laboratory safety charles mulcahy health, safety and risk manager faculty of medicine (room 1411)...

LABORATORY SAFETY

Charles MulcahyHealth, Safety and Risk ManagerFaculty of Medicine (Room 1411)

cmulcahy@uottawa.ca http://www.medicine.uottawa.ca/ehss-spe/eng/

Course Outline

• Responsibilities

• Pre-Planning

• Assessing Hazards and Risks

• Working with Hazardous Materials

• Laboratory Equipment

• Emergency Procedures

Why Lab Safety?

• Legal Reasons• Moral Reasons

• Legal Reasons• Moral Reasons

The person best prepared to choosewill know the likely outcome.The person best prepared to choosewill know the likely outcome.

ChoicesChoices

Ask Questions/Read procedures

• Why???

• National Workers’ Compensation statistics, from 2010:– 249,947 lost-time injuries1

– 1,014 work related fatalities2

– Nearly 3 work related deaths per day1 http://awcbc.org/common/assets/nwisptables/lti_summary_jurisdiction.pdf

2 http://awcbc.org/common/assets/nwisptables/fat_summary_jurisdiction.pdf

• Ontario– 80 863 lost-time injuries– 384 work related fatalities– 100 traumatic fatalities (WSIB Road to Zero)

– >1 work related death per day– Total financial impact to the Canadian economy >$9 billion

Research employee injuries, 1993 - 1997*

The most common serious injuries: cuts due to careless use of razor blades.

. Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Office of Laboratory Safety. All reported injuries are shown, without regard to severity

RGN accidents/incidents 2008

Involving Animals, 1, 2%

Needle Stick, 5, 9%

Odour, 0, 0%

Puncture Injuries, 1, 2%

Slips / Falls, 10, 18%

Injury (human error, by another individual), 18, 32%

Fires / Fire Alarms, 3, 5%

Eye Injury / Exposure, 2, 4%

Electrical, 0, 0%

Cuts / Lacerations, 8, 15%

Concern / Complaint, 3, 5%

Chemical Spills, 2, 4%

Chemical Exposure / Contact, 2, 4%Burns, 0, 0%

Burns

Chemical Exposure / Contact

Chemical Spills

Concern / Complaint

Cuts / Lacerations

Electrical

Eye Injury / Exposure

Fires / Fire Alarms

Injury (human error, by anotherindividual)Involving Animals

Needle Stick

Odour

Puncture Injuries

Slips / Falls

The University Safety Policies

The University of Ottawa recognizes its legal and moral responsibilities in health and safety for the University community by ensuring sound and safe conditions in all its activities.

The University of Ottawa recognizes its legal and moral responsibilities in health and safety for the University community by ensuring sound and safe conditions in all its activities.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY Policy 77

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY Policy 77

http://www.uottawa.ca/sec-univ/pol.htmhttp://www.uottawa.ca/sec-univ/pol.htm

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that the University fulfils its legal obligations for the protection of the environment, through the appropriate assignment of responsibilities throughout the University, and establishment of directives, procedures and standards.

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that the University fulfils its legal obligations for the protection of the environment, through the appropriate assignment of responsibilities throughout the University, and establishment of directives, procedures and standards.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Policy 91ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Policy 91

Responsibility and Accountability

PresidentPresident

Senior ManagersDeans and ChairsSenior ManagersDeans and Chairs

SupervisorsPrincipal Investigators

SupervisorsPrincipal Investigators

Laboratory WorkersSupport Staff, Graduate Students,

Undergraduate Students

Laboratory WorkersSupport Staff, Graduate Students,

Undergraduate Students

Occupational Health & Safety Committees

• U of O has a University Committee with 3 sectoral committees (Smyth Rd Committee)

• Performs safety inspections• Reviews accident & incident reports and follows

up on any corrective actions as needed• Works with supervisors and employees to

promote safety & health issues• Reviews safety program

Pre-Planning Experiments

• Identify ALL hazards

• Ensure all safety equipment available, and maintained

• Follow preplanned work procedures

• No substitution without thorough review (Supervisor)

• Develop an Attitude of Safety Awareness

Four question to answer

• What are the hazards?• What are the worst things that could

happen?• What do I need to do to be prepared?• What are the prudent practices, protective

facilities/equipment, and personal protective equipment needed to minimize the risk?

