Laboratory Safety - Midwestern Higher Education · PDF file... the highest quality patient...

Laboratory SafetyJohn Hauser

Safety Manager

MissionThe mission of the University of Nebraska Medical Center is to improve the health of Nebraska through premier educational programs, innovative research, the highest quality patient care, and outreach to

underserved populations.

Background• UNMC has over 190 Full-time investigators

• 756 Graduate Students and 193 Post-Doctoral Research Associates

• In 2014 UNMC received a total of 425 research grants or contracts for a total of $94.1 million.

• 1092 of Lab spaces

Concerns• 2011 Campus Safety, Vice Chancellor for Business &

Finance and the Vice Chancellor for Research were concerned about safety in the laboratories.

• On Oct 20, 2011 the Chemical Safety Board released it’s Case Study - “Experimenting with Danger” Focuses on CSB Case Study on Texas Tech University Accident; Laboratory Deaths at UCLA and Dartmouth.

• This was a call to action.

• Concern about our culture of safety

• Overall impression that safety was somebody else’s responsibility

ProcessLab Safety Audit – Fall of 2012

• Who would conduct the audit?

Compliance department contracted with an outside auditing firm.

• Who would we audit?

Worked with the VC for Research to select labs from various departments doing various types of research which was representative of the type across the campus.

These included research laboratories in the following departments:

• Pathology & Microbiology

• Dentistry Oral Biology

• Eppley Cancer

• Internal Medicine – Pulmonary

• College of Pharmacy

• Pharmacology/Neuroscience

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Action Plan The audit identified nine areas of concern.

The Vice Chancellor for Business & Finance, Vice ChancellorResearch and the Compliance Officer met to develop the action plan.

1. Determine accountabilities for lab safety (Management & Enforcement)

2. Addressing the specific Issues Identified in those labs surveyed

3. Addressing the nine global areas of concern and issues identified in the assessment

Note: Results and action plan were reported to Administration and the Board of Regents

Action Plan Lab Safety Seminar

• Prior to Lab Safety Seminar – Survey Monkey

• Anyone identified with lab safety responsibility was required

to attend

Seminar Objectives

• Communicate the accountabilities for laboratory safety

(Management & Enforcement)

• Address the global areas of concerns from the Lab Safety

audit

• Next Steps

Accountability

• PI and lab managers – Leaders of Safety who support consistent practices of safety. They are responsible for Safety in the lab, making sure staff know the hazards, have and use the appropriate PPE, make sure equipment is working properly, establish safe practices, follow emergency plans, conduct routine self-audits, see that exposure monitoring is done as needed, etc.

• Department deans, chairs, administrators and managers –making sure that PI’s and lab mangers understand their role and assisting with issues of noncompliance

Accountability

• Safety/Risk Management – develop, implement and maintain lab safety guidelines, plans and policies. Have oversight of compliance with guidelines, plans and policies.

• Vice Chancellor of Research Office – Intervenes and assists with enforcement on issues of noncompliance by working with department administrators and deans

• Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance - assists with enforcement on issues of noncompliance when necessary

Why Is Safety Important? Used clips from the Chemical Safety Board Case Study -“Experimenting with Danger” to show the importance of lab safety and highlight incidents.

Accidental Poisoning at Dartmouth

August 1996 Researcher died after being exposed to toxic spill

Chemical Fire at UCLA

December 2008 Explosion resulted in death of lab worker

Explosion at Texas Tech

January 2010 Research on explosive compounds – shock reactive compound exploded seriously injuring student.

Poison.mp4

ChemFire.mp4

Explosion.mp4

Concerns and ObservationsEQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT

Background

Laboratory equipment must be maintained in safe operating condition

Observations and Risk Themes

• A centrifuge had broken pneumatic hinge supports, preventing the lid from remaining open without assistance and required the use of a device to manually prop the lid open while loading/unloading.

• There was no “lock-out /tag-out” sign or indication that the centrifuge was out of service.

• There was no evidence of an equipment policy for the management and maintenance of equipment to include routine calibration

Concerns and ObservationsEQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT

Action Plan

• Validate new equipment is in good operation condition prior to placing into service.

• Provide for maintenance schedules for all equipment, including routine cleaning, preventive maintenance, and calibration (per manufacturer’s specifications)

• Communicate when equipment is out of service, repair the equipment as needed and replace or remove defective in a timely manner

• Validate equipment is functioning correctly after repairs.

