Chemical Hygiene Program

"Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories"

(29 CFR 1910.1450)

Commonly referred to as the "Laboratory Standard"

Training Overview

• Introduction• Authority And Responsibilities• Management of Laboratory Chemicals• Standard Operating Procedures For Chemical Management• Biological Safety• Blood And Bloodborne Pathogens• Requirements For Animal Tissue Use• Management Of Laboratory Waste• Laboratory Safety Equipment• Exposure Assessment And Medical Surveillance

INTRODUCTION

Purpose

To anticipate, evaluate and recognize hazards that may occur during laboratory operations

Lets do the Math

Anticipation + Evaluation + Recognition Controls

= Minimized Accidents

So How does CAU get to the Desired Outcome

• Implement Policies

• Assign Responsibilities

• Communicate & Educate

• Metrics and Evaluation

•Continually Improve – Moving Beyond Compliance

Chemical Hygiene Program Training Objectives

• Heighten Safety Awareness

• Establish Responsibilities

• Establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Achieve Regulatory Compliance

• Before being assigned to a laboratory

• Prior to new tasks involving hazardous chemicals or procedures

• Annually

Training shall occur:

AUTHORITY & RESPONSIBILIES

CHEMICAL HYGIENE OFFICER

The “CHO” has overall responsibility for maintaining and establishing compliance with this plan and providing technical guidance.

• Updates the Plan, chemical and MSDS inventories

• Provide training to all laboratory personnel

• Ensures that laboratory employees follow SOPs

• Ensures that safety equipment and engineering controls are utilized

• Ensures that personal protective equipment is utilized

• Conducts & documents inspections including movein/moveout

• Assists in development of procedures for new or particularly hazardous operations

• Accident investigation and corrective action

• Maintains records

ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR

The “EC” assists the CHO and EHS Committee: • Manages collection and disposal of all laboratory

hazardous waste

• Maintains the master chemical inventory and along with the CHO ensures that all chemical lists are updated at least annually

• Assists CHO in accident investigation investigation

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY COMMITTEE

Peer review of all program aspects:

• Establish risk management controls, and monitor safety and accident trends

• Establish and endorse policies & procedures related to laboratory health and safety

• Provide recommendations to mitigate accidents

• Annual program assessment and set goals

BIOHAZARD SUBCOMMITTEE

• Responsible for the control of laboratory activities where biohazardous materials are used

• Serve as subject experts for biohazardous laboratory sources

• Review all proposed uses of biohazardous materials and hazard evaluations

Principal Investigators & Laboratory Managers

• Ensure SOPs are followed • Responsible for obtaining MSDS • Hazard evaluation prior to introducing new chemical• Forwarding copy of MSDS to the CHO or EC for

evaluation and approval• Inform visitors, other of chemical hazards• Ensure laboratory personnel are trained including signs

and symptoms of exposure to hazardous chemicals• Ensure proper waste management (Satellite

Accumulation Areas) • Ensure personal protective equipment is utilized

• Laboratory Registration (Annual)

• Responsible Party Information (Annual)

• Safety Inspection (Annual)

• Obtaining Prior Approval (New Chemical/Procedure)

• Hazard Assessment (New Chemical/Procedure)

• Move In / Move Out

LABORATORY EMPLOYEES

Laboratory employees are paid laboratory personnel(professors, teaching assistants, graduate students):

• Wear personal protective equipment• Understand the chemical hazards• Attend training classes • Consult PI/LM before initiating unfamiliar procedures • Use safety devices and engineering controls• Report accidents and observations regarding chemical

health and safety

MANAGEMENT OF LABORATORY CHEMICALS

Procurement of Chemicals

Protocol for introducing a new chemical:• PI/LM must obtain a MSDS prior to shipment • PI/LM must provide MSDS to EC and CHO • PI/LM must ensure adequacy of engineering

controls and PPE • Order the smallest quantity of the chemical• PI/LM must update their chemical inventory• The EC will update master inventory

Chemical Inventory

• The Master Inventory is maintained by the EC in Room1016 of RCST

• Each laboratory shall update annually• Submit to CHO and EC

The inventory contains the following:

• An alphabetized list of IUPAC names or trade name• CAS number• Hazardous waste code • Threshold Planning Quantity (if EHS)• Quantity stored

ExampleVolume

No.No.

