Why should YOU practice good laboratory safety?

Protect yourself from laboratory hazards Protect others from laboratory hazards Comply with State and Federal regulations

When we mention protect others from laboratory hazards we are not just referring to those in the laboratory, we also mean those in the hallways, adjacent laboratories and your family and friends outside of work. You dont want to take things that you are exposed to in the laboratory home with you. Why YOU Should Practice Lab Safety

Look closely at this picture and the following pictures. Were these students doing a rare and difficult experiment? Were they using very dangerous, rare chemicals? Actually, this explosion took place as an employee was streaking agar plates with an inoculation loop one of the most basic procedures performed in a microbiology lab. The dangerous chemical involved? Ethanol simple alcohol. Were the employees new, or were they uneducated, or were they just plain ignorant? No, the employee performing the procedure was a fifth-year doctoral student, at a medical school recognized as one of the finest not only in Texas, but in the nation. She had done this procedure thousands of times in her career. The other person badly burned was a high school student, who was only observing. The third employee injured was also a graduate student at this medical school.

Herein lies an extremely important point: Accidents happen to people after performing a procedure the thousandth time, not the first. Why? People get relaxed after doing something over and over again. They get sloppy and careless. The first time, a person pays close attention to his/her work. After weeks, months, years, bad habits form.

Before you begin your work: Stop! Think! Look! Taking five seconds before you begin work to consider the possible hazards might save you five days of missed work, five months of painful surgeries and medical procedures, five years of agony and regret.

Accident Description: Tuesday, July 28, 1998. Time of Day: Approx. 4:40 PM

While performing a sterile technique in which recombinant bacteria were manipulated using a sterile glass rod, an alcohol lamp flame ignited the vapor and contents of a four-liter bottle of 100% ethanol. What Went Wrong: 1. Wrong Materials The employee used 100% ethanol instead of 70% ethanol (aqueous), as is recommended for this procedure. The flash point of 100% ethanol is much below room temperature, whereas the flashpoint of 70% ethanol is just above room temperature. Vapors would not have ignited had the employee used 70% ethanol. 2. Inattentiveness Employee did not check to ensure the lamp was extinguished before opening and pouring ethanol nearby. Had the lamp been extinguished, no flame source would have been present. Also, pure ethanol burns with a cleaner flame than 70% ethanol, making it more difficult to determine whether or not the flame was extinguished.

3. Laziness Employees and high-school interns were not wearing lab coats or other PPE, which would have lessened the severity of the burns. What Could Have Been Worse: 1. Note the presence of several bottles of ethanol on the floor within inches of the ruptured container. The initial fireball, which was indeed bad, could easily have ignited the rest of the ethanol and engulfed an entire wing of labs and offices in flames. 2. Any of these students could have died as a result of injuries sustained during the explosion. As bad as life-long facial scarring is, death is certainly worse.

After hitting the south wall, the container was possibly deflected past this work area in a westerly direction. As a result, the lab coat on the chair and paper material on the desk were set on fire. It is believed that the other graduate student was standing in this general area.

A ruptured one gallon ethanol container was found on the floor in the lab-bay where the accident occurred.

This picture depicts that the fire ball extended to the middle bay of the laboratory. The fire melted foam and plastic containers on top of the middle lab-bench shelves and scorched ceiling tile. The tile was removed by the fire department for inspection purposes.

A Research Technician responded to this emergency after hearing the explosion and seeing the flame from across the laboratory. She proceeded to yell and call out the names of the 3 burn victims while escorting them to the safety shower located in the center of the hallway. She activated the safety shower and the burn victims dove into the shower water stream extinguishing the flames on their bodies.

