From: J & K Smith <smith.j.k**At_Symbol_Here**SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory Safety Inspections
Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2016 13:46:56 -0800
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: 003901d15d3a$135048d0$39f0da70$**At_Symbol_Here**j.k**At_Symbol_Here**sbcglobal.net
In-Reply-To


There is an aspect to lab safety that has been overlooked. Lab clutter. I had a lab that was old (since closed) to begin with, but with a lot of messiness to it. Old equipment that was unused/outmoded/broken that took up valuable lab bench space and impeded the work that was going on. It took a lot of jawing and threats during the inspections to finally get rid of most of it. The difference was amazing afterwards.

 

It also led to incomplete cleanups of the bench tops which were hazards also. Who knew what the residue contained.

 

Lab inspections should be mandatory at all labs for all the reasons given from cleanliness to outdated chemicals and to cracked/chipped glassware. This has been an excellent discussion and a challenge to all lab inspectors.

 

Ken Smith (ex CIH, Retired)

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Daniel Crowl
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2016 9:26 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory Safety Inspections

 

I think the lab inspections should be used as a very important performance monitoring function.  It will give you good information on how well the safety program is working and how to improve it.  The lab is where the safety program "wheels hit the road."   Deficiencies in the lab may also show weaknesses in upper management or other places far removed from the lab.

 

=E2=80=8BDan Crowl

Chemical Engineering

University of Utah

 

On Mon, Feb 1, 2016 at 9:51 AM, TILAK CHANDRA <tilak.chandra**At_Symbol_Here**wisc.edu> wrote:

Lab inspection benefits:

 

=E2=80=A2       Laboratory safety inspections enhance overall laboratory safety and

      awareness

=E2=80=A2       Improves connectivity and relations between safety and labs/department

=E2=80=A2       Reduces communication gaps between safety and researchers

=E2=80=A2       Aids to know about the chemical process and safety mechanism

=E2=80=A2       Provides mechanism to improve the LSCHPs and SOPs for chemical

     manipulations.

 

Good luck.

 

Tilak

 

Tilak Chandra, Ph.D.

Chemical Safety Specialist

UW-Madison

tchandra**At_Symbol_Here**fpm.wisc.edu

Ph. 608-890-0255

       608-622-9761 (Cell)

 

"--our job in safety is to make the task happen, SAFELY; not to interfere with the work-" Neal Langerman

 

 

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of April Karr
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2016 5:55 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Laboratory Safety Inspections

 

All,

Trying to do a little benchmarking; could you please share with me:

1.)    Does your Institution do laboratory safety inspections?

2.)    What areas are covered (general safety, chemical safety, biosafety, etc)?

3.)    How often?

4.)    How did you justify the need for these inspections to leadership?

 

 

Thanks much!

 

April Karr | Chemical Safety Officer/Laboratory Safety Advisor

Oregon Health & Science University

Environmental Health & Radiation Safety | Mail code: PP170

3181 SW Sam Jackson Pk Rd |Portland, OR 97239

 

 

 

 

 

 

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