7. Hazard & Incident Reporting

7.1. Reporting of Hazardous Conditions UnderOHSlaw,everyworkerhasadutytoreportuncheckedhazards.Withthenatureofourworkacrossthecollege,therearemanyhazards;butwithproperplanningandprecautionstheriskcanbecontrolledtoanacceptablelevel.Ifyouhaveconcernaboutahazardinyourworkarea,startbydiscussingitwithyoursupervisororadvisor.Ifthescopeoftheproblemistoolargeorifthereisquestiononwhatshouldbedone,theissuecanberaisedtothedepartmentchair,thelocalsafetycommitteeand/orEHS.

RememberthatasworkersinOntario,youhavealegalrighttorefuseworkthatyoulegitimatelyfeelwouldputyouindanger.Refertosection43oftheOHSAformoredetails(http://www.elaws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90o01_e.htm#s43s1.

7.2. Incident Reporting Ifyouareinjuredatwork,getappropriatefirstaidandnotifyyoursupervisorassoonaspossible.AnIncidentReportFormmustbefilledout,signedbythesupervisor,providedtothedepartmentheadandemployeegroupandsubmittedtoEHSwithin24hoursbutifaninjuryisseriousandpotentiallylifethreatening,aftergettinghelpforthevictim,callEHS(x53282)toreporttheincidentassoonaspossible.AllowCampusPolicetonotifythenextofkintoavoidmiscommunicationandconfusion.

Nearmisses(i.e.,accidentsthatwerenarrowlyavoided)shouldbereportedusingtheIncidentReportForm.TheIncidentReportFormisavailablethroughtheEHSwebsite.

8. Laboratory Safety

8.1. General Laboratory Safety Thegoalofthesafetyprogramisnottohaveyoumemorizeanarbitrarysetofrulesitismuchbetterifyoutrytounderstandtherationalebehindtherules.Inalab,weneedtodothreefundamentalthings:

1) protectourselvesfromexposuretothehazardspresent2) preventthemigrationofcontaminantsoutofthelab3) putsystemsinplacetomitigatetheimpactofaseriousincident(e.g.,fire,spill)

Keypoints:

- Reportallpotentialhazardsorsafetyissuestolabsupervisor/advisor.- Familiarizeyourselfwiththeemergencyresponseprocedures.

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- Knowevacuationroutesfromyourlabandthelocationofemergencyequipmentsuchasfireextinguishers,spillkits,emergencyshowers/eyewashes,firstaidkits,phonesandemergencycallboxes.

- Donotbringfood,drinks,tobaccoproductsorcosmeticsintothelab.- Alwayswearsuitableclothing,closedtoed/heeledshoes,andrequiredpersonalprotective

equipment(PPE)whenworkingwithpotentiallyhazardousmaterials.- Dispensehazardousmaterialsinsideafumehood.- Neverallowglovedhandstotouchsurfacesoutsideofthelab,orcleansurfacesinthelabsuch

asdoorknobs,phonereceivers,orcomputerkeyboards.- Donotwearlabcoatsincommonareasorstairwells.- Keeppersonalitemsseparatedfromhazardousmaterials.- Neverleavelabdoorsproppedopen.- Allmaterialsdispensedfromtheiroriginalcontainersmustbelabeled.- Placeasignonanyunattendedexperiments,andprovidecontactinformationsoyoucanbe

reachedifsomethinggoesawry.- Avoiduseofpersonalmusicplayerswhendoinglabworkyouneedtobeabletohearif

equipmentisfunctioningproperlyanditsimportanttobeawareofthelocationofpeoplearoundyou.

- Keepincompatiblechemicalsseparate(noacidswithbases,noflammableswithoxidizers)lookatthelabelsand/orMSDSsifyouarentsure.

- Practicegoodhousekeepingandgoodhygiene.

Safetyrulesandregulationsinalaboratoryenvironmentareunavoidableitisanenvironmentwherefires,explosions,injuries,andexposurestochemical/biological/radiological/physicalthreatsareaveryrealpossibility.WehavehadseriousincidentsinCBSinthepastthatwedonotwanttorepeat,sopleasetakelabsafetyseriously.

