Tag: OSHA
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Update to the Principal Investigator’s Guide to Environmental Health and Safety Policies
The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) has updated the Principal Investigator’s Guide to EHS Policies and Procedures and the current version is now on our website under Forms/Documents. What is the Principal Investigator’s Guide to EHS Policies and Procedures? This document outlines health and safety topics that all PIs should review with new members…
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Working with Hazardous Chemicals at Emory University – Particularly Hazardous Substances
OSHA and Emory University require that individual laboratories develop written procedures for handling particularly hazardous substances (See the OSHA Lab Standard 1910.1450 and Emory University Chemical Hygiene Plan). Written procedures document that personnel are trained and help to ensure a safe and compliant workplace. Particularly hazardous substances are chemical agents that pose a serious health…
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Hearing Safety in the Workplace
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise every day, ranging from sounds of a power lawnmower to shots fired from a shotgun. This noise can cause severe damage to the ear and produce permanent hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss is the number one…
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Fire Safety Week
LOOK (for places where a fire could start), LISTEN (for the sound of the smoke alarm), LEARN (two ways out of every room). Be aware fire can happen anywhere. Do you know where the fire extinguisher is located? OSHA requires that fire extinguishers receive two types of inspections to ensure that they work when activated: …
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BioRAFT Chemical Registration – Identifying Highly Hazardous Chemicals Used in the Laboratory
Completing your Chemical Registration is the final step in BioRAFT for all laboratories using highly hazardous chemicals. If your lab has Highly Hazardous Chemicals (HHC), you need to complete the HHC Survey and update personnel handling these chemicals in your laboratory. A special feature of the BioRAFT platform is the option of having a chemical…
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Do You Protect Your Eyes/Face?
Protecting your eyes and face is important in the workplace and outside of work. 40% of all accidents that cause blindness occur at home. OSHA states that eye injuries cost employers over $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation. Things to consider when working with hazardous material in the lab: Be…
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Sharps Safety Starts With You!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 62% – 88% of sharps injuries can be prevented simply by using safer medical devices. Researchers should always consider how to safely handle sharps and identify procedures and/or scenarios when a sharps injury could occur. By identifying when a sharps injury can occur, planned activities can…
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GHS Hazard Communication
What is GHS? GHS is the acronym for Global Harmonization System. The GHS Classification System was adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to align domestic labeling requirements with Internationally recognized standards. Since Hazard Communication must be comprehensive, the use of GHS symbols extends to chemical labeling, lab door signs, safety data sheets,…
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Be a Ladder Safety Pro! March is Ladder Safety Month
Most people have used a ladder before, either at home or at work – So, what’s the big deal? It’s just a ladder! While ladders are inexpensive and useful ways to access elevated areas, they can also be very dangerous or even fatal, if used improperly. According to a NIOSH study, ladder falls are involved…
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Do You Protect Your Eyes and Face? Do Not Become a Statistic
Protecting your eyes and face is important in the workplace and outside of work. 40% of all accidents that cause blindness occur at home. OSHA states that eye injuries cost employers over $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and worker compensation. Things to consider when working with hazardous material in the lab:…