Lamar University ‑ Beaumont
Department of Chemistry and Physics
Omnibus Environmental Health and Safety Plan for
Chemistry
Originally Prepared
March 1991
By the
Chemistry Department Safety Committee
Paul T.
Buonora, Chair, Anne Harmon, David Cocke, Arthur Bradberry
Last Revised
and Updated November 2007
Reviewed
September 2009
Office of
Risk Management
Table of Contents
1.2 Definition
of Responsibilities
1.2.2 Director
of Risk Management
1.2.3 Chemistry
Department Safety and Chemical Hygiene Officer
1.2.4 Chemistry
Department Hazardous Waste Officer.
1.3 Classification
of Individuals Subject to the Plan
1.3.1 Faculty,
Research, Laboratory and/or Chemical Stockroom Workers
1.3.2. Minimal
Exposure Workers
1.3.3 Class/Laboratory
Workers
1.3.4 Single/Limited
Exposure Workers
2.0 Safety and Hazardous Materials Plan
2.1 Standard
Operating Procedures
2.1.3 Protective
Clothing and Equipment
2.1.6 Chemical
Purchase and Stockroom Control
2.1.7 Procedures
for Storage of Chemicals
2.1.8 Procedures
for Chemical Wastes
2.2 Procedure‑Specific
Safety and Environmental Health Rules.
2.2.1 Procedures
for Toxic Chemicals
2.2.2 Procedures
for Flammable Chemicals
2.2.3 Procedures
for Reactive Chemicals
2.2.4 Procedures
for Corrosive awl Contact‑Hazard Chemicals
2.2.5 Procedures
for High and Low Pressure Systems.
2.2.6 Procedures
for Use of Radioactive Materials
2.2.7 Procedures
for Use of Instruments
2.2.8 Procedures
for Ionizing Radiation
2.3.1 Definitions
of Substances
2.3.2 Designated
Areas for Use of Inimical Chemicals
2.3.3 Storage
of Inimical Chemicals
2.3.4 Personal
Protective Equipment for Use of Inimical Chemicals
2.4 Control
Measures and Equipment
2.4.1 Eyewash
Fountains and Safety Showers
2.4.6 Flammable
Liquid Storage
2.5 Violations
of Plan Regulations
2.5.1 Single
Violation by a Single Individual or Multiple Individuals
2.5.2 Repeated
Violation by Multiple Individuals.
2.5.3 Repeated
Violation by a Single Individual
2.5.4 Flagrant
Violation of Safety and/or Hazard Rules
3.1 Heating/Air
Conditioning/Ventilation/Plumbing Failures
3.3 Mechanical/Electrical
Emergencies
3.4.1 Events
without Worker Contact
3.4.2 Events
with Worker Contact
3.6 Declaration
of Evacuation Emergency
4.1 When
Medical Consultation is Indicated
4.2 Information
Provided to Physician
5.1 Workers
Subject to Training Program
5.2 The
Safety and Environmental Health Training Program
Safety and Environmental Health
Officers
Checklist for Student End of Lab
Research Work
Hazardous Waste from Nonspecific
Sources
Discarded Commercial Chemical
Products, Off Specification Species,
Container Residuals, and Spill
Residues Thereof ‑ Acute Hazardous Waste
The goal in establishing this plan and its associated
regulation is to minimize the exposure of workers within the Chemistry
Department to chemical and physical hazards associated with their employment or
educational activities. It is also to ensure that chemical materials
originating within the Chemistry Department do not become a environmental
hazard to the community at large. To achieve this end goal, this document
institutes work area safety and chemical exposure standards, regulates the maintenance
and performance level of safety equipment, mandates waste handling rules,
establishes the policy of providing information and training of workers, and
documents responsibilities for tile management for the plan. This plan
incorporates elements of federal and state law governing chemical hygiene,
right to know, chemical waste management, and institutional safety.
1.2 Definition of Responsibilities
This section defines the responsibilities of various officials
for the implementation and operation of this plan. A list of the names of those
individuals will be prepared by the Director of Safety and Environmental Health
each academic year and approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the
university. Any changes in university and departmental officials and their
areas of responsibility will be disseminated to faculty and staff and will be
distributed to employees of the Chemistry Department as part of the yearly
safety and chemical hygiene training program.
The Chief Executive Officer,
(University President), has ultimate responsibility for chemical hygiene and
safety within the university. The responsibilities of tile Chief Executive
Officer include:
1. With other administrators, provide for
the continuing support for institutional safety, chemical hygiene and hazardous
waste handling.
