at Argonne
| Supervisor's Safety Checklist | Personal Protective Equipment |
| General Office Safety | Hazards |
| General Laboratory Safety Rules | Pre-Job Orientation |
The need for safety orientation and training in the workplace is well documented. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) relates that employees are most vulnerable to occupational injuries during their first month on the job. New workers are 20 times more susceptible to accidents during their first month on the job than those who have been on the job nine months or longer. The younger the person, the higher the probability of an accident on the job.
Unfortunately, safety training does not routinely occur in most science classes. Schools and colleges have notoriously poor safety performance. John R. Leach, head of the safety management program at the National Institutes of Health, observed, "The lack of safety consciousness on the part of many high school and university teachers is practically criminal. Because of their poor awareness of lab hazards, safety is, unfortunately, a very minor part of the instructional process."
Estimates suggest that the rate of injury in secondary school, college and university laboratories is 10 to 50 times greater than is common in the chemical industry. It is not so surprising, therefore, to hear a safety manager of research laboratory say, "We see the products of our colleges and universities as summer employees, as temporary employees, and as new permanent employees. They range from undergraduate through postdoctoral levels. All have one thing in common -- no conception of safety."
We want every student's stay at Argonne National Laboratory to be an educational and rewarding experience. That will not be the case unless their stay is also a safe one. The responsibility for the safety of a student assigned to you is serious. This web page is intended to assist you in this important task.
Laboratory
Policy"It is the policy of the Laboratory that the work we perform must be conducted in a manner such that all reasonable measures are taken to protect the health and safety of employees and the public, to protect the environment, and to minimize accidental damage to property.
No work should be done until the safety ramifications and environmental impact of that work are thoroughly examined.
No work we do is so important that it need be done without proper safety measures."
Discuss lab policy, environment, safety, and health objectives, planned safety programs, responsibilities of all employees, safety coordinators, and training.
Student's Safety Responsibility
Supervisor's instructions are to be followed exactly; avoid "minor or slight" procedural changes without supervisor's knowledge; understand instructions — if unclear, ask questions.
Review and Discussion of Past
Accidents
(lessons to be learned)
Discuss importance of reporting to the supervisor all accidents and near misses; define and discuss near-miss occurrences; discuss precautions or suggestions to avoid future incidents. Encourage students to provide input; their new perspective may improve procedures and decrease accidents.
Emergency Procedures/Equipment
problems.)(For medical fire, hazardous materials, major utility
1. 911 Procedures (Stress "When in doubt, call 911.")
2. Warning sirens and signals
3. Signs and labels.
4. Emergency procedures for fire, spills, toxic vapors, building evacuation and severe weather. Physically guide the student to tornado shelters and outside assembly areas.
5. The student should be familiar with any emergency equipment in the area (exits, safety showers, eyewash fountains, and fire extinguishers). He/she should also become familiar with the proper operation of all emergency items listed above, including any training necessary for safe and proper use of equipment.
General Office and Laboratory Safety
Rules
Enumerated in detail later in manual.
Security
1. Facility Access
2. Key Access Procedures
3. Safeguarding government property
Site-Specific
"On-the-Job" Training
Safety training can be complex, but it's easier if broken down into specific steps. Be sure students know:
- Safety procedures established to safeguard against exposure to vapors/fumes, radiation, high voltage, or mechanical processes.
- How to use personal protective equipment assigned (e.g., safety glasses, hearing protection, masks, goggles, safety shoes, or protective gloves). Discuss the need for medical approval and fit testing if respiratory protection is or will be needed. Make sure they understand why such equipment is necessary.
- How to use and care for their personal protective equipment; what to do if it needs repair or replacement.
- How to notice and immediately report any conditions considered potentially dangerous; and show what to do in the event of an accident.
- Where the first-aid and medical facilities are located.
- If smoking is prohibited or restricted to specific areas.
- How to use specific machinery or tools; be sure they have received safety training on this equipment.
- How to report all accidents and "near-misses" immediately, even if no injury has been sustained or no property was damaged.
- Identity and location of ESH representative, chemical hygiene officer and closest health physics office.
Remember, supervising students is a responsibility. Sound safety training is a vital part of that job. Taking extra time with this training is an excellent investment of energy and effort. Encourage open communication and discussions of safety rules and procedures. Our students have the right and need to know about procedures in place to ensure their safety.
Supervisors should remember that no matter how safe an office is, it is important to convey to students information about the potential hazards that exist there.
Inform students and visitors of these office hazards.
• Falls - the number one cause of office accidents. The major factors cited in office accident reports include: slippery floors, loose or torn carpeting, objects in the walkway, stairs, chairs, open drawers and telephone/electrical cords; hazardous conditions should be brought to the supervisor's attention for corrective action.
