardous communication markings to denote their hazards.
Note the hazards as listed on chemical containers in your lab prior to using them.

14. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Shipped with all chemicals
Contain all safety information about a chemical, including the exposure limits, precautions for safe handling and use, and other hazard information.
Must be accessible (paper copy or via internet) in the lab for all chemicals present.

15. Hazard Recognition -Physical Hazards
Elements of the laboratory work environment, including chemicals and equipment, hold the potential to cause physical harm.
For each type of hazard, awareness and simple protective measures will ensure safety.
Burns
Asphyxiation
Slips, Trips, Falls
Electrocution
Blunt Force Trauma, Lacerations
Compressed Gas and Cryogenic Hazards

16. Oxygen Alarms
Oxygen alarms are used where large amounts of cryogenics or inert gases are stored, which can potentially cause asphyxiation by displacing oxygen.
DO NOT ENTER any area where an oxygen alarm is going off.
Asphyxiation can be rapid and sudden, with no warning signs.
Rescues must be performed by someone with a supplied air respirator.
If it is possible to open doors/windows to ventilate area without entering, do so.

17. POTENTIAL OXYGEN DEFICIENCY HAZARD
DANGER If you hear Alarm, DO NOT ENTER; Call Public Safety During Work hours also call EH&S
POTENTIAL OXYGEN DEFICIENCY HAZARD
If Alarm is Activated
Assume alarm activation to be valid
Evacuate all workers in room and close the door
Call Public Safety immediately; also PI and EH&S
Be prepared to provide information to responders
DO NOT Enter the room
DO NOT Attempt to rescue anyone, as asphyxiation can be rapid with no warning signs
DO NOT Open door within first hour after the alarm has stopped sounding
Do NOT attempt to repair a faulty sensor. Report it to TechAir ( ) or EH&S.
Review Columbia University policy (

18. Hazard Recognition -Chemical Hazards
Many substances commonly encountered in the laboratory environment pose chemical hazards.
For each type of hazard, awareness and other protective measures will ensure safety.
USDOT Diamonds, NFPA Diamonds, manufacturer’s labels, and MSDS will alert you to a chemical’s specific hazards.
Flammability
Corrosivity
Toxicity
Reactivity

19. Hazard Recognition
What does the blue part of the NFPA diamond signify?

20. Question
What does MSDS stand for?
Material Safety Data Sheet

21. Exposure Management - Chemical Routes of Entry
Inhalation
Absorption
Injection
Ingestion

22. Chemical Routes of Entry
A common route of chemical exposure is ingestion due to contaminated food or hands.

23. Chemical Exposure – Health Effects
Acute effects – sudden, traumatic effects
Headaches, dizziness, burns from corrosive chemicals
Chronic effects – slow, gradual effects not rapidly perceived; poor or no warnings of exposure
Cancer, mutation, reproductive effects

24. Chemical Exposure - Exposure Limits
Risk = Exposure x Hazard
Toxic effects can be minimized by keeping exposures to a minimum.
Acceptable limits of exposure have been established for certain chemicals.

25. Exposure Limits Formaldehyde: Xylene:
OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 0.75 parts per million (0.75 ppm)
15-minute short-term exposure limit (STEL): 2 ppm
Odor threshold is 0.5 to 1.0 ppm
Xylene:
OSHA PEL: 100 ppm
STEL: 150 ppm

26. Exposure Limits Benzene: OSHA PEL: 1 ppm STEL: 5 ppm
Methylene Chloride:
OSHA PEL: 25 ppm
STEL: ppm

27. Formaldehyde Health Effects
Pungent, suffocating odor
Irritating vapors to respiratory tract/skin
Causes sensitization
High concentrations may cause pulmonary edema
Chronic exposure: nasal & lung cancers

28. Xylene Health Effects Colorless & Sweet Smelling
Flammable liquid & vapors
Eye/skin/respiratory tract irritation
Can be absorbed through skin
Target organs of chronic exposure: (kidney, liver, & blood)