Chemical Name CAS# EHS TPQ(lbs)

RCRA Code

1 3 1-Fluoro-4-dinitrobenzene 350-46-9    

1 4 Helium 744059-7    

1 1 Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether 110-71-4   D001

1 2 Hydrogen peroxide 7722-84-1   D003

1 7 Hydroquinone 123-31-9 Y 500  

1 8 Salicylaldehyde 672-13-9  

1 9 Piperazine 103-76-4  

1 10 Imidazole 288-32-4  

1 11 Indoline 496-15-1  

1 19 Manganese acetate dihydrate 19513-05-4  

1 21 Manganese acetate tetrahydrate 6156-78-1    

1 21 Magnesium sulfate 7587-88-9      

1 22 Tris(methylthio) methane 5418-86-0   D001

Getting Information

How do you get information about hazardous chemicals?

You can get information two ways:

• from the product label

• from the product Material Safety Data Sheet

Labeling

• The manufacturer’s original label should not be removed or defaced

• Chemicals removed from stock bottles should be labeled as to the contents

Plate-X Gold Plating Solution

DANGER ! May be harmful or fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed

through the skin.

Do not breathe vapor or mist. Do not get into eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Exposure may cause weakness, headache, cyanosis, loss of

consciousness, respiratory arrest, or death. Target organs - blood, metabolic enzymes, skin, lungs. Physicians - treat exposed victims for cyanide poisoning. Refer to Material Safety Data Sheet for additional Information.

ABC Chemical Company

123 Hazard Drive Anywhere, GA 13333

800-999-000

Recognized Labeling Systems HMIS Labeling System

• Health

• Flammability

• Physical Hazards

• lso includes recommendations for personal protective equipment

Color coded labeling system used to communicate the chemical’s

NFPA Labeling System

• Like HMIS, the NFPA label ranks Flammability and Health Hazard

• Numbers in the 3 colored sections ranging from 0 (lowest hazard) to 4 (severe hazard)

• White section is left blank unless used to denote special fire fighting measures/hazards

NFPA Hazard Diamond

What Do the Hazard Ratings Mean

• Non-hazardous substances (e.g. distilled water) should also be labeled to avoid confusion

• The PI/LM is responsible for ensuring that all chemical containers are properly labeled

Secondary Container Labeling

Containers such as buckets, plastic jugs and spray bottles. If in the work area for more than a one-time use. These containers must at least have the name of the chemical or compound and hazard warnings. Hazard warning can be a symbol

What is a secondary container?

Label all Secondary Containers that Remain in the Workplace

Label with same name as on MSDS and hazard warning

Hazardous Warning Labels

Remember!!!

• Labels must accurately communicate the hazards of the chemicals

• Existing labels should not be removed from containers or defaced

• Damaged, missing and incorrect labels must be replaced

• Absolutely, no unlabeled containers are permitted

Material Safety Data Sheet Policy

• Clark Atlanta University will not to accept any new chemicals, even on a trial basis, without an accompanying MSDS

• Employees responsible for the procurement of new materials will first obtain a MSDS for review by the EC prior to purchasing

• MSDS for every chemical • Electronic or paper copy • Master file maintained by EC

in Room 1016 of RCST • Other locations of MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet

What is a MSDS?

