The CHAS workshop series registration page is open!  There are three new workshops for you to consider.  All sessions will be held during the week of October 2-6 from 1-5PM EDT.  The cost is $195 per session.

The abstracts are shown below and on the registration page: Professional Workshops | ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety (dchas.org)

Questions? Contact Russ Phifer or Mary Beth Koza.

Monday, October 2, 2023

How to Convince Others (that safety is important and that you’re serious about it)

Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute

Throughout the world, this is the most frequently asked question about lab safety.  The answer is simple and, for the most part, inexpensive. The short answer is to create a more effective lab safety program. This interesting and entertaining four-hour presentation provides an overview of some of the 33 critical program elements.  It confronts one of the more common excuses for not having or improving the lab safety program ... "It costs too much."  This is simply not true.  Excellent lab safety programs do not need to cost large amounts of money. 

Participants learn how to convince others by creating a more effective lab safety program (without a purchase order or requisition).  You don’t want to miss this opportunity for a highly informative, worthwhile and enjoyable learning experience. Here’s a unique opportunity to take a look at your lab safety program to see how you’re doing and how you can do it even better.  The participants will receive the Laboratory Safety Institute’s (LSI) lab safety program review checklist with 33 components.  You will learn how to use this checklist to evaluate your program both qualitatively and quantitatively.  The result is a simple, clear, low/no cost path for lab safety program development and improvement.  And, with courage, you can score your program on a scale of zero to 100!

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Why Fume Hoods Go Wrong- And How to Make Them Right

Victor Neuman, FumeHoodCertified.com

There are more than 1 million laboratory chemical fume hoods in the USA and more than 15% have one or more safety problems. The three main areas to be covered in this presentation are: Setting up the fume hood safely and testing it; connecting to the air conditioning; and getting exhaust away from the lab building. Testing has shown that over 5% have chemical vapors blown back into the lab building by the wind.

Victor is the liaison from the ASHRAE ventilation engineering society to the American Chemical Society. He has been a Co-Author of ANSI Z9.5 “Laboratory Ventilation” since 1988.

Wednesday October 4, 2023

Laboratory Waste Management 2023

Russ Phifer, WC Environmental, LLC

Each new generation of laboratory personnel is quickly confronted with the requirement to properly manage chemical waste in compliance with state and federal regulations as well as facility policies. This presentation introduces the full scope of regulation, with a focus on waste determinations, disposal technologies, variances & exemptions, and appropriate training of workers. In addition, the workshop will discuss economic and liability decisions necessary for effective waste management.  Whether you are new to lab waste or just need a refresher, this program will give you what you need to manage waste safely and in compliance with requirements.

Thursday October 5, 2023

Chemical Safety in the Lab: Purchasing, Handling, Storage, Disposal, and Labeling

Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute

The safer use of chemicals in the laboratory is critical. There are far too many examples of things gone very wrong resulting in serious injuries and deaths.  This interactive half-day workshop will focus on the five-major area of chemical use in the lab.

Participants will learn more effective ways to purchase, handle, store, dispose, and label chemicals. They will discover how to create a stronger culture osf chemical safety.  They will acquire a better understanding of principles of safer chemical use. Learn the answers to the four simple questions: What are the hazards?  What can go wrong?  What do I need to do to be prepared?  What are the prudent practices, protective facilities and protective equipment needed to minimize the risk?

Friday October 6, 2023

How to be a More Effective Chemical Hygiene Officer

Russ Phifer, WC Environmental and Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute

CHAS offers the How to be a more effective Chemical Hygiene Officer workshop to provide participants with a detailed analysis of the CHO position and to prepare for the “CHO” Certification exam. Participants receive a clear perspective on safety issues in the laboratory, focusing on what the CHO does and how to do it better. OSHA, EPA & DOT regulations that impact laboratory operations are included in the discussion.

The workshop covers the content areas of the NRCC certification exam, including a sample test in the same format as the real one. Whether you are a new Chemical Hygiene Officer or an “old” one, you will find something to put to real use in this fast-paced presentation. There is extensive opportunity for questions during the workshop and with follow-up by phone and email.

Russ Phifer

WC Environmental, LLC

1085C Andrew Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

610-322-0657

rphifer**At_Symbol_Here**wcenvironmental.com