29. Benzene Health Effects
Colorless to light-yellow liquid
Aromatic odor
Irritation to eyes, skin, nose & throat
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache,
nausea, & loss of coordination,
Depression of the CNS
Effects are expected at 25 ppm

30. Methylene Chloride Health Effects
Colorless; chloroform-like odor
Irritation to eyes, skin, nose & throat
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache,
nausea, & loss of coordination,
Chronic contact on skin → dermatitis
Referred also as dichloromethane

31. Where are these chemicals found at Columbia University?
Formaldehyde:
Biology
Chemistry
Histology laboratories
Human anatomy lab
Any other labs using:
Fixed human or animal tissues/parts
Perfused animal carcasses

32. Exposure Monitoring
Regular monitoring performed for those working closely with regulated chemicals (formaldehyde)
Area monitoring where fume hoods are not available
Low potential for exposure if not working directly with chemicals

33. Exposure Management
A hierarchy of control measures is used to minimize risk associated with exposure by reducing the time or amount of exposure, or by altering the nature of exposure.
Engineering controls
Administrative controls
Personal protective equipment (PPE)

34. Exposure Management - Engineering Controls
Engineering controls are measures designed to prevent exposure to a harmful substance or hazard. The most common engineering controls are:
Chemical Fume Hoods
Biosafety Cabinets

35. Engineering Controls - Chemical Fume hoods
Chemical fume hoods reduce exposure to airborne hazards.
Ensure that your fume hood is:
Free of clutter
Drawing air at a rate of linear feet per minute
Visibly operational (use a “kim-wipe test” to monitor air flow)
Not open more than 12”

36. Engineering Controls – Chemical Fume Hoods
In addition to protection from airborne hazards, chemical fume hoods also provide an important physical barrier between you and your work.

37. Exposure Management - Administrative Controls
Administrative controls are features of one’s work practices designed to reduce exposure.
Chemical substitution
Proper storage and segregation of hazardous materials
Proper housekeeping practice
Prudent inventory and purchase order management
Appropriate training and Right to Know information (such as MSDS)

38. Administrative Controls – Chemical Substitution
An effective way to reduce exposure to a hazardous material is to remove it from your work practice entirely. Consider the use of safer chemical alternatives when designing your experiments.
Citrosolv v. xylene
Enzymatic detergents v. chromic/sulfuric acid-based glass cleaners
SYBR Safe v. ethidium bromide

39. Administrative Controls – Chemical Substitution
Mercury is a TOXIC metal. Clean-up of spilled mercury is time and resource-intensive.

40. Administrative Controls - Chemical Storage
Proper chemical storage reduces exposure risk.
Segregation
Provide a specified storage area for each hazard class of chemicals.
Store incompatible materials physically apart from one another. Separation by deep spill trays is acceptable.
Labeling
Label all chemical containers, including reaction vessels, with identifying information.

41. Administrative Controls - Chemical Storage
When selecting a storage location for laboratory chemicals, consider the following:
Compatibility of container and cabinet with the chemical
Proximity to other chemicals, incompatible materials, heat, or open flame

42. What is wrong with this?

43. What is wrong with this?

44. Administrative Controls – Chemical Storage (Flammables)
Each lab is permitted to store a certain quantity of flammable materials.
Allowable limit determined by construction materials and presence of sprinklers.
4 Lab types: I, II, III, IV
Flammable limits of 30, 25, 20, 15 gallons, respectively
Flammable waste materials count toward these limits

45. Administrative Controls – Chemical Storage (Flammables)
Flammable liquids requiring refrigeration must be kept only in explosion-proof or intrinsically-safe refrigerators.

46. Administrative Controls - Housekeeping
Poor housekeeping contributes to accidents and can hinder emergency response activities.
Do not block exits, aisles, or doorways.
Do not block access to emergency equipment.
Do not store chemicals in excess of lab’s limts
Handle and store glassware with care.
Do not store chemical containers on the floor.

