B. CHAPTER-SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Directors
2. Department Chairs or Senior Managers
3. Laboratory Safety Officers
4. Safety Coordinators
5. Principal Investigators and Supervisors
6. Employees
7. Resident Building Managers
8. Resident Security Managers
9. The Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management (OSHEM)
C. REQUIREMENTS FOR A SITE-SPECIFIC LABORATORY SAFETY PLAN
E. REQUIRED INSPECTIONS AND SELF-ASSESSMENTS
Attachment 1: Laboratory Safety Plan Guidance Manual (SUPERCEDES 2005 Lab Safety Manual)
Appendix A. Laboratory Safety Plan Template
Appendix B. Interactive NFPA diamond (contact OSHEM for fully interactive version)
Appendix B1. NFPA Diamond Codes
Appendix C. Job Hazard Analysis for Laboratories
Appendix D. Technical Guidance on Hazard Identification and Control
Appendix E. Practical Tips for Safe Operation of Fume Hoods
Appendix F. Guidelines for Building Service Workers, Maintenance Workers, and Security Officers
1. This Chapter applies to all Smithsonian Institution (SI) laboratory operations, which are required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29 CFR 1910.1450, "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories " to manage the risks associated with laboratory work through the development and implementation of a Laboratory Safety Plan (LSP).
2. "Laboratory", for the purposes of this Chapter, is any SI work area for testing, analysis, research, instruction, or similar activities:
a. that involve the use of small quantities of multiple, hazardous chemicals on a non-production basis, and
b. where such chemical processes operate on a scale that can easily and safely be done by one person, and
c. where the added possibility of biohazards and radioactive hazards also exists, and
d. that complies with NFPA 45, "Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals.
3. The revised SI Safety Manual, along with this Chapter and its attached guidance documents, replace the former "Lab Safety Manual", issued January 28, 2005.
4. All employees, visiting researchers (including those with short-term appointments or interagency agreements), volunteers, interns, or contractors assigned to laboratory work must be advised of the provisions of their LSP before working with chemicals or processes in the laboratory, and are expected to utilize the specified safe work practices.
B. CHAPTER-SPECIFIC ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Directors shall designate a Laboratory Safety Officer (LSO) to manage the development and implementation of the facility's site-specific LSPs, and to ensure that design and modification plans for laboratory space are transmitted for review through the SD 410 process. In facilities with multiple, complex laboratories, the Director shall also establish a Laboratory Safety Committee to assist the LSO.
2. Department Chairs, or facility senior managers with authority for unit objectives and budget, shall review and approve all LSPs within their responsibility, ensuring that each LSP is provided with necessary resources and management support.
3. Laboratory Safety Officers (LSOs) and Laboratory Safety Committees, shall:
a. Be knowledgeable, by formal training and practical experience, in chemical or biological laboratory protocols and the associated sciences.
b. Provide technical guidance in developing and reviewing the facility LSPs, including suitability of physical location, and shall submit the final LSPs to the Safety Coordinator for final approval.
c. Ensure that the facility LSPs are re-evaluated and approved annually, or more often as processes or LSOs change.
a. Provide assistance, as needed, to the LSO and laboratory staff in the development of LSPs.
b. Review and approve final LSPs as submitted by the LSO, ensuring that each LSP incorporates the requirements of this and other applicable chapters of this Manual, and ensure that LSPs are updated annually and/or upon change.
c. Ensure that Laboratory Safety Training, as required by Section D of this Chapter, is conducted and documented.
