How OSHA Lab Standards differ from other Lab Standards

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This is an agency that sets guidelines and monitors laboratory health and safety standards throughout the United States. There are other regulatory bodies with lab standards that have a commonality with OSHA standards, but also many differences are apparent. OSHA has some well-known regulations regarding procedures involving hazardous chemicals and how to store them. They also require all lab personnel to wear PPE, personal protective equipment. The common use of PPE is to minimize exposure to hazardous chemicals and transmissible infectious agents in the workplace. OSHA also requires MSDS forms, material data safety sheets, to be kept on file in each laboratory.  Many laboratory workers are informed and educated on the OSHA standards upon employment.

States are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA. It is possible that these alternative standards could be stricter than what OSHA presents in their guidelines. There are 22 states that have an OSHA approved state plan. Although, OSHA approves them they can be slightly different than what is listed under OSHA’s general standards. OSHA covers private sector employees but do not typically cover state and local agencies.

Safety standards and codes are developed by non-government agencies. Although the government does not create the standards, they lawfully require them to be established. Agencies that play a role in regulating these standards include: OSHA, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Department of Homeland Security. The standards have been developed with strong public support and reflect concerns on worker safety, environment, and human health.

The lab personnel managing and working in labs should recognize that violation of environmental health and safety laws and regulations can pose unnecessary risks to those individuals working in the lab. It is important to understand the relationships between the regulations and standards that mediate laboratory activities. OSHA lab standard is the primary regulation, however lab personnel should understand and be knowledgeable on its relationship to the hazard communication standard.

The general duty clause is a crucial element in OSHA lab standards. The general duty clause entails that employers need to supply the appropriate equipment and have workspaces that are clean for lab personnel can use. Having clean workspaces can help personnel see possible hazards that can cause serious damage.

OHA states within their lab standards manual that students working within the lab need to be monitored. They needed to be monitored because they are not an actually employee’s of the university. Students are there to learn through practical experiences, they help in assisting in lab research. OSHA standards say that even though they are not employees it is still important to keep them safe when working with hazardous chemicals within a lab. Universities need to keep set their own standards to keep their students safe and protected. Universities should also have standards set in place for any individual coming into the lab, including maintenance workers, and EHS representatives or management from the university who collect hazardous waste containers. They should follow the general OSHA standards and the specific standards of the lab.

 https://www.osha.gov/Publications/laboratory/OSHAfactsheet-laboratory-safety-osha-lab-standard.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK55862/

http://www.wadsworth.org/regulatory/clep/clinical-labs/obtain-permit/on-site-survey/laboratory-standards

process safety management

According to OSHA process safety management contains requirements for the management of hazards associated with processes using highly hazardous chemicals. Process safety management is addressed in specific standards in the lab. OSHA’s standards emphasize the management of hazards associated with highly hazardous chemicals.

OSHA standards require that employees follow fourteen elements. The first element is to develop and maintain a written safety information identifying workplace chemical and process hazards, equipment used in the processes and technology used in the processes. The second element within the process is to perform a workplace hazard assessment. The third element is to consult with employees and their representatives on the development of conduct of hazard assessment and the development of prevention plans. The next step within process safety management is to establish a system in with to respond. The fifth step in the process to is constantly look over the lab hazard assessment plans and test the response system. The next step is to have and implement operating procedures that will guide how individuals work with chemicals and the process they should take. The seventh step in the process is to provide the specific and detailed information that employees need to learn in employee training and learn before going into the lab. The eighth step is to ensure that employees and lab personnel have the appropriate training, the ninth step is to train and educate the employees in emergency response procedures. After completing the training they need to establish a quality assurance program. The eleventh step is the maintenance systems for critical process related equipment. Next is to conduct pre start up safety reviews and then establish written procedures to help the managing changing to process chemicals. Lastly to investigate every incident that results in or could have resulted in a major accident.

The process safety management standard mainly applies to manufacturing industries that use large amounts of chemicals   transportation equipment, and fabricated metal products. Other affected sectors include natural gas liquids; farm product warehousing; electric, gas, and sanitary services; and wholesale trade. It also applies to pyrotechnics and explosives manufacturers covered under other OSHA rules and has special provisions for contractors working in covered facilities.

