Laboratory Safety Plan

Preface on Terminology

The term Laboratory Safety Plan can refer to two different plans: a generic plan prepared by members of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety on the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota, and this tailored plan, which is the adaptation of the generic plan to the Division of Science and Mathematics on the Morris campus of the University. When the termLaboratory Safety Plan is used below, it means the latter unless otherwise stated. The term Appendix refers to additional documentation accompanying the generic plan and provided by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. The term Attachment refers to additional documentation attached to the Morris plan and developed by the Division Safety Committee (see Section I.D. below) with the aid of other members of the Division.

Introduction

1. Purpose

   This Laboratory Safety Plan describes policies, procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment and work practices that are capable of protecting employees from the health hazards presented by many chemicals used in laboratories. This Plan is intended to meet the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, a copy of which is found in Appendix A.

   This Laboratory Safety Plan is intended to safely limit laboratory workers’ exposure to OSHA-regulated substances. Laboratory workers must not be exposed to substances in excess of the permissible exposure limits (PEL) specified in OSHA rule 29 CFR 1910, Subpart Z, Toxic and Hazardous Substances. PELs for regulated substances are provided in Appendix B. PELs refer to airborne concentrations of substances averaged over an eight-hour day. A few substances (listed in Appendix B) also have “action levels”. Action levels are air concentrations below the PEL which nevertheless require that certain actions such as medical surveillance and workplace monitoring take place.

   An employee’s work-place exposure to any regulated substance must be monitored if there is reason to believe that the exposure will exceed an action level or a PEL. If exposures to any regulated substance routinely exceed an action level or permissible exposure level there must also be employee medical surveillance.

2. Scope and Application

   This standard applies to all employees—faculty, student employees, civil servants, and professional and administrative staff--of the Division of Science and Mathematics who engage in the “laboratory use” of hazardous chemicals. It applies to instructional and research laboratories in biology, chemistry, geology and physics in the Science Building at the University of Minnesota Morris. Also, it is the policy of the University that laboratory students, while not legally covered under this standard, will be given training commensurate with the level of hazard associated with their laboratory work.

   Laboratory use of hazardous chemicals means handling or use of such chemicals in which all of the following conditions are met: i) the handling or use of chemicals occurs on a “laboratory scale”, that is, the work involves containers which can easily and safely be manipulated by one person; ii) multiple chemical procedures or chemical substances are used; and iii) protective laboratory practices and equipment are available and in common use to minimize the potential for employee exposures to hazardous chemicals.

3. Coordination With Other Standards and Guidelines

   Several other University standards as well as state and federal rules pertain to activities in the laboratories of the Division of Science and Mathematics. Members of the Safety Committee (see below) have copies of the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Standard which mandates the Laboratory Safety Plan (OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Part Title: Occupational Safety and Health Standards-- Subpart: z --Subpart Title: Toxic and hazardous Substances--Standard Number: 1910.1450 -- Title: Occupational Exposure to hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories) for additional information). Committee members and many other Division employees have copies of the University of Minnesota's Hazardous Chemical Waste Management book, which is produced by the University's Hazardous Chemical Waste Program. Other University programs are the Radiation Protection Program, the Biosafety Program, the Respiratory Protection Program, and the Confined Space Entry Policy and Program. Programs administered by OHS (Occupational Health and Safety). Faculty supervisors whose work may be subject to the provisions of these standards should obtain information about them by calling (612) 626-6002 on the Twin Cities campus of the University. In the unlikely event that there is a conflict between provisions of various standards, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety should be contacted to assist in resolving the discrepancy.

4. Responsibilities

   1. Employer

      1. University-Wide

         The University of Minnesota, in conjunction with its colleges and departments, is responsible for developing and supporting a broad-based chemical hygiene program that will protect its laboratory employees from health effects associated with hazardous chemicals. Management is responsible for integrating safety into all of its activities, for promoting safety consciousness among all University employees, and for providing adequate time and recognition for employees who are given laboratory safety responsibilities.

      2. University of Minnesota Morris/Division of Science & Mathematics

         • Division Safety Officer.

           The Division Safety Officer chairs the Division Safety Committee, serves as liaison between the Division and the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, on the one hand, and between the Division and the Campus Safety Officer, on the other.

         • Division Safety Committee

           Each discipline of the Division of Science and Mathematics selects a discipline safety officer. The Division Safety Committee consists of the discipline safety officers, laboratory manager(s), and the Division Chair, who serves ex officio. The Chemistry Laboratory Manager is chair of the Safety Committee and Division Safety Officer.

   Responsibilities of the Committee. It modifies and adapts the University of Minnesota Generic Laboratory Safety Plan to fit the Division and submits it for approval. It implements the plan within the Division. It arranges for annual training for all employees and keeps training records. It carries out routine inspections of laboratory facilities, including safety equipment. It receives and reviews reports of dangerous and/or injurious incidents, makes recommendations when appropriate and keeps records of the incidents.

   Responsibilities of the Discipline Safety Officer. Besides the duties associated with service on the Safety Committee, the Discipline Safety Officer consults with laboratory personnel in the discipline about safe procedures, serves as liaison between the discipline and the Safety Committee, and is responsible for the annual training session for discipline employees, including their attendance.

5. Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS)

   The Department of Environmental Health and Safety is responsible for preparing and updating the University's Laboratory Safety Plan, for distributing it to departments who will implement the Plan, and for monitoring the progress of departments toward achieving compliance. Joseph Klancher will serve as the Chemical Hygiene Officer for the University, and the entire DEHS staff will participate in providing resources for departments in the development of their individual health and safety programs.

6. Faculty Supervisor

   The immediate faculty supervisor of a laboratory employee is responsible for scheduling time for the employee to attend designated training sessions and for assuring that potential hazards of specific projects have been identified and addressed before work is started. The supervisor is also responsible for enforcing safe work practices and for reporting hazardous conditions to the discipline laboratory safety officer.

