Laboratory Safety: Engaging 600+ research groups

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Randell Wright
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1 Laboratory Safety: Engaging 600+ research groups Stephanie Tumidajski Chemical Safety Professional Division of Research Safety

University Overview University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 32,579 undergraduate students (Fall 2014) 10,037 graduate students (Fall 2014) 1783 acres $584 million on R&D (2012) Division of

2 University Overview University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 32,579 undergraduate students (Fall 2014) 10,037 graduate students (Fall 2014) 1783 acres $584 million on R&D (2012) Division of Research Safety (DRS)! Laboratory Safety Section! Biological Safety Section! Radiation Safety Section! Chemical Waste Section Division of Safety and Compliance! Air quality, water quality, industrial safety, etc.

3 DRS Objectives Create a laboratory safety program on campus that is more integrated. Begin removing silos of Bio, Rad, Chem safety. Emphasize that all parts of lab safety are equally important. Educate researchers to take safety seriously, acknowledge areas of improvement in their laboratories, and begin creating an improved safety atmosphere. Explain the OSHA Laboratory Standard so all labs on campus can easily understand requirements and comply. Develop a sustainable program that can be easily managed.

4 Initial Challenges Number of research spaces was unknown to DRS. There was no central list of principle investigators. Many laboratory groups have never been audited or knew little about DRS s services. Ability to reach every lab in one year with 4 professionals (new team). (Goal of OVCR) Document interactions with all laboratories for metrics (audit findings and responses). DRS had a lack of knowledge about locations of chemical hazards. (Biohazards (BL2), radioactive materials, lasers all registered on campus) Anticipated resistance by PIs for enrollment in a Laboratory Safety Program. (Administration s fear)

5 New DRS Website

6 Laboratory Hazard Profile Create a Hazard Profile for each laboratory. This captures chemical, bio, rad, laser hazards. The chemical information was gathered as part of the audit program.

7 General Laboratory Safety Audit Prior to 2014, audits were performed upon invitation by the department or PI. (Lack of safety resources, reporting was paper-based, little support to enter all departments) In spring 2014 a new audit program was established. The Goals: " Visit every lab on campus within 12 months. " Educate on audit findings, responsibilities, DRS, OSHA Lab Standard. " Report on the state of safety at the university. " Work with lab safety contacts. Final Numbers:! 641 Principal Investigators audited! 1751 Research spaces! 708 Audit events

8 Lab Audit

9 Lab Audit FY15: Big emphasis on educating on management of safety in the lab. Laboratory Safety Plan At UIUC it is comprised of all research safety requirements: Chemical Hygiene Plan (OSHA s definition) Biosafety Manual Radioactive Safety Manual and permits Laser safety Other research hazards (electrical, noise, etc.) UIUC is slowly moving away from these terms that indicate different safety documents for a single lab. The Laboratory Safety Plan summarizes how ALL of safety is managed in the lab. It is not necessarily a binder of forms, but a living document of safety management.

10 Priority Items " Incompatible chemical storage " Lack of hazard awareness or training on chemical hazards " Improper use of chemical fume hoods " Improper gas cylinder storage " Waste accumulation " No spill response measures in place

11 Room Audit

12 Room Audit Summary Room Audit Findings (1751 rooms inspected) Chemical resistant surfaces Aisles less than 28" Doors lockable Adequate outlets Fire extinguisher mounted Fire extinguisher within 50 ft Sink present Fire extinguisher checked Eyewash installed to be tested Eyewash obstructed by door Fume hood passed inspection Shower available Eyewash identified Shower obstructed by door Eyewash available Shower tested Shower identified GFCI present Negative findings out of 1751 rooms 712

13 Department Summary Eyewashes and Safety Showers 480, 27% 1271, 73% Labs with adequate emergency equipment Lab without adequate emergency equipment

14 Department Summary Laboratory Safety Plan 292, 46% 349, 54% Complete plans Incomplete plans

15 Department Summary FY15 Audit Responses 2323, 45% 2814, 55% Findings addressed Findings needing to be addressed

16 Resulting Actions Audits resulted in a campus wide maintenance check of all eyewashes and safety showers. Those not functioning properly are repaired. Chemical waste pickup has increased. Labs are cleaning out legacy chemicals. Add additional safety guidance to our webpage based on the needs of the customer. Improvement to the audit process to capture additional hazards (e.g., electrical hazards) Some departments are creating safety committees.

17 Audits Round Two Second round of audits Goal: 9 months (Started July 1, 2015) FY16 focus: Determine the barriers or challenges for addressing last year s audit findings. DRS will work to reduce these barriers. Closely look at Lab Safety Plans for missing content.! If audit findings are not addressed within 2 weeks, PI and safety contact will receive a reminder .! Observations:! Significant improvements to several labs.! Many Safety Contacts have played an active role in helping to manage lab safety.! Quick responses to findings.

18 Acknowledgements Director Monica Miller Senior Project Specialist Tina McGill IT Staff Steve Holland Cal Primer Chemical Safety Professionals Anja Metz Christopher Motter Patrick Wood Former staff: Peter Ashbrook (Director) Michael Kammin (Web development)

Laboratory Safety Audit

Laboratory Safety Audit Principal Investigator: Building: Room #: Auditor: Date: Lab Safety Plan 1. Lab safety plan available 2. Plan reviewed/evaluated annually 3. Current Lab Safety Guide available 4.