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Previous by Date: Subject: [DCHAS-L] Chemical Safety headlines from Google (7 articles) Date: September 12, 2012 7:38:49 AM EDT Author: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety" |
Next by Date: Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Academic Facilities: Undergrads in research labs - restrictions? Date: September 12, 2012 9:51:46 AM EDT Author: Margaret Rakas |
What about adding a quick call to Security if they are alone after hours so they can be included in the building sweep? Someone somewhere should know they are working alone. Beats finding them behind a bench in the morning.
Monona
In a message dated 9/12/2012 7:26:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time, kim.auletta**At_Symbol_Here**STONYBROOK.EDU writes:
Since I started the discussion, I thought it best if I share what I've written so far. I also don't think we can prohibit work after a magic hour and I think the lab staff should plan on working after a set time, so I've mentioned that in the procedure. I can't include it as an attachment, so sorry for the lengthy cut &paste &I've skipped some of the less important details. (I'll send it as an attachment if you email me directly)
1. Policy:
High School Students: Never permitted to work alone in a research lab, even with non-hazardous materials. They must always have a mentor/supervisor present. The Supervisor, at a minimum, must be a Graduate student working as an RA, TA or GA. This person must have received all EH&S required safety training pertinent to the work that the supervised persons will be performing. The Supervisor must understand the hazards and risks of the student's project and reviewed the written SOP/safety protocol. The Supervisor must be approved by the PI. Minors can only work during "building hours". Review the Minors in Research Labs policy for additional information: http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/minors.shtml
Undergraduate Students: Never permitted to work alone in a research lab with hazardous materials. Someone else with EH&S required safety training must be in the lab or adjacent to the lab and be able to check on their safety.
Graduate Students, Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Scientists, Technicians and Principal Investigators: These are considered full time laboratory workers, and laboratory training is integral to their professional training. They have completed all EH&S training related to their laboratory work. They are permitted to work alone in a research laboratory after approval by the PI and following the lab's safety protocol for working alone.
Clinical Students, including Medical Students, Residents and Clinical Fellows: Since their laboratory training is only a portion of their professional training and work intermittently in a research lab, they are not permitted to work alone in a research lab with hazardous materials. They must use the "buddy system".
1. Definitions:
1.1. Buddy System: A "buddy system" establishes regular, routine checks on personnel working alone, such as every 15 - 30 minutes, to ensure no accidents have occurred. This could be accomplished by physically walking to the room where the lab worker is located. A system of visual checks ensures there are no problems and/or determines if help is needed.
1.2. Working Alone: A worker is considered as "working alone" if the individual is working by his/herself such that assistance is not readily available should some injury, illness or emergency arise. Alone is interpreted as being out of visual contact with another person for more than a few minutes. It includes working in physical isolation, e.g. as the sole occupant of a laboratory or during a site sampling activity, where no other person is in the vicinity, i.e. within a short direct range or earshot. It is possible for a worker to be on the same floor of a building or even in the same general area as others, yet be working alone. It can occur during normal working hours as well as in the evening, at night or at weekends.
7. Procedures:
Working Alone
7.1. Working alone, especially after hours, should be avoided whenever possible.
7.2. Conduct a Hazard Assessment of the work being performed and the risks and emergency requirements for working alone or after hours.
7.3. Prepare a written safety protocol identifying the hazards, risks and the methods for controlling the risks. (http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/general-lab-safety/hazard-reviews.shtml)
7.4. Working alone and working after normal building hours requires supervisor/PI approval.
7.5. PI approval for working alone or after hours must consider:
=E2=80=A2 Tasks and hazards involved in the work.
=E2=80=A2 Consequences resulting from a worst-case scenario.
=E2=80=A2 The possibility of an accident or incident that would prevent the laboratory personnel from calling for help.
=E2=80=A2 The laboratory personnel's training and experience.
=E2=80=A2 Time the work is to be conducted (during normal business hours versus at night or on weekends/holidays).See Appendix for Laboratory Specific Working Alone Protocol Approval form.
7.6. Have a cell phone on person with University Policy Department phone number programmed in (631-632-3333). If no cell phone is available or there is no cell service, know where the campus phone is located and have the emergency number posted nearby.
7.7. Each lab must develop a safety protocol for working alone (or use the recommended form in this policy). This protocol must clearly state what hazardous materials (chemical, biological and/or radiological), equipment, and/or procedures must not be performed when working alone. Example requirements are:
The policy in this laboratory is:
The following chemicals will not be used while working alone:
=E2=80=A2 Pyrophoric Chemicals
=E2=80=A2 Water Reactive Chemicals
=E2=80=A2 Potentially Explosive Chemicals or Compounds
=E2=80=A2 Explosive Salts
=E2=80=A2 Acutely Toxic Chemicals or Gases
=E2=80=A2 Peroxide Forming Chemicals
=E2=80=A2 Strong Corrosives
=E2=80=A2 Strong Oxidizing Agents
=E2=80=A2 Strong Reducing Agents
=E2=80=A2 Regulated Carcinogens
Ex: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/6614355/UC_chemical_list.pdf
The following biological material will not be used while working alone:
=E2=80=A2 Select Agents (ex. Botulinum neurotoxins, Tetrodotoxin, Yersinia pestis)
(http://www.selectagents.gov/Select%20Agents%20and%20Toxins%20List.html)
The following procedures will not be conducted with only one person present:
=E2=80=A2 Use of machine shop equipment or lathes (see Machine Shop Policy http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/general-lab-safety/machine-hazards.shtml)
=E2=80=A2 Procedures involving high-pressure equipment [identify specific equipment]
=E2=80=A2 Transferring large quantities [e.g., 10 liters or more] of hazardous materials
=E2=80=A2 Handling animals that could cause serious injury
=E2=80=A2 Other safety considerations for working alone in the laboratory:
Emergency requirements including, but not limited to:
=E2=80=A2 The person's ability to self-rescue
=E2=80=A2 "Check in" with someone (identify person and confirm they are available before beginning work)
=E2=80=A2 Door has a viewing window or other means of indicating someone is inside
=E2=80=A2 Use SB Guardian
=E2=80=A2 Turns your cell phone into a "personal blue light phone" in your pocket and can function in "Panic Call Mode" or "Precautionary Timer Mode".
=E2=80=A2 A recorded message for those individuals working alone in laboratories should include the following:
=E2=80=A2 Name
=E2=80=A2 Building name/number, floor number, room/lab number
=E2=80=A2 Any highly hazardous processes/chemicals being used
Instructions for accessing SB Guardian: http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/emergency/guardian.html
Situations where working alone may occur include:
=E2=80=A2 Periodic attendance to check laboratory equipment/experiments
=E2=80=A2 Cleaning and maintenance activities in laboratories
=E2=80=A2 Working with analytical equipment
=E2=80=A2 Working in storage areas and temperature-controlled rooms
=E2=80=A2 Working in offices, libraries and at computer workstations
7.8. A Laboratory Emergency Plan must be posted near the lab phone. The names and phone numbers for the lab and building contacts must be up to date. (http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/lab/general-lab-safety/signs-and-labels.shtml)
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