Tag: ehso
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Is Your Chemical Waste Stored Properly?
Chemical waste generated during research activities must be stored by specific criteria. The storage area for laboratory chemical waste is termed Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA). There are three C’s for proper SAA waste chemical storage containers: Closed – All chemical waste containers must remain closed except at the moment the container is being filled. Contents…
-
Do You Protect Your Eyes and Face?
Protecting your eyes and face is important in the workplace and outside of work. Thousands of people are blinded each year from work related eye injuries that could have been prevented with proper eye and face protection. The Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) requires employers to ensure the safety of all employees in the work…
-
Increase in Personnel Density for Research Laboratories
On November 30, personnel density for research laboratories will be increased from one person per 250 square feet per one person to one person per 150 square feet. This increase in occupancy density continues to require the use of face coverings and maintaining a minimum distance of 6-feet between people. This physical distancing requirement is…
-
Environmental Health and Safety: Year In Review
The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) has the mission of providing comprehensive environmental and occupational health and safety support services to our research community and other Emory stakeholders with an aim of protecting people, environment and reputation by ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. This past year’s activities contributed to the mission of ORA and…