| Goals of this Program Locate potentially hazardous chemicals in your workplace. Describe the procedure for obtaining a copy of an MSDS. Recognize chemical labeling and its meaning. Discuss exposure control measures with your supervisor. Locate the MSDS book in your workplace. | 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 |
| Hazardous Ingredients What makes up the chemical. What the 8-hour occupational exposure limit is for the threshold limit value, or TLV. On some MSDS, the short term exposure limit (or STEL) for 15 minutes will also be listed. | View Page |
| Personal Protective Equipment Personal protective equipment is an essential way to protect yourself from the dangers of chemicals. You'll find on the label or MSDS exactly what kinds of clothing, gloves, and coverings you'll need to keep yourself safe. Also, the laboratory's chemical hygiene plan will include information about necessary personal protective equipment and engineering controls that will reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals. At a minimum, safety goggles and rubber or nitrile gloves (not necessarily utility gloves) are necessary parts of your personal protective equipment. | View Page |
| Monitoring Certain chemicals in use in the laboratory, such as formaldehyde, are hazardous if your exposure to them is too prolonged. The amount of the chemical to which you can be exposed before possible danger is called the threshold limit value. Monitoring badges are used from time to time to measure your exposure. These are worn in the "breathing zone" for a certain period of time--often eight hours (for long-term exposure) or fifteen minutes (for short-term exposure). Based on the results of this monitoring, additional personal safety measures, such as ventilation or face-fitted masks, may be implemented for your protection. | 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 |
| Who Must Receive Training? According to federal and international regulations, all personnel who are involved in the packaging and shipping of infectious materials are required to have training in these procedures. This includes anyone who: Packages, labels, and/or marks the package Is responsible for classifying the materials Is responsible for documenting the package contents on a shipping declaration form, air waybill, etc. Transports hazardous materials by vehicle, plane, or vessel | 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 |
| Categories of Division 6.2 Infectious Substances Hazardous material classifications are consistent across all agencies who regulate commercial shipping and are based on criteria developed by the United Nations (UN) Committee of Experts working with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), medical professionals, microbiologists, transportation professionals, and packaging technical experts. These requirements can be found in the 13th and 14th editions of the United Nations Recommendations for the Transport of Dangerous Goods, the 2005 - 2006 edition of the International Civil Aviation Organization Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Technical Instructions), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Dangerous Goods Code. The classification system for Division 6.2 Infectious Substances includes two catergories, known simply as Category A and Category B. | View Page |
| Exempt Substances Laboratory specimens that are unlikely to cause disease and do not meet the criteria for category A or B substances are not subject to Division 6.2 regulations. Specimens for which the hazardous materials regulation (HMR) does not apply include human or animal samples (including, but not limited to, secreta, excreta, blood and its components, tissue and tissue fluids, and body parts) being transported for routine testing not related to the diagnosis of an infectious disease. This includes specimens that are being sent for: drug or alcohol testing cholesterol testing blood glucose level testing prostate specific antibody (PSA) testing testing to monitor kidney or liver function pregnancy testing tests for diagnosis of non-infectious diseases such as cancer biopsies | 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 |
| Dry Ice If dry ice is used as a refrigerant, it must be placed outside the secondary packaging. Interior supports must be provided to secure the secondary packaging in the original position after the dry ice has dissipated. The packaging must be designed and constructed to permit the release of carbon dioxide gas to prevent a buildup of pressure that could rupture the packaging. A "miscellaneous hazardous materials" label (class 9) must be affixed to the outer package along with a "dry ice" label that includes the UN designation "UN 1845." The net quantity (weight) of the dry ice must also be stated. If the package (category B or exempt substance) is sent through the mail, the amount of dry ice that can be used is limited to 5 pounds, unless advanced arrangements have been made. | View Page |
| Security Awareness A category A infectious substance is in a form that is capable of causing permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure to it occurs. Exposure would occur if the substance were released from its protective packaging and a human or animal came into contact with it. Therefore, it is critical that a category A infectious substance does not end up in the hands of an unauthorized individual who may purposely or unknowingly release the substance from its protective packaging and endanger humans or animals. Being aware of the people that you interact with in the process of packaging and sending category A substances is vital to the safety of the transport and prevention of a health disaster. An outsider with limited access and system knowledge could constitute a threat, but be aware that insiders could also be a threat, e.g., a disgruntled employee or a person who is angry with his or her supervisor or job or the government. Anyone desiring to do harm could potentially seize the opportunity to steal a hazardous material.Follow these precautionary procedures: When you are questioned about an infectious substance that you are packaging for shipment, it is important that you know the person that is asking AND that he or she has a need to know. If you do not know the person and if you are not aware that the person needs to know about the substance that is being shipped, do not answer the questions. You could refer him or her to your supervisor. Watch for unusual behavior. Secure the package until it is picked up. Check the identification of the courier who will be picking up the package. Use an intralaboratory chain of custody procedure if the specimens are tranferred within the facility or system. Track the package once it has been sent to be sure it arrives safely. Notify the Responsible Official or federal authority if the package does not arrive at its destination. | View Page |
| Security Plan for Category A Infectious Substances Each facility that stores and transports hazardous materials must have a written, detailed security plan. The Select Agents and Toxins Security Information Document that was prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is an excellent resource to use for developing a security plan that would apply to category A infectious substances. This document can be found at http://www.selectagents.gov/resources%5CSecurity%20Information%20Document.pdfThe current version, dated March 8, 2007, is available in this course as a resource. However, because the document does undergo revisions, it is recommended that the URL given above be checked periodically for document updates. | View Page |
| References International Civil Aviation Organization. Technical instructions for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. Doc 9284; 2005 - 2006 ed with amendment. National Laboratory Training Network. Packaging and shipping Division 6.2 materials. Georgia Public Health Laboratory; 2008. Sentinel Laboratory Guidelines for Suspected Agents of Bioterrorism. Available at: http://www.asm.org/ASM/files/LeftMarginHeaderList/DOWNLOADFILENAME/000000001202/Packing&Shipping11-18-05.pdf Accessed on February 13, 2009.US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Transporting Infectious Substances Safely. Guide to changes effective October 1, 2006. Washington, DC; 2006. | View Page |