7. Employee

   Each laboratory employee is responsible for attending safety training sessions, following safety guidelines applicable to the procedures being carried out, assuring that required safety precautions are in place before work is started, and reporting hazardous conditions as they are discovered. Employees who have significant responsibility for directing their own laboratory work are responsible for assuring that potential hazards of specific projects have been identified and addressed before work is started.

Standard Operating Procedures

Introduction. Subsections II A and C below are lists of standard operating procedures that are explained in Appendices D, E, and F of the generic plan. Faculty supervisors should review and adopt those Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) which pertain to the chemicals and procedures used in their teaching or research laboratories, and train employees in their use.

Work with particularly hazardous or unique chemicals and/or procedures may not be covered by the procedures listed below. Supervisors have the option of writing standard operating procedures or providing literature on safe practice. An article from the literature, for example, could be a standard operating procedure. Procedures and written safety precautions in laboratory notebooks may serve as laboratory-specific Standard Operating Procedures. Procedures written by the faculty supervisor should describe the work to be done and the safety measures to be taken by the employee. These individual procedures should be kept in the laboratory and employees should be trained in their use. A list of these procedures should be forwarded to the Division Laboratory Safety Officer so they can be referenced in Section II. D of this Laboratory Safety Plan.

1. Chemical Procedures

   1. Laboratory standard operating procedures found in Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals (National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1995) are adopted for general use at the University of Minnesota. The Division of Science and Mathematics owns two copies of Prudent Practices, one being kept in the Division office and the other in the office of Chair of the Safety Committee. The entire contents are accessible on the web. Note especially the following topics which are covered in Chapters 5 and 6 of Prudent Practices:
      •  
        • Working with Chemicals:
          • Introduction
          • Prudent Planning
          • General Procedures for Working with Hazardous Chemicals
          • Working with Substances of High Toxicity
          • Working with Biohazardous and Radioactive Chemicals
          • Working with Flammable Chemicals
          • Working with Highly Reactive or Explosive Chemicals
          • Working with Compressed Gases
        • Working with Laboratory Equipment:
          • Introduction
          • Working with Water-Cooled Equipment
          • Working with Electrically Powered Laboratory Equipment
          • Working with Compressed Gases
          • Working with High/Low Pressures and Temperatures
          • Using Personal Protective, Safety, and Emergency Equipment
          • Emergency Procedures
        • General Recommendations for Safe Practices in Laboratories:
          • General Principles
          • Flammability Hazards
          • Health and Hygiene
          • Cold Traps and Cryogenic Hazards
          • Food Handling
          • Systems Under Pressure
          • Housekeeping
          • Waste Disposal Procedures
          • Equipment Maintenance
          • Warning Signs and Labels
          • Guarding for Safety
          • Unattended Operations
          • Shielding for Safety
          • Working Alone
          • Glassware
          • Accident Reporting
        • Protective Apparel, Safety Equipment, Emergency Procedures and First Aid:
          • Glasses and Face Shields
          • Emergency Procedures
          • Gloves
          • First Aid
          • Other Clothing and Footwear
          • Chemical Ingestion or Contamination
          • Safety Equipment
        • Design Requirements for and Use of Electrically Powered Laboratory Apparatus:
          • General Principles
          • Stirring and Mixing Devices
          • Vacuum Pumps
          • Heating Devices
          • Drying Ovens
          • Electronic Instruments
          • Refrigerators
        • Laboratory Ventilation:
          • General Laboratory Ventilation
          • Special Ventilation Areas
          • Use of Laboratory Hoods
          • Maintenance of Ventilation Systems
          • Other Local Exhaust Systems
      • Another useful manual is the American Chemical Society’s Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories. This manual presents information similar to that found in Prudent Practices, but in a considerably condensed format.
      • Certain standard operating procedures have been adopted by the University of Minnesota specifically for its own laboratories. Extensive and detailed policies regarding hazardous waste management are specified in the University’s manual, “Hazardous Chemical Waste Management, 5th edition”. Other more specific standard operating procedures are reproduced in Chapter 2 of the University Lab Safety Plan and are listed below.
        • Specific University of Minnesota Policies for Safe Practices in Laboratories
        • Corridors
        • Disposal of Ethidium Bromide
        • Extension Cords in University Buildings
        • Eye Protection and Standards for Eye Protection
        • General Purpose Fume Hoods and Additional Requirements for Radioisotopes and Perchloric Acid Hoods
        • General Purpose Laboratory Hood Inspection Procedure
        • Guidelines for Managing Peroxide-Forming Materials
        • Quantity of Flammable and Combustible Liquids in University of Minnesota Laboratories
        • Safe Practices During Servicing of Exhaust Systems in Research Facilities
        • Termination of Laboratory Use of Hazardous Materials
        • Use and Handling of Perchloric Acid
        • Use and Storage of Compressed Gas Cylinders in University of Minnesota Buildings
        • Use of Laboratory Glassware Subjected to Pressure or Vacuum

        • Emergency Procedures for Chemical Spills

          The procedures listed below are intended as a resource for your department in preparing for emergencies before they happen. In case of a spill contact Dale Livingston at ext. 6106. If Dale is unavailable, please contact DEHS on the Twin Cities campuses at: 612-624-6060.

          Complete spill response procedures are described in the Hazardous Chemical Waste Management Guidebook Section 3. However, the following quick reference guide is included for convenience.

          • Quick Reference: Chemical Spill Emergency Procedures.

            • Evacuate

              Leave the spill area; alert others in the area and direct/assist them in leaving. Without endangering yourself, remove victims to fresh air, remove contaminated clothing, and flush contaminated skin and eyes with water for fifteen minutes.

            • Confine

              Close doors and isolate the area. Prevent people from entering spill area.

