Chemical Hygiene Plan

Purpose

Effective chemical management is consciously considering all aspects of safe, responsible and economical chemical handling from the beginning, during work planning and chemical acquisition, through final chemical disposal. It can be broken down into a number of definable elements- acquisition, identification, inventory, storage, distribution and disposal. Each step provides opportunity for misadventure but each step also offers opportunity for economic gain, environmental protection, and to drastically improve workplace safety and reduce workplace accidents and illnesses and minimize the severity of those that might occur.

Chemical exposure may cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as: heart ailments, kidney and lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns and rashes. Certain chemicals may also cause fires and explosions or other serious accidents. Therefore, handle all chemicals with care and proper personal protective devices, especially those considered to be corrosive, toxic, carcinogenic, biohazardous, radioactive, or flammable.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Chief Chemical Hygiene Officer for the laboratory is the Director of Environmental Health and Safety (Center City Campus dial 215-503-6260 and Methodist Campus dial 215-952-9252).

The Laboratory Director and Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment in accordance with the guidelines established by the Environmental Health and Safety Department. Emphasis is placed on promoting the safe handling and storage of chemicals, reduction of the use of chemicals when possible, and the employees' right to know about the health hazards associated with working with these chemicals. Additionally, the Lab Director, in consultation with Lab Supervisors, establishes the criteria for use of protective equipment and engineering controls. Lab Supervisors train employees on the use of the protective equipment and engineering controls provided. The Performance Improvement Committee annually reviews these policies for effectiveness.

The laboratory chemical hygiene program consists of:

Maintaining a comprehensive annual inventory of chemicals by section
Standard precautionary labeling and handling procedures for chemicals
Section procedures for handling chemicals relative to the scope of use
Classification of lab tasks having occupational exposure
Work practice controls including reduction of use of hazardous material
Engineering controls
Availability of SDS for each section
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 29, part 1910.1450 and its appendices. A hardcopy is available in the QA department.
Availability of medical consultations and examinations through University Health Services
Annual inspections of safety showers and fume hoods by an outside contractor checks laminar flow hoods and biosafety cabinets.
Weekly inspections of eyewash stations by staff. Annual inspection of eyewashes and safety showers are conducted by outside contactors.
Reporting all chemical spills and exposures to the DEHS.

"Right to Know" Law

The Right to Know Act provides that required information be made available to employees and community residents regarding hazardous substances introduced into the workplace and into the general environment by any employer. This act involves chemical manufacturers, employers, and employees. Each group has certain responsibilities. Chemical Manufacturers determine physical properties and the health hazards for each of their products. The law requires manufacturers to label their product with the appropriate written warnings or cautions on handling their products. They must compile and provide to end users upon request Safety Data Sheets (SDS) describing the chemicals, its hazards, precautions, symptoms of exposure and type of medical treatment required for over exposure. Employers must post a notice informing employees of their rights under this law; provide annual training programs to educate employees on proper handling of chemicals used in the workplace. In addition, Employers must compile a list of hazardous substances found in the workplace and annually update it. Additionally, employers must readily provide Safety Data Sheets to users of their products upon request. They must properly label all containers containing hazardous materials so employees can easily identify the substance.

Employees or employee representatives have the right to obtain and examine Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for any hazardous substance used in the work place. Employees may formally request in writing SDS for any chemical in their workplace. While considering the amount and use of any chemical, both employees and employer should respect the warnings and instructions within an SDS. Respect all precautions-don't take chances. Use the correct protective clothing and equipment. Know in advance, what can go wrong and what to do about it. If you're not sure about something, ask your supervisor before you act. Immediately accessible copies of SDS are located in yellow 3 ring binders in each lab section. SDS are readily available via the Jefferson Intranet (http://hq.SDSonline.com/tjuh3445/Search/Default.aspx). A master file of SDS for lab chemicals is maintained in the Environmental Health and Safety Department.

CHEMICAL ACQUISITION

Hazardous chemicals must be ordered in the smallest practical quantity for the application and within the storage quantity limitations outlined below.