1.3.2
Director of Risk Management
The Director of Risk Management has
primary responsibility for reviewing the specific procedures involved in the
Safety and Environmental Health Plan for compliance with federal state and
local laws and regulations. The responsibilities of the Director include:
1. Oversight
and coordination of activities and responsibilities of the Facilities
Maintenance Department with the individual departments, to install and maintain
safety and chemical hygiene equipment (such as fume hoods, power lines, fire
detection equipment, etc).
2. Oversight
and coordination of activities and responsibilities of the Shipping and
Receiving Office to ensure the proper handling of incoming hazardous materials.
3. Coordination
and supervision of the training mandated by the plan with the department.
4. Coordination
and supervision of the inspection of university facilities to ascertain the
level of compliance with the plan.
5. Maintain knowledge of the current legal
requirements for maintenance of safety equipment, for regulated substances, and
for required chemical hygiene equipment and transmission of such knowledge as needed
to the department or individual employees.
6. Establish and maintain an accurate
record of:
a. Measurements
taken to monitor employee exposures, and any medical consultations and
examinations including written opinions required by this standard.
b. Reports of accidents and emergencies,
including remedial actions taken.
c. Review records of the examination and
repair of safety and environmental health equipment, such as fire alarms and equipment,
ventilation equipment, and other equipment maintained by the Facilities
Maintenance Department..
d. Records of safety and environmental
health inspections and drills.
e. A file of suggestions for changes and
improvements to the plan, and reference literature for safety and chemical
hygiene, including this plan.
1.3.3
Chemistry Department Safety and Chemical Hygiene
Officer
The Departmental Safety and Chemical
Hygiene Officer (Department Chair or Designate, acting as an Additional Duty
Safety Officer (ADSO)), in conjunction with the Department Chair and the
University Director of Risk Management, is responsible for establishing chemical
hygiene and safety procedures within the department. This individual may be the
same person as the Departmental Hazardous Waste Officer. This individual will:
1. Coordinate with the Director of Risk
Management the safety and chemical hygiene related activities within the department,
including, , the employee training program mandated by the plan.
2. Determine the required levels of protective
apparel and equipment needed in the department, and oversee the maintenance of
safety and chemical hygiene equipment within the department.
3. Coordinate the inspection of safety,
hygiene, housekeeping and emergency equipment in the department to ascertain
the level of compliance with the plan. This includes an official inspection, no
less frequently than annually, of every area within the governance of the
Chemistry Department, and any other mandated inspections.
4. Maintain knowledge of the current legal
requirements for maintenance of safety equipment, for regulated substances, and
for required chemical hygiene equipment and transmission of such knowledge as needed
to the department, area supervisors, or individual employees.
5. Establish
and maintain an accurate record of:
a. Any measurements taken to monitor
employee exposures, and any medical consultations and examinations including
written opinions required by this standard.
b. Reports of accidents and emergencies,
including remedial actions taken.
c. The departmental file of MSDSs and
reference literature for safety and chemical hygiene, including this plan.
1.3.4
Chemistry Department Hazardous Waste Officer
The Departmental Hazardous Waste Officer, (Department Chair or
Designate) is responsible, in coordination with the University Director of Risk
Management for the proper handling and disposal of hazardous wastes generated
in the activities of the department. This individual will:
1. Coordinate, in cooperation with the
Director of Risk Management and with the Department ADSO, hazardous materials
related activities within the department, within each work area, the training
program mandated by the plan.
2.
Determine
the required levels of protective apparel and equipment needed in the
department, and oversee the maintenance of hazardous materials equipment within
the department.
3.
Coordinate
the inspection of departmental facilities to ascertain the level of compliance
with the plan.
4.
Establish
and maintain an accurate record of:
a.
A
cumulative record of waste generated and accumulated in the Department since
the last disposal.
b.
Such
department wide chemical and hazardous materials inventory as may be required.
The Area Supervisor is responsible for
safety and environmental health within a designated area, (typically an
individual room), or the activities of workers under the area supervisor's control.
Coordinators of each specific laboratory course are to be considered the area
supervisor for that course. For research laboratories, the senior faculty
member overseeing the research will be the Area Supervisor. The Area Supervisor
will:
Laboratory Coordinators fall into a
special category of Area Supervisors. They are the individual faculty who
dictate policy and procedure for a particular laboratory course. To ensure the
safety and chemical hygiene of the students the laboratory coordinator will
perform the following duties beyond those of the Area Supervisors.
