Introduction to Safety

BT 201

Biotechnology Techniques IAdapted from

Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology

by

Lisa Seidman and Cynthia Moore

Safety

• “The elimination of potential threats to human health and well-being” Seidman and Moore

• Whose responsibility is it?

• Where is it necessary?

• What does it depend on?

Safety

• Employers have to provide:– A safe work environment and “safety first” attitude– Training for employees– Emergency response plan

• Employees have:– The right to work in a safe environment– The right to information and training about workplace hazards– A responsibility to apply training and implement institution’s

safety plan– To be continuously aware of the types of hazards present and

how to handle them properly

Lab Safety

• Many lab accidents are caused by inattention or failure to use common sense– Accidents are unexpected and usually sudden events that

cause harm– Pay attention to the what is going on around you to help prevent

accidents

• Emergencies sometimes occur due to accidents or other causes– An emergency is a situation requiring immediate action to

prevent an accumulation of harm or damage to people or property

Lab Safety• Safety programs are meant to help control hazards

• Safety can be measured in terms of risk– Risk is the probability that a hazard will cause harm – Reducing risk can reduce the probability of accident

• Risk assessment attempts to estimate the potential for human injury or property damage from an activity

• Accidents often occur as a result of a combination of unexpected and predictable errors

• Safety guidelines may be implemented as a result of activity analysis, hazard identification and risk assessment– Safety guidelines are procedures that are designed to prevent

accidents by reducing the risk of hazards in situations where the hazards cannot be eliminated entirely

Safety

• Safety in biotech companies and labs is affected by industry standards and regulations– Standards are operating principles or

requirements related to many areas in addition to safety

– Regulations are operating principles required by law

Regulations

• Worker Safety: regarding proper labeling and hazard information

• Environmental Protection: regulating the disposal of hazardous chemicals to minimize environmental impact

• Animal Use and Handling: regarding cages and quarantine of disease

• Regulation of Radioisotopes: covering handling and storage of, and access to, radioisotopes, along with required documentation

• Oversight and enforcement of regulations is done by federal agencies

Safety Agencies

• OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration– A division within the DOL– CFR 1910– 1990 Laboratory Standard – Requires employer to develop, document and

implement plan to protect workers from hazards

• Hazards are equipment, chemicals, and conditions that have a potential to cause harm

Safety Agencies

• EPA :Environmental Protection Agency– Responsible for protection of environment– Regulates waste handling and disposal and

emissions control– Controls hazardous substance movement, storage,

and disposal– Regulates chemical records through RCRA– Regulates biotechnology field work involving release

of GM organisms

Safety Agencies

• DOT: Department of Transportation– Federal department with many agencies– Regulates transportation of hazardous

materials– Regulates packaging, labeling, transport, and

reporting procedures

Safety Agencies

• NRC: Nuclear Regulatory Commission– Responsible for safe use of radioactivity– Facilities using radioactive substances must

comply with NRC regulations• Worker safety • Waste disposal • Record keeping

Safety Organizations

• Organizations establish codes dealing with workplace safety– Codes are sets of standards centered on a

specific topic– Professional organizations with no

enforcement powers

• Codes are only recommendations, but federal agencies base regulations on them

Safety Organizations• Alliance for American Insurers• American Board of Industrial

Hygiene• American Council of Government

Industrial Hygienists• American Industrial Hygiene

Association• American Insurance Association• American National Standards

Institute• American Occupational Medical

Association• American Society of Mechanical

Engineers• American Society of Safety

Engineers

• American Society for Testing and Materials

• Chemical Transportation Emergency Center

• Human Factors Society• National Fire Protection

Association• National Safety Council• National Safety Management

Society• Society of Automotive Engineers• System Safety Society• Underwriters Laboratories

Right to Know

• OSHA developed Federal Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) in 1983– Regulates use of hazardous materials in

industrial workplaces– Focuses on availability of information

concerning employee hazard exposure and safety measures

– “Right-to-know” law

Right to Know

• Under Right to Know employers must have:– Workplace hazard identification– Written hazard communication plan

• Until 1987 applied mainly to manufacturing

– MSDS files for all hazardous chemicals– Clear labeling of all chemicals– Worker training for the safe use of chemicals