Employers must complete a compilation of written process safety information before conducting any process hazard analysis required by the standard. The compilation of written process safety information, completed under the same schedule required for process hazard analyses, will help the employer and the employees involved in operating the process to identify and understand the hazards posed by those processes involving highly hazardous chemicals. Process safety information must include information on the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals used or produced by the process, information on the technology of the process, and information on the equipment in the process.

When taking into account the highly hazardous chemical process lab management should include in the information, how toxic the chemicals are. The exposure limits that could effect both health and safety of individuals working in the lab. Other information that needs to be included is the different types of data, that is physical, reactivity and corrosives.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/processsafetymanagement/y management is a detailed

http://www.plantengineering.com/single-article/the-14-elements-of-osha-inspections-how-they-affect-maintenance-processes/124d9efb4bf664edbf59804775c72cc1.html

http://www.aiche.org/ccps/topics/elements-process-safety

Fire Safety

When working in a laboratory it is essential that you are prepared for anything, and know the measures that need to be taken when protecting yourself. During employee training it is vital that lab personnel have knowledge on fire prevention. Fire prevention is a crucial aspect of laboratory safety. To prevent fires from happening in the lab the individuals working need to be aware of the chemicals that they are using, and also they need to be aware of what others around them are using. Being mindful and attentive can prevent possible disaster zones within the lab.

To prevent yourself from possibly being injured there are steps to follow to keep you safe from fires in the lab. The first step is recognizing hazards. Every individual working in a lab should be able to recognize hazards. If you see a hazard or a possibility of something becoming a hazard it is important to fix it or try to prevent it immediately. The second step is evaluate your workspace before you have started working and experimenting with chemicals. This step includes housekeeping and the storage practices that are being implemented in the lab. It is important to make sure that all chemicals are properly marked and labeled, have been sealed shut before using them and were stored in the correct cabinet. Your lab area must be kept clean, if you are not using specific chemicals anymore put them back in there locations. The last step is to protect yourself through the use of personal protective equipment. It is important to be knowledgeable on what types of personal protective equipment and emergency equipment the laboratory has where it is located and how to properly use it. All labs should have fire extinguishers, alarms, eye wash and shower stations that are all easily accessible.

There are four classes of fires ranging from class A to class D. A class A fire is your combustible or fibrous material, such as some plastics, cloth and paper. A class B fire includes flammable or combustible liquids such as gas, propane, and kerosene. Class C fires are energized electrical equipment such as appliances, electrical switches, panel boxes and power tools. Lastly a class D fire is certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium.

In case a lab were to have a fire all lab personnel need to be adequately trained on how to properly use a fire extinguisher. They should know where they are located and what kind of extinguisher they are going to be using. Extinguishers should not be blocked or covered up, and if they are discharged within a lab it is required that someone contacts an EHS representative so they are able to replace one immediately.

The method when using a fire extinguisher follows the acronym PASS. First you want to pull the pin, this allows you to discharge the extinguisher. Second, you want to aim at the base of the fire,   in this step you want to hit the fuel, and avoid the flames. The third step is to squeeze the top handle or lever, this hits the button that allows you to release the extinguishing agent. Lastly, sweep from side to side, use from a safe distance then move closer as it is diminishing.

 https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/firesafety/
 https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/fire.html
 http://www.stonybrook.edu/ehs/fire/lab.shtml

Emergency Response

In case of an emergency it is important to have an emergency response plan in place to reduce the risks or dangers that it have on the safety and health of individuals. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health and Science, emergency response is the organizing, coordinating and directing of available resources in order to respond to the event and get the emergency under control. Having a plan in place is crucial in minimizing the effect of the event.

Emergency response plans must include the information needed in evaluating the possible impacts that it could have. Being attentive and careful when working in a lab can help prevent the case in which an emergency response plan would need to be implemented. However, it is important in all labs and organizations that a plan with specific steps and procedures are in place. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration an emergency can create a variety of hazards for people. Preparing for an emergency before one has actually happened plays an essential role in ensuring the safety of others. It is pertinent that the lab or other organizations have the necessary equipment and know how to use it. It is also important that there is a detailed route to get to safety.

