Laboratory & Research

Safety
Russell Vernon, Ph.D.
Laboratory / Research Safety & Integrated Waste Manager
University of California, Riverside
951-827-5119, russell.vernon@ucr.edu
Agenda
Research & Teaching Synergy (Whole greater than sum of parts)
Involves chemicals, infectious agents, animals, plants,
people, radioactive hazards, machines, lasers, etc
and People
Labs are different
Hazard Communication & Laboratory Standard
Employees vs. volunteers & students
Field Work & Safety
Teaching
Research
ISEM core functions
Five Steps
Synergy

RESEARCH & TEACHING

Synergy Research & Teaching
90 % communication
Why do students go to college?
What motivates graduate students?
Why are Faculty here?
What motivates faculty & staff?
10 % information
Ah the hazards:
Health & physicals hazards
Chemical, Physical, Biological, Radioactive
University Mission
Teaching
Research,
Research
Grants &
Publications
Public Service
Teaching
Public Service
 Lab/Research Community Safety
Involves & relies on

Teaching Laboratory Field

Laboratories Research Research

Chemical Hygiene Radiation & Bio

Officer Fire Prevention, Building Design & Safety Officers
10/30/2017 Maintenance, Industrial Hygienists etc. 7
Departments Involved T = Teaching Labs
(UCR Example) R = Research Labs
F = Field Work
Air Pollution Research Center R
Anthropology TRF Environmental Engineering T
Biochemistry TR Chemical & Environmental Engineering TRF
Bioengineering TR Environmental Science TRF
Biology TRF Environmental Toxicology T
Biomedical Sciences TR Inst Geophysics Planetary Physics R
Botany & Plant Sciences TRF MS&E TR
Cell Biology T Mechanical Engineering TR
Chemical Engineering T Nematology TRF
Chemistry TR Neuroscience T
CE-CERT RF Plant Pathology & Microbiology TRF
Center for Conservation Biology RF Physics and Astronomy TRF
Cell Biology & Neurosciences TR Psychology RF
Earth & Planetary Sciences TRF Soil and Water Science TRF
Electrical Engineering TR Education Abroad F
Entomology TRF Sociology F
10/30/2017 8
 Community Metrics

Fieldwork

The normally the most hazardous activity

Throughout US and several foreign countries
Thousands of trips UC-wide
Unknown number field trips annually
(at least > 200 at UCR alone)

10/30/2017 9
 Grants $/Assignable Square Foot
Statistics $1.58

Agricultural Operations $4.16

College of Natural and Agricultural Science $8.88

Mathematics $22.34

Cell Biology and Neuroscience $27.96

Institute of Genomics $38.44

Plant Pathology & Microbiology $39.84

Botany and Plant Sciences $40.83

Environmental Sciences $42.16

Chemistry $52.72

Nematology $54.87

Earth Sciences $62.33

Entomology $64.65

Air Pollution Research Center $71.75

Physics $78.11

Biology $82.43

Biochemistry $95.34

$601.07 Water Resources Board

$0.00

10/30/2017 10
 Specialization
Programs Laboratory Craig Maxwell
Safety
Chemical & Inspections
Radiation
Laboratory
Safety
Safety

Brenda Wong Laboratory & Research Safety

Biological Laboratory
Safety Design Safety

Agricultural,
Field, Marine
Safety
Specialized area
Chemical & Laboratory Safety
Chemical Hygiene Plan
Exposure Assessment
Standard Operating Procedures
Nanomaterial safety
High hazard materials safety
Laboratory ergonomics
Departmental Contacts
Campus Policymakers
Chemical safety & fire code segregation
10/30/2017 12
Synergy hazards are just tools
Researchers select to use chemicals based
upon project needs, familiarization & level of
effort required
Chemical Hazard Types
Health & physical hazards (OSHA)
Laboratory Standard only applies to health hazards
Chemicals, biohazards, radioactives
Obvious overlap exists
Health Hazards - Chemicals
statistically significant evidence that acute or chronic
health effects may occur in exposed employees
carcinogens
toxic or highly toxic agents
reproductive toxins
irritants
corrosives
sensitizers
hepatotoxins
nephrotoxins
neurotoxins
hematopoietic damaging agents
anything that damages
lungs, skin, eyes or mucous membranes
Physical Hazards - Chemicals
scientifically valid evidence it is
combustible liquid
compressed gas
explosive
flammable
organic peroxide
oxidizer
pyrophoric
unstable (reactive)
water-reactive
Chemical Hazard Classes
Corrosives
Flammables
Oxidizers
Toxins
Reactive Chemicals
LABS ARE DIFFERENT
Labs are Different
Cal/OSHA Lab Standard
OSHA & Cal/OSHA Lab Standard are essentially
identical
www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/5191.html
EPA Academic Lab Rule
Not yet adopted by California
Flexibility afforded academic laboratories:
delay in making waste determinations, longer
accumulation times, labeling simplified, encourages
lab cleanouts useful for small quantity generators
www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/generation/labwaste
Cal/OSHA Laboratory Standard
Occupational regulations for labs that uses
chemicals is the Laboratory Standard
Requires:
Employer limit exposure
www.dir.ca.gov/Title8/5155table_ac1.html
Initial and periodic exposure monitoring
Written Chemical Hygiene Plan
Capable of protecting employees from health hazards
Capable of keeping exposures below the limits
Readily available to employees
10/30/2017 19
Lab Standard Requires
Standard operating procedures
Criteria determine & implement controls
Fume hoods shall function properly
Employees shall be trained
Circumstances requiring prior approval
Medical consultation and examinations
Chemical Hygiene officer & Committee