            • Report

              From a safe place, report the spill to the appropriate personnel. Student employees should contact their faculty supervisor. If necessary and as appropriate, faculty supervisors can contact their laboratory safety officer, Campus Security at ext. 6000, or 911, Dale Livingston at ext. 6106, Division Safety Officer at ext. 6332 the division safety officer at ext. 6332, Dale Livingston at ext. 6106, Campus Security at ext. 6000, or 911. Report the emergency. Give your name, phone and location. Report the location of the spill, the name and amount of material spilled, the extent of injuries, and the safest route to the spill. Be certain that someone stays by the phone. After hours call 911

            • Secure

              Until emergency response personnel arrive, block off the areas leading to the spill, lock doors, post signs and warning tape, and alert others to the spill. Post staff by commonly used entrances to the area to direct people to use other routes.

2. Biohazardous Procedures

   At the University of Minnesota, researchers must follow the policies in the CDC/NIH text, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 5th Edition, December, 2009. A copy of this text is available on the web. Another useful reference is the National Research Council's text Biosafety in the Laboratory: Prudent Practices for Handling and Disposing of Infectious Materials (1989), available on the web at http://books.nap.edu/books/0309039754/html/R1.html#pagetop.

   In addition, researchers working with biological materials must acquaint themselves with the policies of the University's Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). The IBC is charged under Federal Regulations and Regents' Policy with oversight of all teaching and research activities involving:

   • Recombinant DNA
   • Artificial Gene Transfer
   • Infectious Agents (bacteria, viruses, protozoans, fungi, etc.)
   • Biologically Derived Toxins

   If the research involves work with any of 31 infectious agents or 12 biological toxins (select agents), additional federal requirements will apply. Contact the IBC for further detail.

3. Laboratory Specific Standard Operating Procedures

   As of January, 2014 the Division Safety Committee is neither aware of the existence of any laboratory specific standard operating procedures nor of the need for such procedures. It will be the Committee’s policy to provide a list of such procedures in Attachment 2. The full text would then be available from the referenced faculty supervisor.

4. General Emergency Procedures

   The procedures listed below are intended as a resource in preparing for emergencies before they happen. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety in the Twin Cities can be contacted for information at (612) 626-6002.

   For University employees who have been exposed to bloodborne or other infectious pathogens, please follow the procedures below under “Needle Stick.” For all other emergencies call 911.

   • Campus Safety Information Guidebook
     • bomb threats
     • medical emergencies
     • safety on campus
     • severe weather
     • utility outages
     • warning systems/sirens
   • Chemical Spills
     • Fire Safety
     • Needle Sticks
     • Radiation Spills
     • Workplace Violence

Criteria for Implementation of Control Measures

Engineering controls, personal protective equipment, hygiene practices and administrative controls each play a role in a comprehensive laboratory safety program. Implementation of specific measures must be carried out on a case-by-case basis, using the following criteria for guidance in making decisions. Assistance is available from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.

1. Fume Hoods

   The laboratory fume hood is the major protective device available to laboratory workers. It is designed to capture chemicals that escape from containers or apparatus and to remove them from the laboratory environment before they can be inhaled. Characteristics to be considered in requiring fume hood use are physical state, volatility, toxicity, flammability, eye and skin irritation, odor and the potential for producing aerosols. A fume hood should be used if a proposed chemical procedure exhibits any one of these characteristics to a degree that:

   • airborne concentrations might approach the action level (or permissible exposure limit),
   • flammable vapors might approach one tenth of the lower explosion limit,
   • materials of unknown toxicity are used or generated, or
   • the odor produced is annoying to laboratory occupants or adjacent units.

   Procedures that can generally be carried out safely outside the fume hood include those involving:

   • water-based solutions of salts, dilute acids, bases, or other reagents,
   • liquids or solids of very low volatility,
   • closed systems that do not allow significant escape to the laboratory environment, and
   • extremely small quantities of otherwise problematic chemicals. The procedure itself must be evaluated for its potential to increase volatility or produce aerosols.

   In specialized cases, fume hoods will contain exhaust treatment devices, such as water wash-down for perchloric acid use, or charcoal or HEPA filters for removal of particularly toxic or radioactive materials.

2. Safety Shields or Other Containment Devices

   Safety shields, such as the sliding sash of a fume hood, are appropriate when working with highly concentrated acids, bases, oxidizers or reducing agents, all of which have the potential for causing sudden spattering or even explosive release of material. Reactions carried out at non-ambient pressures (vacuum or high pressure) also require safety shields, as do reactions that are carried out for the first time or are significantly scaled up from normal operating conditions.

   Other containment devices, such as glove boxes or vented gas cabinets, may be required when it is necessary to provide an inert atmosphere for the chemical procedure taking place, when capture of any chemical emission is desirable, or when the standard laboratory fume hood does not provide adequate assurance that overexposure to a hazardous chemical will not occur. The presence of biological or radioactive materials may also mandate certain special containment devices.

   High strength barriers coupled with remote handling devices may be necessary for safe use of extremely shock-sensitive or reactive chemicals.

   Highly localized exhaust ventilation, such as is usually installed over atomic absorption units, may be required for instrumentation that exhausts toxic or irritating materials to the laboratory environment.

   Ventilated chemical storage cabinets or rooms should be used when the chemicals in storage may generate toxic, flammable or irritating levels of airborne contamination.

3. Personal Protective Equipment

   Bare feet, sandals and open-toed shoes are not permitted in any laboratory. Short pants and short skirts are not permitted unless covered by a lab coat. Lab coats are strongly encouraged as routine equipment for all laboratory workers. Lab coats are also required when working with select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity, strong acids and bases, and any substance on the OSHA PEL list carrying a “skin” notation. See Appendix B. For specific information, or to download this file, Appendix B to access the PEL File.”See Appendix B of the generic plan for listings.

   Eye protection is required for all personnel and any visitors whose eyes may be exposed to chemical or physical hazards. Side shields on safety spectacles provide some protection against splashed chemicals or flying particles, but goggles or face shields are necessary when there is a greater than average danger of eye contact. A higher than average risk exists when working with highly reactive chemicals, concentrated corrosives, or with vacuum or pressurized glassware systems. Contact lenses should not be worn in the laboratory. Chemicals can be concentrated under contact lenses and contact lenses will interfere with eye flushing in case of emergency.