Before any work, you must know

• Properties of materials & agents and their prescribed safety procedures

• Be familiar with operating procedures for ALL equipment used

• Emergency spill procedures, use of adsorbents and disinfectants

• Designated escape routes (know alternate)• Location of fire ext., eye wash, shower, first aid,

and spill kits

Assessing Hazards and Risks

• Risk due to hazardous materials

• Physical Hazards

– electrical

– mechanical

– temperature

– electromagnetic fields

• Biohazards

• Hazards from Radioactivity

Risks due to Hazardous Materials

• Compressed Gases

• Flammable and Combustible

• Oxidizers

• Toxic

• Corrosive

• Reactive

General Rules for Handling Hazardous Materials

• All Containers, pipes, process vessels and storage areas must be labeled

• All labels must identify the product and hazards associated with its use

• Read the label at least three times before using the products– when removing from

storage– before opening the

container

– before actual usage

• Inventory:– Date containers when

opening for the first time– Maintain up to date

inventory *– Regularly dispose of

surplus materials– Keep on hand only those

products that you have room to store properly

• Stick to the procedures• Keep your workplace

neat and organized• Develop an attitude of

safety awareness

Chemical inventory system enables quick access to any MSDS as well as other safety and regulatory information for the products held in your inventory. Click on the Select field beside your chosen product and then click Chemwatch MSDS

Labels…..

• Labels contain:

• pictograms• identify

hazards • clear risk

phrases

Rules for HandlingCompressed Gases

• Gas cylinders must be properly secured

• When no longer in use or during transport - shut valves, relieve gas in regulator, remove regulator and cap

• Gas cylinders must be labeled like all other containers

• Corroded lecture bottles or cylinders should not be stored or used

• Check hoses, tubing and regulators daily

• Empty cylinders should be returned to central storage as soon as possible

• Empty gas cylinders are marked “EMPTY”

Rules for HandlingCompressed Gases

Compression!

Cylinders

Cylinders: not a myth!

Four questions to answer

• What are the hazards?• What are the worst things that could

happen?• What do I need to do to be prepared?• What are the prudent practices, protective

facilities/equipment, and personal protective equipment needed to minimize the risk?

Flammable Materials

LEDROITDecember 22, 1997

Vapors travel!

Fire at D’Iorio , October 2008

Rules for HandlingFlammable Materials

Storage of flammables• Use approved flammable

storage cabinets• Maximum 20 Litres per storage

container• Maximum 4 Litres per storage

container for class 1A liquids• Do not store flammables with

oxidizers• Store flammable liquids only in

approved refrigerators.• Ensure all containers labelled,

including waste containers

Testing flammable cabinets

Testing flammable cabinets

Testing flammable cabinets

And if not stored properly…..

On August 16, 1992, I used acetone, a highly flammable liquid that was sold to me to remove adhesive from a bedroom floor left behind after taking up a foam-backed carpet. To my surprise and horror, flame came bursting into the room from the hallway. I later found out that a pilot light from a water heater down the hall and in a closet had ignited the acetone fumes which had been too heavy to dissipate despite my having opened the door and windows. I jumped through a screened window and landed in the grass of the yard, burned full thickness on my arms and legs, and partial thickness on my face.The total skin area burned was 63%. (view pictures) I spent seven weeks in the Burn Unit at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, then several months recuperating. Six months after going home, tremendous ropes of scars appeared on my face.

                                                            My beard tried to grow through them, and the area became infected often. This led to several plastic surgeries.There is life after the burn. After many surgeries, unimaginable pain, divorce, and lots of time I am definitely alive and happy. There is life after the burn.

Precautionary Measures• Use flammable and combustible liquids in a fume hood

• Ensure that all sparking equipment, e.g., switches, relays, thermostat, variacs are removed from the fume hood

• Ensure pressure release valve open when heating flasks of flammable liquid

• Do not heat flammable liquids with paint stripper guns

• Add boiling chips to boiling liquids to prevent bumping

• Minimize volumes to be heated where possible

Rules for HandlingFlammable Materials

Four questions to answer

• What are the hazards?• What are the worst things that could

happen?• What do I need to do to be prepared?• What are the prudent practices, protective

facilities/equipment, and personal protective equipment needed to minimize the risk?