Hazardous chemicals must be purchased in the smallest practical amount necessary to accomplish planned work and dispensed only in the minimum amount necessary for immediate use.
When hazardous compressed gases are purchased, they must be bought in returnable cylinders.
When hazardous chemicals are ordered, the shipment address listed on the requisition must be the address of an individual knowledgeable about chemical hazards and not the address of the departmental secretary or other unfamiliar person.
Quantities of explosives, organic peroxides, pyrophoric solids or liquids, unstable (reactive) chemicals, carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and highly toxic solids or liquids must be kept to a bare minimum.

LABELING/IDENTIFICATION

All hazardous chemicals must be properly labeled at all times, from the time they are brought onto the premises, to the time they are removed for disposal. Containers shall be labeled in accordance to the Globally Harmonized System of Identifying and Labeling Chemicals (GHS). The GHS was developed by the United Nations to ensure global communication of hazards associated with chemicals. This update to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) provides a common and coherent approach to classifying chemicals and communicating hazard information on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). You can learn more about these changes by clicking on the following links: www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_SafetyData.html www.osha.gov/Publications/HazComm_QuickCard_Pictogram.html

No hazardous chemical shall be accepted without an adequate identifying label.
Except as described below, all hazardous chemicals must be stored in their original labeled containers and dated when received, when opened, and also dated as to when they shall be disposed of. Dating hazardous chemicals is particularly important with peroxidizable compounds (e.g. ether, tetrahydrofuran, potassium metal, dioxane) and other hazardous chemicals that become more hazardous with age (i.e., time-sensitive chemicals).
Non-hazardous substances which could be mistaken for a hazardous chemicals (e.g. distilled water), must be labeled in order to avoid confusion in the workplace over which materials are hazardous and which are not.
Labels on all containers of hazardous chemicals must be complete and must not be removed or defaced.
Damaged labels must be promptly replaced.
Portable containers of hazardous chemicals which are intended for immediate use and the user is physically present with it, need not be labeled according to the aforementioned specifications. However, if the user is not present with the hazardous chemical at all times, the rules outlined in A through E above apply.

Reagent Labeling
Reagents, calibrators, controls, stains, chemicals, and solutions are properly labeled, as applicable and appropriate, with the following elements:

Content and quantity, concentration or titer
Storage requirements
Date prepared, filtered or reconstituted by laboratory
Expiration date
NOTE: The above elements may be recorded in a log (paper or electronic) as per CAP requirements, rather than on the containers themselves, providing that all containers are identified so they are traceable to the appropriate data in the log. While useful for inventory management, labeling with "date received" is not routinely required. There is no requirement to routinely label individual containers with "date opened"; however, a new expiration date must be recorded if opening the container changes the expiration date, storage requirement, etc.

All work areas, including laboratories, must at all times maintain an inventory of the hazardous chemicals according to the following guidelines:

The inventory which can be kept on the Chemical Inventory Form, must include all of the following information:

Full chemical or product name, including any numerical prefixes. Mixtures of hazardous chemicals must be inventoried by listing all the components and their concentrations as well as the matrix solvent.
Manufacturer. You may use existing manufacturer abbreviations or create your own so long as you reference them to footnotes containing full manufacturer names.
Container size in measurable units (e.g. cubic feet, liters, grams). English or metric units may be used. Do not use "bottle," "can," "tablet," or other immeasurable units. It is not necessary to estimate the amount of chemical in a container, just list the size, volume, or capacity of the container.
If an SDS is available, either online or by hard copy.
Special requirements or hazards (e.g. light sensitive, peroxidizable, carcinogen)
When new hazardous chemicals are acquired, they must promptly be added to the inventory. All inventories are stored on the Clinical Laboratory Server and with the DEHS.

When hazardous chemicals are expended or disposed of, they must be removed from the inventory or a single line shall be drawn through them. For those chemicals that do not have an expiration date per the manufacturer, the clinical lab will establish an expiration date, if appropriate. A QC ran prior to patient testing will ensure the quality of these chemicals.