Overview This training covers the following elements of Laboratory Safety:

Introduction to the Lab Standard Responsibilities Protecting yourself from Laboratory hazards Toxicity/Compounds of unknown toxicity Spills and Spill Response Mandatory work practices

Regulations You are to work safely not only to protect yourself, but to comply with the following federal laws:

Occupational Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories

The OSHA Lab Standard (29CFR 1910.1450)

HAZWOPPER (Chemical Spills)

Hazardous Waste Operations Standard (29CFR 1910.120)

Bloodborne Pathogens

(29CFR 1910.1030)

These federal laws are written in blood. What we mean is that something somewhere happened to cause these laws to be written. Responsibilities Supervisors, Primary Investigators, and Lab Managers have the following responsibilities:

Keep records of employee exposures to regulated hazardous chemicals Provide information and training Prepare, implement and maintain a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) Provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Hazard Identification Provide for medical consultations\exams where necessary Recordkeeping

Your PI or laboratory managers are responsible for providing you with the training you require to perform your duties in the laboratory. They need to supply you with written procedures and protocols on how to manipulate the substances in your laboratory and how to operate equipment properly. They are also responsible for providing you with all the necessary PPE like gloves, eye/face protection, lab coats, etc. that you will need to use in the laboratory. Also they are responsible for letting you know what is in the laboratory, not just what you are working with and inform you what other are doing in the laboratory. They also need inform you how to handle and store these agents properly and give you this information in writing.

Risk Assessment Who is responsible for assuring your safety in your laboratory and workplace?

YOU are responsible for assessing the potential safety and environmental hazards presented by your work

When unusual or uncontrolled hazards may be possible, consult with your supervisor and the Environmental Health and Safety Department (2-3876)

Take a few seconds and think about what you are going to do. What types of PPE will I need, what chemicals will I be working with and where should I work with them (for example: on the counter or in the fume hood) should be a couple of questions you ask yourself. If you need help doing a risk assessment contact EH&S and we will be more than glad to walk you through a risk assessment.

Equipment Safety Answer the following questions BEFORE purchasing equipment to ensure that it can be used safely:

Do you have space to use this equipment safely? Does this equipment require special ventilation? Does this equipment contain any radioactive sources or lasers? Are there any special PPE (personal protective equipment) requirements when using this equipment? Are all points where injury could occur guarded? Do you require any special heating, cooling or electrical components to use this equipment?

If you have questions regarding hazards that youve identified, please call EH&S (2-3876).

The University Chemical Hygiene Plan

What is a Chemical Hygiene Plan? 1. This is a document which describes the responsibilities of the employer (Texas Tech University), the supervisors (lab mangers, PIs), and the employees (YOU!) regarding aspects of chemical safety

2. This document is required by federal law, and all employees who work with chemicals are required to be familiar with its contents and subject matter.

Where can you find it?

It is located on the Texas Tech EH&S website at http://ehs-server.ehs.ttu.edu/web/Docs/Chem_Hygiene_Plan.pdf You need Adobe Acrobat to view this file.

Why is important to you? 1. Describes Texas Tech policies related to chemical safety 2. Contains information on chemical hazards found in laboratories. 3. Has extensive lists of hazardous compounds that are known/suspected carcinogens, mutagens, and teratogens 4. Includes a lab safety checklist for ensuring that a safe working environment exists. 5. Explains applicable federal and state laws pertaining to chemical safety Chemical and Biological Agents

Know the following properties of chemicals and biological agents BEFORE you use or transport them:

Toxicity Flammability Reactivity/Incompatibilities Corrosivity Stability Radioactivity Clean up procedures What PPE is Required?

When we say transport we mean from the storage location to the work bench or between laboratories. If you want to ship chemical or biological agents contact EH&S and we will help with the proper paperwork and shipping requirements. Information The following books are excellent resources for obtaining information on hazardous

chemicals, lab biosafety, and general laboratory safety:

Merck Index Aldrich Catalog Prudent Practices in the Laboratory Saxs Dangerous Properties of Industrial Materials

The following organizations have website presences which are also excellent resources for information on hazardous chemicals and biosafety hazards:

American Chemical Society (ACS) Howard Hughes Institute American Biological Safety Association National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are informative resources which describe chemical hazards. These are available from the manufacturer or supplier. MSDSs should be kept for each chemical and biological product in the laboratory, preferably bound together in a highly visible location. Signs should be placed in the laboratory that tell individuals where to find the MSDS volumes. MSDS provide you with the following :

Chemical and Physical properties Toxicity Information Compatibility or Incompatibility Appropriate spill and fire response

and much more information. If you need help reading a MSDS contact EH&S and we will be glad to show you how to read a MSDS.

