Tag: ehso
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Healthy Habits to Help Protect Against Flu
The single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get vaccinated each year. This year Emory University has required that all faculty, staff and students receive a flu shot and complete the Attestation Form by October 29, 2021. In addition to the flu shot, healthy habits like staying home when you are sick, avoiding close contact with others, and washing your hands often…
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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 incident occurs. Proper laboratory attire includes wearing long pants/skirt, closed-toed shoes, and securing long hair. Along with proper attire, remember to wear your Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),…
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Accident Response and Reporting
In the event of an accident, incident, or near-miss employees must notify their supervisor and report it. This includes injuries, exposures, illnesses, falls, and fires. Injuries or Exposures: If there is a medical emergency requiring transport to the nearest emergency department, call 911. Immediately address the injury or exposure: Bites, needlesticks, cuts, hand or arm exposures – Wash exposed area with soap and water for 15…
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Do I Need Respiratory Protection?
Emory has a commitment to its faculty, staff, and students to keep them safe while they conduct research. One type of hazard found while conducting research activities is airborne contaminants. This includes chemicals, animal dander, physical hazards, including nanoparticles, and/or biological agents. Emory uses the “Hierarchy of Controls” to minimize employee exposure to hazards, including airborne contaminants. When eliminating or substituting a process that produces an…
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Chemical Waste Contest Winner
The winner of the Chemical Waste Contest from April’s Research Safety Update newsletter is…the Ryan Lab in Claudia Nance Rollins! Congratulations to the members of Dr. Barry Ryan’s research group! The winners will receive a prize compliments of Emory EHSO. Remember the 3 C’s of Chemical Waste: Closed – All chemical waste containers must remain…
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The Safety Theme for June is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The purpose of PPE is to protect yourself from potential exposures as well as protect others by keeping what you work with inside the lab. PPE is one aspect of risk minimization and it serves as your last line of defense against direct exposures to hazardous materials and environments. The minimum PPE required includes a lab coat or disposable gown, long pants/skirt, and closed-toe shoes. Task specific gloves and…
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Emergency Eyewash Stations
Emergency eyewashes must be activated and visually inspected monthly. The activation and inspection must also be documented near each eyewash. This is to ensure the eyewash stations are functioning, clean, and accessible in the event they are needed. If you are exposed to a foreign particle, chemical, or biological agent, an emergency eyewash station is…
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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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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…