47. What is wrong with this?

48. What is wrong with this? Clutter Open Sash Open Bottle Labeling
Exposed Sharps Objects
Not Properly Managed

49. What is wrong with this? Excess chemical on the workbench
Poor housekeeping

50. Administrative Controls - Inventory Management
Purchase chemicals in the smallest quantity sufficient for your work; excess chemicals become Hazardous Waste.
A list of chemicals present in the laboratory should be prepared, updated, and maintained in the laboratory.
Dispose of all outdated or unused chemicals properly and promptly.

51. Questions
Operations that may generate air contaminants at levels above the exposure limit must be conducted where?

52. Exposure Management - Personal Protective Equipment
Safety glasses / goggles
Protective gloves
Aprons / lab coats

53. Personal Protective Equipment - Eye Protection
Select appropriate protective eyewear based on the risk factors associated with your work.
Safety glasses with side shields provide basic protection, and must be worn when handling hazardous materials.
Safety goggles must be used when activities entail a moderate risk of splashing, or when handling highly corrosive materials.
Laser goggles provide wavelength-specific protection, with opaque non-lens components to protect the face.

54. Personal Protective Equipment - Hand Protection
There is no glove material that will protect against all chemicals. Select a glove that provides the best permeation protection against the material(s) you will be handling.
Never re-use disposable gloves.
Change gloves frequently and as soon as they become contaminated or torn.
Remove gloves as soon as work is completed.
Consult manufacturers’ guides for proper glove selection.

55. Personal Protective Equipment - Lab coats
Lab coats provide limited but critical protection from chemical splashes.
Useful when working with small (i.e., research sized) quantities of hazardous chemicals.
Heavily contaminated, well-worn lab coats must be either disposed of or laundered, before they become sources of exposure themselves.
Keep coat buttoned to prevent entanglement in moving equipment.

56. What do you wear when you work in the lab?

57. Safety Equipment
Become familiar with the eyewash/drench hose in your lab. Test it weekly by activating it over a sink; keep a log.
An emergency is the wrong time to learn that your safety equipment isn’t functioning properly!

58. Safety Equipment

59. FIRE SAFETY - Reporting a Fire
Manual pull stations located at exits.
Campus phone system dial 99.

60. When to Sound a Fire Alarm
Any fire or smoke condition.
Dangerous situation – crime in progress, etc.
For emergency building evacuation.

61. What to do in the Event of a Real Fire Fight or Flight? – If you stay:
Feel door. If HOT, don’t open.
If smoke or heat is present:
Remain in room.
Close door and seal cracks.
If possible, phone Public Safety and give your location.
Stand at window to signal Public Safety or the FDNY.
If possible, open top and bottom window to allow fresh air in.

62. What to do in the Event of a Real Fire Fight or Flight? – If you go:
If smoke and heat permit, stay low and crawl to safety.
Close doors.
Take keys with you to return if necessary.
Knock on doors and yell “FIRE” if you can.
Report location of heat and fire to Public Safety of the Fire Department.

63. Laboratory Evacuation Procedures
Turn off all equipment within reach that can be safely turned off.
Close fume hood sash.
Close open chemical containers.

64. Know YOUR Location

65. Laboratory Evacuation Procedures
Look for exit sign.
Know location of fire exit.
Count number of doors.
Use nearest stair.

66. EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED!

67. GET LOW AND GO

69. What to do in the Event of a Real Fire
Report any people that might still be inside.
Never jump or climb out a window.
If you catch fire, Stop-Drop-and-Roll.

71. People With Special Needs
If you know of a person with special needs in the building, notify the FDNY or Public Safety as you exit.
If the fire is not in the immediate vicinity:
Remain in room, sealing door cracks.
Notify Public Safety.
Signal from window.
Open window if possible.

72. Fire Extinguisher Types
Class Of Fire
Extinguisher Types
Class A, Combustibles, Paper
Pressurized Water
Class B, Grease And Oil
CO2 Class B -C
Class C, Electrical
Dry Chemical, B-C Or
A-B-C-D Check Label.

