**Environmental Management Work Instruction**

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<td colspan="8" rowspan="2">Document Name/ID: Labs General Procedures
(EM.WS.6002)</td>
<td colspan="4">Date: 09/22/05</td>
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<td colspan="4">Approved by: EMS TEAM</td>
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<td colspan="12"><strong>THROUGH OUR COMMITMENT TO COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE
AND POLLUTION PREVENTION WE WILL:</strong></td>
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<tr class="even">
<td colspan="12"><p><strong>Comply with all applicable laws, regulations
and executive orders;</strong></p>
<p><strong>Safeguard the community and the natural environment;
and</strong></p>
<p><strong>Maintain a safe and healthful workplace.</strong></p></td>
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<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="12"><strong>NCCOS</strong></td>
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<tr class="even">
<td>Administration</td>
<td colspan="3"><p>Facilities</p>
<p>X</p></td>
<td><p>Science</p>
<p>X</p></td>
<td>IT</td>
<td colspan="2">Vehicles</td>
<td colspan="2">Vessels</td>
<td colspan="2"><p>Other</p>
<p>X All contractors</p></td>
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<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="12"><strong>PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT</strong></td>
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<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"><p>Eye Protection</p>
<p>X</p></td>
<td><p>Gloves</p>
<p>X</p></td>
<td colspan="2">Hearing Protection</td>
<td colspan="2">Face Mask</td>
<td colspan="2">Safety Shoes</td>
<td colspan="2">Hard Hat</td>
<td>Other</td>
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<td colspan="12">Operating Requirements:</td>
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<td colspan="12"><strong>WORK INSTRUCTIONS</strong></td>
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**NCCOS facilities conduct a diverse range of scientific activities
including but not limited to: ecology, histology, toxicology,
biochemistry, necropsy, genetic manipulations, etc.**

**Environmental and Safety requirements (where applicable) in support of
the scientific activities are documented in the various NCCOS facilities
via\*:**

-   Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) for local protocols, processes and
    procedures

-   Hazardous Communication Plan (HAZCOM)

-   Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs/SOPs)

-   Specific Facility Action Plans (e.g. SPCC, Evacuation Plan, etc.)

-   Vessel Operation Manuals

-   Biohazard, Necropsy and Radioactive Plans

**\* It should be noted that due to the variety of mission activities,
not all of the above are conducted within any one NCCOS facility.**

**Number range CHAPTERContaminated Sharps (where applicable):**

-   Discarded medical/scientific articles contaminated with blood or
    infectious materials that may cause punctures or cuts, including but
    not limited to all used and discarded hypodermic needles and
    syringes, Pasteur pipettes, broken medical glassware that is
    contaminated, scalpel blades, disposable razors, and suture needles.
    Sharps contaminated with human blood, human blood born pathogens,
    human body fluids, and human tissue are specifically addressed in
    OSHA\'s Blood borne Pathogen Final Standard\*.

> *\*Sharps (syringes used to bleed oysters and clams) used at the
> Cooperative Oxford Laboratory are not normally contaminated with these
> materials, but are regulated by Maryland State Law as medical sharps.*

**Storage**

-   Sharps shall not be stored or processed in a way that allows or
    requires employees to reach by hand into the containers where sharps
    have been placed.

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-   Individuals generating waste sharps will be personally responsible
    for properly disposing of all materials in designated containers.

-   Sharps (including syringes, scalpel blades, and needles) shall be
    segregated from other wastes and aggregated in leakproof, rigid,
    puncture-resistant, shatterproof containers immediately after use.

-   Sharps containers shall be easily accessible, located near the point
    of use, maintained upright throughout use, and replaced when full.

**Disposal**

-   When containers are full, contact the designated person to have them
    removed and properly stored for pickup and disposal by contractor.

-   When moving containers, they shall be closed with the top locked in
    place, and placed in a secondary container to prevent leakage, if
    necessary.

-   Sharps containers shall not be opened, emptied, cleaned or reused to
    prevent exposure of employees to percutaneous injury.

**Labeling**

-   Sharps containers shall be distinctively labeled to indicate that it
    contains sharp waste that can inflict punctures or cuts. The
    containers should be labeled with the word "Sharps" and have a Bio
    Hazard label.

**Chemicals lab scale (where applicable):**

-   Handle all lab chemicals in an environmentally sound manner

-   Chemicals handling, storing, waste and emergency procedures are
    addressed. See EM.WS. 2004, EM.WS. 2007, EM.WS. 3000, EM.WS 3001,
    EM.WS 3003, EM.WS 3006, EM.WS 3007, EM.WS. 3009, and EM.WS. 3010.

    **ATTACHMENTS AND REFERENCE DOCUMENTS**: CHP Plan and/or HAZCOM Plan
    and/or Local Spill Guidance Document (where applicable)

RECORDS: Spill/Lab Log

For environmental coordinator contact:

**NCCOS** - Silver Spring, MD; HQ, CCMA, CSCOR; Bernie Gottholm \#
301-713-3028 ext. 168

\- Beaufort, NC; Kasitsna Bay, AK; Sabrina Pittillo \# 252-728-8718

\- Charleston, SC - CCEHBR and HML; Rick Meitzler \# 843-762-8842/
Raluca Semeniuc \# 843-762-8870

\- Oxford, MD; Oxford Lab; Jay Lewis \# 410-226-5193

RESPONSIBLE FOR UPDATES: EMS TEAM