• Floor surfaces - any substance that makes a floor slippery can cause falls. Wipe up spills, report torn/worn carpeting and chipped tiles, correct slip or trip hazards observed, wear proper footwear, carry reasonable loads that don't obstruct vision, keep aisles and walkways clear.
• Stairs - be alert, always use handrails, take one step at a time, use an elevator when carrying large loads, do not congregate on stairs.
• Chairs - sit properly, do not lean backward with feet on the desk, beware of chairs with casters; don't use chairs as stools or ladders.
• Storage - do not stack boxes, papers and other materials on top of cabinets/files/lockers, always store materials inside.
• Back Injuries - lift with the legs instead of the back, get help with heavy loads, carry load in front - waist high and close to the body, watch fingers when setting the load down.
• Machinery - be alert for frayed wiring, always use plug to pull it out, don't defeat three prong grounding systems that help eliminate shock hazard.
• Finger Injuries - fingers and hands turn up on the office injury list more often than any other part of the body; keep desk drawers tidy with sharp objects (scissors, razors, tacks, etc.) in closed containers; use staple removers; use drawer handles to close drawers to avoid pinches; beware of sharp edges.
• Eye Protection - when reaching for an object always look to see where your head is going.
• Fire Prevention - smoking is allowed in designated areas only; maintain a neat, clean work area; keep combustibles at least 18" away from appliances (coffee makers, hot plates, space heaters); report any fire hazards to supervision.
• Avoid collisions - Walk in offices and corridors; look up and down aisles and corridors when leaving a room; do not read while walking.
General Laboratory Safety Rules
It is important for supervisors who bear responsibility for safe operations in the laboratories to enforce safety rules. In addition to specific rules for a given laboratory or experiment, a set of general rules for student behavior must be enforced. General rules shall include at a minimum the following:
1. Report all accidents and near misses.
2. Approved eye protection shall be worn at all times in a laboratory. This applies to all students, employees, and visitors.
3. No smoking, application of cosmetics, or preparation, storage or consumption of food or drink shall be permitted in a laboratory.
4. No student shall be permitted to work alone. The National Research Council states in Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, "Generally it is prudent to avoid working in a laboratory building alone. Under normal working conditions, arrangements should be made between individuals in separate laboratories outside of working hours to crosscheck periodically. Experiments known to be hazardous should not be undertaken by a worker who is alone in a laboratory. Under unusual conditions, special rules may be necessary. The supervisor of the laboratory has the responsibility for determining whether the work requires special safety precautions, such as having two persons in the same room during a particular operation.
5. No unauthorized experiments shall be allowed. All laboratory work must be approved by the supervisor.
6. Horseplay and roughhousing is never allowed in a laboratory.
7. Radios, tape recorders, and the use of earphones may interfere with communication.
8. Laboratory glassware shall never be used as containers for food or drink (in or out of the laboratory).
9. Chipped or broken glassware must never be used.
10. Appropriate clothing must be worn.
• The use of laboratory coats or aprons should be encouraged. In radioactive materials areas, a magenta colored lab coat is required for entry.
• Shorts or other clothing leaving substantial exposure are not allowed.
• Shoes or sandals that do not cover the toes are prohibited. Canvas or other fabric shoes are discouraged. Safety shoes are recommended in areas where mechanical work is performed or where there is a possibility of dropping heavy objects on the foot and for bench chemistry.
11. Loose hair should be pinned back or confined. Loose hair, loose fitting clothing or jewelry should not be worn around moving equipment/machinery or where it will pose a problem with contamination or safety.
12. Coats, jackets or raincoats should be hung outside the laboratory. Care should be exercised to ensure that backpacks and briefcases are not exposed to corrosive chemicals or contamination.
13. Mouth pipetting or siphoning is not allowed.
14. As good lab practice, students are required to wash their hands before leaving the laboratory to eat, drink or smoke and at the end of the day.
15. Signs, warning labels, and signal devices of any kind are not to be ignored, removed, moved or defaced.
16. If personnel monitoring/radiation dosimetry badges or devices are issued, they must be worn properly at all times in designated areas.
17. If open flame devices are to be used, a permit must be obtained from the Fire Department (Call 2-6131).
18. Obey all warning and instruction signs, and postings. Do not assume that they do not apply to you.
19. Get proper procedures for movement and shipment of hazardous and radioactive materials from the supervisor.
Be certain the student knows the availability, mandatory requirements, and proper use of protective equipment (eye protection, foot protection, respirators, gloves, aprons, lab coats, rubber suits and boots, hearing protection, radiation badges). Specific requirements include the following:
Eye and Face Protection
Safety Glasses
Approved safety glasses must be worn to protect the eyes whenever there is a potential eye hazard (flying particles, chemical splash, etc.). Specific operations may require special protection such as side shields, full face shields, chipping goggles, or radiant energy protection (ultraviolet, infrared, etc.). If there is any doubt about the level of protection required, contact your division ES&H coordinator. ES&H - SME IH can also provide information, 2-3310.
