handbook lab safety
DESCRIPTION
labratory safetyTRANSCRIPT
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7. Hazard & Incident Reporting
7.1. Reporting of Hazardous Conditions UnderOHSlaw,everyworkerhasadutytoreportuncheckedhazards.Withthenatureofourworkacrossthecollege,therearemanyhazards;butwithproperplanningandprecautionstheriskcanbecontrolledtoanacceptablelevel.Ifyouhaveconcernaboutahazardinyourworkarea,startbydiscussingitwithyoursupervisororadvisor.Ifthescopeoftheproblemistoolargeorifthereisquestiononwhatshouldbedone,theissuecanberaisedtothedepartmentchair,thelocalsafetycommitteeand/orEHS.
RememberthatasworkersinOntario,youhavealegalrighttorefuseworkthatyoulegitimatelyfeelwouldputyouindanger.Refertosection43oftheOHSAformoredetails(http://www.elaws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90o01_e.htm#s43s1.
7.2. Incident Reporting Ifyouareinjuredatwork,getappropriatefirstaidandnotifyyoursupervisorassoonaspossible.AnIncidentReportFormmustbefilledout,signedbythesupervisor,providedtothedepartmentheadandemployeegroupandsubmittedtoEHSwithin24hoursbutifaninjuryisseriousandpotentiallylifethreatening,aftergettinghelpforthevictim,callEHS(x53282)toreporttheincidentassoonaspossible.AllowCampusPolicetonotifythenextofkintoavoidmiscommunicationandconfusion.
Nearmisses(i.e.,accidentsthatwerenarrowlyavoided)shouldbereportedusingtheIncidentReportForm.TheIncidentReportFormisavailablethroughtheEHSwebsite.
8. Laboratory Safety
8.1. General Laboratory Safety Thegoalofthesafetyprogramisnottohaveyoumemorizeanarbitrarysetofrulesitismuchbetterifyoutrytounderstandtherationalebehindtherules.Inalab,weneedtodothreefundamentalthings:
1) protectourselvesfromexposuretothehazardspresent2) preventthemigrationofcontaminantsoutofthelab3) putsystemsinplacetomitigatetheimpactofaseriousincident(e.g.,fire,spill)
Keypoints:
- Reportallpotentialhazardsorsafetyissuestolabsupervisor/advisor.- Familiarizeyourselfwiththeemergencyresponseprocedures.
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- Knowevacuationroutesfromyourlabandthelocationofemergencyequipmentsuchasfireextinguishers,spillkits,emergencyshowers/eyewashes,firstaidkits,phonesandemergencycallboxes.
- Donotbringfood,drinks,tobaccoproductsorcosmeticsintothelab.- Alwayswearsuitableclothing,closedtoed/heeledshoes,andrequiredpersonalprotective
equipment(PPE)whenworkingwithpotentiallyhazardousmaterials.- Dispensehazardousmaterialsinsideafumehood.- Neverallowglovedhandstotouchsurfacesoutsideofthelab,orcleansurfacesinthelabsuch
asdoorknobs,phonereceivers,orcomputerkeyboards.- Donotwearlabcoatsincommonareasorstairwells.- Keeppersonalitemsseparatedfromhazardousmaterials.- Neverleavelabdoorsproppedopen.- Allmaterialsdispensedfromtheiroriginalcontainersmustbelabeled.- Placeasignonanyunattendedexperiments,andprovidecontactinformationsoyoucanbe
reachedifsomethinggoesawry.- Avoiduseofpersonalmusicplayerswhendoinglabworkyouneedtobeabletohearif
equipmentisfunctioningproperlyanditsimportanttobeawareofthelocationofpeoplearoundyou.
- Keepincompatiblechemicalsseparate(noacidswithbases,noflammableswithoxidizers)lookatthelabelsand/orMSDSsifyouarentsure.
- Practicegoodhousekeepingandgoodhygiene.
Safetyrulesandregulationsinalaboratoryenvironmentareunavoidableitisanenvironmentwherefires,explosions,injuries,andexposurestochemical/biological/radiological/physicalthreatsareaveryrealpossibility.WehavehadseriousincidentsinCBSinthepastthatwedonotwanttorepeat,sopleasetakelabsafetyseriously.
