The mission of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) service is to provide our customers with service that is courteous, high quality and prompt. The department is dedicated to preserving and protecting the health and safety of students, professors, staff and visitors, as well as University assets. The department is dedicated to preserving the general environment by reducing the university's impact on the external environment, while at the same time increasing the quality of the university's environment.
INTRODUCTION
PUBLICATIONS
This publication provides actions to take and telephone numbers to dial in case of emergencies such as fire, chemical spill or injury. It is sent to all people in leadership positions in laboratories with the request to post or circulate it to all affected staff members. All personnel working in laboratories with a class 3b or class 4 laser must have access to this manual.
COMMITTEES
This committee is responsible for reviewing and approving research activities and proposals involving recombinant DNA under federal guidelines. All research issues and studies involving non-recombinant DNA biological agents are reviewed by this committee. The Schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Science each have a committee to review and approve activities and proposals for the use of experimental animals in accordance with federal regulations.
Several committees are responsible for reviewing and approving radiation source and use activities in accordance with federal regulations. This individual is responsible for providing appropriate security information to staff in their department and coordinating security improvements recommended for the department.
LABORATORY SAFETY SURVEYS
IUPUI LABORATORY SAFETY POLICIES
Prompt reporting of chemical spills to the appropriate University authorities is an essential element in protecting the health and safety of campus personnel, students, visitors and patients. This policy applies to all staff, faculty, students and guests of the University community who purchase, transport, store, use or otherwise handle chemical products. Representatives from Fire Protection and/or Environmental Health and Safety Services will respond to assess the release and determine the best course of action to contain and clean up the spill.
In the event that the University is cited and fined by federal, state, or local regulatory agencies for actions related to an improperly reported spill, the department(s) involved in the citation may be liable for payment of the fine issued. . The Department of Environmental Health and Safety will provide a written, detailed assessment of the costs incurred to the responsible department or party(ies) and a copy of the Appeals Procedures of the Environmental Safety Committee. Controlled Substances - The handling and disposal of Controlled Substances is strictly controlled by the regulations of the U.S.A.
The proper handling and disposal of controlled substances remains the sole responsibility of the DEA Registrant who originally purchases the material. All exceptions to the procedures shall be approved by the Director of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety or his designee. This cost will end with the proper transfer of waste to the department or office as defined in this policy and in accordance with other waste handling and disposal guidelines approved by the Environmental Safety Committee.
In the event the University is cited and fined by federal, state, or local regulatory agencies for actions or activities related to improperly disposed waste, the department(s) involved in the citation may be responsible for paying the fine issued. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety will provide the department or responsible parties with a written and detailed estimate of the costs incurred and a copy of the IUPUI Environmental Safety Committee Appeal Procedures. In the event the University is cited and fined by federal, state, or local regulatory agencies for actions or activities in violation of waste minimization or pollution prevention regulations, the department(s) involved in the citation may be responsible for paying the fine issued. .
Employees, faculty, students and guests of the University whose intentional actions violate pollution prevention and waste minimization regulations may be held criminally and civilly liable for their actions. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety will provide a written, itemized assessment of fines incurred to the responsible department or party(ies) and a copy of the IUPUI Environmental Safety Committee's appeal procedures. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) will consider the request, review all relevant documentation, and issue a written determination as to whether, in the Department's opinion, the request is justified.
In the event that the University is cited and fined by federal, state, or local regulatory agencies for conduct or activities that are inconsistent with applicable regulations, the department(s) involved in the citation may be liable for payment of the fine issued.
CHEMICAL HAZARD CLASSES
TYPES OF EXPOSURES AND
Acute toxicity is an adverse effect with symptoms of high severity that rapidly progress to a crisis. Acute effects usually result from short-term exposure and are short-lived. Chronic toxicity is an adverse effect with symptoms that develop slowly over a long period of time due to repeated exposure.
The dose during each exposure period can often be low enough that no effects are observed during the exposure period. Chronic effects are the result of long-term exposure and are long-lasting. Cumulative toxins are chemicals that tend to accumulate in the body as a result of multiple chronic exposures, leading to chronic toxicity.
With substances in combination, such as exposure to two or more hazardous materials at the same time, the resulting effect may be greater than the combined effect of the individual substances. All substances of unknown toxicity should be treated as if they were toxic, with the understanding that any mixture may be more toxic than its most toxic component. One or more of the following controls must be applied when hazardous chemicals are involved in any laboratory procedure.
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
Prevention of disease caused by exposure to chemicals relies on preventing the chemical contacts listed above. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Ratings The NFPA rating is a quick way to determine the hazards of chemicals and is often found on the MSDS sheet. The numbers in the three colored sections range from 0 (the least severe hazard) to 4 (the most severe hazard) for health, fire, and instability.
4 Very short exposure can cause death or serious permanent injury even if immediate medical attention is given. 3 Short exposure may cause serious temporary or permanent damage even if immediate medical attention is given. Intense or continuous exposure may cause temporary disability or possible permanent damage if immediate medical attention is not given.
1 Exposure may cause irritation, but only minor residual damage, even if no treatment is given. 2 Must be heated moderately or exposed to relatively high temperatures before ignition can occur. In the fourth (white) "special notice" area, symbols are used to indicate whether the chemical is reactive with water, an oxidizing agent, a corrosive, biohazardous, radioactive, or cryogenic substance.
The definitions of the hazards located in each section of the NFPA diamond are as follows:
PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
STANDARD SAFETY OPERATING
CHEMICAL HAZARD INFORMATION
CHEMICAL PROCUREMENT
CHEMICAL STORAGE
Only chemicals in actual use should be on the lab bench or fume hood.
PRIOR APPROVAL
SAFETY AND EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
FUME HOODS
Use of flammable materials - This is normally prohibited due to the risk of an explosive mixture developing due to recirculation of air in the enclosure. Use of volatile toxic material- Gases are not removed by the HEPA filter and are therefore released into the laboratory unless the BSC is vented to the outside of the building. Air Intake Grille - Avoid blocking this grill at the front of the cabinet as this may affect product and personnel safety.
UV Light - A UV lamp is often used inside BSCs to disinfect the interior surfaces of the cabinet. This type of disinfection should only be done when no one is using the BSC. Clean benches - These provide HEPA filtered air from the back of the cabinet, over the work surface and out the face of the cabinet.
MEDICAL CONSULTATION
WASTE SEGREGATION AND DISPOSAL
Sharp biohazards, including syringes, needles, all glass, rigid plastic pipettes and Petri dishes, must be stored in a. The disposal of biological waste must be accomplished by autoclaving in department, identify container as being. When two-thirds full, the box should be taped shut and placed with regular trash.
Radioactive and mixed waste All waste containing radioisotopes must be referred to the Radiation Safety Office for disposal.
LASER SAFETY
All laser operators at IUPUI using a Class 3B or Class 4 laser with a non-closed beam are required to take the Online Laser Safety Training Module and Post-Test. Below are measures that will limit or eliminate injury when working with compressed gases and cryogenic liquids. All sources of harmful electrical energy must be isolated to prevent electric shock from contact.
Biosafety is a comprehensive program of recognition, evaluation, and control to reduce the risk to the health of students, faculty, staff, and the public from potential exposure to recombinant DNA and biohazardous materials used in research and teaching activities at IUPUI. Practices for the safe use of biological agents at each level are outlined in the Biosafety Manual and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan. Depending on the wavelength and intensity, excessive exposure to ultraviolet light can cause skin and/or eye damage.
Enclose or shield the UV source; acrylic plastic, such as plexiglass, effectively absorbs UV light.
COMPRESSED GASSES AND