Todemonstratethetypeofprecautionsneededtoprotectoneself,considerthesimpletaskofdecantingstrongacidintoabeakerfordilution.Todothisproperlyonewould:

- planahead,ensuringtherewasaclearspacetoworkinthefumehood(aworkpracticecontrolthatreducesthelikelihoodofaspill/accidentalexposure)

- bewearingclosetoedshoes,longpants,alabcoat,acidresistantgloves,andgoggles(personalprotectiveequipmenttoprotecttheskinandeyesintheeventofsmallspillsandsplashes)

- performalltasksinsideafumehood,withthesashinalowposition(anengineeredcontrolthatkeepscorrosivefumesfromenteringthebreathingzone)

- slowlypourtheacidintoabeakerpartiallyfilledwithwater(aworkpracticecontrolthatreducestheamountofundilutedacidsplashingup)

Theaboveemphasizestheuseofengineeredcontrols,safeworkpractices,andpersonalprotectiveequipmenttomaintainexposuresatasafelevel:Itisademonstrationinthehierarchyofcontrols,whichisamodelfortheevaluationofprotectivemeasures.Theschematicbelowdepictstheorderinwhichalternativesshouldberanked;themorereliableandeffectivepreventativemeasuresaregivenpreference.Inpractice,usuallyacombinationofcontrolsareusedtogethertoreduceexposuretoahazard.

EXAMPLE

Elimination

Substitution

EngineeredControl

AdministrativeControl

PPE Wear gloves, lab coat and eye protection

Establish written operating procedures

Work inside fume hood or Biosafety Cabinet

Use SYBR Green in place of Ethidium Bromide

Use a different method/approach altogether

Keeptheseconceptsinmindwhencriticallyevaluatingtheworkthatyoudoinyourlab.

Somekeypointsaboutpreventingcontamination:

- Alwaysassumeglovesarecontaminated.Youputonglovestopreventonethingoranotherfromtouchingyourskin.Thelogicalconclusionisthatwhateveritwasyoudidntwantonyourskinisnowontheexterioroftheglove.Changeglovesfrequentlyandneverallowaglovedhandtotouchacommonsurface(likeadoorknob,phonereceiver,etc.).

- Labcoatsprotectyou,andtheclothesthatyouown,frombecomingcontaminated.Itisarequirementthatlabcoatsbeworninalllabsforanyworkinvolvinghazardousmaterials.LabcoatscannotbewornoutsideoftheresearchwingsinCBS.Ifyouwillneedalabcoatatyourdestinationonanotherfloor,simplyplaceyourcoatinaplasticbagandcarryitwithyou.

- Acleanworkareagoesalongwaytoreducingcrosscontamination.Whenworkingwithradioisotopes,wehavethebenefitofbeingabletodetectcontaminationwithasurveymeter;withbiologicalandchemicalcontaminants,wearentsolucky.Foranyhazardousagentitisimportanttoconsiderhowtheinevitablesmallspills,dropletsandsplashescanbecontrolled.Workingoverdisposablebenchpaperisaneasywaytocontrolcontamination,alternativelyyoucanworkoveralowtraythathascleanablesurfaces.Regardlessofthemethodyouuse,besuretocleanyourworkareawhenfinished,andifthereareanysmallspills,cleanthemupusinganappropriatemethodassoonaspossible(refertoCBSSOPsonspillsformoredetails).

- Anotherareawithhighpotentialforspreadingchemical/biologicalorradiologicalcontaminationisthetransportofmaterialsthroughhallways.Makeuseofcarts,traysandbottlecarrierswhenmovingmaterialsaroundthebuilding.

- Anotherfactortoconsideristhestorageofyourpersonalbelongings;asmuchaspossible,youshouldkeeppersonalitemsoutofthelab.Ifyoudohaveitemsyouneedinthelab,keepthemwellseparatedfrompotentiallycontaminatedareas.

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Thereareadditionalaspectsofcontaminationcontrolthatpertaintothedesignofequipmentandthelaboratoryitself,butthelistabovecoversmostofthebasicresponsibilities.

Finally,tomanagethepotentialimpactofemergencies,thegeneralresponsibilitiesoflabpersonnelinclude:

- Familiarizingyourselfwithevacuationroutes,emergencyprocedures,aswellasthelocationsofphones,callboxes,andemergencyequipmentinyourworkarea.

- Notifyingothersofincidentssuchasspillsorfires;verballyforminorincidents,orbyactivatinganalarmpullstationformoreserioussituations.

- Keepingaisleandexitroutesclear.- Ensuringthattheaccesstoeyewashstations,showers,andfireextinguishersisunobstructed,andthatextinguishershaveadequatecharge(needleonpressuregaugeisingreenzone).

- Ensuringspillkitsandfirstaidkitsarereadilyaccessibleandappropriatelystocked.

FurtherinformationcanbefoundintheUniversitysLaboratorySafetymanuallocatedontheEHSwebsiteat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/labsafety/

8.2. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) TheWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem,orWHMIS,isaveryimportantcomponentofthehazardcommunicationschemeinauniversitylaboratory.WHMISregulationssetoutrequirementsforthetrainingofpersonnel,thelabelingofhazardousmaterials,andtheprovisionofMaterialSafetyDataSheets(MSDSs).

AnyoneworkinginalaboratoryenvironmentmustreceiveWHMIStraining.