5. Principal Investigators and Supervisors shall:
a. Be responsible for the development and implementation of a site-specific LSP for laboratory work under their control, including training.
b. Be knowledgeable of the potential health, safety, and environmental hazards associated with their work, including the means to control or eliminate such hazards, per the provisions of this Manual.
c. Ensure that equipment and safety controls are routinely inspected, repaired or replaced as needed, to maintain them in good working condition.
d. Ensure that employees and other researchers assigned to laboratory work are provided with, and trained on, the LSP prior to work.
e. Review their LSPs at least annually with their staff and make changes as necessary. Submit annually-reviewed LSPs to their Departmental Chairs, LSOs and Safety Coordinator for approval.
f. Refer to the Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management (OSHEM) Occupational Health Services Division (OHSD) any employee who reports adverse health symptoms that may have resulted from laboratory work, or employees who report a change in personal health status that may necessitate a medical consultation on whether the health condition would warrant additional safety precautions to prevent adverse occupational exposure.
a. Adhere to assigned LSPs and other precautions set forth by supervisory personnel.
b. Report any unsafe conditions to their supervisor.
c. Notify supervisors or OSHEM/OHSD if they experience any adverse health symptoms that may have resulted from laboratory work, or if they experience a significant change in health status that may necessitate a medical consultation on whether the health condition would warrant additional safety precautions to prevent adverse occupational exposure.
7. Resident Building Managers shall:
a. Ensure prompt correction of mechanical and utility system deficiencies identified through annual maintenance, testing, or inspections, in accordance with Chapter 27, "Ventilation for Health-Hazard Control" and other applicable Chapters of this Manual.
b. Coordinate work or scheduled outages of ventilation, electrical, and other building systems with laboratory supervisors prior to such outages or work, to prevent system users from being at risk from the outage.
c. Ensure that all such work or scheduled outages must first receive approval from the laboratory supervisor prior to working on or around any lab utility or fixture.
d. In coordination with laboratory supervisors and the LSO, ensure that building service and maintenance workers are trained as to the precautions to be taken when working in a laboratory environment and/or on laboratory equipment.
8. Resident Security Managers shall, in coordination with laboratory supervisors and the LSO:
a. Ensure that security officers are trained as to the precautions to be taken when inspecting or working in a laboratory environment and/or on laboratory equipment.
b. Ensure that security officers are trained as to the emergency response/first responder postings on laboratory doors, referenced in Section C of this Chapter.
9. Office of Safety, Health and Environmental Management (OSHEM), shall, upon request or as warranted, offer direction, medical consultation, and technical assistance in occupational safety, fire safety, industrial hygiene, environmental management, and occupational health, to Safety Coordinators and LSOs in implementing the requirements of this Manual.
C. REQUIREMENTS FOR A SITE-SPECIFIC LABORATORY SAFETY PLAN (LSP).
1. Every SI laboratory shall develop and implement an LSP to include the following sections.
a. Cover page, with emergency response actions, and important safety points-of-contact.
b. Management endorsement and approval signatures.
c. Special approvals and work restrictions for highly hazardous activities.
d. Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs) and control measures for laboratories.
e. Maintenance and inspection of hazard controls.
f. Hazardous waste disposal procedures.
g. Record of training specific to the laboratory operations.
2. Requirements and detailed guidance for each section follow in the Attached Laboratory Safety Plan Guidance Manual. [hyperlink]
3. Training. Every laboratory supervisor shall provide, and maintain documentation of, staff training per the requirement of Section D of this Chapter.
4. Annual Update. Each LSP shall be updated and approved at least annually, or as often as tasks change, by the laboratory management and the LSO.
1. All laboratory employees are to receive Chemical Hazard Communication and Lab Safety Plan/Lab Safety Overview training (as listed in the OSHEM Training Catalogue) on the safe work practices of their specific Laboratory Safety Plan, and specific operational safety, health, fire safety or environmental protection training as applicable to their laboratory processes.