• Chemical content

• Physical properties

• Hazards

• PPE

• Classifications & disposal

• How the chemical enters the body

• The legal limit allowed in air

• If the chemical is a known carcinogen

• Precautions for safe use

Inhalation

100 ppm

No

Use with adequate ventilation, keep away from open flame

Lets look at the information on a MSDS

Formaldehyde

Flammable & highly volatile

Vapors can travel to an ignition source

Dermatitis, adverse respiratory function

• Names of hazardous chemicals

• Physical & chemical properties

• Health hazards

• Symptoms of overexposure

Respirator, OV filters, rubber gloves

Eyes: flush with water for 15 minutes

1996

John Doe

Company

Address

Telephone

• Exposure control methods, including personal protective equipment

• Emergency and first aid procedures

• Date of MSDS

• Contact information for the MSDS preparer

Storage of Hazardous Chemicals

Hazardous Chemicals In Laboratories May Consist Of:

• Corrosives - Nitric Acid• Oxidizers - Silver Nitrate• General Organic

Compounds - Aniline• Caustics - Calcium Oxide• Reactive Metals - Sodium• Explosive Anhydrides and

Anhydrous Compounds - Sodium Peroxide

• Ketones - Acetone

• Poisons - Potassium Cyanide

• General Inorganic Compounds - Calcium Carbide

• Flammable Metals - Magnesium

• Flammables - Ethanol, Butanol, Ethyl Ether

• Carcinogens - Formaldehyde

• Properly labeled and dated • Stored according to hazard class (flammables,

oxidizers, corrosives) • Incompatible groups must not be stored in close

proximity to one another• Should not be stored on floor or top of shelving units • Chemicals in refrigerators should be stored on

containment pans or in boxes• Should not be stored above eye level • Toxins/poisons stored in locked cabinet w/ “poison

control agency” number posted

Standard Operating Procedures

• Standard Operating Procedure: Acutely Toxic Chemicals

• Standard Operating Procedure: Acutely Toxic Gases

• Standard Operating Procedure: Carcinogens & Toxic Reproductive Agents

• Standard Operating Procedure: Compressed Gases

• Standard Operating Procedure: Corrosive Chemicals

• Standard Operating Procedure: Flammable Liquids

• Standard Operating Procedure: Oxidizing Chemicals

• Standard Operating Procedure: Pyrophoric Chemicals

SOP Content

– Decontamination Procedures– Eyewash – Personal Protective Equipment Safety

shielding – Safety shower – Signs and Labels – Storage – Ventilation

BIOLOGICAL SAFETY

• SOPs in accordance w/ CDC document, “Biosafety and Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories”

• SOPs similar to chemical SOPs

• OSHA regulations require procedures focused on the prevention of percutaneous and mucous membrane exposures

BSL-1 or BSL-2:Principal Investigator: Agent (s): Bldg: Room: Special Instructions/ Precautions for Entry (e.g.,

PPE, vaccination):Emergency Contact Information

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS

OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030)

Prescribes safeguards to protect workers against the health hazards from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials such as the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Development Of Specific Exposure Control Procedures

PI/LM responsible for ensuring that procedures are effective in protecting laboratory personnel. Minimizing risk includes:

• Through hazard analysis, identify and rank task where there may be a potential for exposure to blood & infectious materials

• Identify safe work practices, administrative and engineering controls

• Identify and provide appropriate PPE

• Laboratory personnel must be educated on how to protect themselves as well as symptoms of exposure

How does exposure occur?

• Cuts from contaminated sharps (broken glass, etc.)

• Contact of mucous membranes (eye, nose, mouth) or broken (cut or abraded) skin

Universal Precautions

• Treat all blood and body fluids as if they are infectious

• Must be observed in all situations where there is a potential for contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials

Work Practice Controls

• Wash hands after removing gloves and as soon as possible after exposure

• No food or smoking in work areas Gloves• Gowns• Face shields• Eye protection

Housekeeping

• Work surfaces must be decontaminated with appropriate disinfectant

• After completion of procedures• When surfaces are contaminated• Warning labels required on containers of regulated waste

Should Exposure Occur….