Chemical Storage Observe the following general rules for chemical storage to prevent accidents:

Acids, bases, organic solvents, oxidizers should be stored separately

from each other Nitric and hydrofluoric acids must be stored in separate secondary containment from all other acids Picric acid must ALWAYS be stored wet. A log should be kept which details the following: 1. Date of use 2. Initials of user 3. Any special comments

The most dangerous aspect of using picric acid is the potential for dry acid crystals to be lodged within the threads of the bottle cap, thus detonating when the bottle is opened or closed. To prevent this, ALWAYS observe the following: 1. Date the container upon receipt 2. Store in plastic or glass containers with plastic lids. Metals can react with picric acid in minute quantities and produce very powerful contact explosives, so it should NEVER be stored in jars with metals lids, nor used around metals or metallic salts. 3. Inspect the picric acid log, and inspect the container visually before use EACH TIME. NEVER move the container without determining that the acid is not dried, and that crystals are not present. 4. Rehydrate with DI water a minimum of every three months. 5. Dispose of within two years of the receipt date. Call EH&S first at 2-3876

Cyanides should be stored separately from acids Liquids of any kind should not be stored on open lab shelving, but rather in safety cabinets (separated by hazard class) Flammables must ALWAYS be stored in flammable storage cabinets Flammable materials that need to be stored refrigerated should NEVER be stored in a regular refrigerator, unless it is designed for that use Chemicals should be labeled with name, date received, date made, owners initials, and color-coded by hazard Peroxide-forming chemicals (e.g., ethers) must be dated when received and disposed of when required per UCHP, or printed expiration date (usually within one year). See UCHP online for lists of peroxide-forming chemicals (pages H-1 and H-2) at http://ehs-

server.ehs.ttu.edu/web/Docs/Chem_Hygiene_Plan.pdf

*Keep on hand only those chemicals that you have room to store properly.

Chemical Spill Response A. Nuisance Chemical Spills involve the following:

Less than 4 liters of material, and You know the hazards involved, and You are comfortable cleaning up the spill

Take the following action:

Assess the hazard Wear appropriate PPE

If you are unsure of the hazard of a spill or need assistance with PPE selection, call EH&S (2-3876)

B. Hazardous Chemical Spills involve the following: Spills of:

greater than 4 liters of material, or smaller spills of materials that have the following properties: 1. 2. 3. 4. low LD50 carcinogens flammable unknown toxicity

Immediately call EH&S (2-3876) if a hazardous chemical spill occurs! Emergency Evacuation In the event of a fire, severe weather emergency, or laboratory evacuation, employees should:

stabilize reactions in progress close fume hood sashes notify EH&S (2-3876) if any unusual hazards exist Fire Safety

Know where all fire extinguishers are located in your lab, but

CALL 9-911 FIRST IF A FIRE ACTUALLY OCCURS!!! ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH IT YOURSELF ONLY IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER PPE : Personal Protective Equipment

Do you know what PPE is appropriate for the work you are doing? What PPE is necessary? The possible hazards involved with a chemical or biological agent should be taken into account before selecting all appropriate PPE. MSDSs are excellent resources for information regarding the PPE required.