1.3 Classification of Individuals Subject to the Plan
The persons potentially subject to this document will be
classed in one of four groups. Those grouping are
1.3.1
Faculty, Research, Laboratory and/or Chemical Stockroom
Workers
Defined as those individuals working in the stock and
laboratory preparation rooms, acting as teaching assistants, performing
postgraduate research work, or taking part in a laboratory educational
experience that does not have a classroom component. Such individuals will be
responsible for the following:
1.3.2
Minimal Exposure Workers
Defined as office and custodial
workers who may as part of their duties be required to enter a laboratory or
storage area, who will perform no manipulations of hazardous chemicals or
equipment within that area. Assuming that the responsibilities placed on other
workers are met, the potential for exposure to chemical hazards or mechanical
hazards for such individuals should be minimal. Based on this knowledge, such workers will be
provided a special training course that focuses on the recognition of potential
hazard conditions and emergency procedures. These workers should not attempt to
perform their duties in areas in which safety and health rules are being
violated, but should report such conditions to the appropriate area supervisor.
1.3.3
Class/Laboratory Workers
Defined as students in lecture/laboratory educational programs
that have both classroom and laboratory component. Such individuals will be
responsible for the following:
1.
Before
commencing laboratory work, reading, understanding and signing the
"Teaching Laboratories Safety Rules" document.
1.3.4
Single/Limited Exposure Workers
Classified as workers such as maintenance and repair personnel
who may be required to enter and work in a laboratory or storage area. Such
workers should obtain authorization from the Area Supervisor or the
Departmental Safety and Chemical Hygiene Officer, who will normally accompany
the individual into the work area and verify, or arrange for some other
qualified person to verify that the work area is cleared or any potential
hazard to the worker.
2.0 Safety and Hazardous Materials Plan
2.1 Standard Operating Procedures
2.
Approved
eye protection must be worn at all times within laboratories or chemical or
glassware storage areas, regardless of whether a visitor or worker. The use of
lasers and ultra‑violet light sources will require the use of safety
glasses rated for use with the frequencies of light involved. (See Section
2.1.3)
Note: Soft
contact lenses must not be worn in any laboratory or chemical storage area.
3.
When
systems which emit electromagnetic radiation that may result in optical damage
are used, the apparatus must be shielded optically and proper warnings placed
at entry points to the area involved.
5.
When
working with flammable chemicals, sources of ignition near enough to cause fire
or explosion, in the event of vapor release or liquid spill, (15 Feet) must be
removed or extinguished.
6.
All
safety features of mechanical or chemical equipment must be in place and in
working order, (this includes but is not limited to belt guards, radiation
shields, fan covers, safety sensors and meters).
For the
chemicals they work with, all workers should know and be constantly aware of
the following:
1. Eye protection worn when working with
chemicals must meet the requirements of the American National Standard
Institute (ANSI) Z87.1. This includes side shields on glasses. When working
with more than 10 ml. of a corrosive liquid, in addition to safety glasses, a
face shield large enough to protect the chin, neck, and ears, as well as the
face must be worn.
2. When working with corrosive liquids,
allergenic, sensitizing or toxic chemicals, wear gloves made of a material
known to be resistant to permeation by the chemical and tested by air inflation
(do not inflate ,by mouth) for the absence of pin‑hole leaks.
3. The use of laboratory aprons or coats
in the laboratory or chemical storage area is encouraged. As a matter of safety,
it is better that a worker be able to remove the outer layer of clothing in an
emergency. Snap fasteners are recommended for laboratory coats Long-sleeved and
long legged clothing must be worn in the laboratory. No short pants, skirts, or
short dresses are permitted. Long hair and/or loose clothing must be confined.
4. Wear low-heeled shoes with fully
covered "uppers". Open toed shoes such as sandals or shoes
constructed of woven materials may not be worn.
5. Gloves are recommended when working
with chemicals and in some cases are required. They are also recommended when
washing glassware. In order to avoid spread of chemicals on gloves they should be
removed before touching other items including telephones doorknobs notebooks
etc.
6. Whenever exposure to a chemical by
inhalation is likely to exceed the threshold limit described in the MSDS or
other appropriate reference, use an operating fume hood. If this is not
possible a proper respirator must be worn. Consult with the Area Supervisor
before undertaking such work.
7. All protective equipment should be
inspected prior to use. Defective equipment should be brought to the attention
of the Area Supervisor.