Allhazardousmaterialsdecantedfromtheiroriginalcontainermustbelabeled.Containersthatwillnotleavethelaboratoryrequireonlyaproductidentifier(i.e.thenameoftheproductwrittenontheexterior).Ifadecantedhazardousmaterialwillbemovedoutofthelab,itrequiresaworkplacelabel,whichneedstoincludeaproductidentifier,directionsforsafehandling,andareferencetotheMSDS.

Historically,eachlabwasrequiredtokeepabinderofprintedMaterialSafetyDataSheets,whichareonlyvalidfor3years.Toeliminatethislabourintensiveinventoryandupdatingrequirement,theUniversityhasimplementedanelectronicMSDSsystem.Itisstilladvisedthateachlabkeepahardcopyofthe20mostusedsolventsorchemicalsonhand,butforthemajorityofchemicals,accesstoMSDSscanbethroughtheinternetviaacomputerterminal.MSDSscanbeaccessedfromtheUniversityofGuelphnetworkat:http://hq.msdsonline.com/uoguelph/Search/Default.aspx

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8.3. Monthly Laboratory Self-inspections KeyPoints:

- Activateeyewashstationsweeklytoflushoutcontaminants,discouragemicrobialgrowthandensuretheflowisadequate.

- Ensuretheaccesstotheemergencyeyewash/showerisnotobstructed.- Checkthefireextinguisheritshouldbeeasytoaccess(i.e.unobstructed),andthepressure

indicatorshouldbeinthegreenareaofthegauge.- Checkthespillkititshouldcontainneutralizers(usually3acid,base,andorganicsolvent

suppressant),absorbentmaterials,gloves,goggles,adustpan/scraperordustpan/broomandbagsforwastematerial.

- Checkfirstaidboxesthekitshouldcontaingloves,tweezers,scissors,adhesivebandages,tape,gauze,andpadsorcompressbandages.

- Visuallyinspectchemicalstorageareastoensurethereisnoleakageandincompatiblesareseparatedeachmonth.

- Lookforissueswithunsecuredgascylinders,poorhousekeeping,electricalhazards,andaccesstoexits.

- Reportanyissuestoyoursupervisor.

Itisimportantthatlaboratoryinspectionsbecompletedregularlytomonitorandmaintainthesafetyofeachworkarea.Inanygivenlabtherecanbeacombinationofphysical,chemical,biologicalandradiologicalhazardsdiligenceisrequiredtocontrolthesehazardsandkeeptheworkenvironmentsafe.

8.4. Fume Hoods KeyPoints:

- Keepsashclosedwhennotinuse.- Ensurethatthefumehoodisonpriortouse.- Workwithsashaslowaspossible(lessthan18/50cm).- Keepallworkatleast6/15cmbackfromfrontedge.- Donotobstructairventsatrearofhood.- Donotallowhoodstobecomeclutteredortobeusedasextrastorage.- Uncapcontainersinsidethehood,recapthemassoonasyouarefinished.- Donotuseafumehoodifthealarmindicateslowflow.- Anysolutionofperchloricacidabove70%beingheatedmustbehandledinaspeciallydesigned

hoodwithwashdownfeatures.- Completelyclosethesashifyouareworkinginahoodwhenthefirealarmgoesoff.

FurtherinstructionsontheproperuseoffumehoodsareprovidedintheCBSSOPat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html.

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Whenahoodisnotinuse,keepthesashfullyclosed.Thisisasimplethingthatcanconservealotofenergyfumehoodsexhaustalargevolumeofairwhentheyareopen,anditrequiresagreatdealofenergytoheatorcoolthereplacementair.

Whenyouareworkinginahood,keepthesashaslowasyoureasonablycan.Thisimprovesabilityofthehoodtokeepairbornecontaminantsoutofyourbreathingspace,offerssomeprotectiontoyourfaceshouldtherebeasplashorspill,andconservesenergy.

Fumehoodsoncampusareequippedwithawarningdevicethatwillalarmwhentheairflowisinadequateforthehoodtofunctionasdesigned.Thealarmwillgooffiftheairflowfallsbelowapresetthreshold(facevelocityof80feetperminute).Donotattempttousethehoodifthealarmisgoingoffandstopanyexperimentstakingplaceinsidethehoodifthealarmpersists.Closethesashfullytopreventhazardousvapoursfrommigratingintothelab.

Todetermineiflowflowmayberesultingfromadisruptionofairflow,removeitemsthatmaybeobstructingthemovementofairthroughtheventsatthebackofthehood.Also,lowerthesashandresetthealarmifpossible.Sashpositionwillaffectthefacevelocity,whichisanimportantfactorineffectivecaptureofairbornecontaminants.Bafflesshouldnotbeadjustedbyusers.