2. This training (D.1), is to be provided by the supervisor, with assistance from the safety coordinator, to all employees prior to actual lab work, and prior to assignments involving new potential exposures. Information is to include:
a. The location and availability of the LSP, chemical inventory, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), applicable regulatory exposure limits, and other reference material regarding the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals (or hazardous collections) in the lab.
b. Signs and symptoms associated with exposures to hazardous chemicals used in the laboratory, as well as the health hazards themselves (reference the MSDS).
c. Methods that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical. This could include industrial hygiene monitoring, the use of continuous monitoring devices, visual appearance, or chemical odors.
d. Methods employees can take to protect themselves from hazards, including work practices, personal protective equipment and emergency procedures listed in the LSP. This should include a discussion of the proper use and limitations of engineering controls and safety devices, including chemical and biological hoods, emergency showers and eye washes.
e. Proper hazardous waste disposal methods and chemical spill response/awareness level training.
f. Emergency response plans established by each facility's Emergency/Disaster Response Plan, any medical or first aid response specifically recommended by OSHEM/OHSD (such as first response to hydrofluoric acid exposure), extinguishment of clothing fires (Stop, Drop, and Roll), and Chemical Spill Response Plans established by each facility
3. Laboratory employees are to receive on-the-job refresher training as the LSP is annually updated. Training/LSP review is also to be provided whenever processes or chemicals change resulting in a change in the LSP. The most effective way to reinforce good work practices is to involve all staff in regular, periodic reviews and updates of the LSP.
4. In addition, laboratory supervisors are to work with their safety coordinators to determine the task-specific safety training courses needed. These courses are listed in the OSHEM Training Catalogue and the operational topic chapters of this Manual.
5. The training plan for the particular laboratory is to be designated in the LSP. Laboratory supervisors or principal investigators are responsible for ensuring training is provided and documented per Chapter 6, "Training", of this Manual.
6. All building service workers, maintenance workers, and security officers, who have reason to enter labs in the course of their work duties are to be provided training for safe work in and around lab operations. Additional guidance is provided in Attachment 1, Appendix F, of this chapter.
E. REQUIRED INSPECTIONS AND ASSESSMENTS
1. Equipment and utilities in the laboratory shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and the requirements of the applicable chapter(s) in this Manual.
2. Lab Spaces Slated for Renovation or Demolition.
a. A risk assessment evaluation of a research space slated for renovation or demolition must be conducted prior to construction work to identify and develop remediation plans for hazardous chemical contamination of the space and hazardous waste disposal provisions per Chapter 29, Hazardous Waste Disposal, of this Manual.
b. The risk assessment process includes hazardous materials surveys and abatement plans as mandatory parts of all SI construction and renovation projects, as specified in the SI Construction Specifications.
c. OSHEM is to be contacted for assistance in managing this process.
1. Refer to Chapter 25, "Hazard Communication Program", of this Manual for requirements on chemical inventories and MSDSs.
2. Documentation of training is to be maintained by the laboratory supervisor, as well as reported to the Safety Coordinator.
3. All documents generated during the hazardous material risk assessment process, per Section E of this Chapter, will be maintained by the Resident Building Manager for as long as such documents need to be relied upon.
1. General Sources of Information
FREE ON LINE: Major Text Resource for Laboratory Safety
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals is available online and free of charge from The National Academies Press.
SI Libraries Safety Texts
SIL, particularly the Museum Support Center branch, have many occupational safety-related texts and references. Consult with librarians.
Collections-Based Hazards
A compendium of collections-based hazards can be found in Chapter 24 of the SI Safety Manual
Information from your Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
U.S. manufacturers are required by law to produce an MSDS on every chemical and hazardous material they produce. The MSDS is the lab's initial source of details on health effects, fire ratings, reactivity and storage precautions, personal protective and control recommendations, first aid and medical response, and disposal. MSDSs are often sent with chemical shipments, and are often available on manufacturer's web sites.
Information from your Container Labels
The chemical warning label affixed by the manufacturer to each container also contains details similar to the MSDS and should never be removed or changed while chemical remains in the container (NOTE: the external Department of Transportation (DOT) shipping label is NOT as specific and only lists the most urgent information).