Workers must
obtain prior approval from the area supervisor to proceed with a laboratory
task whenever:
1. A new or unfamiliar laboratory
procedure or test is to be carried out.
2. It is likely that the toxic limit
concentration for a chemical involved in the process could be exceeded or that
other harm is likely.
3. There is a change in a procedure or
test, even if it is very similar to prior practices. "Change in a
procedure or test" means:
a. A 10% or greater increase or decrease
in the amount of one or more chemicals used.
b. A substitution or deletion of any of
the chemicals in a procedure.
c. Any change in other conditions under
which the procedure is to be conducted.
4. There is a failure of any of the
equipment used in a process, in particular safeguards such as fume hoods or
clamped apparatus.
5. An unexpected result has been
experienced on a previous attempt of the procedure.
6. Members of the laboratory staff become
ill due to a possible chemical exposure, suspect that they or others have been
exposed to a hazardous material, or otherwise suspect a failure of any safeguards.
1. Ordering of Chemicals:
a. Only Area Supervisors may order
chemicals. This approval is in addition
to any budgetary approval that may be necessary. Prior to orders for purchase
the area supervisor must determine if any supplies of the chemical are currently
in the departmental store room.
b. The Area Supervisor should determine
before ordering chemicals the requirements for protective equipment and
handling of the chemical, and ensure that any needed equipment is available.
c. Only the minimum amount of chemicals
needed should be ordered, to ensure that large amounts of unused chemicals do
not accumulate within the department.
Large quantities of chemicals in excess of predicted requirements should
not be purchased because the unit price is thereby reduced. Such excess chemicals will usually have to be
disposed of as hazardous waste at significant cost.
2. Receipt of Chemicals:
a. The Chemistry Department stockroom
personnel will remove all chemicals from their shipping containers, mark the
receipt date. If the chemical has a
known shelf life this expiration date should be noted on a separate tag on the container.
(Unopened diethylether containers should not be kept for more than six months
unless packed under nitrogen or other inert gas in sealed containers. Diethylether should not be kept for over one
month after the container is initially opened.)
b. Shipments may not be picked up by the
ordering individual until they have been authorized for pickup by the
laboratory manager.
c. MSDSs should be reviewed by the worker
using the chemical, and the Area Supervisor and then added to the departmental
MSDS file if they are not already on record.
If an MSDS is not available in the Department, and the chemical arrives
in advance of the MSDS from the supplier, an MSDS should be located on the
Internet before a chemical is used.
3. Transport of Chemicals:
Storage of chemicals in a laboratory is an issue largely under
the control of the Area Supervisors. There are several regulations that apply,
however, that workers must be aware of. These rules are:
1. Process Derived Mixtures: The product
of a process, solvent from a process or mixture containing either or both of
those materials is not a waste until it is classified as such by the user. Area
Supervisors and workers should be aware of the protocols to minimize the
amounts of such material, either by separation of the components or by
treatment of the material to reduce its hazardous nature. For processes which
are preformed on a regular or repeated basis the written protocol for that process
should include the minimization and treatment information, as well as the
classification of the ultimate waste materials.
I.
Classification
of Wastes: Wastes must be initially classified as hazardous or nonhazardous.
Hazardous wastes are those defined by the United States Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) as a substance for which there is statistically
significant evidence, based on at least one scientific study, showing that
acute or chronic harm may result from exposure to that chemical. This is
regardless of whether the handling of the material is proper or improper.
a.
Nonhazardous
waste: Wastes that meet none of the criteria of hazardous wastes may be
considered as nonhazardous. Following certification of a waste as nonhazardous
it may be treated as general garbage. Is important however that the waste be
certified first.
i.
Disposal
of Nonhazardous Wastes: With the exception of glass wastes the Chemistry
Department makes no rules regarding the landfill disposal of nonhazardous
wastes. The City of Beaumont does regulate what wastes may be disposed of in
the public sewers. Some of these rules are more stringent than the criteria for
classification of a waste as hazardous. Based on these rules nonhazardous
wastes that do not meet the following requirements may not be disposed of in
the sewer lines.
(i) Any fat, oil, grease, ash, cinder,
sand, mud, shavings, metal, glass, tar or other solid or viscous liquid
substance which may cause obstruction to the flow in sewer of other interferences
with the proper operation of the wastewater treatment system.
(ii) Any liquid or vapor having a flash
point temperature higher than 650C (1500F).