Rules for HandlingCorrosive Materials

Storage• Store in corrosive storage cabinets

• Store corrosives on lower shelves

• Do not store acids and bases together

• Do not store concentrated acids or bases under sinks

• Hydrofluoric acid must be stored in plastic containers

• Ensure all containers labelled

Storage• Store in corrosive storage cabinets

• Store corrosives on lower shelves

• Do not store acids and bases together

• Do not store concentrated acids or bases under sinks

• Hydrofluoric acid must be stored in plastic containers

• Ensure all containers labelled

Rules for HandlingCorrosive Materials

Precautionary Measures• Use proper eye, hand and

body protection

• Prevent exposure to corrosive fumes and vapours

• Always add acid to water, never reverse

• Pour Chemicals properly

Precautionary Measures• Use proper eye, hand and

body protection

• Prevent exposure to corrosive fumes and vapours

• Always add acid to water, never reverse

• Pour Chemicals properly

Rules for HandlingToxic Materials

• Minimize exposures with engineering controls and administrative techniques

• Install and maintain automatic monitors and alarms

• Use proper eye, face, hand and body protection

• Be aware of emergency procedures

• Practice good personal hygiene

• Inform your supervisor of medications you are taking if working in a hazardous area

• Decontaminate your work space daily

Mercury: designated substance, fairly easily replaced!

Reproductive hazards

• Toxic effects on both female and male reproduction

• Advise supervisor or H&S professional if pregnant (many effects during 1st trimester)

• Resources:

– http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/99-104.html

– http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/malrepro.html– http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/

career_development/previous_issues/ look for April 7, 2006

Rules for Handling Reactive Materials

• Buy only as much as you need• Label and date as soon as received• Date when first opened • Do not open a bottle past it’s expiration date• Do not open a peroxide former if crystals or

precipitates are present• Store peroxide forming materials away from heat and

light• Examples of materials which form peroxides after prolonged

exposure to air or light: ethers, THF, cyclohexene, p-dioxane, cyclooctene

Reactive Materials

• Monitor containers for signs of instability, e.g., changes in colour, crystal formation, drying out

• Store perchloric acid bottles in glass or ceramic trays

• Store water reactives away from sources of water

• Do not handle bottles of reactive chemicals with crystal formation around the cap

• Contact EHSS for disposal of reactive chemical wastes

• Plan experiments carefully• Ensure proper safety equipment

available

Incompatible Chemicals

• Mixing can result in hazardous reactions, fires, production of toxic fumes

• Level of incompatibility may depend on quantity used, temperature, pressure

• Store incompatible chemicals separately

• Organize experiments, reactions, to avoid mixing, unless under controlled conditions

• Review literature and MSDS prior to experiment

• Do not dispose of incompatible wastes in the same container

Incompatible Chemicals

Suggested Shelf Storage PatternSulphur, Phosphorous, Arsenic, phosphorous Pentoxide

Arsenates, Cyanides, Cyanates

(store away of any water)

Halides, Sulfates, Sulfites, Thiosulfates, Phosphates, Halogens, Acetates

Sulfides, Selenides, Phosphides, Carbides, Nitrides

Amides, Nitrates (Store Ammonium Nitrate separately), Nitrites, Azides

Borates, Chromates, Manganates, Permanganates

Metals and Hydrides

(store away from any water)

(Store flammable solids in flammable cabinets)

Chlorates, Bromates, Iodates, Chlorites, Hypochlorites, Perchlorates, Perchloric Acid, Peroxides, Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrides, oxides, silicates, Carbonates, Carbon

Miscellaneous

http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/chemicalSafety/L1070-1074_HS_ChemInvenStor.pdfhttp://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/chemicalSafety/L1070-1074_HS_ChemInvenStor.pdf

