15 Employee Information and Training

 

15.1 Information

It is essential that laboratory employees have access to information on the hazards of chemicals and procedures for working safely. Supervisors must ensure that laboratory employees are informed about and have access to the following information sources:

15.1.1 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 Appendix A of this Chemical Hygiene Plan.

15.1.2 The Biology Department Chemical Hygiene Plan

which is available to all department employees and can be found on the Biology Department web site.

15.1.3 The Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) The Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL)

for OSHA regulated substances, which can be found in the University of Minnesota Laboratory Safety Plan,  Appendix B.  Also included are the ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLV). Table A lists select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and chemicals having a high degree of acute toxicity documented in the biology department. A glossary following the tables defines various OSHA health hazards

15.1.4 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 (MSDS), 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.

15.1.5 Material safety data sheets (MSDS)

for laboratory chemicals are located in department stockroom NSC130. On CSB/SJU networked computers, the CisPro 2000 MSDS filing cabinet (Network Programs, Department Specific Applications, MSDS DFCpro) contains electronic versions of the MSDSs of chemicals used in the biology department. This program is password protected.

Many manufacturers provide on-line MSDSs. Faculty and Staff who receive MSDS directly with chemical shipments will make such information available to the employees using the chemicals. Before ordering a chemical new to the department, they must obtain a copy of the MSDS and complete the "Information Required Prior to Ordering a Chemical Form" and submit to Carol Jansky for barcode and HMIS assignment.

15.1.6 Information on chemical waste disposal

Section 7 describes how chemical waste are segregated and disposed. Further information is included in Appendix C.

15.2 Training

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. Appendix E contains safety training confirmation and agreement forms. Appendix G contains an example of a training script.

15.2.1 Methods of detecting the presence of hazardous chemicals

(observation, odor, real-time monitoring, air sampling, etc.)

15.2.2 Physical and Health Hazards of Chemicals

toxicity, hazard, exposure, routes of entry, acute and chronic effects, LD50, threshold limit values and permissible exposure limits, exposure time, and health hazards related to classes of chemicals;

15.2.3 Good laboratory practice

including general techniques designed to reduce personal exposure and to control physical hazards, as well as specific protective mechanisms and warning systems used in individual laboratories. Appropriate use of fume hoods is to be specifically addressed;

15.2.3.1 Description of information available

including Material Safety Data Sheets;

15.2.4 Emergency response actions

appropriate to individual laboratories;

15.2.5 Applicable details of the departmental Chemical Hygiene Plan

including general and laboratory-specific Standard Operating Procedures;

15.2.6 An introduction to the Hazardous Chemical Waste Management

Including identification of whether chemical waste is hazardous, and proper disposal techniques.

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