Safety Officer 101

Laboratory Responsibility

The lab’s faculty member has the overall responsibility for all the lab activities Cal OSHA Requirements

Injury and Illness Prevention Program Laboratory Standard

Day to day details are delegated to the group’s Safety Officer

Role and Responsibilities

Provide Safety Information Interact with Division and Safety Office Provide Orientation and Training for

New Lab Members Technical Resource Group Emergency Coordinator

Obtain Safety Information

Material Safety Data Sheets www.hazard.com/msds

Chemical Hygiene Plan http://www.safety.caltech.edu/manuals/chemical

_hygiene_plan.pdf Emergency Response Information www.safety.caltech.edu

Emergency Information Signs

Maintained by Lab Group

Identify Hazards Emergency Contacts

Interact with the Division and Safety Office

Incident Assessment Semi Annual Safety

Survey Hazardous Waste Issues Recipient of New

Information Resource for the Group

HEALTH AND SAFETY SURVEY CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY SERVICES

Building: Division:

EH&S Representative: Group:

Safety Officer/Contact:

Date of First Survey: Date of Second Survey: This survey is being conducted to identify hazardous conditions and unsafe practices in the workplace. It is our goal to help you correct those conditions or provide training whenever possible. Checked items, as well as observations not easily categorized, may contain additional explanation below. Physical Plant Shops will be sent a copy of this report if applicable. YES NO N/A CONDITION YES NO N/A CONDITION EXITS: 1. Exits, aisles, corridors, and stairways clear of storage

and obstructions. 2. Exit signs and emergency lighting are present and

maintained. ELECTRICAL: 3. 30 inch clearance around electrical panels. 4. Extension cords used for temporary purposes only. 5. Wiring in good condition and protected from damage. 6. Electrical outlets not overloaded. 7. Electrical equipment and operators protected in areas

prone to flooding. STORAGE: 8. Clearance between storage materials and sprinklers /

ceilings. 9. Space between heating appliances and combustible

materials. 10. Core areas, electrical panel rooms, and mechanical

rooms are clear of combustible material and equipment storage.

11. Gas cylinders secured at the top and bottom and capped when not in use.

CHEMICALS AND HAZARDOUS WASTE: 12. Incompatible chemicals are not stored together. 13. Hazardous materials stored in secondary

containment or an approved cabinet (if over 10 gallons).

14. Refrigerators, freezers and other cooling devices labeled as suitable or not suitable for storing flammable liquids.

15. Standard refrigerators do not contain flammable

liquids. 16. Hazardous material containers labeled. HOUSEKEEPING: 17. Floors are clean and free of projectiles and obstacles. 18. Chemical bottles stored off bench tops. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: 19. Cabinets and bookshelves secured for earthquakes. 20. The Institute’s emergency procedures are posted and

clearly visible. 21. Heavy objects and chemical bottles are restrained

from falling. 22. Access to safety showers and eyewashes is

unobstructed. PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY: 23. Workers wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

as necessary. 24. Food and drink are not present in the lab areas. 25. Hoods in which protocols are performed are not

overloaded with materials. EQUIPMENT: 26. Belt guards are on machinery. (e.g. vacuum pumps,

grinders). 27. Access to fire protection equipment is unobstructed

(e.g. fire extinguishers and hose cabinets).

COMMENTS: Items noted in the Safety Survey:

Location Observations Corrective Action (See Reverse of page 1)

Hazardous Waste

Tag/Date at first drop in container

Full Chemical Names Designate Haz Waste Pickup

Location

Orientation and Training for New Members

Researcher SURF/MURF Undergraduates Visitors/Volunteers

Lab Safety 101

Develop Check In/ Check Out Procedures

California Institute of Technology Workplace Specific Safety Orientation Checklist for

Incoming Researchers The Caltech Academic Divisions are concerned that all researchers know, understand, and observe good safety practices and procedures. For your benefit and safety, we require that you complete this safety checklist together with the safety officer in your laboratory. This must be done immediately! Instructions Please discuss the items on this sheet with the Safety Officer in your laboratory or with your mentor. Check off the items or mark N/A if they do not apply to your research environment. (Note: The Emergency Procedures section applies to all researchers). Any researcher must receive work area specific safety training before starting a project in a laboratory. Safety Training should:

Discuss Emergency procedures Discuss available safety related resources including www.safety.caltech.edu Discuss lab specific hazards which may include processes, equipment, chemicals

and/or contact with animals The researcher must provide the name of the group’s Safety Officer or Mentor, sign the form and return it to the appropriate Division Office. Personal Information Researcher’s First Name:

