*Interim LBNL Health and Safety Policy*

*Effective Date: Nov. 30, 2008*

# Personal Protective Equipment and Food in Technical Areas

## Introduction

This interim policy clarifies PUB-3000 requirements for Technical Areas
and will expire when these clarifications have been otherwise reflected
in the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan and PUB-3000.

## Definitions and Acronyms

Area -- means an entity separately listed in the LBNL Space Database
maintained by Facilities Division and assigned to a Division for
programmatic use. Areas may be further described by their functional use
(e.g., laboratories, shops, offices, conference rooms).

Technical -- in this context, "technical" uses include
non-administrative activities that pose potential hazards. "Technical"
areas generally include laboratories, shops, workrooms, and similar
areas. Offices and conference rooms are generally not "technical" areas.

Area Safety Leader -- is the individual assigned by the Division
controlling the Technical Area to oversee coordination of safety issues
within the Area.

## Scope

This policy applies to all LBNL employees, casual and participating
visitors, guests, and subcontractors performing Work at Berkeley Lab.

## Policy

> **4.1: Area PPE Requirements**
>
> Area Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements must be
> established for all technical areas. The Area PPE requirements must be
> listed on the LBNL entrance placard which can be downloaded from the
> Laboratory's Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan
> (http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/chsp/html/training\_\_\_info.shtml#Posting).
> These Area PPE requirements are in effect for the entire technical
> area unless a "Reduced Protection Area" or "Food Area" is demarked
> within the technical area (see below).
>
> Minimum Area PPE requirements for specific Technical Areas are as
> follows:
>
> ***Laboratories*** where chemicals or biological materials are stored
> or handled: Safety protective eyewear (e.g., safety glasses with side
> shields) and closed toed shoes must be worn at all times. Additional
> personal protective equipment may be necessary when handling chemicals
> or biological materials (e.g., goggles, lab coat and chemically
> resistant protective gloves for handling hazardous chemicals). Consult
> the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan, the Job Hazards Analysis, and
> any formal authorizations for more details.
>
> ***Shops*** or other process areas where a potential eye hazard exists
> (e.g., machine shops, shops using hazardous chemicals): Safety
> protective eyewear (e.g., safety glasses with side shields) and closed
> toed shoes must be worn at all times. Additional personal protective
> equipment may be necessary when handling chemicals or biological
> materials (e.g., goggles, lab coat and chemically resistant protective
> gloves for handling hazardous chemicals). Consult the Chemical Hygiene
> and Safety Plan, the Job Hazards Analysis, and any formal
> authorizations for more details.
>
> Visitors and persons walking through a Technical Area but not
> performing work in that Area must wear the minimum Area PPE, but
> generally are not required to wear additional PPE assigned on the
> basis of performing operations. If the path of transit is entirely
> within Reduced Protection Area or Food Area (see below) then Area PPE
> is not required.
>
> To facilitate the use of safety glasses, a dispenser should be located
> at each entrance. Safety glasses dispensers are available from a
> number of sources (e.g., [McMaster-Carr
> 10845T23](http://www.mcmaster.com/), [Lab Safety Supply
> 151841](http://www.labsafety.com/search/glasses+dispenser/60399/)).
>
> **4.2 Reduced Protection Areas:** Computer work stations, desks, and
> corridors within a laboratory or work area where there is no
> significant potential for a chemical spill, splash, or contamination
> may be demarked as **Reduced Protection Areas**. PPE is not required
> in Reduced Protection Areas.
>
> The boundaries of the Reduced Protection Area must be clearly marked
> and labeled using the green floor tape shown. Information on obtaining
> this tape is available from the Industrial Hygiene Group (extension
> 7840). 
>
> ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="4.672916666666667in"
> height="1.3284722222222223in"}
>
> **4.3 Food Areas:** Reduced Protection Areas, in full or in part, may
> be further defined as **Food Areas** provided that:

-   There are no hazardous chemicals stored or used, or hazardous
    operations performed, in these areas, and

-   The potential for a splash, spill, or contamination is
    insignificant.

> Food and beverage may be opened and consumed in these areas. Food and
> beverages may be transported to Food Areas in closed containers, and
> food waste must be either contained within a garbage can located in
> the Food Area or else removed from the Technical Area completely.
>
> **Food Areas may NOT be established within any Technical Area where
> biological materials are used or stored,** regardless of whether a
> Reduced Protection Area exists or not.
>
> Food Areas must be clearly marked with both green and white diagonally
> striped floor tape ([McMaster-Carr
> 59975T51](http://www.mcmaster.com/); [RandMH
> C11571G](http://www.randmh.com/safety-floor-marking-tape-lb11572g/lane-marking-tapes/),
> [Seton
> 70224](http://www.seton.com/seton/refineresults/OSHA-Safety-Floor-Tape/false/stripe/0/10/70224/~0/0.400777.html),
> [IdentiTape vh2gw](http://www.identi-tape.com/stripes&checks.htm)) and
> the sign shown below[^1]:

![](media/image2.png){width="2.4916666666666667in"
height="1.3888888888888888in"}

Information on obtaining this tape is available from the Industrial
Hygiene Group (extension 7840). The sign is available from the
Laboratory's Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan
(<http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/chsp/html/work_practices.shtml#Food>).

## Responsible Parties

### Area Safety Leaders

Area Safety Leaders are responsible for:

-   Determining (through consultation with Supervisors and Work Leads
    having authorized operations) the Area PPE requirements for their
    assigned Technical Areas;

-   Assuring that entrances are posted with these minimum requirements;
    and

-   Delineating Reduced Protection Areas and Food Areas.

### Supervisors and Work Leads

Supervisors and Work Leads are responsible for:

-   Reviewing their operations within a Technical Area and determining
    process-dependant PPE requirements over and above the Area PPE
    requirements for that Area;

-   Delineating Reduced Protection Areas and Food Areas;

-   Re-evaluating PPE requirement whenever the work or the physical
    layout changes; and

-   Coordinating with the Area Safety Leader to assure that the hazards
    associated with their operations are reflected in the entrance
    placard.

### Workers

All Workers in technical areas, including but not limited to Area Safety
Leaders, Supervisors, and Work Leads, are responsible for:

-   Knowing the Personal Protective Equipment requirements for Technical
    Areas in which they work (including the locations and limitations of
    Reduced Protection Areas and Food Areas);

-   Complying with the applicable PPE requirements; and

-   Informing others in the area of these requirements.

Howard K. Hatayama, Director

EH&S Division 10/31/08

[^1]: If the entire Reduced Protection Area is a Food Area, use the Food
    Area green and white striped tape only.