Monona,
You raise a very valid point. I was just speaking with the Staff Coordinator for our Art Dept yesterday. He has only been with us for a couple of years, was originally only hired to check out equipment, and is really nervous about the lack of chemical safety in his dept, especially as he is anticipating having to move the dept to a new building soon.
Do you have any suggestions for someone new to this role to start implementing safety in an academic lab dept? Did I mention that he is also only part-time?...uuuggghh
Monique Wilhelm
Laboratory Manager
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Michigan - Flint
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu]On Behalf Of Monona Rossol
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 3:32 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Thought question: Chemical safety for biologists
Everybody seems to be doing a good job of this. Is anyone taking a look at the art and theater departments?
Monona Rossol, M.S., M.F.A., Industrial Hygienist
President: Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety, Inc.
Safety Officer: Local USA829, IATSE
New York, NY 10012 212-777-0062
-----Original Message-----
From: Norm Bell <nbell**At_Symbol_Here**WILLIAMS.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Sent: Tue, Mar 22, 2016 2:36 pm
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Thought question: Chemical safety for biologists
I also do the complete lab safety training for anyone working in a lab where chemicals are used. As part of our hazard communication plan, I include those people who are not actively working with chemicals but working in a lab where others are using chemicals (this is not unusual in Physics and Geoscience labs with multiple lines of research).
I try to create broad categories for general PPE use and then expand for specific instances. For example, all organic and corrosive chemicals require gloves, all liquid chemicals require eye protection etc.
Science Coordinator and CHO
I do the complete lab safety training. They do need to know about the Chemical Hygiene Plan, PPE, haz waste, storage, etc. Anyone working with hazardous chemicals must be trained on recognizing hazards and risk mitigation.
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Stuart, Ralph
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2016 1:29 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Thought question: Chemical safety for biologists
I have a question that I'd like input from the DCHAS community on:
The quick version is:
What information about chemical safety do biologists need to know?
The longer version of the question is that I'm working with the KSC undergrad biology lab coordinator to develop introductory lab safety training for biology research students who work with a relatively limited suite of chemicals, some of which are flammables, others of which are significantly toxic, many of which are neither.
- For example, do these students need to hear about all of the GHS hazard classes in the 1.5 hours available for the training?
- What kind of information do they need about chemical resistance of lab gloves?
- How much detail do they need to understand best practices for chemical storage cabinets and use of other lab ventilation devices?
etc.
Thanks for any help with thinking this through.
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Keene State College
ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu
Penny Manisco,
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Harvey Mudd College
(909)6074217
