Author: Hope
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Summer Clothing and Lab Safety
The weather is warming up, and while shorts and sandals are great if you are spending time outside, it is important to be properly dressed when working in a laboratory to reduce injuries and exposures if an accident occurs. Along with proper attire, remember to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) according to your laboratory’s PPE…
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Chemicals in Animals Hazard Assessment for the DAR
The hazard assessment included with Chemicals in Animals approval letters has a new look! This new format applies to the Division of Animal Resources (DAR) protocols. The hazard assessment included in Yerkes protocol approval letters will remain unchanged. Please note – for those administering Level 3 Agents, as indicated by your approval letter and hazard…
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Extension and Power Strip Safety
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that electrical power cords cause about 4,000 injuries and 3,300 residential fires each year. The most frequent causes of such fires are short circuits, overloading, damage and/or misuse of these power cords. Misused and damaged power cords have caused painful injuries, fires, equipment damage and regulatory citations…
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Clear the Air – Indoor Air Quality
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Poor ventilation, humidity, and moisture are some factors that can affect the quality of indoor air. Investigation and remediation of IAQ concerns is a joint effort between EHSO, Campus…
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Do You Have Chemical Waste?
Do you have chemical waste? You can enter to win a prize! Check how your chemical waste is stored. The Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA), the storage area where your laboratory keeps chemical waste, should meet the following requirements: Closed – All chemical waste containers must remain closed except at the moment the container is being filled. Contents Identified – Content must be identified. Please use labels provided by EHSO including…
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How to Update Your Lab Sign
Does your lab need a new or updated lab sign? The lab signage request form is available on our website at www.ehso.emory.edu. Go to Research Safety > Laboratory Hazard Signage Program > Lab Signage Requirements Form. Once you complete and submit the form, EHSO will create the new lab sign and post it on your door. If you have…
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BRS Permit Applicants Required to Use APHIS eFile
Beginning April 5th, 2021, all United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) permit applicants will be required to apply using APHIS eFile. What this means: Notifications will no longer be available after April 4, 2021. This is consistent with the revised regulations 7 CFR Part 340. ePermits remains…
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Farewell to The Lab Rat, Welcome to Research Safety Update
The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) division of Research Safety is changing the name of our monthly newsletter from The Lab Rat Newsletter to Research Safety Update, effective March 2021. As part of a larger EHSO rebranding effort, we have decided to allow The Lab Rat to retire. The new Research Safety Update will…
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Don’t Risk a Fall – Use Ladders and Step Stools Properly
Ladders are commonly used in the home and workplace, but do we give them much thought before stepping on one? If used improperly, ladders can be dangerous or even fatal. According to the Liberty Mutual 2020 Workplace Safety Index, $5.71 billion is spent on workplace falls to a lower level, such as, from ladders and…
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FY21 Lab Assessments and Frequently Identified Findings
As a reminder, the EHSO Research Safety team is conducting assessments of research spaces to help ensure a safe work environment, to identify and correct laboratory hazards and to assist with regulatory compliance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a modified assessment visit will be conducted for your laboratory following the current safety recommendations. The checklist…