Largedisruptionsintheairaroundahood(e.g.,theopening/closingofadoor)maytemporarilyaffecttheairflowthroughthehood;ifthisissuspectedasthecauseoftheproblem,tryresettingthealarmifpossible.Iftheabovechangesdonotrectifytheissue,labelthehoodasoutoforderandnotifyPhysicalResources(x53854)ortheappropriatedepartmentalcontactforequipmentproblems.

8.5. Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) KeyPoints:

- AnytimeyourworkrequiresuseoftheBSC,youshouldwearalabcoatandglovestoprotectyouskinandyourclothingfromcontamination.Aswell,longhairshouldbetiedback,asrequiredbytheLaboratoryBiosafetyGuidelines.

- Planyourworkandminimizemovementinandoutofthehood.- Chemicallydisinfectbeforeandafteruse- Allowtimeforaircurrentstostabilizebeforestartingworkinthecabinet

ReviewtheCBSSOPat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.htmlforadditionaldetailsontheuseandcareofthisequipment.

8.6. Liquid Nitrogen KeyPoints:

- Alwayswearglovesandeyeprotectionwhenhandlingliquidnitrogen

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- FollowtheoperationalpracticesoutlinedintheCBSSOPat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html

- Keepthedooropenwhendispensingfrombulkstoragedewars.- Ifyouhaveaspill,theonlythingyoucandoisevacuateimmediately.Makesureeveryonegets

outoftheimmediatearea,andwait30minutesfortheairtoclear.Ifaspillis>4L,callEHS,asairtestingmayberequiredtoverifytheoxygenlevelhasreturnedtonormal.

Somestorageareasfordewarsareequippedwithanoxygenmonitor.Whenthealarmsounds,closeanyopenvalvesimmediatelyandleavetheroom.

8.7. Chemical Safety KeyPoints:

- Knowthehazardsofthematerialswithwhichyouareworking.ReviewtheMSDSpriortohandlinganewchemical.

- Dontaccumulateunnecessaryinventorychecktoseeifyourlabalreadyhasthechemical,andorderonlyasmuchasyouneed.

- Neverstoreincompatiblematerialstogether.Acidscannotbestoredwithbases,flammablescannotbestoredwithoxidizers.

- Neverputflammablesolventsinafridgeunlessthefridgeisspecificallydesignedtoaccommodateflammables.Therearefartoomanyrecordedcasesoffridgesandfreezersexplodinginlaboratoriesasaresultofimproperstorageofflammablematerials.

8.8. Compressed Gas Cylinders Keypoints:

- Whenmovingatankensurethesafetycapiscompletelyscrewedonandthetankischainedorstrappedtoacylindercart.

- Alwayssecuretanksverticallyusingastraporchainwhetherinstorageorinuse.- Tanksinusemustbesecuredinanuprightpositionwitharegulatorattached.- Donotattempttochangeatankunlessyouhavebeentrainedtodoso.- Neverstoretanksofincompatiblematerialstogether(e.g.,flammablegasesbesideoxygen).

Compressedgascylindersareunderhighpressure,andcontainalotofpotentialenergy.Theprinciplehazardsarethatafailureinthetankorthevalvewillcausearapidreleaseofpressure(i.e.anexplosion),andareleaseofthecontents(leakingoropenvalve)thatcouldbehazardous.

Evennontoxicgasessuchasnitrogenarepotentiallyharmful,astheleakinggascandisplaceoxygenandleadtoasphyxiation.Aleakofatoxicgascanrapidlyreachahazardouslevel.Similarlyaleakingcylinderofflammablegascouldpotentiallyleadtoafireorexplosion.

Topreventleaks,alwaysusetherighttypeofregulator,fittings,andhosesforyourapplication.Inspectallcomponentspriortoassemblingtoensuretheyareclean,dry,andfunctioningproperly.When

appropriate,checkallconnectionsbybrushingonasoapysolutiontoensurethereisnoerrantgasescaping.Insomeapplicationsagasdetectormayberequired.

8.9. Biosafety Risk Groups and Containment Levels

BiologicalmaterialsareclassifiedintoRiskGroupsonthebasisoftheirabilitytocausediseaseinhumansand/oranimals.

RiskGroup1lowindividualandcommunityrisk

RiskGroup2moderateindividualrisk,limitedcommunityrisk

RiskGroup3highindividualrisk,lowcommunityrisk

RiskGroup4highindividualrisk,highcommunityrisk

TheRiskGroupindicatestherelativelevelofrisktoworkersandtopublichealth,butthemorerelevantclassificationfromanoperationalperspectiveistheContainmentLevel.TheContainmentLeveldefinesthenatureoftheengineeringandproceduralcontrolsrequiredforhandlingdifferentorganisms.Forcommonorganisms,theContainmentLevelcanbeobtainedfromtheMSDSpostedonthePublicHealthAgencyofCanadawebsite,atthisURL:http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/msdsftss/index.html

Ifyouareunabletofindinformationonanorganismofinterest,contacttheUniversityofGuelphBiosafetyOfficerforassistance.