   Gloves made of appropriate material are required to protect the hands and arms from thermal burns, cuts, or chemical exposure that may result in absorption through the skin or reaction on the surface of the skin. Gloves are also required when working with particularly hazardous substances where possible transfer from hand to mouth must be avoided. Thus gloves are required for work involving pure or concentrated solutions of select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity, strong acids and bases, and any substance on the OSHA PEL list carrying a “skin” notation.

   Since no single glove material is impermeable to all chemicals, gloves should be carefully selected using guides from the manufacturers. General selection criteria outlined in Prudent Practices, p. 132, and glove selection guides are available on the web. However, glove-resistance to various chemicals will vary with the manufacturer, model and thickness. Therefore, review a glove-resistance chart from the manufacturer you intend to buy from before purchasing gloves, http://www.dehs.umn.edu/ressafety_hsr_epc.htm then click on the proper link for the gloves utilized to determine if they will work for a particular application. When guidance on glove selection for a particular chemical is lacking, double glove using two different materials, or purchase a multilayered laminated glove such as a Silvershield or a 4H.

   Respiratory protection is generally not necessary in the laboratory setting and must not be used as a substitute for adequate engineering controls. Availability of respiratory protection for emergency situations may be required when working with chemicals that are highly toxic and highly volatile or gaseous. If an experimental protocol requires exposure above the action level (or PEL) that cannot be reduced, respiratory protection will be required. Rarely, an experimental situation may potentially involve IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) concentrations of chemicals, which will require use of respiratory protection. All use of respiratory protective equipment is covered under the University of Minnesota Respiratory Protection Program. University of Minnesota Occupational Health and Safety University of Minnesota Respiratory Protection.

   Supervisors and/or disciplines shall designate areas, activities, and tasks which require specific types of personal protective equipment as described above. The present designations are listed in Attachments 3-6.

4. Hygiene Practices

   Eating, drinking, and chewing gum are all strictly prohibited in any laboratory with chemical, biological or radioactive materials. Researchers must be careful to restrict other actions (such as applying lip balm or rubbing eyes) which could inadvertently cause exposure to research materials. Consuming alcohol or taking illegal drugs in a research laboratory are strictly prohibited, as such actions potentially endanger the health and safety of not only the user, but everyone in the building. Infractions will be met with serious disciplinary action.

   Before leaving the laboratory, remove personal protective equipment or clothing (lab coat and gloves) and wash hands thoroughly. Do NOT wear laboratory gloves in public spaces such as hallways and elevators.

5. Administrative Controls

   Researchers are strongly encouraged to prioritize research so that work with hazardous chemical, biological or physical agents occurs only during working hours (8 am - 5 pm Monday through Friday). After-hours work (on nights and weekends) should be restricted to nonhazardous activities such as data analysis and report writing. If hazardous materials must be used at nights or on weekends, ensure that at least one other person is within sight and ear-shot to provide help in an emergency.

   Supervisors shall consider the hazards involved in their research and designate areas, activities, and tasks that require specific types of personal protective equipment as described above.

Management of Fume Hoods and Other Protective Equipment

Each faculty supervisor should identify the safety equipment to be used in the laboratory and ensure that all employees are properly trained in its use. Since no two fume hoods operate exactly alike, employees need to understand operating principles and to use safe operating procedures. Please call Plant Services at ext. 6100 for assistance.

1. Monitoring Safety Equipment

   Fume hoods must be monitored by the user to ensure that air is moving into the hood. Any malfunctions must be reported immediately to Plant Services. The hood should have a continuous reading device, such as a pressure gauge, to indicate that air is moving correctly. Users of older hoods without continuous reading devices should attach a strip of tissue or yarn to the bottom of the vertical sliding sash. The user must check to ensure that the hood and baffles are not blocked by equipment and bottles, as air velocity through the face may be decreased. DEHS staff will measure the average face velocity of each hood annually with a velometer or a thermoanemometer. A record of test results will be made.

   An employee should flush the eye-wash fountains weekly. This will ensure that the eye wash is working and that the water is clean, should emergency use become necessary. The Chair of the Safety Committee should coordinate with UMM Plant Services, 589-6100, to ensure that emergency showers and eye washes are checked biannually. Fire extinguishers will be checked annually by a University contractor. The faculty supervisor is responsible for checking regularly to ensure that other protective equipment is functioning properly. Environmental Health and Safety staff can assist with these evaluations should assistance be necessary.

   General laboratory conditions must be monitored periodically by the users. Attachment 10 of this plan is a useful generic form. The Division Safety Committee may also use this form for spot-checks of laboratories.

2. Acceptable Operating Range

   The acceptable operating range for fume hoods is 80 to 150 linear feet per minute at the designated sash opening (usually 18 inches). If, during the annual check, a hood is operating outside of this range, DEHS staff may request that you check to ensure that the baffles are adjusted properly, and that the exhaust slots are not blocked by bottles and equipment. If these adjustments do not help, the hood should be reported to Plant Services for servicing.

3. Responsibility for Monitoring

   Each user of a fume hood should check to ensure that air is moving into the hood each time the hood is used. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety will be responsible for annual face velocity measurement. As noted above, eyewashes will be checked by the user, emergency showers by Plant Services, fire extinguishers by a University contractor, and other equipment as arranged by the user. General laboratory conditions will be monitored periodically by the users. Attachment 10 is a useful laboratory audit form, which the Safety Committee or the University's Chemical Hygiene Officer may also use for spot-checks of laboratories

4. Maintenance

   During the maintenance of a fume hood, laboratory personnel must empty it, restrict use of chemicals and, if necessary, decontaminate it to ensure the safety of maintenance personnel. See “Safe Practices During Servicing of Exhaust Systems in Research Facilities” in Appendix E of the generic plan.

5. Training

   Training in the appropriate use and care of fume hood systems, showers, eyewashes and other safety equipment must be included in the initial and update training described in Section V.