Suggested Shelf Storage Pattern

Alcohols, Glycols, Sugars, Amines, Amides, Imines, Imides(store Flammables in a dedicated cabinet)

Phenols, Cresols

Hydrocarbons, Oils, Esters, Aldehydes, (store Flammables in a dedicated cabinet)

Peroxides, Azides, Hydroperoxides

Ethers, Ketones, Ketenes, Halogenated Hydrocarbons, Ethylene Oxide(store Flammables in a dedicated cabinet)

Acids, Amino Acids, Anhydrides, Peracids (store certain organic acids in acid cabinets)

Epoxy compounds, Isocyanates Dyes, Stains, Indicators (store alcohol based solutions in Flammable cabinets)

Sulfides, Polysulfides Miscellaneous

http://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/chemicalSafety/L1070-1074_HS_ChemInvenStor.pdfhttp://www.flinnsci.com/Sections/Safety/chemicalSafety/L1070-1074_HS_ChemInvenStor.pdf

Cryogenic Fluids

• Cryogenic liquids are materials with boiling points of less than -73°C (-100°F), e.g., liquid nitrogen, helium and argon, and slush mixtures of dry ice with isopropanol

• Very small amounts of liquids produce large volumes of gas

• Rapid evaporation can lower available oxygen in the immediate area, creating an oxygen deficient atmosphere, e.g., elevators

• Cryogenic liquids cause cold burns and frostbite

• Solid oxygen crystals can form in liquid nitrogen traps attached to vacuum lines

Cryogenic Liquids - Precautions

• Wear insulated gloves when handling cryogenic liquids

• Wear safety glasses / face shields when handling and transferring cryogenic liquids

• Fill containers to indicated maximum level

• Perform operations (pouring) slowly

• Wear insulated gloves when handling cryogenic liquids

• Wear safety glasses / face shields when handling and transferring cryogenic liquids

• Fill containers to indicated maximum level

• Perform operations (pouring) slowly

Let’s take 5…

Safety Rap Song

• http://www.educationalrap.com/67/lab-safety.html

Electrical Hazards

No in-house modificationsNo in-house modifications

Electrical Hazards: Symbols

Mechanical Hazards

Mechanical hazards such as Mechanical hazards such as this open drive belt must be this open drive belt must be guardedguarded

No loose clothingNo loose clothing Tripping and slipping Tripping and slipping

Officials at universities said they were questioning their machine shop safety policies the day after a Yale University senior was killed when her hair became tangled in a piece of machinery, asphyxiating her.

Michele Dufault '11, an astronomy and physics major from Massachusetts, died last night in an accident in Sterling Chemistry Laboratory, University President Richard Levin confirmed in a campuswide e-mail at 5:30

p.m. Wednesday. An autopsy conducted at the Connecticut Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Farmington Wednesday afternoon determined that Dufault died from an accidental "asphyxia due to neck compression," OCME Investigator Kathy Wilson said.

Vacuum Lines

• Wear safety glasses when using vacuum systems

• Inspect glass for cracks• Wrap glass (flasks) under vacuum with tape

or vacuum hose• Wrap dewar flasks with tape• Use traps between vacuum sources and

vessels under reduced pressure• Install automatic shut-off for mercury diffusion

pumps

Vacuum Pumps

• Vacuum pumps should be placed on a tray to catch oil that inevitably leaks from these units.

• Vacuum equipment should be trapped or filtered as appropriate.

High Pressure Systems

• Wear safety glasses and protective gloves when using high pressure apparatus

• Check systems for leaks and possible defects• Place protective shield between you and the

apparatus• Use fume hoods designed with explosion proof sashes

where possible• Do not work alone using high pressure apparatus• Do not leave high pressure reactions unattended for

extended periods• Be aware of emergency procedures

Centrifuges

• All centrifuges must have interlocking devices to prevent opening during operation

• Clean up spills immediately

• Ensure load is balanced

• Log all usage

Accident at Carleton University, 1999

Minor injuries only

Centrifuge Accident at Cornell University, 1998

Safe Use of Autoclaves

• Learn how to use!• Identify (who and what)• Proper autoclave bags• Proper loading (trays)• Removing waste• Not everything is autoclavable:

• Phenol, javex, corrosives, flammables, melting plastics

• http://www.uottawa.ca/services/ehss/autoclaves.htm

• Training session required!

