Environmental Health & Safety

Industrial Hygiene Homepage

Plans, Programs, Policies, etc.

Many federal regulations impact your laboratory operations. This section is to provide a brief overview of your responsibilities for the safe operation of laboratories under your supervision. Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) recommends that PIs and supervisors consult this section periodically for updated information.

Hazardous Chemicals

USEPA defines a hazardous chemical as having one or more of the following characteristics: ignitability, reactivity, corrosivity, and toxicity. The disposal of these materials is controlled by EPA and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Drain disposal of most chemicals is a violation of the sewer use ordinance. You should contact the Hazardous Waste Management Unit at x52056 for pertinent information on the legal disposal of materials from your laboratory.

The use of chemicals in your laboratory is regulated by OSHA. OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals, 29 CFR 1910.1450, requires all laboratories to have a Chemical Hygiene Program. A University-wide program has been developed and can be found under the Industrial Hygiene Unit's information. As a PI or lab supervisor, some of your responsibilities include:

• The establishment of chemical hygiene procedures for labs under your jurisdiction
• Inform lab employees of potential hazards associated with the use of hazardous chemicals
• Have employees attend period training about the Program
• Maintain a chemical inventory of the hazardous chemicals in the lab
• Provide the necessary safety equipment for the employees.

Several other requirements are listed under the Program. EH&S recommends that you become familiar with the Program and to consult with the Industrial Hygiene Unit for laboratory concerns.

Fume Hoods

Fume hoods allow for the removal of vapors, gases, and particulate material at the point of generation, thus preventing an exposure. The Industrial Hygiene Unit and Radiation Safety check the face velocities periodically to ensure they are working properly. Older hoods have survey tape on the sash to indicate the direction of the airflow is inward. New hoods and those hoods involved in a renovation are required to have a airflow alarm to alert the lab staff when there is a problem with a fume hood.

If you experience a problem with your fume hood, please contact Facilities at ext. 3-4567 to investigate the problem.

Many fume hoods are used for the storage of hazardous waste generated in the lab. USEPA and NYSDEC regulations prohibit the evaporation of waste solvents in a fume hood. Waste containers must be closed when not being filled per 6NYCRR372.1(e)(1)(vii)(9b)(5) and 373-3.9(d).

Hazardous Waste Labeling

USEPA, NYSDEC and the University requires that hazardous waste containers be properly labeled. Please observe the following when rules when generating hazardous waste:

• Waste collection containers must be placed in a secondary containment tray that can hold the contents of the largest container.
• Waste containers must be closed when not being filled per 6NYCRR372.1(e)(1)(vii)(9b)(5) and 373-3.9(d).
• Used fixer contains silver and is a hazardous waste per 6NYCRR 371.3(e)(1). There are also regulations forbidding excess silver disposal into the sewer (Sewer Use Law of the County of Monroe).
• Waste fixer must be labeled hazardous waste per 6NYCRR 372.2(a)(8), placed in a secondary container and given periodically to the Hazardous Waste Management Unit. Call x52056 for a chemical waste pickup.
• Waste collection containers must be marked with the words "Hazardous Waste" or other words that identify the contents of the containers per 6NYCRR 372.2(a)(8).
• Waste containers are being labeled "aqueous waste" or "organic waste," etc. Such labeling does not provide enough information to comply with current chemical based treatment standards imposed by EPA.
• All waste containers must be marked with the accumulation start date in order to comply with State and Federal regulations.

The Hazardous Waste Management Unit recommends that you consult the information listed under their heading for additional information. For questions or concerns, you should contact the HWMU at ext. 5-2056.

Bloodborne Pathogens

In March 1992, OSHA issued a standard to protect all workers exposed to human blood or body fluids as a routine part of their job. Complying with this standard will help minimize this potential exposure, and thus to diseases carried by these fluids.

The use of human blood and body fluids in your laboratory is regulated by OSHA. OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030 requires the University to have a written plan documenting how the University will fulfill the requirements of the standard. Copies of the plan can be found in any Infection Control Manual, in most department offices, at University Health Service - Occupational Health, at Environmental Health & Safety, and in the SMH Director's Office. As a PI or supervisor, some of your responsibilities include:

• the practice of UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS, an approach to infection control which assumes that the blood, body fluids, and tissues of ALL persons are potential infectious.
• the offering of the Hepatitis B Vaccination series free of charge to those employees potentially exposed to blood and body fluids.
• have all new employees attend New-Hire Orientation Training.
• have all employees potentially exposed to blood and body fluids attend annual bloodborne training.
• provide the necessary protective equipment for the employees.

Several other requirements are listed under the Exposure Plan. EH&S recommends that you become familiar with the Exposure Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens and to consult the Industrial Hygiene Unit with your concerns.

Biological Safety Cabinets

Under the National Sanitation Foundation Standard Number 49, all biosafety cabinets are required to be certified annually for any work being done with infectious organisms, human tissues, recombinant DNA, or carcinogens. This certification must also be conducted at initial installation, after moving, after filter replacement, and after fan maintenance. It is recommended that all other cabinets be certified annually as well for the protection of the product.

Burgh Schoenenberger has been awarded the Biological Safety Cabinet (hood) Certification and Maintenance contract effective November 1,1994. The user is to contact Burgh Schoenenberger directly at 584-3768 when requiring maintenance and certification.

QUESTIONS? Contact EH&S Industrial Hygiene at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.

This page last updated 8/12/2002. Disclaimer