| Laboratory vent-hoods (chemical or biological) |
Over-exposure to hazardous chemicals or etiologics while using hoods.
Accidents and/or fires caused by misuse of laboratory hoods. |
- Where possible, all experiments involving hazardous materials shall be performed inside a vented laboratory hood.
- Ventilation rates shall be checked and certified at least annually or more often as required by regulations or prudent practices. A means to continuously indicate that air is flowing through the hood shall be present. Air velocities shall meet the requirements specified by 8 CCR 5154.1 or by NSF 49.
- Special use hoods shall be provided when certain materials (e.g., perchloric acid or HF) are utilized.
- Hoods shall not be used for storage of equipment or chemicals. This impedes airflow. When possible, use the hood for only one experiment at a time.
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| Emergency showers and eye washes |
Injuries aggravated by missing, obstructed or inoperative equipment |
- Equipment shall be present in each lab or area (or within a ten (10) second distance) and be plumbed to a potable water supply.
- Equipment shall be kept in good operating condition and periodically tested.
- Equipment shall be accessible at all times and not blocked by storage or other impediments.
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| Chemical containers |
Injuries or illness caused by unlabeled or improperly labeled containers |
- All containers or hazardous substances must be labeled in accordance with the Hazard Communication Standard (8CCR 5194).
- When possible, hazardous materials shall be placed in secondary containers to prevent unauthorized releases (i.e., those containers stored on the floor or those requiring special precautions — perchloric acid).
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| Compressed gas cylinders |
Injuries caused by falling, dropping or damaging cylinders. |
- Equipment shall be kept in good operating condition and periodically tested.
- Equipment shall be accessible at all times and not blocked by storage or other impediments.
- All containers or hazardous substances must be labeled in accordance with the Hazard Communication Standard (8CCR 5194).
- When possible, hazardous materials shall be placed in secondary containers to prevent unauthorized releases (i.e., those containers stored on the floor or those requiring special precautions — perchloric acid).
- Compressed gas cylinders shall be secured with welded chain or steel straps to immovable objects to prevent them from balling or being knocked over.
- No more than three cylinders (when capped) shall be chained together.
- Cylinders shall be individually secured when fitted with a regulator.
- A trussed handcart should be used for transportation of cylinders from storage to their use area. They should not be handled by the valve or rolled.
- Cylinders not actually in use (not equipped with a regulator) shall be capped.
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| Spill response |
Injuries and/or property damage caused by time wasted in cleanup. |
- Spill kits should be available in each laboratory area for small chemical and biological spills. EH&S will respond to larger spills for cleanup.
- Lab personnel shall be trained in the use of spill kits and proper response. Spills shall be cleaned up immediately. Employees should consult the relevant MSDS and emergency preparedness manual for the correct response and mitigation actions. EH&S is available for spill assistance. All spills shall be reported to the supervisor and EH&S.
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| Warning notices |
Injuries or illness caused by lack of knowledge of a hazard or lack of knowledge of the location of PPE or protective devices. Failure to observe notices. |
- Employees shall be trained to recognize and identify warning notices and safety signs used at SDSU. Warning signs are required where safety glasses and respirators are required or when entry is limited to authorized personnel. Safety signs identify the location of emergency showers and/or eye wash stations.
- Proposition 65 notices, Hazard Communication, Carcinogens, Biological hazard signs, etc., shall be utilized where appropriate.
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| Hazmat storage |
Injuries, fire, reactions caused by improperly stored (and segregated) materials. |
- All chemicals shall be segregated and stored according to their physical state, hazard classification and compatibility.
- Flammable liquids must be stored away from ignition and heat sources.
- Quantities of hazardous materials should be kept to a minimum—storing the amounts that can be used within two to three months.
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| Hazmat handling |
Injuries and illness caused by employees’ unfamiliarity with the potential risks associated with the substances they use. |
- Refer to the Hazard Communication Standard and Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) shall be obtained for all hazardous chemicals and kept readily available.
- Employees shall be trained in accordance with the Hazard Communication Program.
- Employees are urged to review the MSDS, consult other reference material or ask their supervisor regarding any hazardous chemical to which they may be potentially exposed.
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| Personal protective equipment (PPE) |
Injuries caused by lack of protective equipment and enforcement of its use. |
- Employees must wear safety glasses, goggles or shields whenever a possibility of eye injuries exists. Eye protection must comply with ANSI Standard Z-87.1 19
- Appropriate gloves must be provided to employees (when requested) when job involves the use of harmful physical, biological, radiological or chemical agents capable of causing injury or impairment.
- Respirators must be supplied if an exposure above the PEL (or TLV) cannot be corrected by means of engineering controls or administrative programming or emergency protection against occasional and/or relatively brief exposure is needed. Where respirators are used, a written Respiratory Protection Program must be established.
- Respirators shall be approved by NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health).
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| Hazardous waste handling |
Safety problems associated with improper handling, labeling, etc., legal requirements |
- Hazardous waste shall be handled and stored in accordance with all federal, state and local regulations and the SDSU Waste Management Program.
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| Seismic safety — storage |
Bottles and other equipment can fall from shelves during an earthquake. |
- Shelves shall be equipped with lips and restraining bars to prevent containers, equipment, etc., from falling. Chemicals shall not be stored higher than eye level. Large containers and heavy equipment shall be stored on lower shelves.
- All items taller than 60" or with a height three times greater than its base shall be seismically anchored.
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