Glassware

• Inspect glassware for cracks, stars, or stress lines before use

• Repair or discard defective glassware• Wear eye protection when working with glass

apparatus• Wear safety gloves when inserting glass into

rubber or plastic tubing• Do not wash broken glassware with other

glassware• Do not mix glassware or broken glass with regular

garbage. Dispose in cardboard boxes or designated containers for recycling

Control Measures

• Eye protection• Gloves• Lab coats• Footwear• Fume hoods• Emergency showers• Eyewashes• Fire extinguishers

• Eye protection• Gloves• Lab coats• Footwear• Fume hoods• Emergency showers• Eyewashes• Fire extinguishers

Working Alone / After Hours

• Never work alone in high risk area– Use buddy system– Phone/advise Protection Services– Have someone contact you…– personal panic alarm (ACVSbarrier, CL3)– Note: access after hours will NOT be granted

if staff students do not have ID, access cards, door codes.

Eye Protection

• Use appropriate safety glasses• “Avoid use of contact lenses”?• Goggles for liquids• Safety glasses for explosion

risks

• Wear at all times in labs• 13% of ALL accidents (RGN) in 2005• UofO Procedure on Safety

Eyewear now on our website

Why wear eye protection?

Which type/which hazard

Which type/which hazard

Gloves

• Minimizes contact with hazardous agent

• Use appropriate gloves

• PVC, latex, rubber, nitrile, polypropylene

• Check resistance chart

• Do not wear gloves in halls or elevators

http://www.science.uottawa.ca/HS/glove_main.htm

Lab Coats

• Protects clothing• Protects body• Should have snaps• Non-flammable fabric• Do not wash with

regular clothing

• Protects clothing• Protects body• Should have snaps• Non-flammable fabric• Do not wash with

regular clothing

Footwear

• Closed-toed, closed heel shoes must be worn in labs

• Running shoes ideal!• Crocs aren’t!

• Sandals are never to be worn in labs

• Shoes must cover the foot• “Ballet slippers” leave too much foot

exposed

• Steel toed boots/shoes must be worn in mechanical areas, or if using a lifting device

• Closed-toed, closed heel shoes must be worn in labs

• Running shoes ideal!• Crocs aren’t!

• Sandals are never to be worn in labs

• Shoes must cover the foot• “Ballet slippers” leave too much foot

exposed

• Steel toed boots/shoes must be worn in mechanical areas, or if using a lifting device

Footwear

• Closed-toed, closed heel shoes must be worn in labs

• Running shoes ideal!• Crocs aren’t!

• Sandals are never to be worn in labs

• Shoes must cover the foot• “Ballet slippers” leave too much foot

exposed

• Steel toed boots/shoes must be worn in mechanical areas, or if using a lifting device

• Closed-toed, closed heel shoes must be worn in labs

• Running shoes ideal!• Crocs aren’t!

• Sandals are never to be worn in labs

• Shoes must cover the foot• “Ballet slippers” leave too much foot

exposed

• Steel toed boots/shoes must be worn in mechanical areas, or if using a lifting device

Fume Hoods

• Chemical hoods

• Biosafety hoods

• Radioisotope hoods

• Exhaust canopies

• Recirculating hoods

• Perchloric acid hoods

• Hydrofluoric acid hoods

• Chemical hoods

• Biosafety hoods

• Radioisotope hoods

• Exhaust canopies

• Recirculating hoods

• Perchloric acid hoods

• Hydrofluoric acid hoods

Fume Hood Design

• Sash• Bypass Grills• Face Velocity• Baffle• Exhaust duct• Face opening• HEPA filter• Carbon filter

• Sash• Bypass Grills• Face Velocity• Baffle• Exhaust duct• Face opening• HEPA filter• Carbon filter

Fume Hood Safety

• Never put your head into a fume hood• Minimize storage of chemicals or equipment in a fume

hood• Work with sash at indicated operating level• Set up apparatus or sources of emission at least six

inches behind the plane of fume hood• Raise large pieces of equipment at least one inch above

the floor of the fume hood• Do not obstruct back slots• Keep sash closed when not working in fume hood• Avoid cross drafts when working in a fume hood