6. New Systems

   When new ventilation systems, such as variable air volume exhaust, are installed in University facilities, specific policies for their use will be developed by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and employees will be promptly trained on use of the new equipment.

Employee Information and Training

All employees must be trained on the topics listed in subsections A and B. Training must occur at initial hire and annually in refresher programs. The Laboratory Safety Plan itself can serve as a training manual. Reading and/or oral presentation of the contents of the Plan may be supplemented by video and slide presentations. Staff will be trained on the details of all applicable general and laboratory-specific Standard Operating Procedures. The level of training will be documented on the Division's MERTKA/LSP Training Record form (Attachment 9).

1. Information

   It is essential that laboratory employees have access to information on chemical hazards and safe procedures. The Safety Committee and faculty supervisors must ensure that laboratory employees are informed about and have access to the following information sources:

   • The contents of the OSHA standard, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, and its appendices (29 CFR 1910.1450), a copy of which is found in of the University’s generic plan.
   • The Division of Science and Mathematics Laboratory Safety Plan.
   • The Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) for OSHA regulated substances, which can be found in Appendix B of the University's generic plan. Also included in Appendix B is the ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV) list. A list of OSHA health hazard definitions, and lists of "select carcinogens", reproductive toxins, and chemicals having a high degree of acute toxicity, are included in Appendix B.
   • Signs and symptoms associated with exposures to hazardous chemicals. Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries (LCSSs) for 88 commonly-encountered laboratory chemicals are included on pages 235-413 of the 1995 edition of Prudent Practices. LCSSs are similar to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), but are tailored to the hazards of laboratory use of those chemicals. The LCSSs include toxicity information, and signs and symptoms of exposure to the chemicals. Information about signs and symptoms
   • Material safety data sheets (MSDS) for laboratory chemicals. The MSDSs are archived in discipline stock-rooms and laboratories.
   • Information on chemical waste disposal and spill response is found in the University of Minnesota guidebook, Hazardous Chemical Waste Management, 5th edition.

• Training

  Annual Training Program. The annual training program will be held early in the academic year, usually the first Thursday afternoon that classes are in session. The Division Safety Committee will organize the program.

  Organization of the Program. The program will begin with a meeting for all division employees, after which mathematics and computer science employees may leave, the employees of laboratory disciplines remaining for additional training. Meetings by discipline will follow.

  Audience. All employees are required to attend, including faculty, professional and academic staff, and student employees. In the past, those described as technically qualified individuals have been excused from the annual meeting following initial attendance; this is no longer the case. Division employees whose appointment is not clearly in one of the above categories ought to attend if the Safety Committee thinks it important that they do. The MERTKA/LSP Training Record form will be used to document attendance.

  Absentees. Student employees may not work in the laboratory until they have had annual training.

  All-Division Program. The contents will include a description of the provisions of MERTKA, general emergency preparedness and the Division's contingency plan.

  Laboratory Disciplines Program. The contents will include relevant parts of the federal OSHA standard on chemical hazards in the work place, and of the University and Division Laboratory Safety Plan. There will be a description of methods of detecting the presence of hazardous chemicals (observation, odor, real-time monitoring, air-sampling, etc.), hazard, toxicity and exposure, and general principles of good laboratory practice. There will be an introduction to toxicological principles, to reading Material Safety Data Sheets and to chemical waste management.

  Discipline Programs. These programs will amplify parts of the other programs as appropriate. There will be a description of control measures and the system of prior approvals appropriate to the discipline. Each laboratory supervisor is responsible for ensuring that laboratory employees are provided with training about the hazards of chemicals present in their laboratory work area and methods to control exposure to such chemicals. Such training must be provided at the time of an employee's initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present and prior to assignments involving new potential exposure situations. Refresher training must be provided annually. There will be a description of discipline safety libraries. Student employees will consult their laboratory supervisors and/or TA coordinator as appropriate about conditions of employment.

Required Approvals

Laboratory operations utilizing certain chemicals may require prior written approval of the faculty supervisor before the employee carries them out. Attachment 8 is a list of chemicals which should be considered for prior approval. The supervisor must consider the toxicity of the chemicals, the hazards of the procedure in which they will be used and the experience of the laboratory employee in deciding whether or not prior approval is required. The supervisor should give a list of all laboratory operations requiring such approval to the Chair of the Safety Committee, who will list them in Section A of this section of the Laboratory Safety Plan. The procedure for obtaining prior approval is described in Section B. A written record of approvals will be archived in the Safety Committee files of the Division.

• Laboratory Operations Requiring Prior Approval.At the time of writing this Laboratory Safety Plan there are no laboratory procedures in the Division of Science and Mathematics requiring prior approval.
• Prior Approval Procedures. Laboratory employees must obtain prior approval from their faculty supervisor before undertaking the operations listed in Section A. The faculty supervisor of the employee is responsible for completing the prior approval form (Attachment 7) before the hazardous chemical is used. The form should be submitted to the Chair of the Division Safety Committee normally within 72 hours after the chemical has been used. The Safety Committee Chair is responsible for having the form archived in the Safety Committee records in the Division Office.

Reporting Dangerous Incidents

All dangerous incidents should be reported to the Division Safety Committee by means of the Incident Report Form. This form is to be used to describe any incident which occurs during a laboratory experiment, field exercise, research procedure or other divisional activity which caused or might have caused injury, destruction of equipment or disruption of normal activity. It is to be filled out completely by the "victim(s)" of the incident, the faculty in charge and teaching assistants, and witnesses, if any. Copies are available in all division laboratories.

Medical Consultation and Examination

Under certain circumstances employees are entitled to receive medical examination and consultation. Faculty supervisors must ensure that employees are aware of the process that will be followed.