Concerns and ObservationsWORK AREA CLEANLINESS AND ORGANIZATION

BackgroundSafety can be compromised when the work environment is cluttered to the extent that it presents fire or electrical hazards and risk of injury to personnel


• There was excessive clutter on

bookshelves, countertops and

the 18” clearance from ceiling

fire sprinklers was not

consistently met



• Glassware and other tools obstructed sinks – in some cases items were placed by the eye wash located next to the sink which would make it difficult to access or activate the eyewash



• Lab waste containers were being

overfilled with glass pipettes,

increasing the risk of injury when

transporting or disposing

• A rusted, contaminated scissor

was found in the bottom of a sink


Action Plan

Address staff responsibilities regarding daily maintenance of the work area that includes the following:

– Requirement to clear sinks of glassware and equipment and keep eyewash area clear

– Identify a sink as a “clean sink” to be used for employee hand washing

– Empty lab waste containers on a timely basis. (pipettes, sharps, biohazard, etc.)

– Disposal of unused/outdated equipment on a periodic basis

Concerns and ObservationsPERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) AND POST EXPOSURE FOLLOW-UP

Background

PPE must be provided to employees to protect them from unnecessary exposure to chemical or bio-hazards; in the event of an exposure there are immediate and long term steps to minimize the impact of the incident and in some instances may require long term monitoring of the employee


• Where first aid kits were present they did not contain adequate supplies (only non-sterile gauze and Band-Aids)

• Eye wash stations are not being tested routinely


Observations and Risk ThemesNon compliance of PPE policy and requirements for PPE usage; policy is inconsistently enforced by research laboratories

– Limited PPE available for use– Inconsistent use of lab coats– Lab coats were permeable – A face shield head mount was damaged – Safety goggles had damaged and dried out elastic

straps – A respirator in the work area was damaged and unsafe

for use– Laboratory staff could not speak to the proper steps to

report an incident


Action Plan

• Lab coats should be appropriate to the work performed, water resistant/repellent material with sleeves and coat length to protect the employee. Flame resistant material when working with highly flammable or pyrophoric material.

• Lab coats must be worn when working with chemicals and biological materials

• Open toed shoes and sandals are not appropriate in labs.


Action Plan• Make sure the right PPE is

available and used.• Assess the condition of current

PPE and replace as needed. Review annually.

• Everyone should: o know where PPE is locatedo know how to use ito inspect it before use o make sure it fits properlyo change it as soon as practical

for problems or contamination o Discard and replace when

defective

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) AND POST EXPOSURE

FOLLOW-UP

Concerns and Observations


Action Plan• Staff using respirators

must have a physical and be fit tested. This includes disposable respirators. Even some surgical masks are classified as respirators.


Action Plan• REPORTING INJURIES - Educate laboratory staff on

how to report injuries or exposures


Action Plan• EXPOSURES – What to do? • The Employee Health Department has someone on-

call for post exposure medical guidance on biological exposures that occur on campus - including needle sticks, biological, animal, etc. Call the OUCH pager 402-888-OUCH (402-888-6824).


Action Plan• FIRE EMERGENCIES

Concerns and ObservationsELECTRICAL SAFETY

Background

Electrical and data wires should be properly identified, excess length wrapped and routinely inspected for damaged or frayed cords and exposed wires


• Electrical power cords were stretched across/behind faucets and did not appear to be connected to a Ground Fault Circuit Interruption (“GFCI”) outlet

• Wires from multiple electrical sources were tangled, hanging loose, and/or unbundled

• Computer equipment and other heavy electronic equipment was stacked/stored on the top of shelving that did not appear to be designed for the long-term storage of such equipment.


Action Plan

• Inspect all wires and outlets to ensure they will not present a hazard due to proximity to water sources and incorporate the use of GFCI protection in areas where electrical equipment and power cords are in close proximity to water

• Do not string cord behind sinks or faucets.

• Check for cords for damage or deterioration.

• High voltage equipment such as refrigerators, microwaves, toaster ovens, etc. must be plugged directly into an outlet. Extension cords must not be used with these devices.


Action Plan

• Organize, wrap, or tie wires and identify them as data or electrical to minimize opportunity for accidental tripping or pulling equipment to the point of falling

• Properly store (or remove) heavy electronic equipment that is not in use

Concerns and ObservationsCHEMICAL SAFETY

BackgroundChemicals should be stored by hazardous class and compatibility. Flammable liquids should be stored in approved flammable liquids cabinets (FLC) or an approved storage room (ASR). Acids and based must not be stored in flammable liquids cabinets with the exception of those that are classified as flammable. Acids and bases should be stored separately. A one day "working" supply of flammables is all that is allowed to be kept outside of approved storage. Flammables should be returned to the approved storage when not in use.