This inventory must be examined and updated periodically (at least annually). During the inventory, those hazardous chemicals that have been kept beyond their appropriate shelf life; have deteriorated; have questionable labels, or are leaking, have corroded caps, or have developed any other problem, must be disposed of in a proper manner (see Waste Disposal below for disposal procedures)

Personnel Protective Equipment

Eye and Face Protection

Laboratory work is potentially dangerous to the eyes. Employees should wear eye protection whenever they dispense solutions, pipette blood, or body fluids, or work with strong acid, base, or organic solvents. Employees working with instrumentation where fluids and vapors are flowing under pressure should wear face shield.

Contact Exposure

Eye contact - Immediately flush eyes with water for a prolonged period (15 minutes) and seek medical attention.
Ingestion - If a chemical is ingested, seek medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact - Promptly flush the affected area with water and remove any contaminated clothing. Use a safety shower if contact is extensive. Seek medical attention.
Injection - Immediately flush skin with water for a prolonged period (15 minutes) and seek medical attention.

Engineering Controls

Use chemical fume hoods for operations using chemicals that may release toxic vapors or dust. Maintain adequate ventilation within laboratory to reduce level of airborne materials.
Use spill kits in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Spill kits must indicate the date in service if no expiration date is assigned. A yearly check of the spill kit must be noted on the spill kit or on a log that can clearly identify the spill kit.

Work Practices

Eating, drinking, smoking, chewing gum, or applying cosmetics or lip balm in the laboratory is prohibited.
Do not smell or taste chemicals.
Do not mouth pipette.
Wash hands before leaving the laboratory.
Do not release toxic chemicals in cold or warm rooms (rooms with recirculated air). In these situations, open a window if possible.
Avoid wearing contact lenses in a laboratory area when handling chemicals. If unavoidable, use suitable eye protection such as goggles.
Know the location and operation of safety showers and eyewash stations.
Water spigots with plastic tubing must be equipped with vacuum breakers.
Warning labels must be put on all containers holding any chemical or radioactive material. Post specific warning signs if special toxicity hazards exist.
Chemicals should be dated and labeled with the proper name (no formulas) upon receipt, upon opening, and when made into solutions.
Restrict access to areas where toxic substances are being used or stored.
Maintain adequate ventilation within laboratory to reduce level of airborne materials.

Decontaminate

Thoroughly decontaminate or incinerate contaminated clothing and shoes.
Chemically decontaminate waste materials and solvents containing toxic substances by procedures that convert essentially all of the toxic substance into nontoxic substances when possible.
When chemical decontamination is not feasible, store toxic solvents and waste materials in closed, impervious containers so that personnel handling the containers will not be exposed to their contents. Clearly label these containers indicating the chemical contents, quantity and the type of toxicity hazard.

CHEMICAL INVENTORY

All work areas, including laboratories, must at all times maintain an inventory of the hazardous chemicals according to the following guidelines:

The inventory which can be kept on the Chemical Inventory Form, must include all of the following information:

Full chemical or product name, including any numerical prefixes. Mixtures of hazardous chemicals must be inventoried by listing all the components and their concentrations as well as the matrix solvent.
Manufacturer. You may use existing manufacturer abbreviations or create your own so long as you reference them to footnotes containing full manufacturer names.
Container size in measurable units (e.g. cubic feet, liters, grams). English or metric units may be used. Do not use "bottle," "can," "tablet," or other immeasurable units. It is not necessary to estimate the amount of chemical in a container, just list the size, volume, or capacity of the container.
If an SDS is available, either online or by hard copy.
Special requirements or hazards (e.g. light sensitive, peroxidizable, carcinogen)
When new hazardous chemicals are acquired, they must promptly be added to the inventory. All inventories are stored on the Clinical Laboratory Server and with the DEHS.

Chemicals Storage

One of the most important guides to safety and efficiency is the practice of storing chemicals and lab equipment in their most appropriate location. If you do not know whether a chemical or reagent is toxic, flammable, or a carcinogen, you have a professional obligation and legal right to know. Check with your supervisor, laboratory safety officer, or the Manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that is available for each chemical.