• CAU will provide the exposed employee a confidential medical evaluation

• Document routes of exposure and incident• All findings and diagnosis will remain

confidential

Hepatitis B Vaccination

• Will be supplied to employee, free of charge, if exposure incident occurs

• You may decline the vaccination, and we’ll have a form you will need to sign

• Form is Maintained by the CHO

REQUIREMENTS FOR ANIMAL TISSUE USE

Policies and Practices:

• Research must be approved by Biohazard Subcommittee. Hazard evaluation must be conducted

• PI/LM must have knowledge of regulations pertaining to the acquisition of animal tissues

• PI/LM must assure that all research personnel and students are trained, supervised, familiar w/health risks

• Unfixed animal tissue may pose a risk through the transfer of disease (zoonosis) such as brucellosis, leptospirosis, and listeriosis

• Disposal of tissue samples must follow the SOP for disposal of

biological agents

General Hygiene Practice for Animal Tissue Handling

• Familiarize yourself with recommended procedures

• Report problems with ventilation or PPE to the CHO

• Food and drink should not be stored in the refrigerator with tissue samples

• Hand washing should be performed after all activities

• Do not apply cosmetics or contact lenses prior to hand washing

• Do not touch common use items (i.e. phone, computer keyboard) with gloved hands

• Disinfect surfaces where specimen materials have been handled or spilled

• When work is completed, all infectious cultures will be removed from workbenches and cabinets and stored in a designated refrigerator or freezer. If materials are to be discarded, placed in an appropriate disinfectant, autoclaved, or confined in labeled containers (e.g., "CONTAMINATED, TO BE AUTOCLAVED")

• Dead animals and tissues not saved by the investigator must be placed in a container, autoclaved or disposed of in the Center for Laboratory Animal Resources incinerator at the Morehouse School of Medicine

• Long-term, controlled storage of infectious materials must be authorized by the Animal Care Committee at the Morehouse School of Medicine

MANAGEMENT OF LABORATORY WASTE

Waste Identification and Inventory

• Use the MSDS to determine the hazard class

• The Environmental Coordinator oversees the collection, handling and arranging for disposal of all hazardous wastes

Waste Handling & Storage Requirements

“Satellite Accumulation Areas”

• Hazardous waste can be accumulated at or near the point of generation. This is referred to as the a Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA).

SAA Requirements

• Up to 55 gallons per SAA

• Container must be in a safe area (typically in a laboratory low cabinet

• Cabinet will e marked with a yellow hazardous waste label

• Container must have a hazardous waste label before filling begins. Container must be closed when not being filled

• Once filled, the container must be sealed and the “accumulation date” written on the hazardous waste label

• 3 days to move full container from SAA to hazardous waste storage room

Labeling of SAA (Haz Waste Cabinets)

Weekly Inspections

• All SAAs and the main storage area must be inspected on a weekly basis whether there is hazardous waste present or not

• An inspection checklist form must be completed for each inspection

Weekly Inspection Checklist

Work areas that contain potentially hazardous chemicals should have a chemical spill response kit. This kit should include the following items at a minimum:

Spill Response Kit

• Disposable vinyl gloves

• Safety glasses

• Absorbent (e.g., spill pillows, vermiculite, etc.)

• Plastic scoop

• Plastic trash bags

Spill Response Kit

Emergency Procedures

In the event of a spill, alert personnel in the area that a spill has occurred. Do not attempt to handle a large spill (or small spill of certain substances – see SOPs)

Vacate the laboratory immediately and contact the CHO and Public Safety. Remain on the scene, but at a safe distance to provide information to safety personnel when they arrive

Evacuation information in the CAU EAP

Key Points to Remember

• If unsure, ask your PI/LM or EC or CHO

• Be aware of possible hazards

• Report hazards

• Report chemical spills

• Follow chemical disposal procedures

• Use common sense

• Respond safely to emergencies

Biological Waste Management

It is the responsibility of the PI/LM for each lab that uses an autoclave to develop lab specific procedures for each waste stream for which they are responsible.