ThecontainmentlevelforrecombinantDNAandgeneticmanipulationisnotsomethingthatcanfeasiblybedefinedinadvance.Itwilldependonariskassessmentthattakesintoaccountthepathogenicityofthedonor/sourceorganismandtherecipientorganism,aswellasthepropertiesoftherecombinantorganismwithrespecttoproteinexpressionandreplication.Forassistanceindeterminingthepropercontainmentlevel,youmaycontacttheOfficeofLaboratorySafetyinOttawaat(613)9571779.

Celllinesmaybebiohazardousasaresultoftheorganismsinherentpathogenicity,orduetocontaminationwithotheragentssuchasviruses,fungi,bacteriaorprions.AttheUniversityofGuelph,thepolicyistoworkwithcelllines/cellculturesunderContainmentLevel2.Incaseswherethereisahighpotentialforlaboratoryacquiredinfection(e.g.,celllinesderivedfrommacaquesthatmaybecontaminatedwithHerpesvirussimiae)ContainmentLevel3willberequired;converselyincaseswheretheriskisassessedanddeemedtobelow,workwithcelllinesmaybedowngradedtoContainmentLevel1.

AnyoneperformingworkwithhumanpathogensmustfamiliarizethemselveswiththeLaboratoryBiosafetyGuidelinesissuedbyHealthCanada.Ifyouaredoingworkwithanimalpathogens,youmustreviewtheCanadianFoodInspectionAgencysContainmentStandardsforVeterinaryFacilities.The

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generalsafetyprecautionsforhandlingpathogenicbiologicalagentsarediscussedinthesectiononoperationalrequirementsbelow.

Permits Avalidbiosafetypermit,issuedbytheUniversityofGuelphBiosafetyCommittee,mustbeobtainedforallactivitiesinvolvinguseorstorageofbiohazardousmaterials.Formoredetails,pleaserefertotheinformationprovidedon:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/biosafety/.

AdditionalresourcesareavailableontheCBSHealth&Safetywebsitetoassistinpreparingbiosafetypermitapplications.

Import of Pathogens InordertobringpathogenicagentsintoCanada,oneof,orboth,thePublicHealthAgencyofCanada(PHAC)andtheCanadianFoodInspectionAgency(CFIA)mustapprovetheimportation.Insomecaseswemustobtainthepermitsourselves,inothercasesweimportunderthepermitofasupplierordistributor.Theflowchartsbelowdepicttheprocessforimportationofriskgroup2materialsforcircumstanceswherethesupplieristhepermitholder,andforsituationswherethePIappliesfortheimportpermit.

Process Map 1 Supplier as Import Permit Holder

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Process Map 2 Principal Investigator as Import Permit Holder

ThePHACandCFIAoperateasseparateentities,soatpresent,documentationmayberequiredbyboth.EachagencyprovidesachecklisttohelpusersconfirmwhethertheycomplywithalltherequirementsoftherelevantguidelinesthechecklistsareavailableatthefollowingURLs:

http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/olsbsl/containment/pdf/cl2checklist_e.doc

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/path/animae.shtml

Material Transfer Beforewereleasebiohazardousmaterialstoanotherindividual,organizationorinstitution,itisincumbentonustakereasonablestepstoensurethatthematerialwillbehandledproperly.

FormaterialsthatfallintoRiskGroup2(orhigher),wemustensurethedestinationfacilityfulfillsallrequirementsofaContainmentLevel2laboratory,asdescribedinthePHACand/orCFIAguidelines.Aswell,shipmentsofriskgroup2orhighermaterialsmayfallundertheTransportationofDangerousGoods(TDG);refertotheCBSSOPonTransportofDangerousGoodsforfurtherdetailsat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html.

Anotherconsiderationistheprotectionofintellectualpropertyoftheuniversity;theBusinessDevelopmentOfficeintheOfficeofResearchhasaMaterialTransferAgreementformwhichisavailableonline:http://bdo.uoguelph.ca/assets/Material_Transfer_Agreement.pdf

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Biosecurity Inrecentyearsthelevelofconcernoverthesecurityofpathogenicmaterialshasgrown.Fromtheperspectiveoftheenduser,thekeypointssurroundaccessandinventorycontrol.

Accesscontrolisanimportantaspectofbiosecurity.Neverpropopendoorsortamperwithlockingmechanisms,andpleasereportanysuspiciousactivitiesorbehaviour.Generallyspeaking,doorscanbeunlockedduringthedaywhenthelabisoccupied,butafterhourslabdoorsmustbesecurelyclosedandlocked.

