1. Safety Moments Use one slide per Safety Moment (unless specified)
Topic: Operational Best Practices
A Safety Moment is a brief safety talk about a specific subject at the beginning of a meeting or shift. Also known as safety minutes or safety chats, these talks can be done in a variety of ways, but are typically a brief (2-5 minute) discussion on a safety related topic. They can cover a variety of safety topics and remind employees of the importance of being safe; at work, at home and in all aspects of our lives.
Use one slide per Safety Moment (unless specified)

2. Experiment in Progress (EIP)
If proper controls in place, overnight reactions no more hazardous than during the day
However, the risk is higher when no one around to address malfunction or prevent system alteration
Place EIP Card on hood sash, on bench or near instruments
Include date, experiment duration, temp/process, hazards, contact info

3. Self-Inspections
All HWCOE Labs that have hazardous materials or equipment should be conducting monthly self-inspections in GatorTRACS
All lab members can conduct these quick min safety checks
Any corrective actions can be assigned to anyone on the lab’s roster
This is a way for us to increase education and awareness of safety expectations amongst all lab members
Monthly checks will also help us maintain safe conditions, correcting bad habits

4. Project Safety Assessments (PSA)
A PSA provides the Principal Investigator with the opportunity to review the safety of the research project to be undertaken, to identify known and potential hazards, to assess risks, and to select and implement necessary controls.
A PSA should be conducted prior to developing an SOP. Identifying the hazards is the first step, implementing the controls through the SOP is the next. A template can be found here: eng.ufl.edu/safety/resources
 The Office of Engineering Safety is available to work with the Faculty/PI and research staff to identify hazards associated with the project, assess risks, and to identify necessary protective control measures. Please contact HWCOE Safety at

5. Standard Operating Procedures
A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of step-by- step instructions compiled to help researchers carry out complex routine operations. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output and uniformity of performance, while reducing miscommunication and risk associated with task.
SOPs should be reviewed and approved by the PI, indidivuals should be trained on the SOP
SOPs should exist for, equipment, experiments, particularly hazardous chemicals/substances
SOPs can now be uploaded into GatorTRACs and everyone on the roster can review them
New templates can be found here: procedures/

6. Housekeeping
Effective housekeeping can help control or eliminate workplace hazards. Poor housekeeping practices frequently contribute to incidents. If the sight of paper, debris, clutter and spills is accepted as normal, then other more serious hazards may be taken for granted.
Housekeeping is not just cleanliness. It includes keeping work areas neat and orderly, maintaining halls and floors free of slip and trip hazards, and removing of waste materials (e.g., paper, cardboard) and other fire hazards from work areas. It also requires paying attention to important details such as the layout of the whole workplace, aisle marking, the adequacy of storage facilities, and maintenance. Good housekeeping is also a basic part of incident and fire prevention. 
Effective housekeeping is an ongoing operation: it is not a one-time or hit-and-miss cleanup done occasionally. Periodic "panic" cleanups are costly and ineffective in reducing incidents. 
Assign each lab-member one task to complete weekly to stay on top of housekeeping tasks!

7. Good Housekeeping Benefits
reduced handling to ease the flow of materials
fewer tripping and slipping incidents in clutter-free and spill-free work areas
decreased fire hazards
lower worker exposures to hazardous products (e.g. dusts, vapors)
better control of tools and materials, including inventory and supplies
more efficient equipment cleanup and maintenance
better hygienic conditions leading to improved health
more effective use of space
reduced property damage by improving preventive maintenance
improved morale
improved productivity (tools and materials will be easy to find

8. A good housekeeping program
Housekeeping order is "maintained" not "achieved." Cleaning and organization must be done regularly. Integrating housekeeping into job responsibilities can help ensure this is done. A good housekeeping program identifies and assigns responsibilities for the following: 
clean up during the shift
day-to-day cleanup
waste disposal
removal of unused materials
inspection to ensure cleanup is complete
Do not forget out-of-the-way places such as shelves, basements, sheds, and boiler rooms that would otherwise be overlooked. 
The final step to any housekeeping program is inspection. It is the only way to check for deficiencies in the program so that changes can be made. 
A formal system, like 5S can assist with sustaining good housekeeping
Self-inspections should be completed in GatorTRACs.

9. 5S
The 5S methodology is a system for handling workplace organization. It includes 5 steps known as the 5 S's that turn organization into a step-by-step system for people to follow. This methodology is often considered the foundation of Lean manufacturing because for a workplace to reduce waste and become more efficient, it needs to first be organized.
The purpose of 5S is to make a workplace function better by making it an easier place to work. This occurs by making spaces make sense; tools and materials are placed in logical locations based on who needs them, how frequently they're needed, etc. Spaces are cleaned regularly. Cleaning and organization become habits. When used correctly, 5S ultimately makes processes safer and more efficient.
What does 5S stand for?
5S stands for the 5 steps of this methodology: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. These steps involve going through everything in a space, deciding what's necessary and what isn't, putting things in order, cleaning, and setting up procedures for performing these tasks on a regular basis. When there's a plan for making 5S an ongoing effort and not just a one-time event, it can be sustained over time.
Contact HWCOE Safety for assistance in implementing 5S in your lab!

10. Management of Change – Hazard Assessment
Change requires review!
New students
New chemicals
New equipment
New experiments
New lab
Introducing is an opportunity to introduce new hazards or increasing risks to a process. Whenever there is a significant change to or a new process, equipment, materials, etc.. They should be reviewed to identify new hazards and controls necessary to do the work safely!
Establish a review process for your lab today!

11. Power Outage Considerations
If the power goes out while operating does it create a safety hazard? 
For example, can it over-pressurize because a non-energized valve doesn't stay closed?  Does an overflow switch fail because it doesn't have power?  
If the power goes out then comes back on does the equipment stay off or re- energize?  If the latter, does that create a safety hazard?
For example, does it turn a heater back on unexpectedly?
Ventilation - In most research spaces, the ventilation system and the fume hoods shut off during a power outage.  When the power comes back on it can take minutes to hours before ventilation systems rebalance and are safe to use with chemical hazards.
Fume hoods - If the power goes out and you have something active in the fume hood will it create a safety hazard?  This is one of the main reasons hoods shouldn't be used as primary storage units.  It is also a good reason to make sure the hood sashes are always pulled down.  If the power does go out having the sash down increases the natural convection in the hood.

12. Before leaving for vacation
Stop all reactions
Place products in sealed, LABELED vials and store properly
Close the hood
Make sure hotplates are turned off
Walk through the lab and make sure all chemical and waste bottles are capped and in secondary containment
To make your return more pleasant:
Clean your hood and bench
Do the dishes
Make sure your lab journal is up to date