Avoid storing chemical alphabetically. Depending on the properties of various materials and supplies, observe the following precautions:

Label clearly all items as to content and possible precautions. Indicate dates of receipt, usage and expiration.
Hold hazardous materials in the work areas only in those amounts necessary to the work at hand. Return unused amounts of active substance to explosion-proof refrigerators or safety cabinets.
Keep radioactive solutions and materials in lead lined containers and store under the fume hood.
Arrange storage so as to allow free access at all times. Store heavy items close to the ground and small, less frequently used materials above. Use a step stool for safe access to top shelves.
Store all hazardous materials away from open flames. Store volatile materials in air vented metal closets or cabinets and approved safety containers. Small bottles should be of unbreakable material. Store acids and bases separately in cabinets near floor level and away from sinks.
Store office supplies and other items for general use in separate areas.
Do not store dry ice in either laboratory or morgue refrigerators.
Do not store incompatible chemicals together because this may create a hazardous condition. If you are not sure, check with your supervisor or safety officer.

Chemicals that have specific storage requirements are:

Strong oxidizing agents
Carcinogens
Explosives (azides)
Chlorinated hydrocarbons
Strong mineral acids
Cyanide solutions
Mercury
Flammable liquids
Strong alkalis
Radioactive materials

CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION

Hazardous chemicals must be received by a knowledgeable individual, and must not be left in corridors, departmental offices, or other non-work locations.
The method of transportation of hazardous chemicals must reflect the potential danger posed by the specific chemical.
Hazardous chemicals must not be transported in private vehicles.
Hazardous chemicals are to be hand carried in a non-breakable container (e.g. plastic jar) or they must be placed in a protective container or acid-carrying bucket to protect against breakage and spillage.
Carts used for transporting hazardous chemicals must have sides on each shelf, high enough to retain the containers. When they are transported on a wheeled cart, the cart must be stable under the load and have wheels large enough to negotiate the surfaces which will be traversed (e.g. expansion joints, floor drain depression, door thresholds) without tipping or stopping suddenly.
To avoid potential exposure to persons on passenger elevators, if possible, hazardous chemicals should be transported on freight-only elevators. If not possible and if the hazardous chemical being transported presents the potential for exposure to persons on passenger elevators, only those transporting the hazardous chemicals shall be on the passenger elevator.
Hazardous chemicals must be protected from prolonged exposure to excessive heat, cold, or other adverse conditions during transportation.
Persons transporting hazardous chemicals must be familiar with the hazards of the chemicals and must know the building in which they are transporting the hazardous chemicals.
Persons transporting hazardous chemicals must have personal protective equipment consistent with the hazardous chemicals they are transporting.

COMMONLY USED CARCINOGENS REQUIRING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND CONTROLS

Strong oxidizing agents
Explosive solvents
Strong mineral acids and alkalis
Cyanide solutions
Sulfides in solution
Xylene and Formaldehyde
Chlorinated hydrocarbons
Di-amino benzadine (DAB)
Flammable and suspected carcinogens

HANDLING CARCINOGENS AND OTHER TOXIC MATERIALS

Chemicals that must be handled as potential carcinogens include those defined by OSHA as "select carcinogens." OSHA defines select carcinogens as any substance that is:

Regualted as a carcinogen by OSHA, has been classified as "known to be carcinogenic" by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), or listed as group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Has been classified as "reasonably anticipated to be carcinogenic" by the NTP or listed as group 2A or 2B carcinogen by the IARC if it meets the toxicological criteria listed in the January 31, 1990 Federal Register.

Controlling chemical hazards in the laboratory requires knowledge of the material and its hazards, procedures of protecting personnel from the hazards, the use of protective equipment and preplanning for emergencies due to over-exposures.

Toxic substances can enter the body in four ways: by ingestion, by absorption through the skin, injection, and by inhalation. Thorough washing of the hands before eating can eliminate the danger of ingestion through food. Avoid direct contact with substances that can be absorbed through the skin by wearing protective clothing such as gloves, eye wear, face shields, aprons, and lab coats. Splashes onto unprotected skin should be washed off immediately with soap and water. Handle needles carefully. Never recap a needle and always dispose into a sharps container. Treat aerosols with care so as prevent the direct inhalation of toxic material in any form (gases, dusts, or vapors). Handle materials that present inhalation risks in fume hoods.