Gloves e.g., latex, nitrile, butyl, natural rubber Eye/Face Protection - glasses, goggles, faceshields Body - Labcoats, aprons, scrubs Safety shoes Respirators

Choosing Gloves

Select gloves appropriate for the task Check gloves for leaks Double glove if necessary Be alert to unusual sensations in your hands Do not touch your face, telephone, etc with contaminated gloves Use clean hand / dirty hand technique Gloves should never be worn outside of the laboratory Discard disposable gloves immediately when finished, clean permanent gloves Safety Glasses

Eye protection must be worn in any area where there is the potential for eye injury OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)

All eye protection used must be ANSI-approved (ANSI is an acronym which describes a national standard for many manufactured items) "Z87 is stamped on the sidebar of ANSIapproved eyewear. Usually, goggles available from any standard chemical supply company qualify. If your prescription glasses are not ANSI-approved, you must wear safety glasses, safety goggles or a full face shield over them.

Types of eye protection available include:

Safety glasses Splash goggles

Full face shields

Only splash goggles protect the eyes from liquid chemical splashes. Respirators When using respirators, you need to take the following precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does not present a hazard: Respirators will only be used when recommended by EH&S.

Read and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the limitations of the respirator Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing contaminants for which your respirator is not designed to prevent against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles will not protect you against gases or vapors Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly use someone elses respirator.

Respirator use requires a statement of medical qualification from a physician, as well as training and fit testing by EH&S. Biological Safety Cabinets Class I, II, IIa, IIb cabinets, when used in conjunction with good microbiological techniques, provide an effective containment system for moderate to high risk microorganisms. - OSHA

Class I protects the worker and environment Class II protects the worker, environment and research materials in the cabinet Class IIa exhausts air back into the room: do not use with volatile or toxic chemicals (e.g., Mercaptoethanol) Class IIb is hard ducted to the facility exhaust system

All fume hoods and biosafety cabinets must be inspected and certified yearly Fume Hoods

Keep sashes down to The Mark found on the sidewalls of each fume hood. This will ensure the maximum exhaust capability of the hood. DO NOT store chemicals, flammable liquids or equipment in hood for longer than a day. Fume hoods should be cleared at the end of the day to prevent safety hazards. Limit traffic behind you as you work in the fume hood. If a fume hood is used for perchloric acid, then no other chemicals can be used or stored within the fume hood except those used during perchloric acid digestions

Glassware and Sharps

Rinse all visible residues and chemicals from glassware before storing it. Broken glassware must be discarded IMMEDIATELY to prevent the risk of injuries. Decontaminate/chemically destroy any biologically active or

noxious materials before sending items to glassware disposal bin. ENSURE that no sharps are discarded in glassware bins. Sharps (e.g. syringes, razor blades, scalpels, air needles) belong in red labeled sharps disposal bins. Do not overload glassware bins or sharps bins. Toxicity

The dose determines the level of toxicity

Dose = Concentration X Exposure Time Acute vs. Chronic Example #1 Alcohol consumption Acute toxicity due to alcohol consumption would involve slamming 10 shots in 30 minutes. Symptoms would be immediate and pronounced, and include loss of consciousness, vomiting, central nervous system damage, heart failure, and possibly death. Chronic toxicity due to alcohol consumption would involve drinking eight beers a day, never more than one an hour, for several years. Symptoms would not be immediately recognizable, but after years of exposure liver failure, heart disease, or other chronic ailments will result. Local vs. Systemic Example #2 Phenol spill on exposed skin Local effects due to phenol toxicity would occur as phenol is spilled on exposed skin. Numbness would occur quickly following the exposure to the affected area, followed later by painful burning and whitening of the affected area. Systemic effects due to phenol poisoning would occur within hours and days after the same exposure mentioned in the example. This would include nausea, respiratory difficulties, and in cases of extreme exposure, convulsions and death. In this case, effects take place throught the body not just the area originally exposed to the spill.

Toxicity Definitions: PEL-Permissible Exposure Level

Levels established by OSHA for personnel exposure to air contaminants.