Laboratory Specific Safety• OSHA 1990 Standards: Occupational Exposure

to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories– Adapted and expanded HCS to academic, industrial,

and clinical laboratories– Required reporting of all work related injuries– Main requirement was Chemical Hygiene Plan

(CHP)• A written manual that outlines specific information and

procedures necessary to protect workers from hazardous chemicals

CHP Requirements• General chemical safety rules and procedures• Rules about chemical purchase, distribution and storage• Environmental monitoring• Availability of medical programs• Maintenance, housekeeping, and inspection procedures• Availability of protective devices and clothing (PPE)• Record-keeping policies and chemical labeling

requirements• Employee training and information programs• Accident and spill policies• Waste disposal programs• Provide information about ERP and designate safety

officers

Environmental Protection• Generation and disposal of toxic biological and chemical wastes is a

significant factor in lab management• EPA has primary responsibility for enforcement of laws to prevent

environmental contaminations with hazardous materials• Clean Water Act• Safe Drinking Water Act• Clean Air Act• Toxic Substance Control Act

– Designed to regulate chemicals that pose health or environmental risks– Established chemical inventory and record-keeping requirements– Allows EPA to control or ban hazardous chemicals in commerce– Requires companies to notify the EPA of their intentions to manufacture new

chemicals• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976

– Provided a system for tracking hazardous waste, including poisonous or reactive chemicals, from creation to disposal

– Gives EPA authority to regulate transport, storage, emergency procedures, and waste management plans for toxic materials

Risk Reduction in the Lab

• Institutional policies must be carried out at the laboratory level

• Labs make additions to institutional plans

• Every lab with more than three people needs a designated safety officer

Safety Officer’s Responsibility

• Act as safety advisor for the lab• Document and educate on safety measures• Act as liaison with the institution’s safety

officers• Communicate policy changes to co-workers• Coordinate internal safety inspections• Ensure proper equipment maintenance• Record hazards and problems within the

laboratory

Laboratory Responsibility

• Labeling and documentation– Labeling of hazardous chemicals required

under HCS– All containers of potentially hazardous

chemicals must be labeled to extent they are readily identifiable:

• To new workers, unfamiliar with the job or department• To outsiders, in the event of a spill or emergency

– Lack of proper labeling is OSHA offense– MSDS is also required documentation

MSDS• Material Safety Data Sheet

– Legally required technical document provided by chemical suppliers that describes the specific properties of a chemical

• Required for every chemical used in the lab• No required format for presentation of

information in MSDS• Normally includes particular information

MSDS Contents• Chemical name• Chemical supplier• Composition and ingredients information• Potential health effects• Exposure levels, with specific concentrations and times• First aid procedures• Fire fighting procedures• Accidental release procedures• Handling and storage procedures• Recommended personal protection (clothing and equipment)• Physical and chemical properties• Stability and reactivity• Toxicological information• Environmental impact• Disposal recommendations• Transportation information• Regulatory information

MSDS Station

Labeling and Documentation• Label lab rooms and work areas with hazard signs

– Must provide enough information to alert visitors to take needed precautions– Areas unsafe for visitors without training or specific precautions should be

labeled “Do Not Enter”

• Documentation of procedures is part of good lab practice– All repeated procedures should be available in written form to allow consistency

among lab personnel

• Job Safety Analysis is a detailed analysis of each step in a procedure, identifying hazards and outlining accident prevention strategies– Used industry to provide safety guidelines for personnel and comply

with OSHA regulations– Prepared jointly by safety officers and individuals who perform the

procedures– Used for training and documentation of lab safety measures

Everyone’s Responsibility

• Housekeeping– Good housekeeping can eliminate or reduce many hazards– Personnel familiar with hazards often perform routine

maintenance and cleaning in labs– Housekeeping staff don’t clean bench tops or equipment in most

institutions• Avoid exposure to unknown hazards• Protect experimental materials• Puts responsibility for clean, orderly work space on lab personnel

– Keep clutter to a minimum• Lower risk of reagent mix-ups and degradation of old chemicals

Housekeeping in the Lab

• Fewer objects in the work area mean fewer chances for contamination

• Work areas should be routinely cleaned– Clean bench tops before and after use

• Use cleaning techniques based on worst-case scenario of any hazardous contaminants