Todemonstratethetypeofprecautionsneededtoprotectoneself,considerthesimpletaskofdecantingstrongacidintoabeakerfordilution.Todothisproperlyonewould:
- planahead,ensuringtherewasaclearspacetoworkinthefumehood(aworkpracticecontrolthatreducesthelikelihoodofaspill/accidentalexposure)
- bewearingclosetoedshoes,longpants,alabcoat,acidresistantgloves,andgoggles(personalprotectiveequipmenttoprotecttheskinandeyesintheeventofsmallspillsandsplashes)
- performalltasksinsideafumehood,withthesashinalowposition(anengineeredcontrolthatkeepscorrosivefumesfromenteringthebreathingzone)
- slowlypourtheacidintoabeakerpartiallyfilledwithwater(aworkpracticecontrolthatreducestheamountofundilutedacidsplashingup)
Theaboveemphasizestheuseofengineeredcontrols,safeworkpractices,andpersonalprotectiveequipmenttomaintainexposuresatasafelevel:Itisademonstrationinthehierarchyofcontrols,whichisamodelfortheevaluationofprotectivemeasures.Theschematicbelowdepictstheorderinwhichalternativesshouldberanked;themorereliableandeffectivepreventativemeasuresaregivenpreference.Inpractice,usuallyacombinationofcontrolsareusedtogethertoreduceexposuretoahazard.
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EXAMPLE
Elimination
Substitution
EngineeredControl
AdministrativeControl
PPE Wear gloves, lab coat and eye protection
Establish written operating procedures
Work inside fume hood or Biosafety Cabinet
Use SYBR Green in place of Ethidium Bromide
Use a different method/approach altogether
Keeptheseconceptsinmindwhencriticallyevaluatingtheworkthatyoudoinyourlab.
Somekeypointsaboutpreventingcontamination:
- Alwaysassumeglovesarecontaminated.Youputonglovestopreventonethingoranotherfromtouchingyourskin.Thelogicalconclusionisthatwhateveritwasyoudidntwantonyourskinisnowontheexterioroftheglove.Changeglovesfrequentlyandneverallowaglovedhandtotouchacommonsurface(likeadoorknob,phonereceiver,etc.).
- Labcoatsprotectyou,andtheclothesthatyouown,frombecomingcontaminated.Itisarequirementthatlabcoatsbeworninalllabsforanyworkinvolvinghazardousmaterials.LabcoatscannotbewornoutsideoftheresearchwingsinCBS.Ifyouwillneedalabcoatatyourdestinationonanotherfloor,simplyplaceyourcoatinaplasticbagandcarryitwithyou.
- Acleanworkareagoesalongwaytoreducingcrosscontamination.Whenworkingwithradioisotopes,wehavethebenefitofbeingabletodetectcontaminationwithasurveymeter;withbiologicalandchemicalcontaminants,wearentsolucky.Foranyhazardousagentitisimportanttoconsiderhowtheinevitablesmallspills,dropletsandsplashescanbecontrolled.Workingoverdisposablebenchpaperisaneasywaytocontrolcontamination,alternativelyyoucanworkoveralowtraythathascleanablesurfaces.Regardlessofthemethodyouuse,besuretocleanyourworkareawhenfinished,andifthereareanysmallspills,cleanthemupusinganappropriatemethodassoonaspossible(refertoCBSSOPsonspillsformoredetails).
- Anotherareawithhighpotentialforspreadingchemical/biologicalorradiologicalcontaminationisthetransportofmaterialsthroughhallways.Makeuseofcarts,traysandbottlecarrierswhenmovingmaterialsaroundthebuilding.
- Anotherfactortoconsideristhestorageofyourpersonalbelongings;asmuchaspossible,youshouldkeeppersonalitemsoutofthelab.Ifyoudohaveitemsyouneedinthelab,keepthemwellseparatedfrompotentiallycontaminatedareas.
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Thereareadditionalaspectsofcontaminationcontrolthatpertaintothedesignofequipmentandthelaboratoryitself,butthelistabovecoversmostofthebasicresponsibilities.
Finally,tomanagethepotentialimpactofemergencies,thegeneralresponsibilitiesoflabpersonnelinclude:
- Familiarizingyourselfwithevacuationroutes,emergencyprocedures,aswellasthelocationsofphones,callboxes,andemergencyequipmentinyourworkarea.
- Notifyingothersofincidentssuchasspillsorfires;verballyforminorincidents,orbyactivatinganalarmpullstationformoreserioussituations.
- Keepingaisleandexitroutesclear.- Ensuringthattheaccesstoeyewashstations,showers,andfireextinguishersisunobstructed,andthatextinguishershaveadequatecharge(needleonpressuregaugeisingreenzone).
- Ensuringspillkitsandfirstaidkitsarereadilyaccessibleandappropriatelystocked.
FurtherinformationcanbefoundintheUniversitysLaboratorySafetymanuallocatedontheEHSwebsiteat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/labsafety/
8.2. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) TheWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem,orWHMIS,isaveryimportantcomponentofthehazardcommunicationschemeinauniversitylaboratory.WHMISregulationssetoutrequirementsforthetrainingofpersonnel,thelabelingofhazardousmaterials,andtheprovisionofMaterialSafetyDataSheets(MSDSs).
AnyoneworkinginalaboratoryenvironmentmustreceiveWHMIStraining.
