safety protocols

Source excerpt

(2) - contain injury or illness to person or damage to property. (xiii) Establish procedures for transmitting and enforcing safe work practices in the workplace through training, positive reinforcement, such as a reward system, public recognition, etc., correction of unsafe performance, and, if necessary, reinforcement of work practices through a clearly defined and communicated disciplinary system. - (C) The program shall be made available to the employees or their collective bargaining agent or both, upon request. Safe work practices. - (A) The employer shall eliminate or control all existing and potential hazards within the workplace in a timely manner, using one or more of the following: - (i) Engineering and work practice controls designed to control employee exposures to safety and health hazards by modifying the source to reduce exposure. - (ii) Administrative controls designed to control employee exposure to safety and health hazards. - (iii) Requirements for the distribution and proper use of personal protective equipment. - (iv) A program of medical examinations or evaluations conducted by a qualified physician or health practitioner when required by a standard. - (B) The employer shall ensure that practices are understood by all employees and are underscored through training, positive reinforcement,

Source excerpt

## NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING CHEMICAL HYGIENE IN LABORATORIES It is recommended that each facility keep a detailed inventory of highly toxic chemicals and explosive/reactive materials. There should be a record of the date of receipt, amount, location, and responsible individual for all acquisitions, syntheses, and disposal of these chemicals. A physical inventory should be performed annually to verify active inventory records. There should be a procedure in place to report security breaches, inventory discrepancies, losses, diversions, or suspected thefts. Procedures for disposal of highly toxic materials should be established before any experiments begin, possibly even before the chemicals are ordered. The procedures should address methods for decontamination of any laboratory equipment that comes into contact with highly toxic chemicals. All waste should be accumulated in clearly labeled impervious containers that are stored in unbreakable secondary containment. Highly reactive and explosive materials that may be used in the laboratory require appropriate procedures and training. An explosion can occur when a material undergoes a rapid reaction that results in a violent release of energy. Such reactions can happen spontaneously and can produce pressures, gases, and fumes that are hazardous. Some reagents pose a risk on contact with the atmosphere. It is prudent laboratory practice to use a safer alternative whenever possible. If at all possible, substitutes for highly acute, chronic, explosive, or reactive chemicals should be considered prior to beginning work and used whenever possible. ## 4. Compressed Gas Compressed gases expose laboratory personnel to both chemical and physical hazards. It is essential that these are monitored for leaks and have the proper labeling. By monitoring compressed gas inventories and disposing of or returning gases for which there is no immediate need, the laboratory can substantially reduce these ris…

Source excerpt

## NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING CHEMICAL HYGIENE IN LABORATORIES - (2) Expand existing laboratory safety plans to ensure that all safety hazards, including physical hazards of chemicals, are addressed. - (3) Ensure that the organization's EHS office reports directly to an identified individual/office with organizational authority to implement safety improvements. - (4) Develop a verification program that ensures that the safety provisions of the CHP are communicated, followed, and enforced at all levels within the organization. - (5) Document and communicate all laboratory near-misses and previous incidents to track safety, provide opportunities for education and improvement to drive safety changes at the university. - (6) Manage the hazards unique to laboratory chemical research in the academic environment. Utilize available practice guidance that identifies and describes methodologies to assess and control hazards. - (7) Written safety protocols and training are necessary to manage laboratory risk. ## G. Emergency Planning In addition to laboratory safety issues, laboratory personnel should be familiar with established facility policies and procedures regarding emergency situations. Topics may include, but are not limited to: - (1) Evacuation procedures-when it is appropriate and alternate routes; - (2) Emergency shutdown procedures-equipment shutdown and materials that should be stored safely; - (3) Communications during an emergency-what to expect, how to report, where to call or look for information; - (4) How and when to use a fire extinguisher; - (5) Security issues-preventing tailgating and unauthorized access; - (6) Protocol for absences due to travel restrictions or illness; - (7) Safe practices for power outage; - (8) Shelter in place-when it is appropriate; - (9) Handling suspicious mail or phone calls; - (10) Laboratory-specific protocols relating to emergency planning and response;

Source excerpt

Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division - (C) A safe and healthful working environment as it applies to live fire training exercises. - (c) The employer must maintain all equipment in a safe condition. - (d) The employer must ensure that firefighters who participate in exempted firefighting activities listed under [redacted phone](2) are properly trained, protected, clothed, and equipped for the known hazards of that particular emergency operation. - (7) Employee's Responsibility. - (a) Each firefighter must comply with the requirements of [redacted phone] that are applicable to their own actions and conduct in the course of their employment. - (b) Firefighters must notify the appropriate employer or safety committee representative of unsafe practices, equipment, or workplace conditions. - (c) All firefighters, at regularly scheduled times, must attend required training and orientation programs designed to increase their competency in occupational safety and health. - (d) Firefighters and other employees must apply the principles of accident prevention in their work. They must use all required safety devices and protective equipment. - (e) Each firefighter must take proper care of their protective equipment. - (f) Firefighters who are expected to perform firefighting operations must notify their employer when health conditions arise that will limit their capability of performing those duties. - (8) Safety Committee. - (a) Fire departments must have a separate safety committee or hold safety meetings according to the requirements of Division 1, [redacted phone], Safety Committees and Safety Meetings. - (b) When applicable, the representation on the safety committee must include both career and volunteer firefighters. - (9) Incident Management. - (a) The employer must develop and implement written procedures for incident management that meets the requirement of NFPA 1561 (2008): Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System. L

Source excerpt

the safety and health program without fear of reprisal and provide a mechanism to ensure timely and appropriate responses to correct these conditions. - (ix) Provide a mechanism to investigate accidents and "near miss" incidents, so that the root cause and means for preventing a recurrence are identified. For the purposes of this chapter, the term "accident" means any unexpected happening that interrupts the work sequence or process and that may result in injury, illness, or property damage. - (x) Provide a means to review injury and illness trends over time, so that patterns with common causes can be identified and eliminated. - (xi) Establish a mechanism for the employer to conduct ongoing, periodic in-house safety and health inspections so that new or previously missed hazards or failures in controls are identified. Inspections shall be conducted with a frequency necessary to be effective but in no event with less frequency than that established in section [redacted postal code]-3. - (xii) Address the impact of emergency situations and develop written plans and procedures to insure employee safety during emergencies. For the purpose of this standard, the term "emergency situation" means an unforeseen single event or combination of events that calls for immediate action to prevent, control, or