The procedure must address the following:

• Time • Temperature • Pressure • Type of waste • Type of container• Closure on container• Pattern of loading • Water content • Maximum load quantity

• Standard Practices for Using an Autoclave • Maintenance & Record Keeping• Monthly Spore Testing Procedure • Biohazardous Sharps • "Clean" Broken Glass

LABORATORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Engineering Controls

• Fume Hoods

• Biosafety Cabinets

• Substitution

Fume Hoods

Schematic of a chemical fume Hood airflow

Typical laboratory fume hood

• Before working with any chemical, be aware of hazard involved 

• Chemicals which produce toxic or irritating fumes MUST be used in a working fume hood  

• Hoods are not intended for storing chemicals or disposing of chemicals by evaporation

• Each hood must display a current sticker with date of velocity measurement velocity match arrows and pass/fail status

• Hood face velocity checked daily and record on log posted by hood

Emergency Showers

• Flush contaminated area with water

• Remove contaminated clothing

• Rinse with water for 15 minutes

• Seek medical attention if irritation persists

• Showers should be flushed periodically

Eyewash Stations

• Flush eye and inner eyelids

• Forcibly hold eyes open• Irrigate for at least 15

minutes• Seek medical attention

immediately• Stations should be flushed

periodically

General Protective Measures

• Prevent Ingestion– NO eating, drinking, smoking, or applying

cosmetics in labs– Wash hands frequently– Label everything– Read labels and MSDS

Exposure Assessments

• Signs or symptoms of overexposure

• You suspect exposure limits have been exceeded

Medical Exams

• Offered as appropriate• Required where mandated• Occupational Medicine Program• Hazard Assessment

– Noise– Carcinogens– Acutely toxic chemicals– Radioactive materials– Biological hazards

And now……Let’s play…..

“TOXIC” Jeopardy

What is….”Improper Chemical Storage!!”

What is: “food storage in a refrigerator with toxic chemicals”

What is: “Improperly labeled container”- $10,000 fine-EPA!!

What is: ‘Funnel –in-throat” container

What is: “old chemicals, some open, bad housekeeping”

What is: “improperly labeled waste

container on a sink”…$10,000

What is: “‘Funnel –in-throat” container”

What is: “ improperly labeled container”

What is: “ unlabeled containers”

What is: “ an unknown, waste-like container”

What is: “inherently waste-like container”

What is: “improperly labeled containers-two labels / label over

original ”

What is: “Improper disposal of a hazardous waste”…. $10,000

What is: “Potpourri” You name it!! All of the above

EHHHHH!!! The wrong way!!

Summation

• Though presented in a humorous manner, the above slides are very serious from a health and safety point of view

• There are some serious and potentially hazardous conditions demonstrated

• One chemical among some shown above, if mishandled can result in…

Peroxide Crystals formed from

Isopropyl Ether

Another bottle from the same college’s laboratory that has peroxidized, with a light-

impact detonation cap.

The resulting detonation left a crater in the ground approximately three foot wide by one foot deep !

This could easily have occurred in the lab if bumped or heated

A laboratory chemical that has been stored/handled improperly can be hazardous to your health!

Three 5 gal. containers of peroxidized Tetrahydrofuran at @ 120 o F!!

Good Chemical Handling / Storage

• Check your inventories……• Get rid of what you do not need• Manage those containers with bad labels• Manage waste collection containers with correct

labeling of contents, and keep caps closed when not adding to them

• Make sure all chemicals have proper labels and are within expiration dates / known shelf lives

Laboratory Documentation

• RPI, Registration (Posted)

• Safety Inspections

• Hazard Assessments

• Prior Approval

• Check in/Check out

• SAA Weekly Inspections

• Fume Hood Logs

• Autoclave Logs & QC Logs