Allhazardousmaterialsdecantedfromtheiroriginalcontainermustbelabeled.Containersthatwillnotleavethelaboratoryrequireonlyaproductidentifier(i.e.thenameoftheproductwrittenontheexterior).Ifadecantedhazardousmaterialwillbemovedoutofthelab,itrequiresaworkplacelabel,whichneedstoincludeaproductidentifier,directionsforsafehandling,andareferencetotheMSDS.
Historically,eachlabwasrequiredtokeepabinderofprintedMaterialSafetyDataSheets,whichareonlyvalidfor3years.Toeliminatethislabourintensiveinventoryandupdatingrequirement,theUniversityhasimplementedanelectronicMSDSsystem.Itisstilladvisedthateachlabkeepahardcopyofthe20mostusedsolventsorchemicalsonhand,butforthemajorityofchemicals,accesstoMSDSscanbethroughtheinternetviaacomputerterminal.MSDSscanbeaccessedfromtheUniversityofGuelphnetworkat:http://hq.msdsonline.com/uoguelph/Search/Default.aspx
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8.3. Monthly Laboratory Self-inspections KeyPoints:
- Activateeyewashstationsweeklytoflushoutcontaminants,discouragemicrobialgrowthandensuretheflowisadequate.
- Ensuretheaccesstotheemergencyeyewash/showerisnotobstructed.- Checkthefireextinguisheritshouldbeeasytoaccess(i.e.unobstructed),andthepressure
indicatorshouldbeinthegreenareaofthegauge.- Checkthespillkititshouldcontainneutralizers(usually3acid,base,andorganicsolvent
suppressant),absorbentmaterials,gloves,goggles,adustpan/scraperordustpan/broomandbagsforwastematerial.
- Checkfirstaidboxesthekitshouldcontaingloves,tweezers,scissors,adhesivebandages,tape,gauze,andpadsorcompressbandages.
- Visuallyinspectchemicalstorageareastoensurethereisnoleakageandincompatiblesareseparatedeachmonth.
- Lookforissueswithunsecuredgascylinders,poorhousekeeping,electricalhazards,andaccesstoexits.
- Reportanyissuestoyoursupervisor.
Itisimportantthatlaboratoryinspectionsbecompletedregularlytomonitorandmaintainthesafetyofeachworkarea.Inanygivenlabtherecanbeacombinationofphysical,chemical,biologicalandradiologicalhazardsdiligenceisrequiredtocontrolthesehazardsandkeeptheworkenvironmentsafe.
8.4. Fume Hoods KeyPoints:
- Keepsashclosedwhennotinuse.- Ensurethatthefumehoodisonpriortouse.- Workwithsashaslowaspossible(lessthan18/50cm).- Keepallworkatleast6/15cmbackfromfrontedge.- Donotobstructairventsatrearofhood.- Donotallowhoodstobecomeclutteredortobeusedasextrastorage.- Uncapcontainersinsidethehood,recapthemassoonasyouarefinished.- Donotuseafumehoodifthealarmindicateslowflow.- Anysolutionofperchloricacidabove70%beingheatedmustbehandledinaspeciallydesigned
hoodwithwashdownfeatures.- Completelyclosethesashifyouareworkinginahoodwhenthefirealarmgoesoff.
FurtherinstructionsontheproperuseoffumehoodsareprovidedintheCBSSOPat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html.
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Whenahoodisnotinuse,keepthesashfullyclosed.Thisisasimplethingthatcanconservealotofenergyfumehoodsexhaustalargevolumeofairwhentheyareopen,anditrequiresagreatdealofenergytoheatorcoolthereplacementair.
Whenyouareworkinginahood,keepthesashaslowasyoureasonablycan.Thisimprovesabilityofthehoodtokeepairbornecontaminantsoutofyourbreathingspace,offerssomeprotectiontoyourfaceshouldtherebeasplashorspill,andconservesenergy.
Fumehoodsoncampusareequippedwithawarningdevicethatwillalarmwhentheairflowisinadequateforthehoodtofunctionasdesigned.Thealarmwillgooffiftheairflowfallsbelowapresetthreshold(facevelocityof80feetperminute).Donotattempttousethehoodifthealarmisgoingoffandstopanyexperimentstakingplaceinsidethehoodifthealarmpersists.Closethesashfullytopreventhazardousvapoursfrommigratingintothelab.
Todetermineiflowflowmayberesultingfromadisruptionofairflow,removeitemsthatmaybeobstructingthemovementofairthroughtheventsatthebackofthehood.Also,lowerthesashandresetthealarmifpossible.Sashpositionwillaffectthefacevelocity,whichisanimportantfactorineffectivecaptureofairbornecontaminants.Bafflesshouldnotbeadjustedbyusers.