Tofacilitateproperinventorycontrol,makesureyoukeepyourmaterialswellorganized,properlylabeled,andaccountedforusingtheinventorysysteminyourlab.Iffreezersorstorageroomsarekeptlocked,besuretorelockthemwhenyouarefinishedusingthem.Disposeofbiologicalwastesproperlysothatpathogensareeffectivelydestroyed.

Operational Requirements

TherequirementsforthevariousBiosafetyContainmentLevelsaredefinedindetailintheHealthCanadaandCFIAguidelinedocuments,andreiteratedinthereferencematerialsthatsupportthebiosafetyprogram.TaketimetoreviewtheHealthCanadaLaboratoryBiosafetyGuidelinespriortostartinganyworkwithbiologicalorganisms.

Asdiscussedinthesectiononlabsafety,thepurposeofthevariousrequirementsaretokeepyou,asaworker,frombeingexposed;topreventcontaminationfrombeingcarriedoutofthelabandspreadtootherpartsofourfacilities;andtoputplansinplacetodealwithemergenciesthatmayarise.

AfewoftheessentialoperationalrequirementsforContainmentLevel2(manyofwhichareapplicableinalllabs)arelistedbelow:

- Allpersonnelmustwearfastenedlabcoatswhenworkinginthelab.Labcoatsarenottobeworninstairwellsorcommonareasofthebuilding.Contaminatedlabcoatsshouldbeautoclavedorchemicallydisinfectedpriortolaundering(unlesslaundryhasbeenproventoeffectivelydecontaminatelabcoats).

- Eyeorfaceprotectionisrequiredwheneverthereisariskofsplashes,aerosolsorflyingobjects.- Closedtoedshoesarerequiredwhenworkinginalllaboratories,includingContainmentLevel2

areas.- Glovesmustbewornwheneverthereisapotentialforskincontactwithabiohazard,and

removedpriortoleavingtheworkarea.Anycutsorscrapesmustremaincoveredatalltimeswithawaterproofdressing.Handsshouldbewashedwheneverglovesareremoved,andpriortoleavingthelaboratory.

- Topreventaccidentalcontamination,longhairmustbetiedbackandlabcoatsmustbewornbyallpersonnelwhenworkinginthelab.Jewelryisnotrecommended.

- Toreducetheprobabilityofingestion,food,drinkandcosmeticsarenotpermittedinthelab,andoralpipettingisprohibited.

- Routinechemicaldisinfectionofworksurfacesisnecessarytopreventthespreadofpotentiallypathogenicmaterial,andnonessentialitemsandpersonalbelongingsmustbekeptawayfromareaswherebiohazardsarehandled.Benchkoteshouldbechangedonaregularbasisandfollowinganyminorspills.

- Allbiohazardouswastematerialsmustbedecontaminated(i.e.autoclaved)priortodisposalorcollectedbyadisposalcompanyspecializinginthehandlingofbiohazardouswaste.

8.10. Radiation Safety Permits

AllradioactivematerialsmustbeorderedthroughtheRadiationSafetyOfficerandmayonlybehandledbylaboratoriesthathaveapermitgrantedbythecampusRadiationSafetyCommittee.

AttheUniversityofGuelph,wehaveBasicLevelLaboratories(BLL)andIntermediateLevelLaboratories(ILL).TheopenquantityofaradioisotopeinaBLLislimitedtolessthan5timestheAnnualLimitonIntake.AnILLmaybeusedtohandleradioactivematerialwithactivityupto50timestheAnnualLimitonIntake.

Inadditiontoquantitylimitationswithinpermittedlabs,thereareextensiverequirementsforinventorytracking,useofshieldingdevicesandexposurecontrols,monitoringofexposureandcontamination,andmanagementofwaste.ThesetopicsarecoveredindetailaspartoftheRadiationSafetyTraining,anddocumentedintheRadiationSafetyOperationalGuidance(RSOG)documents.MoreinformationisavailableontheEHSwebsiteat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/radiation/

Requirements Priortoanyworkwithradioactivematerials,staffandstudentsmustsuccessfullycompleteRadiationSafetyTraining.ThecoresetofRSOGdocumentsareavailabletousersinpermittedlabs,andtreatedastheprimaryreferenceforoperationalguidance(alongwiththespecificprotocolsfollowedinyourindividuallab).

Duringexperiments,inmostcircumstancesitwillbeappropriatetohaveasurveymeteronhandtoperiodicallysweeptheworkarea,verifyingthatcontaminationhasbeeneffectivelycontrolled.Aswell,postexperimentwipetestingmustbeperformedtoconfirmtheworkareaisadequatelyfreefromradioactivematerial.ThewipetestprotocolforthesharedIntermediateLevelLaboratoriesintheScienceComplexisavailableonline,andcanbeusedasatemplateforsettingupaprotocolinyourlab.