1. Employees Who Work With Hazardous Substances

   All employees who work with hazardous chemicals or biological agents will have an opportunity to receive medical attention, including any follow-up examinations which the examining physician deems necessary, under the following circumstances:

   • Whenever employees develop signs or symptoms associated with a hazardous chemical to which they may have been exposed in the laboratory or field, they will be provided an opportunity to receive an appropriate medical examination.
   • Where exposure monitoring reveals an exposure level routinely above the action level (or in the absence of an action level, the PEL) for an OSHA regulated substance for which there are exposure monitoring and medical surveillance requirements, medical surveillance will be established for the affected employee as prescribed by the particular standard.
   • Whenever an event takes place in the work area such as a spill, leak, explosion or other occurrence resulting in the likelihood of a hazardous exposure, the affected employee will be provided an opportunity for a medical consultation. Such consultation will be for the purpose of determining the need for a medical examination.
   • The Chemical Hygiene Officer will be contacted whenever the need for medical consultation or examination occurs or when there is uncertainty as to whether any of the above criteria have been met.

• Medical Examinations and Consultations

  In the event of a life-threatening illness or injury, dial 911 and request an ambulance. Employees with urgent, but non-life threatening, illnesses or injuries should go to the Stevens Community Medical Center. The examination could also be made at the facilities of the University of Minnesota's Occupational Medicine Program, which is located in Boynton Health Service on the Minneapolis campus. If off-hours medical attention is required, the employee should be taken to the Emergency Room of the Stevens Community Medical Center. All medical examinations and consultations will be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and will be provided without cost to the employee, without loss of pay and at a reasonable time and place.

• Workers' Compensation Procedures and Forms

  It is very important that even minor job-related injuries or illnesses be reported. These statistics help the Department of Environmental Health and Safety track trends that may indicate occupational hazards that need evaluation.

  To report an illness or injury, go the Workers' Compensation website. The University of Minnesota's Policy for Reporting Workers' Compensation Related Injuries is also available on the web. Both sites provide links to the forms listed below.

  This policy explains the procedures and provides the necessary reporting forms. As long as the illness or injury is not life threatening, the supervisor should provide the employee with:

  • a brochure describing Workers' Compensation Information for the University of Minnesota;
  • a completed Employers' Authorization for Care form; and
  • a Work Status Report for the physician to complete and return to the supervisor.

  Within 24 hours, the supervisor should complete:

  • a State of Minnesota First Report of Injury form;
  • a U of MN Employee Incident Report form; and
  • a U of MN Supervisor Incident Investigation Report.

  Within 24 hours, supervisors must fax the State form to Sedgwick Claims Management Services at (612) 826-3785, and the U of MN forms to the University of Minnesota's Workers' Compensation Department (612) 627-1855.

• Information Provided to the Physician

  The University of Minnesota will provide the examining physician with the following information:

  • The identity of the hazardous chemical(s) to which the employee may have been exposed;
  • A description of the conditions under which the exposure occurred including quantitative exposure data, if available; and
  • A description of the signs and symptoms of exposure that the employee is experiencing, if any.

  The above information will be collected and transmitted by the faculty supervisor or Safety Committee Chair and will be submitted to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety as well as to the examining physician.

• Information Provided to the University of Minnesota

  The examining physician will provide to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety a written report including the following:

  • Any recommendation for further medical follow-up;
  • The results of the medical examination and any associated tests;
  • Any medical condition which may be revealed in the course of the examination which may place the employee at increased risk as a result of exposure to a hazardous chemical found in the workplace; and
  • A statement that the employee has been informed by the physician of the results of the consultation or medical examination and any medical condition that may require further examination or treatment.

  The written opinion will not reveal specific findings of diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety will notify the employee's department of the results of the medical consultation or examination.

Personnel

The following individuals and groups have responsibilities for implementation of various aspects of the University of Minnesota's Laboratory Safety Plan.

Chemical Hygiene Officer

The University of Minnesota's Chemical Hygiene Officer is Joseph Klancher, Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Ms. Errede is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and chemical hygiene specialist with an M.S. in Environmental Health. Address: klan0001@umn.edu Phone: 612-626-3611.

Division of Science and Mathematics Safety Officer

Julie Kill is Division Safety Officer. Address: Science 3120. Phone: (320) 589-6332. E-mail: killj@morris.umn.edu. She is also chair of the Division Safety Committee. See Section I. D. above.

Division Safety Committee.

The Safety Committee is described in Section I. D. above. Its membership is given in Attachment 1.

University of Minnesota Morris Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator

Dale Livingston holds this title Address: 2 Camden Hall. Phone: (320) 589-6106. E-mail:livingda@morris.umn.edu.

Department of Environmental Health and Safety

The Department of Environmental Health and Safety offers assistance in a wide range of health and safety issues. Information about it is available at its web-site: http://www.dehs.umn.edu/. The DEHS address is W-140 Boynton, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455. Phone: (612) 626-6002.

Occupational Physician

The University of Minnesota's Boynton Health Service provides occupational medical services. The phone number for the Occupational Medicine program, which covers Research Animal Resources, respiratory protection, and pesticide exposures only, is (612) 625-4906. Non-hospital employee chemical exposures should go through Boynton's urgent care.

Additional Employee Protection for Work with Particularly Hazardous Substances

Additional employee protection will be considered for work with particularly hazardous substances. These include select carcinogens, reproductive toxins and substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity (see Attachment 8). Pp. 90-93 of the 1995 edition of Prudent Practices provide detailed recommendations for work with particularly hazardous substances. These pages may be accessed from DEHS's web site at www.dehs.umn.edu. Also, DEHS has hard copies of the entire 1995 edition available for departmental Laboratory Safety Officers. Faculty supervisors are responsible for assuring that laboratory procedures involving particularly hazardous chemicals have been evaluated for the level of employee protection required. Specific consideration will be given to the need for inclusion of the following provisions:

1. Planning;
2. Establishment of a designated area;
3. Access control;
4. Planning for accidents and spills; 
5. Special storage and waste disposal practices.
6. Special precautions such as:
   1. use of containment devices such as fume hoods or glove boxes;
   2. use of personal protective equipment;
   3. isolation of contaminated equipment;
   4. practicing good laboratory hygiene; and
   5. prudent transportation of very toxic chemicals.