NOAA CAMEO software. Information on this site is intended for first responders and safety professionals. To start using the software you simply enter the name of your chemical(s). After which you can:
- View generic chemical datasheets.
- Predict reactivity if two or more substances are mixed together.
- Generate a report (with reactivity predictions and datasheet information). These reactivity sheets provide more information than found in a typical incompatibility chart.
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration CAMEO is an acronym for "Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations"
2. Professional / Consensus-Standard Organizations with useful websites for laboratories
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)
AIHA Lab Safety & Health Committee
American Institute for Conservation, Health & Safety Committee webpage
American National Standards Institute
Arts, Crafts, and Theater Safety
The Laboratory Safety Institute
Michigan State Univ Office of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Safety
National Fire Protection Association
University of California Davis Safety Services
3. Regulatory Agencies with useful web sites for laboratories
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)29 CFR 1910 Standards, particularly 29 CFR 1910.1450, Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories.
OSHA's new educational materials on laboratory safety provide information for laboratory managers on protecting their workers from exposure to chemical, biological and physical hazards. The new materials include the Laboratory Safety Guidance* document,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
U. S. Department of Transportation, Office of Hazardous Materials Safety Promulgates and enforces national transportation regulations, including shipment of hazardous materials. http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat
4. Hazardous Substances Databases, especially toxicological information
Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Agency helps prevent exposure to hazardous substances from waste sites on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Priorities List, and develops toxicological profiles of chemicals found at these sites. Fact sheets on various substances.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Working with states and other partners, CDC provides a system of health surveillance to monitor and prevent disease outbreaks (including bioterrorism), implement disease prevention strategies, and maintain national health statistics.
CDC: National Center for Environmental Health Research on environmental-public health issues.
CDC: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Conducts research and training in occupational safety and health issues; certifies respirators; issues health hazard alerts and other publications; conducts health hazard evaluations upon employer or employee request; maintains extensive databases of literature including NIOSHTIC. Funds Educational Research Centers located at many universities across the country, providing training courses and information to employees and employers.
Special link: NIOSH Chemical Protective Clothing
Special link: NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazard, on-line, includes many additional databases and literature citations not included in the printed version
National Toxicology Program; Conducts long-term research studies on chemicals of concern; indicator of emerging hazard issues.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Information on adverse effects of environmental factors on human health. Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) is a monthly journal of peer-reviewed research and news on the impact of the environment on human health.
National Library of Medicine The Specialized Information Services Division is responsible for information resources and services in toxicology, environmental health, chemistry, HIV/AIDS, and specialized topics in minority health. Manages databases such as :
TOXNET, and The Household Products Data Base
IRIS: Integrated Risk Information System, of the US Environmental Protection Agency
5. Carcinogens, Biosafety - (latest) Report on Carcinogens
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, National Toxicology Program
International Agency for Research on Cancer,
Monograph series on individual chemicals and carcinogenic agents,
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, National Institutes of Health
6. Fire Safety References
NFPA 10 - Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
NFPA 30 - Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code
NFPA 45 - Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals
NFPA 55 - Storage and Use of Liquefied and Compressed Gases in Portable Cylinders
NFPA 70 - The National Electrical Code
NFPA 101 - The Life Safety Code
OSHA 29CFR1910, Subparts E-Means of Egress, L-Fire Protection, and H-Hazardous Materials
International Building Code (IBC) - Most recent edition.
International Code Council (ICC) Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities - Most recent edition.
"Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals", National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1982.
7. Controls: Ventilation and Personal Protective Equipment (see your safety coordinator or OSHEM for more resources
Guidelines for Laboratory Design: Health and Safety Considerations , latest ed Louis DiBerardinis, et al, John Wiley & Sons.
ACGIH Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice , latest Ed.
Safety in Academic Chemical Laboratories , 6th Ed. ACS Committee on Chemical Safety, American Chemical Society, Washington DC 1995.
Laboratory Ventilation , ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003, American National Standards Institute, 2003.