Lab Safety Risk Assessment Seminar Developing effective policies ensuring a safe and compliant labor

1
Lab SafetyRisk Assessment Seminar
Developing effective policies ensuring a safe
and compliant laboratory environment.www.ehs.ku.
edu864-4089
2
Outline

• Understand Risk
• Hazard Assessment
• Risk Assessment
• Risk Management
• Understand Liability
• Compliance Concerns
• Problem Indicators
• Incident Causes
• Understand Hazard Controls
• Engineering Controls
• Administrative Controls
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

3
Hazard Assessment

• Do we truly understand the consequences?
• No Consequences ?-----------? Life Ending
• Less Serious ?-----------? More Serious

4
Hazard Assessment

• Routes of Exposure
• Inhalation Lungs
• Ingestion Mouth
• Absorption Through the Skin or Eyes
• Body Contact On the Skin
• Injection Punctures or Cuts
• Exposure Limits
• Permissible Exposure Limit - (PEL)
• Threshold Limit Value - (TLV)
• Hazard Controls
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• Engineering Controls
• Administrative Controls

5
Hazard Assessment

• Exposure Limits
• Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
• The average exposure over a specified period of
  time.
• - Usually eight hours.
• For limited periods, a worker may be exposed to
  concentrations higher than the PEL, so long as
  the average concentration over eight hours
  remains lower.
• Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
• The reasonable level to which a worker can be
  exposed to a chemical substance without adverse
  health effects.

6
Risk Assessment

• Risk Hazard x Exposure x Assumptions
• Identify Hazards
• Evaluate Potential Exposure
• Illuminate Our Assumptions
• Communicate
• Hazard Communication (HAZCOM)
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Standardized Safety Forms / Policies
• EHS Web Page http//www.ehs.ku.edu/

7
Risk Assessment

• Evaluate Risks and Benefits
• Subjective
• Cost (In terms of Value)
• Short Term / Long Term Perspectives
• Uncertainties
• Preconceived Concerns
• Objective
• Cost (In terms of Price)
• Scientific Observations
• Documented Hazards

8
Risk Assessment

• Define Acceptable Risk
• Administration / Management Perspective
• Liability vs. No Liability
• EHS / Safety Perspective
• Likelihood vs. Consequence
• Probability vs. Severity
• Laboratory / Work Perspective
• Risk vs. Benefit

9
Risk Assessment

• Risk Hazard x Exposure

10
Risk Management

• Are we safe on purpose?
• Or are we simply trusting to luck?

11
Risk Management

• Reduce Risk and Maximize Benefit
• Eliminate Unnecessary Exposure
• Knowing that Zero Risk is Not Achievable
• ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)
• Standard Operating Procedures
• Prudent Practices
• Coordinated Efforts
• Hazard Communication (HAZCOM)
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
• Standardized Safety Forms / Policies
• EHS Web Page http//www.ehs.ku.edu/

12
Risk Management

• Reasonably Achievable
• Value (Economics of Improvements)
• State of Technology
• Public Health Benefits
• Socioeconomic considerations
• General Public Interest
• Priority (Intent of Objectives)
• Hazard Assessment
• Best Practices
• Resources
• Compliance Laws / Regulations
• Dialogue with Lab Staff

13
Risk Management

• Organizational Benefits
• Consistent Safety Policies and Rules
• Coordinated Efforts
• Equipment Upgrades
• Quality Research
• Personal Benefits
• Prevent Chronic Injury Diseases
• Minimize Personal Liability
• Healthier Lifestyle
• Quality Research

14
Liability Concerns

• Why Comply?
• Legal
• Safety
• Professional
• Risk Acceptance?
• Risks we accept for ourselves?
• Risks we accept on behalf of others?

15
Liability Concerns

• Legal
• Personal Liability (civil / criminal)
• Institutional Liability
• Institutional Permissions / Safety Committee
  Approvals
• Safety
• Personal Health
• Co-workers and General Public
• Environment
• Professional
• Personal Integrity
• Quality of Results
• Keeping Your Job

16
Compliance Conundrum

• Measuring Subjective Issues in Objective Ways
• Eye Safety Compliance (example)
• Safety Eye Protection required in labs at all
  times.
• Kansas Statute 72-5207.
• ANSI (Z87.1-2003) approved.

17
Compliance Regulations

• Regulated Materials
• Radioisotopes
• Biological Hazards
• Select Agents
• Hazardous Chemicals and Waste
• Universal Waste (oil / batteries / used lamps)
• Wastewater Discharge / Solid Waste (trash)
• Air Emissions
• Transportation (DOT / IATA / KU)
• Domestic / International / On-campus
• Chemical / Biological / Radioactive
• Packaging / Training / Recordkeeping

18
Compliance Policies

• University of Kansas
• Safety Policies and Manuals
• Life Safety Regulations and Policies
• State Fire Marshal / Campus Fire Marshal
• University Public Safety / Campus Police
• Other Regulations / Agencies
• Federal
• EPA / DEA / CDC / USDA / FDA / NIH / NSF / AALAC
• State of Kansas
• KDHE / KDOL-ISH
• City of Lawrence

19
Problem Indicators

• Compliance
• No documented safety procedures.
• No regular training is conducted.
• Out of date Chemical Inventory lists.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) not readily
  available.
• General Safety
• Chemical storage not segregated by hazard class.
• Chemical containers not labeled.
• Improper sharps disposal (glass / plastic /
  metal).
• Blocked aisles and congested work spaces.
• Personal Safety
• Prudent Practices not followed or not enforced.
• Improper use of personal protective equipment
  (PPE).
• Improper use of safety equipment.
• Disabling or circumventing safety devices.

20
Incident Causes

• Hazards Not Understood
• Unsafe Acts
• Carelessness About Routine Things
• Shortcuts
• Unsafe Conditions
• Distraction / Stress / Exhaustion
• Improperly Used Safety Equipment
• Consequences
• Dangerous Conditions
• Exposure
• Residual Risks to Self and Others

21
Hazard Controls

• Safety Barriers
• Equipment
• Chemical Fume Hoods
• Biological Safety Cabinets
• Ventilated Work Stations / Shielding Devices
• Hazard Communication
• Hazard Assessments
• Operating Procedures / Documentation
• Labels / Signs / Placards
• Prudent Practices / Quality Controls
• Training
• PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
• Gloves / Coats / Shoes / Eye Protection
• Goggles / Shields / Respirators
• Class A, B, or C Suits / SCBA