IDLH-Imminently Dangerous to Life and Health

NIOSH recommendation; refers to acute respiratory exposure that poses an immediate threat of loss of life or immediate or delayed irreversible effects on health Routes of Exposure to Toxic Substances

Possible routes of exposure to toxic substances include the following:

Inhalation Ingestion Absorption through skin or eyes Injection

See MSDS for information regarding which routes of exposure are possible. Classes of Toxic Chemicals Asphyxiant - prevents oxygen from reaching body tissue.

e.g., carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.

Allergen/Sensitizer - causes allergic reaction which can be lethal (anaphylaxsis)

e.g., Dicycloheylcarbodiimide, isocyanates, organophosphates, heavy metals

Carcinogen - known to, or suspected of, causing cancer

e.g, Benzene, transition metals

Teratogen - reproductive toxins which may do damage to the fetus

e.g., dioxins, di-n-butylsulfide

Mutagen - reproductive toxins which may damage or interfere with genetic material

e.g., Ethidium bromide, pyridine, acrolein

Working with Toxic Chemicals

Discuss hazards and concerns with your supervisor anytime, and especially before using the chemical the first time. Follow procedures outlined in the CHP. Follow departmental and laboratory procedures. Ensure that a designated area is defined and used, signs clearly mark the area, good ventilation exists, and all appropriate PPE is being used properly.

Working with Compounds of Unknown Toxicity These are chemicals for which there are no known statistically significant studies to establish their toxicity:

Use a designated work area, isolate items used there; or properly decontaminate the area when work is completed (if you are not using the designated area for toxic chemicals) Use local exhaust ventilation fume hoods Use appropriate PPE and wash hands often

Pregnancy If you are Pregnant, or believe you may soon become pregnant:

Women who are pregnant are encouraged to discuss work assignments with their physician and supervisor and to seek alternate work assignments if the colleague and/or physician believes the potential for exposure to teratogens exists. If alternative work assignments cannot be agreed upon, the worker and supervisor should contact EH&S

Mandatory Laboratory Safety Rules 1. Comply with emergency evacuation procedures. 2. Access to eyewashes, safety showers, and fire extinguishers must be kept clear. 3. Eating and drinking in the laboratories and animal rooms is strictly

forbidden at all times! 4. Eye protection must be worn at all times in laboratories where chemicals are used and where there is the potential for eye injury. 5. Neither open-toed shoes, sandals, nor shorts, are acceptable in laboratories or animal rooms! 6. Keep the Chemical Hygiene Plan, MSDSs, and emergency phone numbers in a highly visible location in the lab. 7. Immediately report any work related illness or injury to your supervisor and the safety coordinator. 8. Tasks that present unusual hazards must be reviewed with the appropriate supervisor before they are conducted. 9. Labels on containers must not be defaced, and all containers of chemicals must be labeled, listing the contents, hazards, name of owner, date received, and date opened. 10. Dispose of all expired chemicals per annual inventory of the lab. Contact EH&S for all waste chemical disposals at 2-3876. 11. When working with carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens, comply with all safety procedures. 12. Pipetting by mouth is strictly forbidden! 13. Gas cylinders must be firmly secured with restraints whether in use or stored. Regulators must be removed and caps used when moving cylinders. 14. Do not modify electrical equipment yourself! The electrical shop will modify or fix electrical equipment for you SAFELY. 15. Emergency phone numbers should be posted within laboratory and on the outside of the laboratory door (i.e. 9-911, EH&S number (2-3876), Poison Control Center, Principal Investigator's office and home phone numbers, and other employee's or student's home phone numbers)

Go Home to Your Spouse and 1.5 Kids Before you leave your workplace each day, check the work areas to ensure that:

Overnight operations are properly set-up and waterlines are adequately clamped Heat sources are turned off Hoods sashes are closed Chemicals and biological agents are stored properly in appropriate storage cabinets;

e.g., flammables in flammable chemical storage cabinets, acids in corrosives cabinets, etc.

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT!

The smartest people can do the dumbest things if they aren't THINKING about what they're doing. Enjoy your work, have fun, and BE SAFE! THANK YOU!