(iii) Any wastewater with a pH less than 6.0
or above 11.0 or having any corrosive property capable of causing damage or hazard
to structures, equipment, or personnel of the wastewater treatment system.
(iv) Any waste or water containing
suspended or undissolved solids of such character that unusual attention or
expense is required to handle such material.
(v) Any water with objectionable color.
b. Hazardous waste: A waste is hazardous
if it fits into one of the following categories:
i.
Listed
Waste: A listed waste is one included in one of four lists, generated by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Identified by the letters
F, K, P, and U. Within the lists the materials are assigned hazardous waste
numbers and hazard rating by the EPA. The ratings systems and the lists *are
provided in appendix. The definitions for the list types are as follows:
(i) Type F wastes are generic categories
of solvents and wastes and wastewater from some specific processes.
(ii) Type K wastes are hazardous wastes
from specific sources.
(iii) Type P wastes include acutely
hazardous wastes.
(iv) Type U wastes are specific commercial
chemical products, chemical intermediates and off specification chemical
products.
b Characteristic
Waste: If a waste is not found to be one of the Listed Wastes it may be an "unknown"
waste, which must be tested to determine the nature of the waste properties or characteristics. The Characteristics to be
evaluated are:
(i) Ignitability
(Waste #D001): Any easily combustible or flammable liquid with a flash point
less than 600 C (1400 F), or solid that burns easily.
(ii) Corrosive
(Waste #D002): Any waste that dissolves metals or other materials or burns the
skin, pH less than 2 or greater than 12.5.
(iii) Reactivity
(Waste #D003): Wastes which are
unstable, release toxic gases, or undergo rapid or violent chemical reaction
with water or other materials.
(iv) EP
Toxicity (Waste #s D004‑D017): Extracts of the material contain high
concentrations of heavy metals and/or specific pesticides that could be
released into ground water. Appendix 4 contains the list of the contaminates and
their maximum allowed concentrations to exempt from EPA Toxic designation.
5. Hazardous
Waste Accumulation and Storage: As waste is classified it must be accumulated
and stored until it can be disposed of. The following rules should be applied
to the accumulation and storage of materials classified as hazardous waste:
i.
Aqueous
hazardous waste solutions should not be stored in metal drums. If of greater
than pH of 8 such wastes should not be stored in glass containers.
ii.
Organic
hazardous wastes should be accumulated and stored in containers which do not
contain polymer components that may be structurally weaken by exposure to the
wastes.
iii.
Leave
2 inches empty at the top of each container of liquid. Do not use wide moth
containers for liquids.
c.
All
hazardous waste containers must be labeled with the following information:
i.
Once
hazardous wastes have been introduced to a accumulation and storage container
the date must be noted on the container and the container must be removed from the
laboratory to a designated storage area at the end of a 30 day period.
ii.
The
site where the waste originated, and the names of all contributors to the
container. In teaching laboratories the identity of the laboratory and
experiment is sufficient.
iii.
The
amounts and identity of the contributions to the container. Hazardous wastes
that represent less than 5% of the total container volume need not be listed
unless they are classified as type P or EP toxic characteristic wastes. If the
EPA waste identification number of a waste is known it should be included. Use
full names of compounds not abbreviations or structures.
d. Waste must be removed from the
laboratory to the stock room when containers are full or there is no
expectation of any further wastes of the type in the container. Waste from teaching laboratories must be
removed when all sections have completed the particular experiment that
produces the waste. An exception to this exists where halogenated and
non-halogenated organic solvent wastes produced in successive experiments are
collected separately in larger containers.
Such containers should be removed at the end of the semester.
e. Transport of waste must be done
following the rules for the transport of any chemical material. (See section
2.1.6)
2.1 The chemistry department makes special
exception regarding glass waste, in the disposal of materials into the general
trash. Clean glass wastes, particularly broken glass, should be kept separate
from the general garbage to avoid potential safety hazards to custodians.
Specific glass containers will be made available in each laboratory area for
the disposal of glass waste. Thermometers that are broken and their pieces may
contain small amounts of mercury and should be placed in a separate labeled
container from other glass.
2.2 Procedure‑Specific Safety and
Environmental Health Rules
All routine or repeated laboratory procedures must contain a
written description of the specific safety practices, incorporating the
applicable precautions, described in this section. Workers should read and
understand these practices before commencing a procedure.