73. Fire Extinguisher Use Use extinguisher if: You are properly trained.
Fire is very small.
Report the fire before attempting to extinguish.
Maintain a clear path between you and the exit.

74. Fire Extinguisher Use
Stand 6 to 8 feet from the fire, keeping your back to the door.
Using the proper extinguisher, remember PASS.
P – Pull the pin.
A – Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
S – Squeeze the handle.
S – Sweep nozzle across base of fire.

75. Fire Extinguisher Use
P-Pull The Pin

76. Fire Extinguisher Use
A-Aim The Nozzle At Base Of Fire

77. Fire Extinguisher Use
S-Squeeze Handle

78. Fire Extinguisher Use
S-Sweep Nozzle Across Base Of Fire

79. GET OUT! Fire Extinguisher Use
The 30 Second Rule:
If you can’t extinguish the fire in 30 seconds or with one extinguisher,
GET OUT!

80. Questions How often should an eyewash be tested?
Personal protective equipment should be worn in and outside the laboratory.

81. Spills and Emergency Response
What would you do
in the event of a spill?

82. Spills and Emergency Response
Laboratory personnel must know what to do in case of an emergency.
Personal Injury / Health Emergency
Chemical Release
Unmanageable: Must only be handled by trained professionals.
Manageable: Can be handled by laboratory personnel using in-lab spill kit.

83. Spills and Emergency Response – Personal Contamination
Spills of hazardous materials that involve personal contamination increase the possibility of exposure, particularly if the chemical is capable of being absorbed through the skin.
Remove contaminated clothing.
Flush exposed area with tepid water for 15 minutes.
If there are no visible burns, wash gently with soap and warm water.
Obtain MSDS.
Obtain medical attention, if necessary.
Report the incident to your supervisor. File appropriate accident reports and notify EH&S.

84. Medical Surveillance
Employees who work with hazardous chemicals shall be provided the opportunity to receive medical attention:
Post-exposure
Post-monitoring (if exposure indicated)
Post-event (if exposure deemed likely)
Consult the Occupational Health guidelines for medical surveillance details.

85. Spills and Emergency Response – Injuries and Health Emergencies
Medical attention can be obtained at the following locations for personal injuries and health emergencies:
Workforce Health and Safety
Student Health Service
NYPH Emergency Room

86. Spills and Emergency Response – Unmanageable Spills
Do not attempt to clean up.
Turn off ignition sources.
Evacuate personnel and close doors leading to spill area.
Alert people in the immediate area, and post warning signs.
Call EH&S and Public Safety; notify supervisor or PI. Be prepared to give pertinent information to responders.
Attend to persons contaminated by spilled materials.

87. Spill Responses managed by EH&S
Since 2007, there have been 85 spills that EH&S has responded.
50 at CUMC and 35 at Morningside.
The most common was Mercury at 20!
Other spills include… Trimethyl Phosphine, BOE, HF, Nanostrip, Formaldehyde, Inorganic acids & metals, Chloroform, Ether, Mercaptoethanol and even unknowns.

88. Spills and Emergency Response – Manageable Spills
Spill Kit
Know where your spill kit is located and become familiar with its contents

89. Spills and Emergency Response – Manageable Spills
Contents of a Spill Kit
Absorbent material
Absorbent pillows or powders
Activated carbon for organic solvents
Oil dry/floor dry for oil spills
Vermiculate or kitty litter
Neutralizing agents
Acid Neutralizers -soda ash or Spill X-A (Fisher Safety).
Base Neutralizers-citric acid powder or Spill X-C (Fisher Safety).
Solvent Spills-activated carbon or Spill X-S (Fisher Safety)

90. Spills and Emergency Response – Manageable Spills
Spill Kits should cover the special types of hazards within the lab.
Formaldehyde
Mercury
Radiation
Hydrofluoric Acid

91. Spills and Emergency Response – Manageable Spills

92. Remember….
Red bags are for regulated medical waste (gloves, pedri dishes and tubes) not for chemical spill debris!

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