| Creating an Ergonomically Safe Work Environment Both the employer and the employee should share the responsibility for assessing and improving ergonomics in the laboratory. A three-step ergonomic program includes: Finding the hazard Determining what improvements / changes should be made Taking action to improve the workplaceEmployers should: Provide ergonomics education Provide ergonomically designed tools and equipment Allow frequent stretch breaks If possible, adjust work schedules to prevent employees from performing repetitious tasks for prolonged periods of time. As an employee, you should evaluate the ergonomic practices in your work area.Employees should: Understand the risk of injury Apply ergonomic principles to the performance of tasks Look for ergonomic hazards and improve the workplace whenever possible Recognize and report early signs of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) | View Page |
| Which of the following could be an ergonomic hazard? | View Page |
| Examine the image on the right. What problems can you see that may result in MSDs for this laboratory worker if her job involves frequent use of the computer for prolonged periods of time? | View Page |
| References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Laboratory ergonomics. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/Ergonomics/labergo.htm. Accessed July 6, 2009.Cornell University. CUErgo. Available at: http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ Accessed July 6, 2009.National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/ Accessed July 6, 2009.UCLA Ergonomics. Musculoskeletal disorders: Anatomy of an injury. Available at: http://ergonomics.ucla.edu/MSD_Anatomy.html. Accessed July 6, 2009.US Department of Labor. Healthcare wide hazards module: Ergonomics. Available at: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/ergo/ergo.html Accessed July 6, 2009. | View Page |
| In the Past There was no guarantee that workers would be told about the chemical hazards they might face on the job. Container labels and warning sheets did not always give enough information on potential hazards, what to do in an emergency, or where to turn for help. | View Page |
| In the Present Chemical manufacturers have to determine the physical and health hazards of each product they make. They also have to let users know about those hazards through the use of: Container labels Material safety data sheets | View Page |
| Haz-Com In 1987, OSHA issued a regulation to help control workplace exposure to chemicals. This regulation is called the Hazard Communication Standard, but is more commonly known as Haz-Com, or the Right-to-Know Law. | View Page |
| Employer Responsibility Your employer has a responsibility to educate you about chemical hazards, and safety procedures. | View Page |
| Your Responsibility Read the manufacturers' labels and MSDS sheets and follow the instructions and warnings. Access pertinent safety information through your supervisor. If you detect any potential hazards either in the facility or in your work procedures, contact your supervisor as soon as possible. | View Page |
| Format of the Label Every chemical container is labeled by the manufacturer. The format of the label will differ from company to company. The label must contain similar types of information to meet the OSHA and DOT regulations. The label makes it easy for you to find a chemical's possible hazards. The basic steps to protect yourself against the chemical's hazards are listed on the label. | View Page |
| Identification Name of the chemical, indicated by words or symbols. Information about the company that made or imported the chemical: Company name Address Emergency phone number Physical hazards that are associated with the chemical: Reactivity Flammability | View Page |
| Numerical Ranking The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) ranks chemicals numerically according to the hazards associated with them and displays these numbers in the NFPA symbol. They indicate: Health hazards Fire hazards Reactivity Special hazards related to a chemical | View Page |
| Right to Know As an employee, you have the right to know the types of hazardous substances that are used in your workplace. Material Safety Data Sheets, or MSDS, are available in paper or electronic versions in each laboratory section and are there to inform you of these hazards. Ask your supervisor for the exact location. | View Page |
| Fire and Explosion Hazard Data Identifies any special precautions which should be taken during fire fighting procedures. This chemical is still flammable when diluted, and can be extinguished by an ABC fire extinguisher. Special fire fighting procedures included would not necessarily apply to a laboratory setting. | View Page |
| Identification (continued) Further information: Manufacturer product number An emergency phone number CAS identification number The DOT shipping name and hazard class The chemical family name and synonyms The chemical's formula and molecular weight | View Page |
| General Information You won't find exactly the same amount of information on every MSDS. You will find everything you need to work safely with your chemicals: Hazards of the chemical. Steps you can take to avoid them. | View Page |
| Common Sense Rules Make these common sense rules a part of your job: Identify hazards before you start a job. Don't take chances. Ask your supervisor when in doubt. Be prepared! Know how and where to get help. | View Page |
| Common Sense Rules (continued) Also remember to: Learn basic first aid measures. Read chemical labels. Read MSDS. Follow warnings and instructions. Use the correct protection. Practice sensible, safe work habits. Be knowledgeable about your laboratory's Chemical Hygiene Plan and the location in your laboratory of all reference materials on the hazards, safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals, including the location of Material Safety Data Sheets. | View Page |
| Keep It Safe! Your laboratory has provided you with training to protect yourself from chemical hazards in your daily work. But the only one who can keep you safe on the job every day is you. As a responsible member of the laboratory team, it is up to you to utilize safe work practices. | View Page |