Largedisruptionsintheairaroundahood(e.g.,theopening/closingofadoor)maytemporarilyaffecttheairflowthroughthehood;ifthisissuspectedasthecauseoftheproblem,tryresettingthealarmifpossible.Iftheabovechangesdonotrectifytheissue,labelthehoodasoutoforderandnotifyPhysicalResources(x53854)ortheappropriatedepartmentalcontactforequipmentproblems.
8.5. Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) KeyPoints:
- AnytimeyourworkrequiresuseoftheBSC,youshouldwearalabcoatandglovestoprotectyouskinandyourclothingfromcontamination.Aswell,longhairshouldbetiedback,asrequiredbytheLaboratoryBiosafetyGuidelines.
- Planyourworkandminimizemovementinandoutofthehood.- Chemicallydisinfectbeforeandafteruse- Allowtimeforaircurrentstostabilizebeforestartingworkinthecabinet
ReviewtheCBSSOPat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.htmlforadditionaldetailsontheuseandcareofthisequipment.
8.6. Liquid Nitrogen KeyPoints:
- Alwayswearglovesandeyeprotectionwhenhandlingliquidnitrogen
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- FollowtheoperationalpracticesoutlinedintheCBSSOPat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html
- Keepthedooropenwhendispensingfrombulkstoragedewars.- Ifyouhaveaspill,theonlythingyoucandoisevacuateimmediately.Makesureeveryonegets
outoftheimmediatearea,andwait30minutesfortheairtoclear.Ifaspillis>4L,callEHS,asairtestingmayberequiredtoverifytheoxygenlevelhasreturnedtonormal.
Somestorageareasfordewarsareequippedwithanoxygenmonitor.Whenthealarmsounds,closeanyopenvalvesimmediatelyandleavetheroom.
8.7. Chemical Safety KeyPoints:
- Knowthehazardsofthematerialswithwhichyouareworking.ReviewtheMSDSpriortohandlinganewchemical.
- Dontaccumulateunnecessaryinventorychecktoseeifyourlabalreadyhasthechemical,andorderonlyasmuchasyouneed.
- Neverstoreincompatiblematerialstogether.Acidscannotbestoredwithbases,flammablescannotbestoredwithoxidizers.
- Neverputflammablesolventsinafridgeunlessthefridgeisspecificallydesignedtoaccommodateflammables.Therearefartoomanyrecordedcasesoffridgesandfreezersexplodinginlaboratoriesasaresultofimproperstorageofflammablematerials.
8.8. Compressed Gas Cylinders Keypoints:
- Whenmovingatankensurethesafetycapiscompletelyscrewedonandthetankischainedorstrappedtoacylindercart.
- Alwayssecuretanksverticallyusingastraporchainwhetherinstorageorinuse.- Tanksinusemustbesecuredinanuprightpositionwitharegulatorattached.- Donotattempttochangeatankunlessyouhavebeentrainedtodoso.- Neverstoretanksofincompatiblematerialstogether(e.g.,flammablegasesbesideoxygen).
Compressedgascylindersareunderhighpressure,andcontainalotofpotentialenergy.Theprinciplehazardsarethatafailureinthetankorthevalvewillcausearapidreleaseofpressure(i.e.anexplosion),andareleaseofthecontents(leakingoropenvalve)thatcouldbehazardous.
Evennontoxicgasessuchasnitrogenarepotentiallyharmful,astheleakinggascandisplaceoxygenandleadtoasphyxiation.Aleakofatoxicgascanrapidlyreachahazardouslevel.Similarlyaleakingcylinderofflammablegascouldpotentiallyleadtoafireorexplosion.
Topreventleaks,alwaysusetherighttypeofregulator,fittings,andhosesforyourapplication.Inspectallcomponentspriortoassemblingtoensuretheyareclean,dry,andfunctioningproperly.When
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appropriate,checkallconnectionsbybrushingonasoapysolutiontoensurethereisnoerrantgasescaping.Insomeapplicationsagasdetectormayberequired.
8.9. Biosafety Risk Groups and Containment Levels
BiologicalmaterialsareclassifiedintoRiskGroupsonthebasisoftheirabilitytocausediseaseinhumansand/oranimals.
RiskGroup1lowindividualandcommunityrisk
RiskGroup2moderateindividualrisk,limitedcommunityrisk
RiskGroup3highindividualrisk,lowcommunityrisk
RiskGroup4highindividualrisk,highcommunityrisk
TheRiskGroupindicatestherelativelevelofrisktoworkersandtopublichealth,butthemorerelevantclassificationfromanoperationalperspectiveistheContainmentLevel.TheContainmentLeveldefinesthenatureoftheengineeringandproceduralcontrolsrequiredforhandlingdifferentorganisms.Forcommonorganisms,theContainmentLevelcanbeobtainedfromtheMSDSpostedonthePublicHealthAgencyofCanadawebsite,atthisURL:http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/msdsftss/index.html
Ifyouareunabletofindinformationonanorganismofinterest,contacttheUniversityofGuelphBiosafetyOfficerforassistance.