2.2.1
Procedures for Toxic Chemicals
The MSDSs for many of the chemicals used in the laboratory
will state recommended limits or OSHA‑mandated limits, or both, as
guidelines for exposure. Typical limits
arc threshold limit values (TLV), permissible exposure limits (PEL), and action
levels. When such limits are stated, they should be used to assist the Area
Supervisor and chemical user in determining the safety precautions, control
measures, and safety apparel that are required when working a toxic chemical.
1. When
a TLV or PEL value is less than 50 ppm or 100 mg/m3 the application
of the chemical must occur in an operating fume hood, glove box, vacuum line,
or similar device, which is equipped with appropriate traps and/or scrubbers.
If none are available, no work should be performed using that chemical. If
utilized, the concentration within the laboratory of such a chemical must be
measured to ensure that exposure limits are not exceeded. Records of such
measurements must by maintained by both the Area Supervisor and Departmental Safety
and Chemical Hygiene Officer, measures above the allowed concentration must be
reported to the workers involved. Such data should be incorporated in the
yearly plan review.
2. If
a TLV, PEL, or comparable value is not available for a substance, the animal or
human median inhalation lethal concentration information, LC50, will be
assessed. If that value is less than 200 ppm or 2000 mg/m3 (when
administered continuously for one hour or less), then the chemical must be used
in an operating fume hood, glove box, vacuum line, or similar device, which is
equipped with appropriate traps and/or scrubbers. If none are available, no
work should be performed using that chemical. If utilized, the concentration in
the laboratory of such chemicals must be measured to ensure that exposure limits
are not exceeded. Records of such measurements must by maintained by both the
Area Supervisor and Departmental Safety and Hazardous Materials Officer,
measures above the allowed concentration must be reported to the workers
involved. Such data should be incorporated in the yearly plan review.
3. Whenever
laboratory handling of toxic substances with moderate or, greater vapor
pressures will be likely to exceed acceptable air concentration limits,
laboratory work with such liquids and solids will be conducted in a fume hood,
glove box, vacuum line, or similar device, which is equipped with appropriate
traps and/or scrubbers. If none are available, no work should be performed
using that chemical.
2.2.2
Procedures for Flammable Chemicals
In general, the flammability of a
chemical is determined by its flash point, the lowest temperature at which an
ignition source can cause the chemical to ignite momentarily under certain
controlled conditions. Information of flash points is available in MSDSs for
purchased chemicals.
2.
The
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) guidelines and OSHA standards on
when a chemical is considered flammable apply to use of flammable chemicals in
the laboratory. In all work with fire‑hazard
chemicals, follow the requirements of
NFPA and NFPA Manual 45, "Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals"
and the standards of 29 CFR, subparts H and L:.
3.
Fire‑hazard
chemicals should be stored in a flammable‑solvent storage area or in
storage cabinets designed for flammable materials.
4.
Fire‑hazard
chemicals should be used only in vented hoods and away from sources of
ignition.
2.2.3
Procedures for Reactive Chemicals
b.
Is
described as such in the current edition of "Handbook of Reactive Chemical
Hazards" by L. Bretherick or other authoritative source, is indicated to
be reactive in the MSDS or on the label,
c.
Is
ranked by the NFPA as 3 or 4 for reactivity,
d.
Is
identified by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) as:
i.
An
oxidizer,
ii.
An
organic peroxide, or
iii.
An
explosive, Class A, B, or C,
f.
Meets
the OSHA definition of unstable in 29 CFR 1910.1450
2.2.4
Procedures for Corrosive awl Contact‑Hazard
Chemicals
a.
Is
listed as such on the MSDS or the label,
b.
Fits
the OSHA definition of corrosive in Appendix A of 29 CFR 1910.1200,
c.
Fits
the EPA definition of corrosive in 40 CFR 261.22 (has a pH greater than 12 or
less than 2.5),
d.
Is
known or found to be corrosive to living tissue.
2.
A
contact hazard chemical is an allergen or sensitizer that:
a.
Is
so identified in the MSDS or on the label,
b.
Is
so identified or described in the medical or industrial hygiene literature, or
c.
Is
known or found to be an allergen or sensitizer.
3.
Handle
corrosive chemicals with all proper safety precautions, including wearing safety
glass or goggles and a face shield (see section 2.1.3 (1)), gloves tested for
the absence of pin holes and known to be resistant to permeation or
penetration, and a laboratory apron or laboratory coat.
2.2.5
Procedures for High and Low Pressure Systems
7.
All
damaged, corroded, unused and empty gas cylinders must be removed form
laboratories and placed in the empty cylinder storage area in the stock‑room
and properly secured.