Adequate eye protection requires safety lenses and frames that are in compliance with the Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection (Z87.1, 1979), established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Ordinary prescription eyeglasses meet less stringent impact and flammability standards and are not satisfactory for normal industrial or laboratory use.
Chemical Splash Protective Goggles
Several varieties of chemical splash protective goggles exist. These goggles fit over prescription lenses and either wrap around the face or have side panels to offer complete splash protection. They should have adequate ventilation unless protection against vapor is also needed, in which case a tight seal against the face is required. The ventilation ports may be baffled if splash protection is required. Some goggles are nonfogging and antistatic.
Face Shields
In some cases, neither safety glasses nor splash goggles provide adequate protection. Complete coverage of the front of the face with a face shield provides both splash protection and impact protection. Face shields should wrap around the face and protect the top of the head, the neck and the face. They should fit comfortably, to allow for longer wear if needed. Safety glasses are always worn under face shields.
Footwear
Leather or rubber safety shoes with built-in steel toe caps are recommended where heavy objects are customarily handled or there are other foot hazards. In normal laboratory work special shoes are not necessary. Workers should be cautioned against wearing sandals, open-toed or cloth shoes. Cloth shoes should never be exposed to corrosive materials.
Specialized Protection
Depending on the areas assigned to and/or assignments given, specialized protection may be needed from specific hazards (e.g., lasers, ultraviolet light, ionizing radiation, airborne contaminants). Never assume the student knows what protection is required.
Train the student to inspect all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before use. If equipment is damaged (holes, tears, cracks) replace the equipment before continuing work.
Give specific guidance on the use of the following PPE, if used by the student.
self reading dosimeters- Gloves
- Aprons
- Respirators (medical certification and special training in Industrial Hygiene required)
- Lab coats
- Suits (tyvek, etc.)
- Hearing protection
- Dosimetry badges — personnel monitoring devices and
- Safety shoes
- Safety glasses
- Hard hats
Laboratory Equipment Hazards
Students should be aware of and trained on those hazards which may be encountered in their workplace. Listed below are hazards that may be encountered and information to be conveyed.
1. Compressed gases — handling and use; proper regulators, cylinder restraints, hazards presented by compressed gases used in the lab.
2. High pressure work — hazards and procedures; large quantities of volatile, organic solvents should be removed by using rotary evaporators with precautions to prevent the venting of organic solvent; vacuum distillations should be carried out with low temperature traps; considerations need to be given to the selection of glassware; conventional flat-bottom Erlenmeyer flasks, for example, should never be used under vacuum.
3. Vacuum distillation — avoid vacuum pumps for significant quantities of volatile solutions; shield glasses, containers.
4. Glassware-use — inspection for cracks and flaws, taping of dewars, desiccators, fire polishing, clean-up of breakage, use of alternative materials.
5. Safe use of refrigerators — do not store spark-producing devices where flammable liquids are stored inside; alarms, latches and periodic cleaning; discard hazardous/outdated compounds; proper storage on shelves to avoid breakage when opening the doors.
6. Cryogenic safety — handling and use of liquid nitrogen and liquid nitrogen dewars.
7. Safe use of ovens — avoid use with products of moderate volatility or greater; explosive mixtures may form in ovens.
8. Equipment grounding and general electrical safety.
9. Use of laboratory mechanical equipment — mills, saws, presses, cutters, guarding of equipment; authorized personnel lists.
10. Radiation safety — contact Health Physics for assistance.
11. Appropriate personal protective equipment — explain and enforce personal protective equipment requirements.
12. Laser Safety — workers in Class III or Class IV laser laboratories must receive laser safety training. Students must not work alone with Class III or Class IV lasers.
13. Chemical safety — ensure students know location of and can use material safety data sheets (MSDS).
14. Carcinogen safety — ensure students know proper hood use, controlled area carcinogen laboratories, equipment, PPE, specific hazards associated with the material.
15. Bio-hazards — potential hazards of the material, use of PPE, protective clothing and equipment; know Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (OSHA).
16. Flammable liquids — use and storage.
17. Open flame devices — needs Fire Department permit.
Chemical Hazards in the Laboratory
(Flammable/Toxic)
1. MSDS — Students must be familiar with the hazardous properties of any material before they use it. Training should include the location, use and a thorough understanding of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).