Assume that any chemical is toxic until proven otherwise. Specific information on each toxic substance can be located in the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that should be available for all carcinogens or other toxic substances.

Contact DEHS at 215-503-6260 for the Center City Campus and 215-952-9252 for the Methodist Campus with specific questions regarding chemical handling requirements or refer to the TJU Guide to Laboratory Safety.

Chemical Carcinogens
The following list contains all known or suspected chemical carcinogens found in the laboratory and listed in the U.S. Department of Commerce 11th Annual Report on Carcinogens. All employees should be familiar with the safe handling of these substances.

Carcinogens Commonly Used in Some Laboratories

Chloroform
Methylene Chloride
Chromium Trioxide
Metronidazole
Dichlormethane
Nickel Sulfate
Di(2-ethylexl)phthalate
Potassium Dichromate
Epoxy Resin ERL-4206
Progesterone
17 B-Estradiol
Toluidine Blue
Thiourea
Formalin
Uranyl Acetate
T-Amylase Reagent 2,4
Dinitrophenylhydrazine
Lead Acetate
Thiourea
Hematoxylin Solution
Acetate Buffer
Benzene
Formaldehyde

MERCURY

As part of the hospital's Mercury-free policy, the use of Mercury has been eliminated in all laboratory methods, and instruments. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety should be contacted when searching for Mercury alternatives and/or when disposal of Mercury is needed.

CHEMICAL SAFETY PROCEDURES

The following procedures should be used when working with all chemicals to minimize exposure:

Chemical Spills
For Minor Spills involving less than 500 ML of a typical hazardous chemical, i.e., isopropyl alcohol, methanol, acids.

A. Immediately alert others occupants in the area.
B. Secure area by restricting access.
C. If spill involves a flammable liquid, turn if off all ignition and heat sources if safe to do so.
D. Review Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
E. Locate appropriate spill kit.
F. Don Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
G. Using absorbent materials confine and contain the spill.
H. Collect spill material, place in appropriate container.
I. Contact Department of Environmental Health and Safety to arrange disposal. CC (3-6260), MHD (ext. 1239), Offsite (215.503.6260)
J. Clean spill area with soap and water.
K. If exposure to chemical occurred, seek medical attention and follow accident reporting and documentation procedures.
L. Complete Chemical Spill Report Form and submit to Environmental Health and Safety. The form can be found on the Jefferson Intranet Hazardous Materials Website

For Major Spills involving greater than 500 ML of any hazardous chemical or unknown material.

A. Immediately alert other occupants to evacuate.
B. If spill involves a flammable liquid, turn off all ignition and heat sources if safe to do so.
C. Restrict access, close doors.
D. Contact Security Command Center by dialing "811" (CC), "77" (MHD), "911" (offsite).
E. If exposure to chemical occurred, seek medical attention and follow accident reporting and documentation procedures.
F. Complete Chemical Spill Report Form and submit to Environmental Health and Safety.

Chemical Waste Disposal Procedures
Chemical Waste

Once a chemical is considered a waste, a determination needs to be made to identify its hazardous classification. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) has very specific rules on determining hazardous waste classifications. Chemicals are either listed or exhibit one or more of the following four hazardous characteristics:

• Ignitable
• Corrosive
• Reactive
• Toxic

EPA Listed Chemical Hazardous Waste

The EPA Hazardous Waste Regulations include four lists of materials, designated with the letters F, K, P, and U. If the waste you are disposing appears on any of these lists it's hazardous. (The F and K lists cover process waste materials that have been used in processes carried out in your facility. Healthcare facilities do not carry out manufacturing processes, and would not typically generate any K -listed materials).

