laboratory safety issues & improvementsadminfin.sfsu.edu/sites/default/files/committees/lab...

Laboratory Safety Issues & Improvements

Issue: Missing or Sagging Ceiling Tiles interfere with proper lab ventilation. Air in plenum mixes with lab air affecting air changes per hour.

Improvement: Work order to replace missing / sagging ceiling tiles.

Status: In preparation

19


Sign Says “Ninja Exit”

20


Issue: Hazardous Waste Containers Require Proper Labels That Include The Accumulation Start Date and Proper Identification of the Contents and Hazard. Chemicals in Corroded Containers are Considered Hazardous Waste and Require Hazardous Waste Labels.

Improvement: EHS presented training on proper hazardous waste labeling last month and will provide on-line video training for filling out labels.

Status: On-line video training in preparation. 21


9 Full Bottles of Improperly Labeled Organic Solvent Waste Left Open to Air

Haz Waste Labeled Just “Organic” With Funnel Left

Open To Air 22


A Hazardous Waste Label Is Required For Corroded Containers 23


Accumulation Start Date is 5.5.13

Organic Solvents Open To Air Including Dichloromethane,

A Carcinogen 24Serious Hazardous Waste Labeling Violation


Acetonitrile is misspelled. Can of methanol not quite empty left to air

dry.25


Issue: Chemicals are stored alphabetically rather than by their hazard group. This occasionally results in incompatible chemicals being stored together.

Improvement: Provide containers to segregate chemicals by hazard group

Status: For discussion, and financing

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Inorganic is not a hazard class

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Alphabetical storage - not by hazard class


Issue: Flammable chemicals are delivered in bulk by the chemical stock room and left in labs without being properly stored.

Improvement: There should be a documented handoff between the stockroom and the recipient whenever any chemicals are delivered. There should never be bulk flammable chemicals left outside of proper flammable storage cabinets.

Status: For discussion and a decision on the policy.

28


8 Gallons of Methanol Left In A Lab

10 Gallons of Acetone; 5 Gallons of Diethyl Ether, and Dichloromethane 29


Issue: The H&S Code prohibits consumption of food and beverages in a lab. Some labs have coffee pots, microwave ovens, and food refrigerators. Open containers of food are not allowed in the lab.

Improvement: Drinks that arrive in the lab in closed re-sealable containers may be consumed in the lab but must remain sealed when not in the consumer’s hand.

Status: For discussion and a decision on the policy.30


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Issue: Chemicals such as diethyl ether can over time form unstable peroxides. Such chemical hazards may be controlled by limiting the amount of time the material spends in the facility through a process known as “shelf-life dating”.

Improvement: EHS will post a table of peroxide forming chemicals and their acceptable shelf life on the website. The chem stockroom will put the arrival date on these chemicals as they are received.

Status: For discussion and a decision on the policy. 32


33Still in the same lab. 5 Gallons (20 Liters) size is very difficult to handle safely.


349+ 1-Liter bottles of Diethyl Ether in use at the same time in the same lab


Issue: Experiments Left Unattended With Chemical Reactions or Equipment Still Running

Improvement: Review and Approval by the Chairperson, Dean, Chemical Hygiene Officer, or EHS Director (in writing, posted at the experiment).

Status: For discussion and a decision on the policy.

35


Heating Element Left Running While Held In Place by Paper Towels??

36


Issue: Methylene Chloride / Dichloromethane is a carcinogen that is being used on the benchtop without the requisite exposure monitoring required by CalOSHA GISO section 5202.

Improvement: Methylene Chloride is not to be used outside of a fume hood without the permission of the EHS director after exposure monitoring has demonstrated permissible levels are not exceeded.

Status: EHS is prepared to conduct exposure monitoring upon request 37


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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders Group 16. Control of Hazardous Substances Article 110. Regulated Carcinogens §5202. Methylene chloride.

(d) Exposure monitoring.(1) Characterization of employee exposure.(2) Initial determination. Each employer whose employees are exposed to MC

shall perform initial exposure monitoring to determine each affected employee's exposure, except under the following conditions:

(A) Where objective data demonstrate that MC cannot be released in the workplace in airborne concentrations at or above the action level or above the STEL. The objective data shall represent the highest MC exposures likely to occur under reasonably foreseeable conditions of processing, use, or handling. The employer shall document the objective data exemption as specified in subsection (m);


Issue: Flammables refrigerators are located close to possible sources of ignition

Improvement: Remove potential sources of ignition from the area surrounding a Flammables refrigerator.

Status:

39


Flammables Refrigerators located below ovens and adjacent to electrical outlets. Are these ovens intrinsically safe? 40

laboratory safety issues & improvementsadminfin.sfsu.edu/sites/default/files/committees/lab...

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