2. Smoking regulations — no smoking in labs.
3. Use and maintenance of hoods — monitoring, when to use, keeping doors closed, storage of materials in hood, periodic cleaning, installation of hood failure alarms when necessary, understanding hood test labels.
4. Toxicity — common lab solvents and compounds; compounds used or handled in your department, explanation of meaning of terminology such as "threshold limit values", maximum allowable concentration, LD50.
5. Sensitivity to chemicals — compounds used in the lab that could pose a problem; e.g., dermatitis.
6. Solvent storage and handling — limitations as to quantity, location, containers; problem solvents.
7. Peroxides and peroxide-forming materials — storage, handling, disposal, reaction hazards.
8. Handling monomers and catalysts — e.g., fire hazards, toxicity, dermatitis, uncontrolled polymerization.
9. Dangerous or unusual reactions — such as explosive mixtures.
10. Use of suitable carriers — transportation of corrosive, highly hazardous or flammable compounds; do not move without supervisor approval.
11. Proper dispensing procedures — acids, caustics, and other corrosive or flammable compounds.
12. Disposal of hazardous chemicals and all laboratory waste — use of proper procedures only.
13. Discuss handling of liquid nitrogen.
14. Chemical spills — any size spill should be reported on 911.
15. Flammable liquids — storage and transfer considerations, use quantity limitations.
Purpose
• To answer any questions the student may have concerning his/her student safety orientation.
• To explain the work of the Division/Department and the work he/she will be doing.
• To review the safety/health requirements of the job; general and departmental safety rules and procedures. At this time, the supervisor is able to discuss the required training to ensure prompt availability to work.
• To get the student "off on the right foot".
• To provide the supervisor a checklist of safety items to cover.
While the student will be given a safety and health orientation by the ESH Division, this should not be relied upon as completely fulfilling the need for safety/health discussion. A site specific safety orientation must be done by the supervisor. You should discuss and explain the student's job assignment, their responsibilities and the need to maintain open communication. The student should be encouraged to ask questions as they arise and to share concerns that may be encountered. Be receptive to the student's perspective.
It is important to let the student know that safety is a vital part of each worker's job, and that the Laboratory and you are committed to safety. Emphasize the need for the student's participation and cooperation. Safety training can be complex; it may be easier if you break it down into steps.
The checklist provided earlier in the manual should be used both in providing job orientation and as a reminder checklist when assigning students to new jobs or laboratories they may not be familiar with.
Follow-Up Training
No matter how thoroughly your student has been trained, schedule ongoing meetings to help determine how well safety procedures have been retained. As the student can provide a new perspective and "fresh set of eyes," follow-up sessions should be held periodically. This will provide other opportunities to bring up questions about safety and to report unsafe conditions observed.
Supervisors need to remember that they must provide procedures for changing procedures. Plans to change procedures should always be discussed first with the supervisor.
Be sure to stress that the student can approach you any time for information about safety procedures. There is no need to wait for follow-up meetings if questions regarding safe work practices arise. Student input is valuable.
Building Specific Safety Issues
This list of topics may serve as a checklist for building safety training concerns.
____ Special hazards in the building/facility
____ hazardous materials area
____ security areas
____ radiation areas
____ laser areas
____ When and how to dial 911
____ Alarms and warning system
____ Assembly areas outside building
____ Emergency Evacuation - building specific emergency procedures, including typical emergencies such as:
____ fire
____ explosion
____ personal illness/injury
____ security incident/accident
____ radiation incident
____ tornado sighting
____ hazardous material release/spill
____ vehicle accident
____ utility failure
____ Location of shelters (tornado)
____ Exits - regular access and emergency
____ Building access
____ when locked
____ after hours access
____ a system to notify and check after hours occupants
____ Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) locations in your building/facility
____ Safety in the personal work area - specific office/lab safety considerations
____ Special weather restrictions e.g. snow removal effect on parking
____ Parking
____ location
____ restrictions
____ How to contact Industrial Hygiene/Health Physics/Safety in your area
____ location of hand and foot monitors
____ how to get dosimetry
____ Prohibited articles
____ alcoholic beverages
____ illegal drugs
____ hazardous materials
____ explosives and incendiary devices
____ firearms/weapons
____ radioactive sources
____ Smoking Regulations
____ Visitor procedures and responsibilities
____ Access to children
____ Buddy System
____ assisting disabled employees/visitors
____ Training - how the individual determines what building/facility specific training is required
____ How to acquire
____ Personal Protective Equipment
____ safety gloves
____ safety goggles
____ safety shoes
____ laboratory clothing
____ "Who's Who" in your Building/Facility
____ AES
____ Building Manager
____ Maintenance telephone number
Change Recommendation
This manual is designed to assist the supervisor. Please send any changes needed (deletions, additions, recommendations) to ESH Training.
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