10/30/2017 20
Particularly Hazardous Materials
Special provisions required for:
Select carcinogens
Reproductive toxins
Highly acute toxic substances
1. Establishment of a designated area
2. Use of containment devices such as fume hoods or
glove boxes
3. Procedures for safe removal of contaminated waste
4. Decontamination procedures

10/30/2017 21
Issues with Compliance
Who is responsible?
Who is the Employer?
Who is doing the work?
Who is the supervisor? Is there a supervisor?
Whos going to pay?
Fines
Controls & protection (engineering through PPE)
Exposure monitoring (initial & periodic)
Written documents
Signs
Equipment
Hazard Controls

OSHA hierarchy of controls

Engineering controls
Work practices
Administrative controls
Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 23

Engineering Controls
Local Exhaust Ventilation
Fume hoods
Snorkels
Down-draft
tables
Glove boxes
Biosafety cabinets
Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 26
Fume Hoods
..Exhaust
Sash .

Bypass Grill.

Fresh Air..
..Baffles

Airfoil..

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 27

Fume Hood Function & Failure
Function
Draw air contaminants away from
operator
Sweep breathing zone with clean air
Impediments to proper operation
Do not use front 6 inches
Do not block air flow - slots
Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 28
On-line Training from UCB
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4AHxLnByts

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 29

Biological Safety Cabinets
BSCs are designed to provide both a clean work
environment and protection for the user

BSCs use airflow to create a barrier to airborne

particles, such as microorganisms

BSCs use High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)

filters to clean air going into the work area and
out to the environment

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 30

http://oregonstate.edu/ehs/LVSG-BSC-type

BioSafety Cabinet (Class IIB2)

Clean Benches
(a.k.a. Tissue culture hoods)

Laminar Flow toward

Contamination Source
(operator)
NO operator protection
Protects sample & work
DO NOT USE for
hazardous material

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 33

Work Practices
Education
Hazard recognition and control methods.
Training
Proper techniques; emergency response &
drills
Supervision - good safety performance
Housekeeping
Personal hygiene

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 34

Administrative Controls
Worker exposure
Initial placement, worker rotation
for some hazards.
Medical
Surveillance and immunization.
Hazard Identification
Signs - notifications, etc.

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 35

Personal Protective Equipment
The Strategy of Last Resort
Respiratory Protection
Eye, Face, Hand, Foot
Protective Clothing
Hearing
Head Protection
Barrier creams
Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 36
The Failure of a Glove

Karen Wetterhan at Dartmouth

www.dartmouth.edu/~toxmetal/home/tribute/karen.html
www.dartmouth.edu/~ehs/hazard_wetterhahn.html

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 37

Glove Selection
Chemical Compatibility

http://www.ehs.okstate.edu/hazmat/gloves.htm
www.northsafety.com
http://www.showabestglove.com/site/chemrest/
www.ansell-edmont.com/download/Ansell_7thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf

Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 38

Example
Safety Audits& Inspections Regulatory Scope

Labs inspected for compliance with

California Fire Code
Cal/OSHA Lab Standard
Chemical Hygiene Plan
Hazardous, Medical and Radioactive Waste
Labeling, Storage & Segregation
Radioactive isotope use
Biohazardous materials use
Electrical Code
Audit Process Options
Contact department and/or lab representative
Schedule audits for that dept/lab
Occupants present
Yes can ask more takes longer better result
No limited to physical conditions only
Paper or paperless process
Time to inspect, time to create reports
Consistency between auditors & inspections
Automating report creations, summary reports
$, FTE, expertise, priorities, accountability
10/30/2017 41
Specialized area
Biological Safety
Human pathogens
BSC Certification Oversight
Biosafety Risk Assessments
Biosafety Audits
Bloodborne Pathogen
Exposure Control Plan
IBC (BUAs, Select Agents, rDNA)
Biosafety Level 3 Facilities
Public Health
Biological Spill Response
Communicable diseases
Plant & animal
pathogens
10/30/2017
Medical Research
Medical Waste Management Plan
Medical Waste Treatment Permit
Autoclave validation
Containment & labeling
Animal (vertebrates)
IACUC
Animal Use Authorizations
Vivarium (Consultation, Inspection,
AAALAC)
Insects, arthropod
Invertebrate research
Nematodes, Insects, arthropods
42
Specialized area
Radiation Safety
Radioactive Use Non-ionizing
Laser Safety
Authorizations Registration 3b & 4
Inspection Microwaves
Delivery UV
Radiation exposure Strong Magnetic Fields

monitoring Training
Surveys
Initial
Dosimetry
Refresher
Radiation Producing Radiation Safety Committee
Broad scope license
Machines
Enforcement
Irradiator Security
Equipment Clearance