8.
Copper
or brass regulators must not be used with acetylene systems.
9.
Cryogenic
liquids must not be confined except in approved containers. Care should be used
when utilizing cryogenic liquids to avoid liquefying air, oxygen or argon, and
to avoid to the possibility of cryogenic burns.
10.
Low
pressure and vacuum systems must utilize a functioning trapping device to avoid
contamination of pumps and/or pump oil with vapors, particularly if those
vapors create ‑a danger of explosion within the pump system.
11.
Before
applying vacuum to any system each component of the system must be certified to
contain components that have been manufactured to withstand the pressures used.
This includes checks of the structural integrity of the components, (cracks in
glassware)
12.
High
and low pressure systems should be utilized only when working shielding has
been applied to guard against the result of any rapid change in pressure
brought about by implosion or explosion.
2.2.6
Procedures for Use of Radioactive Materials
Procedures
and rules governing the use of radioactive materials are promulgated by the University
Radiation Safety Officer for Radioactive Materials, currently Dr. George Irwin,
and are included in the University's Radiation Safety Manual. Prior approval from Dr. Irwin is required
before any use of Radioactive Materials can be allowed. Note that the Radioactive Materials License
issued by the Texas Department of State Health Services covers items such as
the source in the electron capture detectors in some gas chromatographs in the
Department. Access to and use of these
gas chromatographs is limited to those properly authorized under the rules
contained in the Radiation Safety Manual.
2.2.7
Procedures for Use of Instruments
Specific instruments, either due to their expense to the
department or to the potential hazard to users, will be assigned a specific
Area Supervisor or Supervisors. Workers must seek and obtain the approval of
the appropriate Area Supervisor to use these instruments. The Area Supervisor
will keep records of the name of approved users.
2.2.8
Procedures for Ionizing Radiation
No ionizing radiation machines (as defined by the Texas
Department of State Health Services, but see 2.2.6 above) are currently in use
in the Chemistry Department. Rules
regulating ionizing radiation producing machines elsewhere in the University
are promulgated by the Radiation Safety Officer for ionizing radiation machines,
currently Dr. David Cocke.
The procedures in this section must be followed when working
with more than 10 mg. of any carcinogen, reproductive toxin, substance that has
a high degree of acute toxicity, or a chemical whose toxic properties are
unknown.
2.3.1
Definitions of Substances
For the purposes of the "Chemical Hygiene Plan" the
compounds in these categories will be called "inimical". The
following definitions apply to these compounds:
a.
Is
regulated as a carcinogen by OSHA; or
b.
Is
listed under the category "known to be carcinogens" in the latest
edition of the Annual Report on Carcinogens published by the National
Toxicology Program (NTP); or
c.
Is
listed under Group I ("carcinogenic to humans") in the latest edition
by the International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs (IARC); or
d.
Is
listed in either Group 2A or 2B by IARC or under the category, reasonably
anticipated to be carcinogens" by NTP, and causes statistically
significant tumor incidence in experimental animals in accordance with any of the
following criteria:
i.
After
inhalation exposure of 6‑7 hours per day, 5 days per week, for a
significant portion of a lifetime to dosages of less than 10 mg/m3;
ii.
After
repeated skin application of less than 300 mg/kg of body weight per week, or
iii.
After
oral dosages of less than 50 mg/kg of body weight per day.
2.
Reproductive
Toxin: Any substance described as such
in an applicable MSDS or any chemical that has been shown to affect the reproductive
capabilities including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on a fetus
(teratogenesis).
4.
Chemical
whose toxic properties are unknown but may reasonably be expected to fall into
the classes described in 1 through 3 above by virtue of it structure and/or
functional groups and/or analogy with substances known to be inimical chemicals: A chemical for which there is no ' known
statistically significant study conducted in accordance with established scientific
principles that established its toxicity, but resembles in any way, a substance
known to be an inimical chemical.
2.3.2
Designated Areas for Use of Inimical Chemicals
Inimical chemicals must be used in a designated area. A
designated area may be a fume hood, glove box, portion of a laboratory, or an
entire laboratory designated as the only area where work with quantities of the
inimical chemical in excess of a specific limit shall be conducted. Such areas
shall be posted with their boundaries clearly marked. Only persons trained to
work with inimical chemicals will work with those chemicals in the designated
area. Such persons will:
2.
Use
high‑efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or high efficiency scrubber
systems to protect vacuum lines and pumps.
3.
Decontaminate
the designated area when work is completed.