8.11. Human Testing Theuseofhumansubjectsforresearchhasobviousethicalandsafetyimplications.AnyresearchprojectsthatwillinvolvehumansubjectsmustbeapprovedbytheUniversityofGuelphResearchEthicsBoard.Furtherdetailsareavailableonlineat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/research/servicesdivisions/ethics.Inadditionresearchersinvolvedinhumanclinicaltrialsinvolvinghumanfluidand/or

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tissuerequirehandsonclinicaltrainingprovidedbyHumanHealthandNutritionalSciences.Pleasecontactx53493formoreinformation.

8.12. Animal Care TheuseofanimalsinbiologicalresearchisundertheoversightoftheAnimalCareCommittee.Priortoinitiatinganystudyinvolvinganimals,anAnimalUtilizationProtocol(AUP)mustbeapprovedbythecommittee,andparticipantsmustsuccessfullycompletetrainingasanimalusers.Furtherdetailsareavailableonlineat:

http://www.uoguelph.ca/research/animalsinresearchteaching

8.13. Laboratory Wastes Acrossthecollegewegeneratemanydifferenttypesofwaste.Thepropersegregationofwasteisanimportantissue;placinghazardouswasteinthenormalgarbagecanputthesafetyofthecustodialstaffatrisk,andleadtoseriousfinesandpenaltiestotheUniversity.Thepouringofchemicalsdownthedrainisincrediblyirresponsible,damagingtotheenvironment,andisprohibitedbylaw.

Ifyouareunsureofhowacertainchemicalormaterialmightbeclassifiedasawaste,hangontoitandaskforclarificationfromyoursupervisor,ortheLaboratorySafetyOfficerintheEHSdepartment.

Thetablebelowitemizesthetypesofwasteweroutinelyhaveinthecollege,andwhatshouldbedonewitheach.

HazardousWastetags,liketheoneshownbelowareavailablefromtheStockroomorfromtheEHSDepartment.Youmaycallx53282andasktheAdministrativeAssistanttosendyouasupplyoftagsthroughinterofficemail.Affixatagtothewastecontainerwhenyoubegincollectingwaste.

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Waste Examples DisposalProcedure

Regular,nonhazardousgarbage

Papertowel,gloves, Placeingarbagecontainer(blackbag).

Recyclablematerials(notcontaminatedwithhazardousmaterials)

Finepaper,newspaper

Placeinbluebin(clearbag)

Aqueoussolutions Phosphatebuffer

Trisbuffer

Aqueoussolutionsthatcontainanyhazardousmaterials(metals,dyes,stains)mustbecollectedanddisposedofashazardouswaste.

Ifasolutionisamixtureofaqueousandorganicsolvents,treataseitherhalogenatedornonhalogenatedsolvent.

NOTEifsolutionsarestronglyacidicorbasic,labelandseparate.Donotmixacidsandbasesinwastejugs.

Halogenatedorganicsolventwaste

Chloroform,methylenechloride

Collectineitherasafetycanoranempty4Lbottle.Safetycanswillbereturnedwithinaweekofpickup.

Ifusingasafetycan,labeltoindicatethetypeofwaste.Keeplidclosedexceptwhenfilling,andstoreinflammablestoragecabinet.

Ifusinga4Lbottle,ensureiteithercontainedacompatiblechemicalorhasbeencleanedofanyresidue.Theoriginallabelmustbedefacedorremoved,andthebottlemustbelabeledindicatingthetypeofwasteitcontains.Storeintheflammablestoragecabinet.

Nonhalogenatedorganicsolventwaste

Acetone,ethanol,isopropanol

Collectineitherasafetycanoranempty4Lbottle.

Ifusingasafetycan,labeltoindicatethetypeofwaste.Keeplidclosedexceptwhenfilling,andstoreinflammablestoragecabinet.

Ifusinga4Lbottle,ensureiteithercontainedacompatiblechemicalorhasbeencleanedofanyresidue.Theoriginallabelmustbedefacedorremoved,andthebottlemustbelabeledtoindicatethetypeofwaste.Storeintheflammablestoragecabinet.

BiohazardousWaste Usedcultureplates/tubes/flasks,disposablepipettes

Collectinanautoclavablebag(typicallyorangeorred).Regularly(e.g.daily)closethetopofthebaganduseacarttotakeittothewasteautoclave.

Donotpackwasteintightly;penetrationofthesteamisimperativeforeffectivedecontamination.

Noteindepartments/areaswheresuitableautoclavesarenotavailable,aspecializedwastecontractorcanbecontractedtoregularlypickupcollectedbiohazardwaste.ContactEHStoinitiatethistypeofagreementwithacontractorinthisarea.

