Tag: PPE
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Now Available: Updated Emory University’s Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan
The updated version of the Emory University’s Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan (ECP) is now available on the EHSO website. The Exposure Control Plan is an important part of the University’s effort to protect employees from occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The ECP includes: Determination of “at risk” personnel Methods for exposure control including: Universal…
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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:…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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.…
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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…
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What is the Purpose of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?
It’s really not a simple answer and requires an understanding of general biosafety. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines biosafety as principles, practices, and strategies aimed at minimizing the unintentional release of a biological agent. Biosafety is achieved by utilizing the four primary controls – engineering, PPE, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and administration. These controls…
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EHSO Laboratory Safety Templates and Documents!
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Hazard Assessment Template Are you wearing the correct PPE while performing experiments? Do you know when to wear safety glasses or safety goggles? Do you know when a face shield is necessary? EHSO created the PPE Hazard Assessment Template to help researchers identify the proper PPE to wear. PPE selection should…
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Top Ten Findings from EHSO Laboratory Inspections
In the spring of this year, EHSO conducted beta-testing of the Scorecard Inspection Process. The Scorecard is a document that identifies the strengths and areas for improvement from an individual lab’s perspective and a overall department perspective. The process is designed to give the PI and the Department Chair a depiction of the safety culture…