• Inspect regularly for housekeeping issues and do risk assessment– Look for specific hazards as well– Allows for correction of problems prior to an

accident

Housekeeping in the Lab

• Need system of waste collection and disposal for specific hazards– Waste must have detailed labeling of hazardous

contents– Label waste at its source to avoid problems later on

• Minimize waste when possible

• Avoid mixing hazardous waste with other trash

Laboratory Responsibility• Emergency response

– Individual labs need ERPs in addition to institutional plan– Lab or nearby area must be equipped with basic safety

items:• Fire extinguishers• Fire alarms• First aid kits• Chemical spill kits• Safety shower and eye wash

– Basic preparation needed includes:• Everyone in lab aware of basic emergency procedures• At least one person trained in first aid and CPR at all times• Readily accessible, fully stocked first aid kit• Protective devices should be well marked and easily

accessible• Emergency telephone numbers and instructions posted by

every phone• Evacuation routes kept clear of boxes or clutter

Emergency Response

• Accidents to be reported ASAP after occurrence– Legal requirement– To avoid repeated problems– For employee protection, access to workers’

compensation• A no-fault state insurance system designed to pay

for the medical expenses of workers who are injured on the job, or develop work-related medical problems

• Provides for employer to cover expense of medical treatments without a lawsuit

Lab Safety and Common Courtesy

• Individuals must take responsibility for themselves and those around them to ensure safety

− Good lab technique and consideration for others play a large role in lab safety

• Don’t assume accidents always happen to “other people”

− Accidents usually occur from multiple mistakes or oversights• Assess situations for opportunities to provide safer

environment and report problems to supervisors− Always ask if in doubt about a situation− Know how to respond to an emergency

• Know where first aid and safety materials are located• Apply the “rule of reason” to situations you encounter

− Behave the way you think others should behave

Personal Hygiene• Personal habits that may increase your risk of exposure to

hazards• Don’t eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, or apply cosmetics in a lab

− You may be unsure of hazards in the area• Never store food, beverages, or anything to be consumed in your

pockets or in the lab• Wash hands when leaving lab bench, and regularly while working• Drink only from hall fountains

− Lab water may not be potable due to water quality or faucet contamination

• Ice from lab machines is not to be consumed• Avoid storing personal items in the lab• Tie back long hair to avoid contamination or accident• Facial hair in some situations is not allowed• Contact lenses may be worn in most situations, provided eye

protection is used− Notify co-workers if you wear contacts, in case of emergency− Leave contacts in place in emergency and notify emergency personnel

they are in the eyes

Work Habits• Carelessness, fatigue, and distraction contribute to

many lab accidents– Avoid working when tired or distracted

• May not always be possible– If working in “off” state, take extreme care and extra precautions

• Plan ahead and try to anticipate potential problems

• Don’t work alone in the lab• Notify co-workers before entering isolated area• Don’t wear work apparel into public areas• Never wear gloves outside the lab• Don’t handle common items while wearing gloves• To transport hazardous materials in public areas, keep

one hand gloved and the other clean to open doors.– Carry samples in sealed double containers to contain any spills– Walk slowly and be alert to avoid potential collisions with co-workers

Safety Training

• Regulated by government agencies

• All new employees need safety training

• Most employees who have accidents have been on the job less than two years

• All personnel must participate in safety programs

Safety Training

• It’s Important!– Safety training should aim for workers to:

• Understand job risks• Recognize personal accident potential• Learn about preventive measures to reduce

accident risk• Accept personal responsibility for accident

reduction

– Refresher courses must be made available for experienced employees

Safety Training

• Contents of Training Program– Identify specific job hazards– Minimize risks to employees

• Rules need to be applicable to expected situations

• Safety manuals should be focused and specific– Directly address needs of lab workers

Safety Training

• To be effective, safety manuals should:– Minimize rules– Be written in clear and simple language– Be brief and to the point– Have only rules needed for safe and healthy

workplace– Involve employees in their development– Develop only rules that can and will be enforced– Use common sense in developing rules

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Safety Training

• Program elements– Institutional policies– Safety rules– Location and use of protective equipment– Emergency procedures– Chemical hazard awareness– Lab-specific issues