Laboratory Door Labeling

• Laboratory Incident Reporting
• Employee Accidents
• Key Information
• Chemical Spill Incident
• Hazard Communication (Your Right To Know)

Laboratory Incident and Reporting

An incident is any unusual occurrence; a violation of policy; an employee, student, or visitor accident with or without injury; a disturbance that could disrupt College/University functions; or a mishap due to faulty equipment.

If a student or visitor is injured, immediately report all details to your supervisor. If the injury warrants medical attention, immediately call the CSB Security at 5000 or SJU Life safety services at 911. Contact or submit incident report details to Human Resource office for record keeping and potential claims.

Employee accidents

Minor

In the event of minor accidents or near miss, you should…

1. secure the area or equipment
2. report to your supervisor and complete accident report form

Major:

In the event of an emergency, such as serious bodily injury to an employee (e.g.,  damage to or loss of body part, crushing injury, heart attack, loss of consciousness, exposure to highly toxic material, obvious fractures, profuse bleeding, etc.), you should...

1. Call CSB Security at 5000 or SJU Life safety services at 911.
2. Administer first aid, if properly trained.
3. Secure the accident scene.
4. The supervisor should complete the accident reporting form immediately and deliver to the Human Resource office. If you do not have this form, please print it off the website or contact the Human Resource office on either campus. 

If in doubt as to whether or not the situation is an emergency, treat it as an emergency and follow the steps listed.

Disconnect any equipment that...

• Throws sparks
• Blows a fuse
• Gives even the slightest shock

1. Put a warning tag on the defective electrical device.
2. Notify others in immediate area.
3. Report to physical plant at CSB by completing work order or at SJU by calling 363-3303.

Key Information

• Avoid using extension cords. If they must be used, use heavy duty ones, do not overload them, check for proper grounding and exposed wires. Keep them out of liquids and out of traffic ways.
• Inspect electrical equipment before using it. Look for broken or bent plugs, frayed cords, bare wires, or other defects. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and maintenance.
• All electrical devices should be properly grounded: 3-prong plug (unless "double insulated"). Never use "cheaters," which convert 3-prong plugs into 2-prong plugs.
• Never operate electrical equipment with wet hands. Hands that are wet can mean the difference between a slight shock and a fatal shock.
• Do not try to repair electrical equipment.

Spill involving a microorganism requiring bl2 containment...

• Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure.
• Alert people in the immediate area of spill.
• Inform either your supervisor, or department safety committee chair or the Environmental Health and Safety office.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, protective clothing, face shields etc.
• Cover spill with paper towels or other absorbent materials.
• Carefully pour a freshly prepared 1 in 10 dilution of household bleach around the edges of the spill, and then pour directly into the spill. Avoid splashing.
• Allow a 20-minute contact period for the bleach.
• Use paper towels to wipe up the spill, working from the edges into the center.
• Clean spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.
• Place contaminated towels in fluorescent orange bag for autoclave waste.

Blood or Potentially infectious body fluid spills...

• Alert personnel in immediate area of spill.
• Call the CSB Security at 5000 or SJU Life safety services at 911
• Isolate the area

Cleaning

• Clean only if the fluid is your own or you are trained and authorized employee.
• Personal protective equipment must be worn such as gloves, protective clothing.
•  Cover spill with paper towels or other absorbent materials.
• Carefully pour a freshly prepared 1 in 10 dilution of household bleach around the edges of the spill, and then pour directly into the spill. Avoid splashing.
• Allow a 20-minute contact period for the bleach.
• Use paper towels to wipe up the spill, working from the edges into the center.
• Clean spill area with fresh towels soaked in disinfectant.
• Place contaminated towels in red bag marked with biohazard waste label.

Chemical Spill Incident

1. Remove any affected personnel from the area.
2. Attend to injured personnel.
3. Call the CSB Security at 5000 or SJU Life safety services at 911
4. Contain the spill and alert others in the immediate area.
5. Before attempting to clean up spill, know what the chemical is and locate the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Follow instructions on that sheet.

Important: Do not attempt to clean up a mercury spill. 

Chemical splashed in eye...

1. Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water continuously for 15 minutes. Forcibly hold eye open to ensure effective wash behind eyelids.
2. Obtain medical attention by calling the CSB Security at 5000 or SJU Life safety services at 911
3. Report incident to supervisor and complete incident report.

Chemical spill on body...

1. Remove all contaminated clothing.
2. Flood exposed area with running water from faucet or safety shower for at least 15 minutes.
3. Obtain medical attention by calling the CSB Security at 5000 or SJU Life safety services at 911.
4. Report incident to supervisor and complete incident report.

Hazard Communication (Your Right to Know)

As an employee, you have the right to know the hazards associated with the chemicals with which you work, and methods for protecting yourself against them.

Hazards for the products you work with can be found listed on product labels. They can also be found on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that has been prepared by the manufacturer of the product.

Material Safety Data Sheets will list the hazardous ingredients, health hazards, symptoms of exposure, fire and explosion information, and recommend Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) needed, as well as any special precautions you should take. Additional work practices and/or PPE specifically defined for the hazards associated with your job duties will be explained to you by your supervisor, as will the location of emergency equipment such as safety showers, eye wash stations, and fire extinguishers. When you are working with chemicals, be sure to read the container label and follow any instructions and warnings.

Material Safety Data Sheets can be found in your work area. If you have any questions about a particular MSDS, or require an MSDS for a new product, see your supervisor or contact the Environmental Health and Safety office.

Refer to the written Hazard Communication Program for additional and detailed information. Ask your supervisor about department specific program. Contact Environmental Health and Safety for more information.