4.
Prepare
wastes from work with inimical chemicals for disposal in accordance with specific
disposal procedures consistent with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) and as described within this document.
2.3.3
Storage of Inimical Chemicals
Inimical chemicals must be stored in locked and enclosed
spaces ideally with a slight negative pressure relative to the building and
room pressure.
2.3.4
Personal Protective Equipment for Use of Inimical
Chemicals
When
handling inimical chemicals, workers must wear long‑sleeved disposable
clothing and gloves known to resist permeation by the inimical chemicals to be
used when working in designated areas.
2.2 Control Measures and Equipment
2.4.1
Eyewash Fountains and Safety Showers
1. Fire extinguishers in laboratories
should be the appropriate type for the expected fire emergency and be capable
of rapid use.
2. Carbon dioxide extinguishers shall be
provided as the standard type of extinguisher in the Chemistry Building. Dry chemical fire extinguishers may be
preferred for certain areas, especially where there may be a greater load of
paper etc but carbon dioxide is applicable to most chemical fires. Carbon dioxide
must not be used on fires involving finely divided metals.
3. Fire extinguishers must be inspected
each month (visual check) and serviced by a trained individual once per year.
a.
Laboratory
ventilation should be maintained to meet the design specifications for the
building. Shortcomings detected by the
Energy Management System should be promptly rectified. The general air flow
should be uniform throughout the laboratory. This flow is not necessarily
sufficient to prevent accumulation of chemical vapors in the laboratory.
b.
Work
with toxic chemicals that have low air concentration limits, or that have high
vapor pressures, should always be done carried out in a fume hood, vacuum line
or glove box.
c.
Alterations
to the ventilation system must only be performed by Facilities Maintenance
personnel or contractors specifically tasked to make such alterations and must be
tested to ensure that room ventilation has not suffered.
2.
All
workers who are likely to need to use respirators must be trained in their
proper use, inspection and maintenance, and undergo annual medical testing and
fit testing to ensure that they are in a satisfactory health condition to use a
respirator. Area Supervisors must ensure the training of workers under their
control. Written standard operating
procedures governing the selection and use of respirators will be provided by
and be on file with the Departmental Safety and Chemical Hygiene Officer.
2.4.6
Flammable Liquid Storage
a.
Never
disable the spring‑loaded closure.
2.
Fire
hazard chemicals should be stored in appropriately designed and labeled
cabinets. Cabinets designed for the storage of flammable materials should be
properly used and maintained. Read and follow the manufacturer's information
and follow the following safety practices:
a.
Store
only compatible materials inside a cabinet.
b.
Do
not store paper or cardboard or other combustible packaging material in a
flammable‑liquid storage cabinet.
c.
The
manufacturer establishes quantity limits for various sizes of flammable‑liquid
storage cabinets; do not overload a cabinet.
2.4.7
Low Temperature Storage
1. Only approved flammables storage or
explosion proof refrigerators may be used to store chemicals. (Refrigerators
and freezers from which all electrical connections have been removed from the
storage compartment are acceptable, but it should be remembered that the such
refrigerators that are not explosion proof, although qualified for storage of
flammable, may produce sparks from electric motor brushes etc outside the
cooled storage compartment.)
2. No food, drink or personal use items
may be stored in any chemical storage device.
3. Purchased materials requiring storage
at lower that room temperature should be labeled by the vendor or manufacturer.
Such materials should be stored at the indicated proper temperature immediately
after receipt by the university.
4. Laboratory preparations that require
low temperature storage should be labeled by the person who prepared them
indicating the identity of the material, the date prepared, the temperature at
which it is to be t red and the identity of the preparer. Such materials should be properly sealed to
avoid contamination of the storage space by vapors.
2.3 Violations of Plan Regulations
In as much as these regulations are based on an interest in
the safety of workers and legal requirements it is a necessity that there be a
penalty phase, short of legal action, to underscore the seriousness of
regulations and required practices promulgated in this plan. It is the desire
of the University and Chemistry Department to encourage and require compliance
before harm comes to the worker or the environment through unsafe action. With
this in mind the following series of recourse actions is available to the
safety and hazardous materials officials.
2.5.1
Single Violation by a Single Individual or Multiple
Individuals
Such violations will be dealt with by the Area Supervisor who
will discuss with the individual or group of individuals the nature of the
violation and determine if the fault lies in a communication breakdown or
individual irresponsibility.
2.5.2
Repeated Violation by Multiple Individuals