F Listed Wastes
- The F-list covers general processes that might occur in a range of sectors, such as solvent use, metal finishing processes, and wood preserving.
- F-listed categories, F001-F005, cover a range of solvents used in a variety of applications. A healthcare facility might generate F-listed solvents such as acetone, methanol, toluene and xylene from departments such as:
  - pathology laboratory
  - histology laboratory (xylene)
  - pharmacy
  - morgue
  - maintenance shops (degreasers)
P and U listed Wastes
The P and U lists cover unused chemicals that are being discarded for various reasons; for example, they may be off-specification or expired, they may have been spilled and cleaned up, or they may be residues left in containers.The unused chemicals lists (P and U) differ in their degree of risk. P-listed wastes are "acutely toxic", meaning that they can cause death or irreversible illness at low doses. U-listed wastes are "toxic": they are still regarded as hazardous, but some of the more drastic regulations that apply to the P-list do not apply to U-listed wastes.Many of the chemicals used to treat cancer patients during chemotherapy fall on either the U or P lists. These agents are often referred to by their brand names rather than the chemical designations appearing on the lists.
See the attached document P-List and U-List Chemicals Commonly found in Healthcare Facilities.

Characteristic Wastes

Whatever its composition, a waste is considered hazardous by RCRA if it exhibits any of four characteristics:

ignitability(D001)
corrosivity (D002)
reactivity (D003)
toxicity (D0xx, where xx represents two digits from 04 through 43, and denotes a specific toxic chemical)

Ignitability
Ignitable wastes pose hazards because they either catch fire readily themselves, or (in the case of strong oxidizers) promote fires.
A. waste is considered "ignitable" under RCRA if it is:

a liquid with flash point under 140oF, or
a non-liquid, but susceptible to vigorous burning by friction, water absorption, or spontaneous chemical change, or
a flammable compressed gas, or
a strong oxidizer
(The "flash point" of a liquid is the temperature at which the vapor above a pool of liquid will catch fire under a standard set of conditions.) Ignitable wastes commonly found in hospitals include:
rubbing alcohol (if the alcohol concentration exceeds 24%)
certain mouthwashes including 'Listerine' fall into this category
- paregoric
  • methanol
  • silver nitrate

Corrosivity
Corrosive wastes include liquids with pH less than 2 or greater than 12.5, or that corrode steel faster than a quarter-inch per year at 55oC.
Examples of corrosive wastes occurring in hospitals include concentrated solutions of acetic acid or sodium hydroxide (lye).

Reactivity
Reactive wastes include:

materials that generate toxic gases in contact with water
wastes that contain cyanide or sulfide and can release toxic gases in contact with strong acids or bases
explosive materials, or materials that are explosive when heated
Reactive wastes that may be found in hospitals include:
lithium-sulfur batteries
dry picric acid explosive when dry
should be handled with extreme care
may be found in histology laboratories
a component of the tissue preservative Bouin's Solution
nitroglycerin formulations
ethylene oxide

Toxicity
The RCRA sense of toxicity is somewhat indirect. The concern is not so much with the toxic properties of the wastes themselves as with the extent to which toxic materials can leach out of the wastes if they are exposed to water in the environment.

Waste Disposal Procedures:

Chemicals listed as “EPA Hazardous” or exhibit any hazardous characteristics shall be disposed in the following manner:
Waste shall be collected and stored in a designated “Satellite Accumulation Area”.
A Satellite Accumulation Area is at or near any point of generation where wastes initially accumulates, and is under the control of the operator of the process generating the waste.
All chemical waste must be placed in a suitable container prior to collection. The container must be compatible with the contents, structurally sound, non leaking, and have a tight fitting lid or cap.
Complete and accurate labeling of chemical waste containers is absolutely essential. Label all containers (at the time waste is first placed into the container) accurately using the Orange, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital “Hazardous Waste Profile Labels”.

List the chemical name(s) and
Approximate percentages,
Contact Person,
Contact Phone number,
Department and Location.

Labels are available at TJUH/JHN the Department of Environmental Health and Safety 3-6260 and at MHD contact Environmental Services, ext. 1239.
Segregate incompatibles (e.g. acids from bases—flammables from oxidizers). Accidental mixing of one hazardous waste with another may result in a vigorous and dangerous chemical reaction. The Chemical Compatibility Chart attachment shows chemical combinations believed to be dangerously reactive in the case of accidental mixing.
Keep waste containers closed at all times except when adding waste. Open funnels are not permitted.
Use secondary containment for liquid wastes.
Inspect area weekly for container leakage.
Never allow more that 55 gallons of non-acute waste or more than one quart of “P” listed waste accumulate.
Never store any waste for longer than one year.
To arrange for a waste collection at TJUH/JHN contact the Department of Environmental Health and Safety @ 3-6260. For MHD contact Environmental Services, ext. 1239.
Waste Minimization

As a generator of hazardous chemical waste Jefferson is required to make efforts to reduce the amount and/or toxicity of chemical wastes that are to be shipped off-site for disposal as hazardous waste.