| What are the Training Requirements? The training requirements that are stated in the US Code of Federal Regulations at 49 CFR 172.704 must be met by all personnel who are involved in shipping hazardous materials in the United States and training must be completed within 90 days of employment or performance of the required hazmat function (relevant documented training from a previous employer is acceptable).These requirements include: General awareness/familiarization training Function-specific training Safety training Security awareness training (Category A substances) Safety training, must be provided by the facility where the infectious materials are packaged and must include: Emergency response information Measures to protect the employee from the hazards associated with hazardous materials to which they may be exposed in the work place, including specific measures the hazmat employer has implemented to protect employees from exposure Methods and procedures for avoiding accidents, such as the proper procedures for handling packages containing hazardous materials | View Page |
| Classifications of Hazardous Materials The US Department of Transportation (DOT) classifies hazardous materials according to the risks that they pose. There are nine hazard classes: Class 1: Explosives Class 2: Gases Class 3: Flammable liquids Class 4: Flammable solids Class 5: Oxidizers/organic peroxides Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances Class 7: Radioactive material Class 8: Corrosives Class 9: Miscellaneous hazardous materials Within class 6 are two divisions: Division 6.1- poisonous material Division 6.2- infectious substanceA division 6.2 infectious substance is defined as a material known or reasonably expected to contain a pathogen. A pathogen is a microorganism or other agent (e.g., a prion) that can cause disease in humans or animals. The regulations that govern packaging and shipping a class 9, miscellaneous hazardous material, may also need to be reviewed by those who package and ship laboratory specimens. Dry ice is a class 9 hazardous material and, if used, requires special packaging, and specific labeling and marking on the outer package. | View Page |
| Selecting the Shipping Container Manufactured packaging Follow the manufacturer's instructions if you are using manufactured packaging. Maintain copies of packaging instructions for at least one year. Outer packaging that is used to ship Category A substances must meet manufacturing and performance specifications set by the United Nations. Packaging that meets these specifications are marked by a "UN" in a circle, a series of letters and numbers that indicate the type of package, class of goods the package is designed to carry, manufacturing date, authorizing agency, and the manufacturer. An example is shown below. This packaging is available from commercial sources with preprinted UN information. The strict, outer packaging regulations do not apply to Category B packages.Reusing a containerIf you will be reusing a container, remove all irrelevant labels and markings. Use durable labels of the proper size; letters and numbers must be at least 6 mm high. Affix hazard labels securely to one side of the package, adjacent to relevant markings. Do not overlap labels. A package can be re-used if there was no leakage during the previous transport. | View Page |
| Additional Packaging Requirements for Category A and Category B Substances If multiple primary receptacles are placed in a single secondary packaging, they must be either individually wrapped or separated so as to prevent contact between them.The primary receptacle or the secondary packaging must be capable of withstanding, without leakage, an internal pressure producing a pressure differential of not less than 95 kPa (13.8 lbs/in2) because the package may be placed into an unpressurized storage compartment in a cargo aircraft. This must be verified when choosing packaging for shipping either category A or category B substances by aircraft. It is also recommended if shipping by ground. An evacuated blood collection tube that has remained unopened qualifies as a 95 kPa container. The smallest surface of the outer packaging must be at least 100 mm X 100mm (3.9 inches).Other dangerous goods must not be packed in the same packaging as Division 6.2 infectious substances unless they are necessary for preservation of the specimen (e.g., formalin). A quantity of 30 mL or less of formalin or other dangerous goods included in hazard Classes 3, 8, or 9 (flammable liquids such as alcohol; corrosives such as acids or bases; or miscellaneous hazardous materials) may be packed in each primary receptacle containing infectious substances. A quantity greater than 30 mL will require appropriate hazard labels on the package. | View Page |
| Labeling a Package Containing a Category A Substance Packages that contain category A substances must exhibit these labels.Proper shipping name and UN number(Category A label) or Hazard class 6 infectious substance label that includes this statement:In case of damage or leakage, immediately notify public health authority. In the US, notify the CDC 1-800-232-0124 UN package certification markOrientation arrows (if greater than 50 mL)Contact information (Shipper or Consignee Identification)The contact person (usually the shipper), referred to as the "responsible person" by IATA, must be someone who can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week (24/7) and can answer questions about the content of the package. The 24/7 number must reach that person directly and not a pager or answering machine/service. If the contact person that you are listing is the person receiving the specimen, be certain that the person is aware you are listing him/her as the contact person and has consented to it. | View Page |
| Shipper's Declaration For Dangerous Goods - Third Section It is very important to include all the required information in this section. This includes: The UN number The proper shipping name Hazard class or division. For infectious substances, this will be 6.2; for dry ice this will be 9 as demonstrated below. Quantity and type of packaging Packing Instruction. For infectious substances, this will be 602; for dry ice, this will be 904. | View Page |
| What additional labels would be added if the specimen needed to be kept cold and dry ice is used as a refrigerant? Choice Label Choice Label AGBH CIDJ EK FL | View Page |