Author: Beth Savoy
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Laboratory Safety: Electrical Hazards
This is the second part of our series on the hazards posed with electrical equipment. by: Nicole Campbell, Safety and Industrial Hygiene Specialist Background Last month, we reviewed two common issues we find in laboratories: frayed cords and improper use of extension cords. This month, we continue our discussion on the use of extension cords…
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How Do I Handle Contaminated Broken Glass?
Last month, we reviewed that only clean broken glass should go into the broken glass disposal box. This month, we will discuss how to dispose of broken glass contaminated with either a chemical or biological agent. As with any spill, you should consult your written Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), which contains specific guidance on cleaning…
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Laboratory Safety: Electrical Hazards
This is the first of a multi-part series on the hazards posed with electrical equipment. by: Nicole Campbell, Safety and Industrial Hygiene Specialist Background Laboratory workers may be exposed to electrical hazards including electric shock, electrocutions caused by short circuits and overloaded circuits and wiring. Most electrical-related incidents are caused by unsafe work practices or…
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What Can I Place into a Broken Glass Disposal Box?
A short article on the proper use of the broken glass disposal box. The purpose of the broken glass box (Image 2) is to safely store and dispose of any decontaminated/clean broken glassware and non-infectious slides. Sharps are disposed of in a sharps container (Image 3). UV lamps, microscope bulbs, and broken mercury thermometers…
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Working with Limited Chemical Storage Space: Corrosives
In this multi-part series, we will discuss common problems with storage of chemicals in Emory research labs, and some practical solutions. Background Through the lab safety self inspection process, we have encouraged lab personnel to use secondary containers for corrosives and we now find acids and bases are stored this way. However, follow up lab…
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Volunteers and Minors in the Lab
Summer is a great time for students to gain valuable laboratory or research experience through volunteering or internships. Working in a laboratory presents the risk of exposure to hazardous materials, which requires inexperienced lab personnel to receive training to help them identify the inherent hazards of experiments. EHSO has an established registration program to help…
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The Safety Issues of Hotplate Heating Controls
Background Spontaneous and unexpected heating of hotplates has been the cause of laboratory fires and explosions. In 2005, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory issued a safety advisory related to a Corning model PC 420 hot plate. In 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014 the University of California, University of Pennsylvania, MIT, and Oak Ridge National Lab issued similar…