Laboratory Health and Safety Laboratory Hazard Assessment, Controls and Standard Operating Procedures Table of Contents I. Introduction…………………………………………………………..….………... 2 II. Purpose………………………….…………………………………..………….… 2 III. Scope…………....………………………………………………….…………….. 2 IV Abbreviations…….…………………………………..……………………….….. 2 V. Definitions……………………………………………………………………….… 3 VI. Responsibilities…………………….……………………………………..……… 6 VII. Hazard Assessment Procedures..……………………………………….…..… 8 VIII. Standard Operating Procedure Development………………………...……… 8 Appendices Appendix A: Comprehensive Hazard Assessment Form……………………………. 11 Appendix B: Standard operating procedure format and required components…… 15 Appendix C: Table of contents of Examples of Standard Operating Procedures… 18 Example of Individual Chemical……………………………………………….. 19 Example of Group of Chemicals…………………………………………….…. 22 Example of Hazardous Equipment………………………….……………….… 23 Introduction University of Wyoming laboratories are sites of essential academic learning and valuable scientific and engineering research. Laboratories also present a variety of health and safety hazards. This document has been designed to provide an efficient method of analyzing possible
and Personal Protective Equipment (column 4) and then complete the Specific Engineering Controls and PPE (column 5) that you intend to use to reduce or eliminate the hazard. Check if Present Exposure Condition Hazard Description Examples of Engineering Controls and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Specific Engineering Controls and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Biological Hazards Animals Splash, bites, exposure to animal body fluids; injuries due to animal size, caging; allergies, and disease transmission Requires approval by IACUC Carcinogens Cancer Posted work areas, glove box, fume hood, special handling, and gloves Human Blood or other potentially infectious materials Disease transmission May require IRB approval; Blood-borne Pathogen training, and Universal Precautions Infectious Pathogens Disease transmission Good microbiological methods, engineering controls, gloves Nano-particles Unknown health hazards due to small size Containment, respirators Recombinant DNA Depends on nature of DNA segments, host vector systems. Introduction of foreign genetic materials into personnel or environment Requires IBC Approval; Good microbiological methods, engineering controls, gloves Select agents and toxins Infectious agents and toxins with potential to pose a severe threat to human health. Contact RMSO 766-3277; Requires special permission. See www.selectagents.gov Chemical Hazards Chemicals, low hazard with low splash probability Skin and eye irritation Safety glasses, chemical resistant gloves, lab coat, closed shoe of good structure, long pants; Be aware of the nearest eyewash and shower Compressed gases Aphyxiation, accidental tip over, content release,and pinch points Gas cylinders must be secured to stationary objects in a safe location away from danger or impact; Safety glasses and gloves
Controlled Substances Drugs and certain other chemicals (narcotic and non-narcotic) Proper training, handling & dispensing procedures, recordkeeping, safety glasses; Under the jurisdiction of federal and state laws Corrosive liquids w/reasonable probability of splash Skin and eye damage Chemical splash goggles or face shield, neoprene gloves, lab coat, closed shoes, chemical resistant apron Cryogenic liquids, ultra-cold freezers, dry ice Aphyxiation, skin, eye and tissue damage, frostbite Ventilation, safety glasses, goggles or face shields for splash hazards, insulated gloves, closed shoes Organic solvents Skin/eye damage, absorption through skin, organ damage Chemical splash goggles or face shield, heavy resistant gloves, lab coat, closed shoes, chemical resistant apron, eyewash and shower Volatile hazardous or highly hazardous chemicals Inhalation of toxic vapors, skin contact Fume hood, glove box, safety glasses, and gloves Regulated Wastes Exposure,environmental release Safety glasses, gloves, proper storage and disposal procedures; Training and safe handling procedures Special cleaning agents Exposure, allergies Material Safety Data Sheets, hazard communication training, proper procedures, gloves, safety glasses Toxic Substances Poisons, neurotoxins, teratogens, mutagens, carcinogens, and subsequent environmental impact. Proper training, procedures, storage, and disposal Washing glassware Skin lacerations from broken glass Safety glasses, rubber gloves, lab coat. Radiological Hazards
Ionizing Radiation Cancer, teratogenic Time,distance, shielding; Permit and controls approved by Radiation Safety Committee Non-Ionizing Radiation Eye or skin damage, burns, heat, cancer. Training, curtains (welding), signage, interlocks, beam blocks, safety eyewear Physical Hazards Compression (pressure) Injury from sudden release of energy from valves, compression chambers Energy control, safety classes, shields, body position Confined Spaces Exposure, falls, dangerous atmospheres, asphyxiation, noise, vibration Buddy system, lanyards, ventilation, monitoring Elevated heights Fall injury Lanyards, anchors Energized Equipment Pinch, crush, caught, pulled in, electrocution Energy control, signage, guards, no jewelry, tie back long hair Extreme Environmental Conditions Hypothermia (cold), frostbite (cold), heat exhaustion (heat) or heat stroke. Training, physiological monitoring. Rest cycles and fluid replacement Impact Injury to head or body Hard hat, impact resistant toed shoes, body position Manipulation of large objects Injury, death Training, proper lifting equipment, procedures, inspections, buddy system Material Handling Physical injury, strains, sprains Training, buddy system, gloves, standard operating procedures Noise Deafness, hearing damage, inability to communicate Noise monitoring, hearing protection, training, and engineering controls (e.g., enclosures, baffles, mufflers) Penetration Injection, wounds Training, padding of surfaces, signage, and body position Respirable Dust Lung damage Local exhaust ventilation. monitoring, respirator