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Biohazardoussharps Syringes,blades,contaminatedbrokenglassorothersharpobjectpotentiallycontaminatedwithabiohazardousmaterial

Biohazardoussharpscanbedisposedofinoneoftwoways.

Inbothcases,sharpsmustbecollectedinapunctureresistantcontainerdesignedforsharpscollection.Whenthebinhasreachedthefillline,thelidmustbesecuredshut.

Somedepartmentsautoclavethesharpscontainer,andthensubmitarequisitiontoEHStohavetheautoclavedwasteremoved.

Alternatively,awastecompanythatspecializesinbiohazardouswaste,canbecontractedtopickupthesecuredcontainerswithoutautoclaving.Inthiscase,thesharpsareclassifiedasbiohazardouswaste.

CleanGlassWaste Cleanglassware,glasspipettes

Clean/sterilizedglass,includingbrokenglasswareandpipettes,canbeplacedinthecontainersmarkedasGlass(whitepail,yellowbag).Ensureanyglassgoingintothiswastestreamisclean.

Radioactivewaste C14,P32 Thereare2methodsthatmaybeappliedfordisposalofradioactivewastes,dependingonthecircumstances.

Themostcommonistoarrangeforaradioactivewastepickup.Wasteiscollectedindesignatedbins(separatedbyisotope).CompletetheRequestforRadioactiveWasteDisposalandsubmittoEHS.

Solutionswithverylowactivitythatcontainnootherhazardousingredientscanbedischargedtodrain,inaccordancewiththelicenseissuedtotheUniversity.Theamountdischargedmustbelessthanthewasteactivityconcentrationlistedonthepermitissuedtoyourlab,andthispracticemustbeapprovedbytheRSO,throughsubmissionoftheRSOF100Form.

Expired/Unneededchemicals

Expireddryorliquidchemicals,chemicalsthatarenolongerused

Donotremovefromoriginalcontainer.Placeinasafeareaofthelab,affixawastetagandsubmitrequisitiontoEHS.

Compressedgastanks EmptyN2cylinder

Inmostcases,tankscanbereturntothesupplier.Ifyouareleftwithatankthatcannotbereturned,affixawastetagandsubmitrequisitiontoEHSfordisposal.

Formaldehyde Formalinpreservative

Formaldehydeisanirritantandahumancarcinogen,andmustbetreatedasahazardouswaste.Collectinasuitablecontainer,andwhenfullaffixtagandsubmitrequisitiontoEHS.

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Ethidiumbromidewaste

Stocksolutions Stainedgelsandcontaminatedsolidwastes(weighpaper/tray,benchkote)shouldbecollectedinasealablecontainer(e.g,20Lpailw/lid,linedwithheavygaugeplasticbag&labeledasHAZARDOUSEtBrWASTE).Todisposeofcontainercontents,submitrequisitiontoEHS.

Stocksolutionsshouldbecollectedinalabeledbottleandstoredinasafelocation.Whennecessary,submitrequisitiontoEHSfordisposal.

Stainingsolutionscanbetreatedinthesamemannerasstocksolutions,ordetoxifiedbychemicalreactionorspecializedfiltration.Byproductsofthefiltrationmethodmustbetreatedashazardouswaste.

Acrylamide Stocksolutions,polymerizedgels

Acrylamidemonomer(i.e.powderorinsolution)mustbetreatedasahazardouswaste.Uncontaminatedpolymerizedgelscanbediscardedintheregulargarbage.

1. Introduction2. Responsibility for Safety 3. Safety Resources3.1. Safety Committees

Safety Training5. Standard Operating Procedures6. Emergency Procedures6.1. EvacuationFire Chemical Spill6.4. Biohazard Spill6.5. Medical EmergencyActive ThreatPower outageFlood

7. Hazard & Incident Reporting7.1. Reporting of Hazardous Conditions7.2. Incident Reporting

Laboratory Safety8.1. General Laboratory Safety Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)8.3. Monthly Laboratory Self-inspections8.4. Fume Hoods8.5. Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs)8.6. Liquid Nitrogen8.7. Chemical Safety8.8. Compressed Gas CylindersBiosafety Risk Groups and Containment LevelsPermitsImport of PathogensProcess Map 1 Supplier as Import Permit HolderProcess Map 2 Principal Investigator as Import Permit Holderhttp://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/path/animae.shtml Material TransferBiosecurityOperational Requirements

Radiation SafetyPermits Requirements

8.11. Human Testing8.12. Animal Care8.13. Laboratory Wastes

9. Field Safety9.1. Overview9.2. Field Research Safety Plans9.3. Remote Locations9.4. Disease9.5. Sun Safety 9.6. Wildlife9.7. Working at Height9.8. Security9.9. Water HazardsBoatsMarine/AquaticElectroshockingIce

9.10. Vehicles9.11. Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)

10. Standard Operating Procedures, Forms and Other Resources