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Demystify: 

In-Reply-To: <83F54EF5-1C75-4196-8BEC-B857DEF55FD3**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu>

It is easy for me because I only have HF to worry about as far as antidotes
go.  I prepared an HF training module and do a short refresher once every
year and replace the calcium gluconate at that time. That works out for me
because the calcium gluconate I buy has a one year expiration.   The
training refresher is on my safety calendar, so if I didn't have the
training to remind me, I would probably put the replacement of the calcium
gluconate on the calendar.  I bought some of those plexiglass boxes for ear
plugs that you install on the wall.  They are about 6" x 4" x 3".  I put a
label over "ear plugs" that reads "calcium gluconate".   These boxes are
installed in the labs where HF is used, near the HF spill kit and near the
hood.   So far, all the tubes of calcium gluconate have remained in the
boxes and not wandered off.

Pat Peifer
Project Manager, Safety & Training
West Pharmaceutical Services
101 Gordon Drive
Lionville, PA  19341
Phone:(610) 594-3278
Fax: (610) 594-3005


                                                                           
             Ralph Stuart                                                  
                                                          
             Sent by: DCHAS-L                                           To 
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                                                                   Subject 
                                       [DCHAS-L] Laboratory medical        
             03/16/2010 01:01          oversight                           
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We have a variety of laboratories that work with chemicals that present
acute hazards that require rapid response in case of exposure. Examples
include HF and diisopropyl fluorophosphate among others. Some of our labs
that use these chemicals have procured antidotes (such as calcium gluconate
or atropine) for exposures to these chemicals and, for example, taped them
to the fume hood where the material is used. We've noticed that these
materials tend to be out of date when we discover them.

Has anyone developed a program to manage this part of hazardous chemical
use, such as identifying which chemicals require such a measure, assuring
that the materials are kept up to date, and providing lab workers with
training in their use?

We're trying to assess what it would take to implement such a program here.

Thanks for any information.

- Ralph

Ralph Stuart, CIH
Environmental Safety Manager
University of Vermont
Environmental Safety Facility
667 Spear St. Burlington, VT  05405

rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**uvm.edu
fax: (802)656-5407