Tag: lab safety
-
Inspection Process Changes
Research laboratories need to be inspected or walked-through every year to ensure that any hazard is identified and possible exposure is mitigated. Any item(s) that need to be corrected were usually summarized in the Corrective Action Plan (CAP). In 2018, we are consolidating the self-inspection and the generation of the CAP. Lab Self-Inspection and…
-
Urgent! Do you Store Hazardous Chemical Waste?
The State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division has implemented new rules for hazardous waste management. Here are the current guidelines for hazardous chemical waste management implemented by Emory EHSO: LABEL all chemical waste containers to indicate contents (Picture 1). Find labels at www.ehso.emory.edu. AFFIX a GHS pictogram (Figure 1) to the containers that defines the hazard…
-
Spill Kit Essentials and Basic Clean Up Steps
All personnel working in research laboratories should know the location of the biological spill clean up kit, the basic steps to clean up small spills, who to call in case of an emergency and the reporting procedures. Before you start your work with biological agents: Identify the location of the nearest spill kit Check the…
-
EHSO Research Safety Lab Inspection Top Findings!
Lab inspections are conducted on a routine basis to assist in compliance with regulations, to identify and correct general lab hazards, and to help ensure a safe work environment. Below is a summary of the top findings from our most recent inspection cycle (September 2016-August 2017), and recommended corrective actions. Item # Item Description Item…
-
October is National Biosafety Month
October is National Biosafety Month (NBM). The Office of Science Policy (OSP) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) encourages institutions to: Highlight the importance of biosafety. Undertake activities to strengthen their biosafety programs. The 2017 theme for NBM is “promoting biosafety through good governance.” What is Emory University doing? The biosafety office team: Encourages…
-
Considerations When Using Sharps on Rodent Studies
By Sherrie Jean, DVM, DACLAM Associate Veterinarian Yerkes National Primate Research Center Many biomedical and basic science research studies involve the use of rodent animal models. The animals and experimental agents (eg. cell lines, chemicals, biologicals, etc.) involved with these projects often pose a human health and safety risk to the personnel conducting those studies.…
-
Preventing Slips, Trips and Falls
By Stephanie Lord EHSO EHS Professional II General Safety and Industrial Hygiene Do you ever think about how to prevent slips, trips and falls? Of course not! Most slips, trips and falls happen because we are distracted and/or do not notice the hazards around us. Hazards and Remedies Spills Clean up any spills or report…
-
Reminders to Research Personnel
Are you ready to begin a new school year in your laboratory? August is usually a busy month with students starting a new semester, students lining up rotations, new investigators coming to the University, new hires, and so on. Below are a few reminders from EHSO: ✓ Ensure PI and personnel are current with applicable…
-
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Clinical and Microbiology Laboratories
There has been an outbreak linked to Salmonella Typhimurium from microbiological laboratories in 16 states, including Georgia, in 2017. This continues to indicate that laboratory-associated salmonellosis is a public health problem and that proper microbiological techniques should be used. Many of the people who became ill reported not washing hands, not wearing PPE, and using…
-
Updated Lab Self-Inspection Form
The Laboratory Self-Inspection Form has been updated. Each lab is required to complete a self-inspection every 12 months and upload the Corrective Action Plan to BioRAFT. EHSO Research Safety will use the same form to conduct an inspection of each lab. The Laboratory Self-Inspection Cheat Sheet has also been updated. The inspection process remains the…