1. Record keeping, Review and Update of Laboratory Safety Plan

   1. Record keeping

      1. Exposure evaluation

         Any records of exposure evaluation carried out by the Division (including continuous monitoring systems) will be kept within the Division and also sent to the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Results of exposure evaluations carried out by DEHS will be kept by DEHS and sent to the Division. Raw data will be kept for one year and summary data for the term of employment plus thirty years.

      2. Medical consultation and examination

         Results of medical consultations and examinations will be kept by the Boynton Health Service for a length of time specified by the appropriate medical records standard. This time will be at least the term of employment plus thirty years as required by OSHA.

      3. Training

         Individual employee training will be recorded on the MERTKA/LSP Training Record (see Attachment 9) and kept in the files of the Division of Science and Mathematics files for five years. These forms may be audited by the University Audit Department.

      4. Fume hood monitoring

         Data on annual fume hood monitoring will be kept in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety. Fume hood monitoring data are considered maintenance records and as such the raw data will be kept for one year and summary data for five years.

   2. Review and Update of Laboratory Safety Plan

      The University’s generic plan will be reviewed and evaluated annually for effectiveness by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and updated as necessary. Any changes in the generic plan will be transmitted to Division Safety Officer who is responsible for reviewing and modifying the Division Laboratory Safety Plan, and submitting a revised copy to the Chemical Hygiene Officer.

ATTACHMENT 1

Safety Committee of the Division of Science and Mathematics (2012-2013)

•  
  •  
    • Chair of Committee: Julie Kill
    • Biology: Chris Cole
    • Chemistry: Nancy Carpenter
    • Computer Science: Peter Dolan
    • Geology: Stephen Crabtree
    • Mathematics: Mark Logan
    • Physics: Michael Korth
    • Statistics: Jon Anderson
    • Ex officio: Peh Ng, Division Chair

UMM Environmental Health and Safety Coordinator, Dale Livingston

ATTACHMENT 2

Laboratory Specific Standard Operating Procedures

See Section II. D, page 7.

ATTACHMENT 3

Control Measures for Biology

These are under development. See the last paragraph of Section III, page 10.

ATTACHMENT 4

Control Measures for Chemistry

Safety goggles will be worn at all times in Science 3040, 3135, and 3175 during regularly scheduled laboratory hours. For arranged laboratories (physical chemistry and advanced analytical chemistry) goggles will be worn when experiments are being done. Goggles need not be worn in the instrument rooms, since "wet chemistry" isn't done there.

ATTACHMENT 5

Control Measures for Geology

These are under development. See the last paragraph of Section III, page 9.

ATTACHMENT 6

Control Measures for Physics

Eye protection must be used in the shop and whenever power tools are being used. Radiation badges must be worn while carrying out x-ray diffraction or Mossbauer experiments.

ATTACHMENT 7

REQUIRED APPROVALS FORM

Prior to use of the hazardous chemical, the faculty supervisor should train the employee in its safe use, fill out this form and obtain the employee's signature. The completed form should normally be given to the Chair of the Division Safety Committee within 72 hours after the chemical has been used. The Safety Committee Chair is responsible for having the form archived in the Safety Committee records in the Division Office.

ATTACHMENT 8

Chemicals to Consider for Requiring Approval Prior to Use

1. Poisonous Gases

   The gases on this list are either on the Department of Transportation's Category 1 list, or the Linde Specialty Gases company's Group 6 - Very Poisonous list. These chemicals are highly toxic gases at ambient temperature and pressure. They have an extremely high potential for causing significant harm if not adequately controlled.

   •  
     •  
       • Arsine
       • Boron trichloride
       • Chlorine pentafluoride
       • Chlorine trifluoride
       • Cyanogen
       • Cyanogen chloride
       • Diborane
       • Dinitrogen tetroxide
       • Fluorine
       • Germane
       • Hydrogen selenide
       • Nitric oxide
       • Nitrogen dioxide
       • Nitrogen trioxide
       • Nitrosyl chloride
       • Oxygen difluoride
       • Phosgene
       • Phosphine
       • Phosphorus pentafluoride
       • Selenium hexafluoride
       • Stibine
       • Sulfur tetrafluoride
       • Tellurium Hexafluoride
       • Tetraethyldithiopyrophosphate
       • Tetraethylpyrophosphate

2. Shock-Sensitive Chemicals

   The classes of chemicals listed below may explode when subjected to shock or friction. Therefore users must have appropriate laboratory equipment, information, knowledge and training to use these compounds safely.

   •  
     •  
       • Acetylenic compounds, especially polyacetylenes, haloacetylenes, and heavy metal salts of acetylenes (copper, silver, and mercury salts are particularly sensitive).
       • Acyl nitrates
       • Alkyl nitrates, particularly polyol nitrates such as nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine
       • Alkyl and acyl nitrites
       • Alkyl perchlorates
       • Aminemetal oxosalts: metal compounds with coordinated ammonia, hydrazine, or similar nitrogenous donors and ionic perchlorate, nitrate, permanganate, or other oxidizing group
       • Azides, including metal, nonmetal, and organic azides
       • Chlorite salts of metals, such as AgClO2 and Hg(ClO2)2
       • Diazo compounds such as CH2N2
       • Diazonium salts, when dry
       • Fulminates such as mercury fulminate , Hg(ONC)2
       • Hydrogen peroxide (which becomes increasingly treacherous as the concentration rises above 30%, forming explosive mixtures with organic materials and decomposing violently in the presence of traces of transition metals
       • N-Halogen compounds such as difluoroamino compounds and halogen azides
       • N-Nitro compounds such as N-nitromethylamine, nitrourea, nitroguanidine, and nitric amide
       • Oxo salts of nitrogenous bases: perchlorates, dichromates, nitrates, iodates, chlorites, chlorates, and permanganates of ammonia, amines, hydroxylamine, guanidine, etc.
       • Perchlorate salts (which can form when perchloric acid mists dry in fume hoods or associated duct work. Most metal, nonmetal, and amine perchlorates can be detonated and may undergo violent reaction in contact with combustible materials)
       • Peroxides and hydroperoxides, organic peroxides (solid) that crystallize from or are left from evaporation of peroxidizable solvents (see Table 4 below.)
       • Peroxides, transition-metal salts
       • Picrates, especially salts of transition and heavy metals, such as Ni, Pb, Hg, Cu, and Zn
       • Polynitroalkyl compounds such as tetranitromethane and dinitroacetonitrile
       • Polynitroaromatic compounds especially polynitrohydrocarbons, phenols, and amines (e.g., dinitrotoluene, trinitrotoluene, and picric acid)