Researcher’s Last Name:

Phone: Email:

Position: Lab Group Safety Officer Last Name

Safety Officer First Name

Emergency Procedures

For Campus emergencies, dial 5000. Location of the nearest emergency exit and alternate route. Emergency assembly point for the building: ________________________ Location of fire extinguishers, eyewash and shower stations, first aid kits and pull stations. Contents of the Caltech Emergency Response Guide. Notify Safety Officer or supervisor of any injury/illness at work. Campus Hot Line 1-(626) 395-3291 and 1-(888) 427-7465 Material Safety Data Sheets locations (http://www.safety.caltech.edu/msds.html).

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Trainings

Training Schedule Available Online Lab Safety 101 Biohazards/Bloodborne Pathogens Radiation/Laser Safety Emergency Preparedness

First Aid/ CPR classes Fire Extinguisher Training Pasadena Emergency Response Training (PERT)

(Emergency Preparedness and Triage, Fire Suppression, Light Search and Rescue)

http://www.safety.caltech.edu/services/training.html

Technical Resource

Safety Bulletins Identify technical resources

in your group/division

25 Keith Spalding Building

PHONE (626) 395-6727 FAX (626) 577-6028 EMAIL safety@caltech.edu

WEBSITE www.safety.caltech.edu

CALTECH ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFICE

Hydrogen Gas – H2

Hydrogen (H2) is a colorless, odorless, flammable gas which is compressed to high pressure. The flammable range of hydrogen is 4.0% - 75.0 % in air. High-pressure leaks can ignite spontaneously and burn with a colorless flame. This Safety Bulletin discusses precautions that should be taken when using Hydrogen.

Safety Precautions for Hydrogen Use

User training o MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) on Hydrogen should be available

to anyone working with this gas, online versions can be obtained from www.hazard.com.

Safe Work Practices o Select and use the correct regulator connector by checking the CGA

number. Incorrect connectors can sometimes be installed on inappropriate

gas cylinders. CGA 350 is the standard connector for Hydrogen.

o Check the overall condition of the regulator. Do not use a regulator that has been used for other gases. Leak test the connections.

o Never work on a pressurized system. If there is a leak, close the cylinder valve. Purge the system in a safe manner.

Handling and Storage o Use adequate ventilation. o Separate Hydrogen cylinders from oxygen, chlorine, and other oxidizers

by at least 20 feet (6.1 meters) or use an approved gas cabinet. o Store only where temperatures will not exceed 125° F (52° C). o The must be no sources of ignition in areas where Hydrogen is being

stored. o Segregate empty cylinders from full cylinders. o When a cylinder is not in use, screw the valve protection cap firmly in

place. o Secure cylinders upright at the top and bottom. Adjust the cylinder racks

so that cylinders are tightly secured. Personal Protective Equipment

o Wear safety glasses when handling any compressed gas. o EH&S Can Help o Contact us at x6727 if you need assistance with training on hazards,

proper storage, handling and emergency procedures, or if you have any questions regarding the use of Hydrogen.

SB2005_09 29

Emergency Coordinator

Injuries Lab Emergency Action Plan Building Evacuations Floor Warden Duties

What If Someone Gets Injured?

Make sure you are notified if injury occurs Call Security at x5000 (626.395.5000)

Serious Injuries – Paramedics will be called Transported to Nearest Available Emergency Room

Non-Serious Injuries – Huntington Occupational Health Clinic

Taxi Vouchers available through Security

Notify Workers’ Compensation at x4577

Student Health Center Myths

Health Center handles all medical emergencies

Health Center treats employees Going to the Health Center is more

convenient

Lab Specific Emergency Action Plan

Indentify Key Personnel Create Group Phone Tree Indentify Critical

Operations/Data

www.safety.caltech.edu/services/emergency.html

Building Evacuations

All Buildings Building Coordinators

Assist in building evacuations Maintain Trauma Bag Communicate Building Needs

to Emergency Responders Evacuation Locations Safety Officer = Floor

Warden for your Lab Group

Floor Warden Duties

Direct building occupants to building emergency assembly point

Collect information from building occupants

Work with Building Coordinator to relay info to Emergency Responders

Safety Officer Tools

www.safety.caltech.edu safety.caltech.edu/services/safetyofficers.html EHS Office

25 Keith Spalding

safety@caltech.edu

x6727

Questions???