10/30/2017 43
Laser use

Class 3B & 4 Lasers are hazardous

Pulsed beam concentrates greater amounts
of energy than continuous wave of the same
average wattage.
Nothing Leaves the Table
 Curtain that burned
Laser
Synergy hazards are just tools
Check out the BioBrick Contest
MIT & UCSF
Using BioBrick standard biological parts, a
synthetic biologist or biological engineer can, to
some extent, program living organisms like a
computer scientist can program a computer

http://bbf.openwetware.org
Registry of Standard Biological Parts
Biosynthesis: Parts involved in the production or degradation of
chemicals and metabolites are listed here
Cell-cell signaling and quorum sensing: Parts involved in intercellular
signaling and quorum sensing between bacteria
Cell death: Parts involved in killing cells
Coliroid: Parts involved in taking a bacterial photograph
Conjugation: Parts involved in DNA conjugation between bacteria
Motility and chemotaxis: Parts involved in motility or chemotaxis of
cells
Odor production and sensing: Parts the produce or sense odorants
DNA recombination: Parts involved in DNA recombination
FIELD WORK & SAFETY
Travel Safety Plus
https://www.uctrips-insurance.org
Field Safety Plans
Transportation
People; Samples, Materials, Supplies, Equipment; and
Hazardous Materials
Medical Considerations
Security
Communications
Activities:
Before, while there, when you get back
Pierce's Disease
Bacterial infection (Xylella fastidiosa)
spread by bugs that feed on grapevines
glassy winged sharpshooter
Infected grapevines die
http://www.ehs.ucr.edu/forms/laboratorysafetydesign.pdf

SAFE LABORATORY DESIGN

 UC Laboratory Safety Design Guide
1. General Requirements for Laboratories
2. Electrical Safety
3. Laboratory Ventilation and Fume Hoods
4. Emergency Eyewash and Safety Shower Equipment
5. Pressure Vessel Components and Systems and Compressed
Gas Cylinders
6. Hazardous Materials Storage Cabinets
7. Biosafety Laboratories
8. Additional Requirements for Radioactive Material
Laboratories
9. Additional Requirements for Laboratories with Irradiators
and/or Radiation-Producing Machines
10. Additional Requirements for Laboratories Using Non-Ionizing
Radiation Sources, Including Lasers
11. Ergonomics Design and Laboratory Spaces
Timely Issues
U.S. Green Building Council
www.usgbc.org
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
Green Building Rating System (LEED)

Labs 21
www.labs21century.gov
International Institute for Sustainable
Laboratories
www.i2sl.org
Sustainable design
Heated and cooled air flowing takes energy
Laboratories have single pass, non-recirculated
air to minimize
personnel exposure and
concentration of flammable vapors
Standard Practice a decade ago was 6 to 12
air changes per hour
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air-Conditioning Engineers changed guidelines
International Building Codes are being adopted
The Challenge
Safe Labs
What is safe?
Who decides?
How to inform occupants?
How to manage change?
Save Energy
Important but not primary function
Fair comparison of alternatives
Who pays the energy bill?
Integrated Safety & Environmental Management

ISEM
Management of Health, Safety
and the Environment

achieving excellence in providing a healthy and

safe working environment
supporting environmentally sound practices in
the conduct of University activities
comply with all applicable health, safety, and
environmental protection laws, regulations and
requirements
www.ucop.edu/riskmgt/bsas/presidentialpol.pdf
 Guiding Principles
1. Management Commitments and Involvement
of Faculty, Staff, and Students
2. Management Responsibility for Safety and
the Environment
3. Establishing Clear Roles and Responsibilities
4. Ensuring Competence Commensurate with
Responsibilities
5. Balanced Priorities
Guiding Principles (continued)
6. Identification of Safety and Environmental
Standards and Requirements
7. Encouraging Stakeholder Participation
8. Adapting Hazard and Operational Controls
to Specific University Activities
9. Obtaining Authorization Prior to Conducting
an Activity
5 Steps of ISEM (Core Functions)
1. Define scope of activity
2. Identify & analyze
hazards
3. Develop & implement
controls
4. Perform activity within
controls
5. Provide feedback &
make improvements
Laboratory Safety Orientation, 2009 63