Methods of Waste Minimization

Source Reduction (Pollution Prevention)
The most desirable method of waste minimization is source reduction, which reduces the impact of chemical wastes on the environment to the greatest extent. Substitute nonhazardous or less toxic materials whenever possible. Purchase only the amount of chemical that is needed. Excess chemicals often become waste and any purchase savings are outweighed by disposal costs.
Reuse
Efforts should be made to redistribute unwanted chemicals that are in good condition and not beyond their expiration date.
Recycling
When a waste material is used for another purpose, treated and reused in the same process, or reclaimed for another process, this is called recycling.

Monitoring of OSHA required chemicals

If there is reason to believe an overexposure condition exists in any area of laboratory from noxious or toxic chemicals, then the area is surveyed immediately for compliance with OSHA standards.
Authorized personnel from the Department of Environmental Health & Safety perform air-sampling surveys.
The EH&S department often requests a third party to perform the sampling.
Areas using large quantities formaldehyde or xylene must be inspected periodically to determine whether vapor concentrations are below the permissible levels.
Warnings must be posted that formaldehyde is a potential cancer hazard.
Training on the proper handling of formaldehyde must be done annually.
Recently, OSHA adopted lower permissible exposure limits for formaldehyde. These levels are amended from the earlier federal regulation referenced 29 CFR 1910.1047 of the Federal Registry. They are as follows:


Liquid	8-hour TWA	15-min STEL
Formaldehyde	0.75 PPM	2 PPM

If the vapor concentration exceeds the permissible limits, discontinue use of the offending chemical, eliminate the vapors from the area or issue protective masks to employees working in the area. If these conditions are not met, evacuate the area.

Immediately notify the section supervisor, lab safety officer, and the lab administrator if noxious odors are detected in any area of the lab. If these individuals are not immediately available, phone the Department of Environmental Health and Safety directly at Ext. 5-5853 or 5-6260.

Cryogenic Liquids

Liquid nitrogen, liquid helium, dry ice, and any other liquefied gases are stored in well-ventilated areas. Avoid storing these items in poorly ventilated walk-in cold rooms. The sublimation of dry ice, for example, reduces the percentage of available oxygen, posing a threat to those who enter.
In the laboratory, a common use of liquid nitrogen is for long storage of small ampules of biological samples. Improper sealing of these ampules can cause an explosion upon removal from liquid nitrogen temperatures. To prevent this phenomenon, use plastic vials designed specifically for cryogenic usage or test the ampules for tight-sealing by placing them in dye solution for 2 minutes prior to freezing.
When removing a sample container from liquid nitrogen, protect all exposed skin by wearing face shield, lab coat, and heat resistant gloves. Quickly place the ampules in a beaker of warm water inside a Styrofoam ice bucket, and cover immediately.

First Aid for Chemical Exposure

In all cases, get medical attention immediately by calling 811 on the main campus and 928-3410 at JHN and at MHD call 77. Relay any information about the victim's situation to the person that answers the phone and indicate if the victim is not breathing to facilitate a faster response. Remember to keep yourself safe from exposure when attending to a victim. If inhaled, remove from exposed area to fresh air. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration if trained to do so. The affected person should be kept warm and at rest. For skin exposure, remove contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water until no evidence of chemical remains. If eye contact, wash eyes immediately with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting upper and lower eyelids until no evidence of chemical remains (15-20 minutes).

Revisions

POL ID	Date Revised	Author	Summary of Changes
POL 02.001	08/05/2016	Patel, Miraj	Policy finalized

Version & Approval

Version	Category	Approval	Date
02.001	Administration	Stephen Peiper, MD	08/05/2016