ThecontainmentlevelforrecombinantDNAandgeneticmanipulationisnotsomethingthatcanfeasiblybedefinedinadvance.Itwilldependonariskassessmentthattakesintoaccountthepathogenicityofthedonor/sourceorganismandtherecipientorganism,aswellasthepropertiesoftherecombinantorganismwithrespecttoproteinexpressionandreplication.Forassistanceindeterminingthepropercontainmentlevel,youmaycontacttheOfficeofLaboratorySafetyinOttawaat(613)9571779.
Celllinesmaybebiohazardousasaresultoftheorganismsinherentpathogenicity,orduetocontaminationwithotheragentssuchasviruses,fungi,bacteriaorprions.AttheUniversityofGuelph,thepolicyistoworkwithcelllines/cellculturesunderContainmentLevel2.Incaseswherethereisahighpotentialforlaboratoryacquiredinfection(e.g.,celllinesderivedfrommacaquesthatmaybecontaminatedwithHerpesvirussimiae)ContainmentLevel3willberequired;converselyincaseswheretheriskisassessedanddeemedtobelow,workwithcelllinesmaybedowngradedtoContainmentLevel1.
AnyoneperformingworkwithhumanpathogensmustfamiliarizethemselveswiththeLaboratoryBiosafetyGuidelinesissuedbyHealthCanada.Ifyouaredoingworkwithanimalpathogens,youmustreviewtheCanadianFoodInspectionAgencysContainmentStandardsforVeterinaryFacilities.The
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generalsafetyprecautionsforhandlingpathogenicbiologicalagentsarediscussedinthesectiononoperationalrequirementsbelow.
Permits Avalidbiosafetypermit,issuedbytheUniversityofGuelphBiosafetyCommittee,mustbeobtainedforallactivitiesinvolvinguseorstorageofbiohazardousmaterials.Formoredetails,pleaserefertotheinformationprovidedon:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/biosafety/.
AdditionalresourcesareavailableontheCBSHealth&Safetywebsitetoassistinpreparingbiosafetypermitapplications.
Import of Pathogens InordertobringpathogenicagentsintoCanada,oneof,orboth,thePublicHealthAgencyofCanada(PHAC)andtheCanadianFoodInspectionAgency(CFIA)mustapprovetheimportation.Insomecaseswemustobtainthepermitsourselves,inothercasesweimportunderthepermitofasupplierordistributor.Theflowchartsbelowdepicttheprocessforimportationofriskgroup2materialsforcircumstanceswherethesupplieristhepermitholder,andforsituationswherethePIappliesfortheimportpermit.
Process Map 1 Supplier as Import Permit Holder
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Process Map 2 Principal Investigator as Import Permit Holder
ThePHACandCFIAoperateasseparateentities,soatpresent,documentationmayberequiredbyboth.EachagencyprovidesachecklisttohelpusersconfirmwhethertheycomplywithalltherequirementsoftherelevantguidelinesthechecklistsareavailableatthefollowingURLs:
http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/olsbsl/containment/pdf/cl2checklist_e.doc
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/path/animae.shtml
Material Transfer Beforewereleasebiohazardousmaterialstoanotherindividual,organizationorinstitution,itisincumbentonustakereasonablestepstoensurethatthematerialwillbehandledproperly.
FormaterialsthatfallintoRiskGroup2(orhigher),wemustensurethedestinationfacilityfulfillsallrequirementsofaContainmentLevel2laboratory,asdescribedinthePHACand/orCFIAguidelines.Aswell,shipmentsofriskgroup2orhighermaterialsmayfallundertheTransportationofDangerousGoods(TDG);refertotheCBSSOPonTransportofDangerousGoodsforfurtherdetailsat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html.
Anotherconsiderationistheprotectionofintellectualpropertyoftheuniversity;theBusinessDevelopmentOfficeintheOfficeofResearchhasaMaterialTransferAgreementformwhichisavailableonline:http://bdo.uoguelph.ca/assets/Material_Transfer_Agreement.pdf
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Biosecurity Inrecentyearsthelevelofconcernoverthesecurityofpathogenicmaterialshasgrown.Fromtheperspectiveoftheenduser,thekeypointssurroundaccessandinventorycontrol.
Accesscontrolisanimportantaspectofbiosecurity.Neverpropopendoorsortamperwithlockingmechanisms,andpleasereportanysuspiciousactivitiesorbehaviour.Generallyspeaking,doorscanbeunlockedduringthedaywhenthelabisoccupied,butafterhourslabdoorsmustbesecurelyclosedandlocked.