Fume Hood Performance

Emergency Showers/ Eyewashes

Emergency Showers/ Eyewashes

• Using:

• Know location of emergency showers and eyewash stations– Faculty of Medicine and Science

has on all floors

• Become familiar with operation

• Wash for minimum of 15 minutes with running water– First 2-3 minutes cold, then

privacy showers

• Remove all contaminated clothing

• Requires medical assistance

• Report incident

• Maintaining:• Eyewash must be verified

monthly (weekly if warm water)– Spray pattern

– Flow

– Sign off or fix!

• Showers verified twice annually by PRS

• All showers alarmed

Fire Extinguishers

• Attend faculty training

• Extinguish fire only if feel comfortable

• ABC for regular fires

• D for metal induced fires

• Pull fire alarm

• Attend faculty training

• Extinguish fire only if feel comfortable

• ABC for regular fires

• D for metal induced fires

• Pull fire alarm

Emergency Procedures

• Fires• Explosions• Spills• Emissions• First aid• Injuries

• Fires• Explosions• Spills• Emissions• First aid• Injuries

• Accidents• Incident/accident report

form• Property damage• 5411• Emergency plan

– http://www.emergencypreparedness.uottawa.ca

• Accidents• Incident/accident report

form• Property damage• 5411• Emergency plan

– http://www.emergencypreparedness.uottawa.ca

Emergency Procedures

• Contact Protection Services for emergencies at extension 5411

• If safe to clean spill by yourself, proceed

• After incident or accident, complete incident/ accident form

• Investigation by EHSS, Human Resources and Occupational Health and Safety Committee

Waste Disposal

• Regulated by Ontario

• University procedures

• Faculty guidelines

• Sewer restrictions

• Air restrictions

• Chemical waste

• Regulated by Ontario

• University procedures

• Faculty guidelines

• Sewer restrictions

• Air restrictions

• Chemical waste

• Biomedical waste

• Sharps waste

• Battery waste

• Oil waste

• Scintillation wastes

• Photographic waste

• Regular garbage

• Biomedical waste

• Sharps waste

• Battery waste

• Oil waste

• Scintillation wastes

• Photographic waste

• Regular garbage

Waste Disposal

• Label all wastes• University

Hazardous Waste label

• Sharps containers• Solvent waste

containers• Broken glass in

boxes• Batteries recycling

Waste Disposal - General Guidelines

• Use approved containers for disposal, (see EHSO)

• Label all hazardous waste containers with University hazardous waste label

• Do not mix incompatible wastes• Do not overfill waste containers• Contact EHSO or ORM for disposal of

unstable reactive chemicals, e.g., dry picric acid (5411 if urgent)

• Contact faculty representatives for disposal

Waste incidents

Before Leaving the Lab

• Check Overnight operations Supplies are sufficient Waterlines are adequately clamped Description of the process posted Emergency contacts posted

• Check Overnight operations Supplies are sufficient Waterlines are adequately clamped Description of the process posted Emergency contacts posted

Overnight incident

• Thermometer melted from heat

• Mercury vaporized• Rubber supports

melted• Fire burnt itself out

Before Leaving the Lab

• Turn off Gas Water Power lines Other non necessary

equipment

• Clean your work area

• Return ALL chemicals to storage

• Lower fume hood sash

• Wash your hands

Printed Resources

• Faculty Laboratory Procedures and Safety Manual

• WHMIS Manual• University Hazardous Materials Handling

Guide• CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety• Prudent Practices in the Laboratory• The Chemical Institute of Canada Lab

Safety Handbook

Find the potentials…

What’s Wrong?What’s Wrong?

#1#1

Find the potentials…

What’s Wrong?What’s Wrong?

#2#2

Find the potentials…

What’s Wrong? #3

Find the potentials…

What’s

Wrong?

#4

What’s

Wrong?

#5

Find the potentials…

Accident waiting to happen!

Did this person

take Lab

Safety???

And finally…