OSU Botany General Laboratory Safety Training

 

The following information covers the main laboratory safety topics that are common to most research laboratories in the Botany Department. For complete safety information (including radiation and biological safety policies), see the OSU Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) webpage. Links to selected EHS topics are provided below for convenience.  A variety of safety forms are available online in html, pdf, Word, and/or Excel formats.

 

       Faculty must safety-train ALL personnel within 30 days of employment (document all training in the Botany office and send a copy to EHS at 120 Physical Plant Bldg.). Personnel will find most of the general information on this web page, but specifics such as locations of safety items and lab protocols unique to each lab are the responsibility of the individual faculty. Faculty are legally responsible even if they have delegated safety training to another employee (e.g. technician, graduate student or postdoc).

 

You can roughly determine how safe your lab is by viewing the Laboratory Environmental Audit checklist.

 

       Know where to find (should be indicated on your lab's contingency plan) and use these emergency items:

       fire extinguisher

      eyewash station

      safety shower

       first aid kit

 

       Each lab must have readily available:

       chemical inventory list (CIL; available in html, pdf, Word, Excel format) - see example below

·        update annually (June 30)

·        send copy to Environmental Health & Safety (120 Physical Plant Bldg.)

·        indicate that MSDS (see below) are in LSE 022

       contingency plan (emergency information)

 

       ALL chemical containers MUST be labeled:

       chemical ingredients & concentrations

       date

       name/initials of responsible person

       required protective gear (goggles, gloves)

 

       NFPA/HMIS Hazard labels (available in LSE 022) tell you about the hazards associated with a chemical (0 = low risk, 4 = severe risk):

blue = health (0-4)

red = flammability (0-4)

yellow = reactivity (0-4)

white = specific - some examples:

 

       store oxidizers (nitrates/-ites, peroxides, chromates, iodates) separately, away from combustibles

 

       YOU must request an MSDS (material safety data sheet) from retailer each time you purchase a chemical. All MSDSs for the botany Department are stored prominently in LSE 022 where they are ALWAYS accessible.

       Searchable Online MSDS database

       MSDS = name(s) of ingredient(s), CAS# (chemical abstract servive) + ...

·        physical & fire/explosion data, NFPA #s

·        toxicity

·        health effects & first aid

·        reactivity, incompatibility, polymerization

·        storage & disposal procedures

·        conditions to avoid (what NOT to do with this chemical)

·        spill & leak procedures

·        protective equipment

 

       Handle ALL volatile/toxic chemicals in fume hood, wear goggles, gloves, apron/coat. Note that there is a face shield available in LSE 022.

 

       Common "clean" waste acids/bases may go down drain ONLY after neutralizing to pH 6-8 w/ compatible acid/base (see Chemical Hygiene Plan). Organic solvents, heavy metals, etc. should NEVER be poured down the drain.

       See Lab Safety Manual / Chemical Hygiene Plan in LSE 022

 

       store compatible waste solvents, toxics in appropriate small (<4 L), labeled container

       label full containers w/ orange hazardous chemical surplus tag (obtain from LSE 022)

       fill out Request For Chemical Removal online or campus mail a hardcopy (obtain from LSE 022) to EHS office (120 Physical Plant bldg.)

 

       An employee exposure report (obtain in LSE 022) must be filed within 24 hours after ANY incident

       keep original in lab

       place copy in Botany office

       campus mail copy to EHS office (120 Physical Plant Bldg.)