Tofacilitateproperinventorycontrol,makesureyoukeepyourmaterialswellorganized,properlylabeled,andaccountedforusingtheinventorysysteminyourlab.Iffreezersorstorageroomsarekeptlocked,besuretorelockthemwhenyouarefinishedusingthem.Disposeofbiologicalwastesproperlysothatpathogensareeffectivelydestroyed.
Operational Requirements
TherequirementsforthevariousBiosafetyContainmentLevelsaredefinedindetailintheHealthCanadaandCFIAguidelinedocuments,andreiteratedinthereferencematerialsthatsupportthebiosafetyprogram.TaketimetoreviewtheHealthCanadaLaboratoryBiosafetyGuidelinespriortostartinganyworkwithbiologicalorganisms.
Asdiscussedinthesectiononlabsafety,thepurposeofthevariousrequirementsaretokeepyou,asaworker,frombeingexposed;topreventcontaminationfrombeingcarriedoutofthelabandspreadtootherpartsofourfacilities;andtoputplansinplacetodealwithemergenciesthatmayarise.
AfewoftheessentialoperationalrequirementsforContainmentLevel2(manyofwhichareapplicableinalllabs)arelistedbelow:
- Allpersonnelmustwearfastenedlabcoatswhenworkinginthelab.Labcoatsarenottobeworninstairwellsorcommonareasofthebuilding.Contaminatedlabcoatsshouldbeautoclavedorchemicallydisinfectedpriortolaundering(unlesslaundryhasbeenproventoeffectivelydecontaminatelabcoats).
- Eyeorfaceprotectionisrequiredwheneverthereisariskofsplashes,aerosolsorflyingobjects.- Closedtoedshoesarerequiredwhenworkinginalllaboratories,includingContainmentLevel2
areas.- Glovesmustbewornwheneverthereisapotentialforskincontactwithabiohazard,and
removedpriortoleavingtheworkarea.Anycutsorscrapesmustremaincoveredatalltimeswithawaterproofdressing.Handsshouldbewashedwheneverglovesareremoved,andpriortoleavingthelaboratory.
- Topreventaccidentalcontamination,longhairmustbetiedbackandlabcoatsmustbewornbyallpersonnelwhenworkinginthelab.Jewelryisnotrecommended.
- Toreducetheprobabilityofingestion,food,drinkandcosmeticsarenotpermittedinthelab,andoralpipettingisprohibited.
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- Routinechemicaldisinfectionofworksurfacesisnecessarytopreventthespreadofpotentiallypathogenicmaterial,andnonessentialitemsandpersonalbelongingsmustbekeptawayfromareaswherebiohazardsarehandled.Benchkoteshouldbechangedonaregularbasisandfollowinganyminorspills.
- Allbiohazardouswastematerialsmustbedecontaminated(i.e.autoclaved)priortodisposalorcollectedbyadisposalcompanyspecializinginthehandlingofbiohazardouswaste.
8.10. Radiation Safety Permits
AllradioactivematerialsmustbeorderedthroughtheRadiationSafetyOfficerandmayonlybehandledbylaboratoriesthathaveapermitgrantedbythecampusRadiationSafetyCommittee.
AttheUniversityofGuelph,wehaveBasicLevelLaboratories(BLL)andIntermediateLevelLaboratories(ILL).TheopenquantityofaradioisotopeinaBLLislimitedtolessthan5timestheAnnualLimitonIntake.AnILLmaybeusedtohandleradioactivematerialwithactivityupto50timestheAnnualLimitonIntake.
Inadditiontoquantitylimitationswithinpermittedlabs,thereareextensiverequirementsforinventorytracking,useofshieldingdevicesandexposurecontrols,monitoringofexposureandcontamination,andmanagementofwaste.ThesetopicsarecoveredindetailaspartoftheRadiationSafetyTraining,anddocumentedintheRadiationSafetyOperationalGuidance(RSOG)documents.MoreinformationisavailableontheEHSwebsiteat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/radiation/
Requirements Priortoanyworkwithradioactivematerials,staffandstudentsmustsuccessfullycompleteRadiationSafetyTraining.ThecoresetofRSOGdocumentsareavailabletousersinpermittedlabs,andtreatedastheprimaryreferenceforoperationalguidance(alongwiththespecificprotocolsfollowedinyourindividuallab).
Duringexperiments,inmostcircumstancesitwillbeappropriatetohaveasurveymeteronhandtoperiodicallysweeptheworkarea,verifyingthatcontaminationhasbeeneffectivelycontrolled.Aswell,postexperimentwipetestingmustbeperformedtoconfirmtheworkareaisadequatelyfreefromradioactivematerial.ThewipetestprotocolforthesharedIntermediateLevelLaboratoriesintheScienceComplexisavailableonline,andcanbeusedasatemplateforsettingupaprotocolinyourlab.