Observations and Risk Themes• A large quantity of flammable waste was stored outside of

an approved FLC cabinet• Chemicals and chemical waste were not always stored by

hazardous class and compatibility



• A large quantity of flammable waste was stored outside of an approved FLC cabinet

• A mixture of waste classified as flammable, was stored in the open in a 35 gallon plastic container creating a fire hazard and spill risk during use and transportation



• Chemicals and chemical waste were not always stored by hazardous class and compatibility


Action Plan

• Inspect chemical storage and flammable waste storage areas to ensure that established protocol is being followed.

• Insure a one day "working " supply of flammables is all that is allowed to be kept outside of an approved storage.

• Flammables must be returned to the cabinet when not in use.

• "Used" flammables which are being kept for pickup by Chemical Safety must be placed in secondary containment and store in a FLC or and ASR.


Action Plan

• Restrict the usage of large disposal storage containers for used chemicals for disposal to minimize risk of major incidents during handling and transport.

• Do not exceed the rated capacity of the flammable liquids cabinet and make sure that the quantity of flammable material stored in an area or room does not exceed allowable limits.

Concerns and ObservationsOPEN FLAMES AND IMPROPER USE OF EQUIPMENT

Background

Bunsen burners are used in several research laboratories for sterile culture processing. Utilizing alternative equipment for sterilization can reduce the risks associated with the use of open flames


• Bunsen burners providing open flames are used in the lab

• A Bunsen burner gas supply line was hung between work benches using a ceiling mounted fluorescent light as a support

• A vacuum tube was hung between work benches using a fluorescent light as a support


Action Plan

• Labs that have a research need for Bunsen burners need to document the need and apply for an exemption

• Lines must not be strung overhead across aisles


Action Plan• Verify areas where open flame

devices are used are safe.

Continuous ImprovementsDr. Gold speaks on UNMC's 'Culture of Safety'

July 18, 2014

"We can only succeed in our mission of improving the health of Nebraska and upholding the trust of our patients and community by our commitment to a culture of safety. The people of this state -- and our own students, faculty and staff -- are counting on us.

"I have asked our leadership team to review our existing processes and procedures, suggest any recommendations to improve laboratory safety, and assure we implement any additional fail-safe or redundant mechanisms. I have also asked that we redouble our efforts to assure a safe environment through meticulous surveillance.

"The overriding culture at UNMC must be a culture of absolute safety. We need to assure a culture of safety against which we must perform ALL our work. A culture of safety recognizes that to err is human, and establishes systems with procedures and protocols that do everything possible so that human error does not ever result in human harm.

"We all need to be part of the culture of safety to make it succeed. A culture of safety encourages reporting of actual and potential situations which may place staff and others at risk, openly assesses those risks, and implements redundant systems to keep risk to the absolute minimum.

"Thank you so much for your continued commitment to our safety."

Continuous Improvements

Continuous ImprovementsLAB SIGNAGE

• Update every biannually

• Info entered in to database

• Verified with Radiation Safety and Biosafety

• Available for first responders

• Worksheet collects information about special hazards and chemical information for hygiene risk assessments

Lab Sign Worksheet

Lab Sign Work book

Lab-Sign-Worksheet.pdf

lab-sign-workbook.pdf

Continuous ImprovementsLAB SAFETY POSTER

Sections

• Fires

• Security

• Medical Emergencies

• Tornado Shelter Area

• Muster Point

• Personal Protective Equipment

• Gas Leaks

• Chemicals

• Radioactive Materials

• Mercury

• Biological Material

• Universal Waste

• Flammable Liquids Safety Info

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• Ultraviolet (UV) Light Safety

• Liquid Nitrogen Handling

• Dry Ice Handling

• Compress Gas Cylinders

• Important Phone Numbers

• Food or Drink in Labs

• Tobacco Use

• Lab Specific Information

COLD ROOMS – Guidelines


Cold Room Guidelines.pdf

COLD ROOMS – Poster


Laboratory Safety Checklist


Questions

John HauserSafety ManagerUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center987150 Nebraska Medical CenterOmaha, NE 68198-7150

Email: [email protected]: 402-559-7315

mailto:[email protected]

Laboratory Safety - Midwestern Higher Education · PDF file... the highest quality patient...

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