   Note: Perchloric acid must be used only in specially- designed perchloric acid fume hoods that have built-in wash down systems to remove shock-sensitive deposits. Before purchasing this acid, laboratory supervisors must arrange for use of an approved perchloric acid hood.

3. Pyrophoric Chemicals

   The classes of chemicals listed below will readily oxidize and ignite spontaneously in air. Therefore, users must demonstrate that they have the appropriate laboratory equipment, information, knowledge and training to use these compounds safely.

   •  
     •  
       • Grignard reagents, RMgX
       • Metal alkyls and aryls, such as RLi, RNa, R3Al, R2Zn
       • Metal carbonyls such as Ni(CO)4, Fe(CO)5, Co2(CO)8
       • Alkali metals such as Na, K
       • Metal powders, such as Al, Co, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pd, Pt, Ti, Sn, Zn, Zr
       • Metal hydrides such as NaH, LiAlH4
       • Nonmetal hydrides, such as B2H6 and other boranes, PH3, AsH3
       • Nonmetal alkyls, such as R3B, R3P, R3As
       • Phosphorus (white)

4. Peroxide-Forming Chemicals

   The chemicals listed below can form explosive peroxide crystals on exposure to air, and therefore require special handling procedures after the container is opened. Some of the chemicals form peroxides that are violently explosive in concentrated solution or as solids, and therefore should never be evaporated to dryness. Others are polymerizable unsaturated compounds and can initiate a runaway, explosive polymerization reaction. All peroxidizable compounds should be stored away from heat and light. They should be protected from physical damage and ignition sources. A warning label should be affixed to all peroxidizable materials to indicate the date of receipt and the date the container was first opened. Due to these special handling requirements, users must have the appropriate laboratory equipment, information, knowledge and training to use these compounds safely.

   1. Severe Peroxide Hazard with Exposure to Air

      Discard within 3 months of opening.

      •  
        • Diisopropyl ether (isopropyl ether)
        • Vinylidene chloride (1,1-dichloroethylene)
        • Sodium amide (sodamide)
        • Divinylacetylene (DVA)
        • Potassium metal
        • Potassium amide

   2. Peroxide Hazard on Concentration

      Do not distill or evaporate without first testing for the presence of peroxides. Discard or test for peroxides after 6 months.

      •  
        • Acetaldehyde diethyl acetal (acetal)
        • Cumene (isopropylbenzene)
        • Cyclohexene
        • Cyclopentene
        • Decalin (decahydronaphthalene)
        • Diacetylene (butadiene)
        • Dicyclopentadiene
        • Diethyl ether (ether)
        • Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (diglyme)
        • Dioxane
        • Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (glyme)
        • Ethylene glycol ether acetates
        • Ethylene glycol monoethers (cellosolves)
        • Furan
        • Methylacetylene
        • Methylcyclopentane
        • Methyl isobutyl ketone
        • Tetrahydrofuran (THF)
        • Tetralin (tetrahydronaphthalene)
        • Vinyl ether

   3. Hazard of Rapid Polymerization Initiated by Internally-Formed Peroxides.

      • Liquids: discard or test for peroxides after 6 months.
        • Chloroprene (2-chloro-1,3-butadiene)
        • Styrene
        • Vinyl acetate
        • Vinylpyridin
      • Gases: discard after 12 months.
        • Butadiene
        • Tetrafluoroethylene (TFE)
        • Vinylacetylene (MVA)
        • Vinyl chloride

5. Carcinogens, Reproductive Toxins & Highly Toxic Chemicals

   The chemicals listed below are extremely hazardous. Workers must have knowledge of the dangers of these chemicals prior to use, and documentation of training in safe working procedures.

   •  
     • Biologically active compounds.
       • protease inhibitors (e.g. PMSF, Aprotin, Pepstatin A, Leopeptin);
       • protein synthesis inhibitors (e.g. cycloheximide, Puromycin);
       • transcriptional inhibitors (e.g. ƒ¿-amantin and actomycin D);
       • DNA synthesis inhibitors (e.g. hydroxyurea, nucleotide analogs (i.e. didexoy nucleotides), actinomycin D, acidicolin);
       • phosphatase inhibitors (e.g. okadaic acid);
       • respiratory chain inhibitors (e.g. sodium azide);
       • kinase inhibitors (e.g. NaF);
       • mitogenic inhibitors (e.g. colcemid); and
       • mitogenic compounds (e.g. concanavalin A).
     • Castor bean (Ricinus communis) lectin: Ricin A, Ricin B, RCA toxins
       • Cycloheximide: Highly toxic
       • Diisopropyl fluorophosphate: highly toxic cholinesterase inhibitor; the antidote, atropine sulfate and 2-PAM (2-pyridinealdoxime methiodide) must be readily available.
       • Jaquirity bean lectin (Abrus precatorius)
       • N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine: carcinogen (this chemical forms explosive compounds upon degradation).
       • Phalloidin from Amanita Phalloides: used for staining actin filaments.
       • Retinoids: potential human teratogens
       • Streptozotocin: potential human carcinogen
       • Urethane (ethyl carbamate): an anesthetic agent, potent carcinogen and strong teratogen, volatile at room temperature

ATTACHMENT 9

ATTACHMENT 10

Laboratory Audit Checklist