8.11. Human Testing Theuseofhumansubjectsforresearchhasobviousethicalandsafetyimplications.AnyresearchprojectsthatwillinvolvehumansubjectsmustbeapprovedbytheUniversityofGuelphResearchEthicsBoard.Furtherdetailsareavailableonlineat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/research/servicesdivisions/ethics.Inadditionresearchersinvolvedinhumanclinicaltrialsinvolvinghumanfluidand/or
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tissuerequirehandsonclinicaltrainingprovidedbyHumanHealthandNutritionalSciences.Pleasecontactx53493formoreinformation.
8.12. Animal Care TheuseofanimalsinbiologicalresearchisundertheoversightoftheAnimalCareCommittee.Priortoinitiatinganystudyinvolvinganimals,anAnimalUtilizationProtocol(AUP)mustbeapprovedbythecommittee,andparticipantsmustsuccessfullycompletetrainingasanimalusers.Furtherdetailsareavailableonlineat:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/research/animalsinresearchteaching
8.13. Laboratory Wastes Acrossthecollegewegeneratemanydifferenttypesofwaste.Thepropersegregationofwasteisanimportantissue;placinghazardouswasteinthenormalgarbagecanputthesafetyofthecustodialstaffatrisk,andleadtoseriousfinesandpenaltiestotheUniversity.Thepouringofchemicalsdownthedrainisincrediblyirresponsible,damagingtotheenvironment,andisprohibitedbylaw.
Ifyouareunsureofhowacertainchemicalormaterialmightbeclassifiedasawaste,hangontoitandaskforclarificationfromyoursupervisor,ortheLaboratorySafetyOfficerintheEHSdepartment.
Thetablebelowitemizesthetypesofwasteweroutinelyhaveinthecollege,andwhatshouldbedonewitheach.
HazardousWastetags,liketheoneshownbelowareavailablefromtheStockroomorfromtheEHSDepartment.Youmaycallx53282andasktheAdministrativeAssistanttosendyouasupplyoftagsthroughinterofficemail.Affixatagtothewastecontainerwhenyoubegincollectingwaste.
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Waste Examples DisposalProcedure
Regular,nonhazardousgarbage
Papertowel,gloves, Placeingarbagecontainer(blackbag).
Recyclablematerials(notcontaminatedwithhazardousmaterials)
Finepaper,newspaper
Placeinbluebin(clearbag)
Aqueoussolutions Phosphatebuffer
Trisbuffer
Aqueoussolutionsthatcontainanyhazardousmaterials(metals,dyes,stains)mustbecollectedanddisposedofashazardouswaste.
Ifasolutionisamixtureofaqueousandorganicsolvents,treataseitherhalogenatedornonhalogenatedsolvent.
NOTEifsolutionsarestronglyacidicorbasic,labelandseparate.Donotmixacidsandbasesinwastejugs.
Halogenatedorganicsolventwaste
Chloroform,methylenechloride
Collectineitherasafetycanoranempty4Lbottle.Safetycanswillbereturnedwithinaweekofpickup.
Ifusingasafetycan,labeltoindicatethetypeofwaste.Keeplidclosedexceptwhenfilling,andstoreinflammablestoragecabinet.
Ifusinga4Lbottle,ensureiteithercontainedacompatiblechemicalorhasbeencleanedofanyresidue.Theoriginallabelmustbedefacedorremoved,andthebottlemustbelabeledindicatingthetypeofwasteitcontains.Storeintheflammablestoragecabinet.
Nonhalogenatedorganicsolventwaste
Acetone,ethanol,isopropanol
Collectineitherasafetycanoranempty4Lbottle.
Ifusingasafetycan,labeltoindicatethetypeofwaste.Keeplidclosedexceptwhenfilling,andstoreinflammablestoragecabinet.
Ifusinga4Lbottle,ensureiteithercontainedacompatiblechemicalorhasbeencleanedofanyresidue.Theoriginallabelmustbedefacedorremoved,andthebottlemustbelabeledtoindicatethetypeofwaste.Storeintheflammablestoragecabinet.
BiohazardousWaste Usedcultureplates/tubes/flasks,disposablepipettes
Collectinanautoclavablebag(typicallyorangeorred).Regularly(e.g.daily)closethetopofthebaganduseacarttotakeittothewasteautoclave.
Donotpackwasteintightly;penetrationofthesteamisimperativeforeffectivedecontamination.
Noteindepartments/areaswheresuitableautoclavesarenotavailable,aspecializedwastecontractorcanbecontractedtoregularlypickupcollectedbiohazardwaste.ContactEHStoinitiatethistypeofagreementwithacontractorinthisarea.