If an emergency were to occur it is important to notify officials so they can get to the emergency as soon as possible and help manage and monitor the situation. Depending on how serious the emergency can depend on who the lab personnel are required to contact. OSHA requires all businesses and laboratories to have an emergency plan there are specific regulations and guidelines that must be followed in all emergency response plans.

The emergency response plan should describe the actions that individuals need to take in case of an emergency. The emergency response plan should be discussed during employee training and should include emergency response contacts, where personal protective equipment and clothing is located, and how to properly use the personal protective equipment. If an emergency has occurred it is important that personnel update the plan according to what went well and what could use improving.

In a laboratory setting response actions should include spill pads, personal protective equipment, and appropriate emergency equipment. The labs should make sure that everything is up to date and meets all necessary safety regulations.  If a case were to occur where an individual working in the lab were to get chemicals on their skin or in their eyes, labs are equipped with eyewash stations and safety showers. However, depending on the severity of the chemical that came in contact the individual’s lab it is, is required to contact help. There should also be spill kits available containing instructions, personal protective equipment and absorbent pads, so that lab personnel can effectively clean the spill if it is minor. If it is a major chemical spill individuals within the lab are to evacuate, and alert individuals. Labs should also include fire extinguishers in case a chemical reaction causes a fire. The emergency response guide should be located in the lab near all exits and telephones. 

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/population/response/

https://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/ehs/files/2011/02/Emergency-Response-in-a-Laboratory.pdf

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/index.html

Spill Prevention and Control Plans

Preventing spill within the lab is a crucial element when trying to run a lab smoothly. All hazardous substances are to be managed carefully to prevent the release of any toxic chemicals. There is a list of requirements that are to be followed to prevent spills within the lab. The first requirement is container management. All containers holding hazardous materials must be in adequate shape and compatible with the chemicals being stored in them. This is important because if they are not compatible, there could be complications including the breaking down of the storage container, fires, explosions or the release of toxic gases. All containers must be accessible to individuals working in the lab.

The second requirement to prevent possible chemical spills is good housekeeping. What this means is that all substances must be stored properly within a building, and if the substances are not used regularly they should be stored in designated areas. All containers are required to be closed if no one is using them. Labs should have appropriate equipment to use as collection devices if anything were to drip, this is very beneficial because it can prevent larger spillage.

The third prevention is secondary containment. Secondary containment is for a majority of substances that are ordered in bulk, or if there is a chance in where chemicals could be being released secondary containment is a precaution method. These should be checked periodically, to see if anything has spilled. Checking periodically is important because if a spill has occurred they need to be able to identify the chemical or chemicals as soon as possible.

The last way in which lab personnel can prevent spills in the lab is through appropriate labeling and markings. Lab personnel need to ensure that all substances are properly labeled in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. All chemicals bottles need to be marked and labeled with what the chemical name and a short write up. All of these requirements are information that is covered during employee training.

If a spill was to occur in a lab it is crucial to have a spill response plan and the appropriate equipment to clean up or maintain the spill. Spill response equipment must be in a visible area and located near where individual may think that spill are to happen. All laboratories should have a spill kit that are compatible with the chemicals being used in the lab. Emergency response equipment needed to be reviewed and checked regularly to make sure that the skill kit has everything needed and is complete.

Every lab should have a detailed emergency response plan that is reviewed and is readily accessible in case a spill were to happen. This plan should be immediately implemented in the case of a spill or chemical release. It is essential to have a plan so that you know the measures that need to be taken and that individuals are able to get away unharmed. If a spill is to occur lab personnel need to contain the spill and prevent the chemicals from entering into any drains. The lab should request for help and evacuate depending on the severity of the spill. 

https://www.epa.gov/oil-spills-prevention-and-preparedness-regulations/overview-spill-prevention-control-and

http://blink.ucsd.edu/safety/research-lab/chemical/storage/compatibility.html

https://www.wisconsin.edu/ehs/environmental/spill-prevention-control-and-countermeasure