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Biohazardoussharps Syringes,blades,contaminatedbrokenglassorothersharpobjectpotentiallycontaminatedwithabiohazardousmaterial
Biohazardoussharpscanbedisposedofinoneoftwoways.
Inbothcases,sharpsmustbecollectedinapunctureresistantcontainerdesignedforsharpscollection.Whenthebinhasreachedthefillline,thelidmustbesecuredshut.
Somedepartmentsautoclavethesharpscontainer,andthensubmitarequisitiontoEHStohavetheautoclavedwasteremoved.
Alternatively,awastecompanythatspecializesinbiohazardouswaste,canbecontractedtopickupthesecuredcontainerswithoutautoclaving.Inthiscase,thesharpsareclassifiedasbiohazardouswaste.
CleanGlassWaste Cleanglassware,glasspipettes
Clean/sterilizedglass,includingbrokenglasswareandpipettes,canbeplacedinthecontainersmarkedasGlass(whitepail,yellowbag).Ensureanyglassgoingintothiswastestreamisclean.
Radioactivewaste C14,P32 Thereare2methodsthatmaybeappliedfordisposalofradioactivewastes,dependingonthecircumstances.
Themostcommonistoarrangeforaradioactivewastepickup.Wasteiscollectedindesignatedbins(separatedbyisotope).CompletetheRequestforRadioactiveWasteDisposalandsubmittoEHS.
Solutionswithverylowactivitythatcontainnootherhazardousingredientscanbedischargedtodrain,inaccordancewiththelicenseissuedtotheUniversity.Theamountdischargedmustbelessthanthewasteactivityconcentrationlistedonthepermitissuedtoyourlab,andthispracticemustbeapprovedbytheRSO,throughsubmissionoftheRSOF100Form.
Expired/Unneededchemicals
Expireddryorliquidchemicals,chemicalsthatarenolongerused
Donotremovefromoriginalcontainer.Placeinasafeareaofthelab,affixawastetagandsubmitrequisitiontoEHS.
Compressedgastanks EmptyN2cylinder
Inmostcases,tankscanbereturntothesupplier.Ifyouareleftwithatankthatcannotbereturned,affixawastetagandsubmitrequisitiontoEHSfordisposal.
Formaldehyde Formalinpreservative
Formaldehydeisanirritantandahumancarcinogen,andmustbetreatedasahazardouswaste.Collectinasuitablecontainer,andwhenfullaffixtagandsubmitrequisitiontoEHS.
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Ethidiumbromidewaste
Stocksolutions Stainedgelsandcontaminatedsolidwastes(weighpaper/tray,benchkote)shouldbecollectedinasealablecontainer(e.g,20Lpailw/lid,linedwithheavygaugeplasticbag&labeledasHAZARDOUSEtBrWASTE).Todisposeofcontainercontents,submitrequisitiontoEHS.
Stocksolutionsshouldbecollectedinalabeledbottleandstoredinasafelocation.Whennecessary,submitrequisitiontoEHSfordisposal.
Stainingsolutionscanbetreatedinthesamemannerasstocksolutions,ordetoxifiedbychemicalreactionorspecializedfiltration.Byproductsofthefiltrationmethodmustbetreatedashazardouswaste.
Acrylamide Stocksolutions,polymerizedgels
Acrylamidemonomer(i.e.powderorinsolution)mustbetreatedasahazardouswaste.Uncontaminatedpolymerizedgelscanbediscardedintheregulargarbage.
1. Introduction2. Responsibility for Safety 3. Safety Resources3.1. Safety Committees
Safety Training5. Standard Operating Procedures6. Emergency Procedures6.1. EvacuationFire Chemical Spill6.4. Biohazard Spill6.5. Medical EmergencyActive ThreatPower outageFlood
7. Hazard & Incident Reporting7.1. Reporting of Hazardous Conditions7.2. Incident Reporting
Laboratory Safety8.1. General Laboratory Safety Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)8.3. Monthly Laboratory Self-inspections8.4. Fume Hoods8.5. Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs)8.6. Liquid Nitrogen8.7. Chemical Safety8.8. Compressed Gas CylindersBiosafety Risk Groups and Containment LevelsPermitsImport of PathogensProcess Map 1 Supplier as Import Permit HolderProcess Map 2 Principal Investigator as Import Permit Holderhttp://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/path/animae.shtml Material TransferBiosecurityOperational Requirements
Radiation SafetyPermits Requirements
8.11. Human Testing8.12. Animal Care8.13. Laboratory Wastes
9. Field Safety9.1. Overview9.2. Field Research Safety Plans9.3. Remote Locations9.4. Disease9.5. Sun Safety 9.6. Wildlife9.7. Working at Height9.8. Security9.9. Water HazardsBoatsMarine/AquaticElectroshockingIce
9.10. Vehicles9.11. Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)
10. Standard Operating Procedures, Forms and Other Resources