Concordia University Lab Safety PDF

Safety in Biology and Environmental Sciences labs at Concordia University of Edmonton https://health.ucdavis.edu/medresearch/safety/Documents/4-3-poster-for-ppe-and-lab-attire.pdf Updated – August 2024 In Biology and Environme...

Safety in Biology and Environmental Sciences labs at Concordia University of Edmonton https://health.ucdavis.edu/medresearch/safety/Documents/4-3-poster-for-ppe-and-lab-attire.pdf Updated – August 2024 In Biology and Environmental Science labs at Concordia you will at times be exposed to some minor hazards. Precautionary steps are implemented to reduce your risk as much as possible. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will help to further reduce your risk to hazards. Being prepared before coming to your lab is an essential step. Ensure that you have read your lab manual and associated protocols. Ask questions before acting!  What is WHMIS? It is a comprehensive system for providing health and safety information on hazardous products intended for use, handling, or storage in Canadian workplaces. – Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System. The main components of WHMIS are hazard identification and product classification, labelling, safety data sheets, and worker education and training. In Canada, WHMIS regulations are laws. WHMIS has aligned with the worldwide hazard communication system known as GHS – the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. Aligning with GHS provides many benefits, including: Hazard classification criteria are more comprehensive which improves ability to indicate severity of hazards. New hazard classes are included. Physical hazard criteria are consistent with the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG regulations). Standardized language (hazard and precautionary statements). Standardized SDS format and more comprehensive requirements. Further information can be found on the Government of Canada’s CCOHS website 3 https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/whmis_ghs/general.html  WHMIS 2015 WHMIS stands for: Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System The current system was updated in 2015 to include a global standard for chemical labelling. This is commonly referred to as the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Each pictogram represents a Hazard Class. There are 10 different Hazard Classes. Hazard classes are further divided by Category. The Category provides more specifics on the product of question. 4 GENERIC EXAMPLE of a pictogram - Hazard Pictogram – “FLAME” - Hazard Class – “FLAMMABLE MATERIAL” - There are many Categories of flammable materials. - Only the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) will provide the specific category related to a chemical. SPECIFIC EXAMPLE - SDS for 70% Denatured Alcohol - There are 3 pictograms : flame, exclamation mark, health hazard - Listed as a category 2 flammable liquid - The category is related to the flashpoint & boiling point NOTE: There are other hazards with this chemical, but we are only referencing flammability in this example. NOTE: When reviewing a SDS, If you do not understand the information presented to you, you should not proceed with touching or working with a reagent. 5 Please review the WHMIS 2015 Pictograms which show the Hazard Class and some example categories. 6 Please review the WHMIS 2015 Pictograms which show the Hazard Class and some example categories. All WHMIS 2015 pictograms show a red square on point except for the biohazard symbol. If you see any different symbols, they would have been from a previous outdated version of WHMIS. 7  Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Is a 16-part document that details information on chemicals: Name, Hazard Identification, Composition, First-Aid Measures, Fire-Fighting Measures, Accidental Release Measures, Handling and Storage, Exposure Controls/Personal Protection, Physical and Chemical Properties, Stability and Reactivity, Toxicological Information, Ecological Information Disposal Considerations, Transport Information Regularity Information, Other Information It is the responsibility of a chemical supply company to ensure that Safety Data Sheets are prepared and up to date It is the end user’s responsibility to look up and understand Safety Data Sheets (SDS) prior to working with a chemical. Safety Data Sheets are publicly available documents that can be accessed via the internet Example SDS for Methanol from Sigma-Aldrich 8 Within the Biological Realm hazards are identified in a similar way to chemical hazards. A Pathogen Safety Data Sheet (PSDS) is used for this purpose. There are 9 sections within a PSDS that detail: - The Infections Agent - Hazard Identification - Dissemination - Stability and Viability - First Aid / Medical - Laboratory Hazards - Exposure Controls /Personal Protection - Handling and Storage - Regulatory and other Information The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has set Canadian standards and uses terminology that is DIFFERENT from the USA and other parts of the world. The Public Health Agency of Canada has a Risk Group Database called ePATHogen that provides classification information for many microorganisms. 9 You will work with bacteria and fungi in some introductory courses. But it is very important to point out that: Biological Material is not necessarily a hazard! Biological material consists of anything with a biological origin. Examples can include microorganisms, proteins, fungi, toxins, nucleic acids, bacteria, tissue samples, blood samples, virus etc…. Many things of biological origin are not hazardous. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is responsible for regulating the use of Biohazardous Material. Within Canada the term Risk Group (RG) is used for classifying how hazardous a biological agent is and what facilities/equipment are required to work safely with it. https://www.pinterest.ca/mouellet2/petri-dishes-agar-plates  What is a biohazard? An agent of biological origin that can cause disease in humans. A human can become infected by a biohazardous substance and fall ill or be asymptomatic. You could unknowingly pass this infection along to friends and family because you are carrying the infection. Some Microorganisms can be a biohazard Bacteria, Virus, Parasites, Mold, Fungi Microbial Toxin’s are also regulated under the PHAC – A Poisonous substance that is produced by or can be extracted from a microorganism https://www.pinterest.ca/mouellet2/petri-dishes-agar-plates  Entering a Lab Space The first thing to note before entering any lab space is the signage on the door. This summarizes things to note before entering the space such as: 1. Hazards you will find in the space 2. PPE requirements necessary for entering the space 3. Emergency contacts in the event of an incident in the lab space. 12  You will work with bacteria and fungi in some introductory courses. None of the chosen organisms are biohazards. All organisms are Risk Group 1 (RG1 Labs G103 / NAB317 / NAB314 are Containment Level 1 Laboratories (CL1) and only RG1 specimens are permitted No biohazards (RG2 organims) are permitted in this lab Door signage indicates the hazards you may find Door signage indicates the Containment Level Door Signage indicates the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing requirements for working in any lab space – Safety glasses, Lab coat, Long ants, closed toed shoes What is a Containment level (CL)? According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) – A Containment Level is the minimum physical containment and operational practices required for handling infectious material or toxins safely in laboratory and animal work environments. – There are 4 different Containment Levels (CL1, CL2, CL3, CL4) that exist – The higher the containment level, the more dangerous the hazards. – You are in a Containment Level 1 (CL1) laboratory G115 is the only CL2 teaching lab on campus – Biological Hazards are very minimal and not an issue to someone with a healthy immune system – Organisms used are well studied and understood – Organisms used are selected due to low risk/low hazard  Containment Levels (CL1) Lowest level of biocontainment – no licensing requirements Agents are not known to cause disease CL1 requires no special design features beyond those suitable for a well-designed and functional laboratory. Work may be done on an open bench top, and containment is achieved using practices normally employed in a basic microbiology laboratory. Minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment Examples: Escherichia coli K-12, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, plasmids, molds, yeast, fungi Canadian Biosafety Standard 3rd edition. Lab Doors & Air Handling At times, volatile chemicals are used in the lab. Fumes from these chemicals can be harmful and should not be inhaled. A fume hood is a piece of equipment that operates by exhausting air directly out of the building. Because of this proper air balancing in the lab is required. To achieve proper air balancing, lab doors are to always remain closed so that proper balancing can be achieved. They also serve as a fire break. 16 Lab Doors & Air Handling If air balancing is not achieved, fume hoods and other types of ventilation do not operate properly. A propped open door creates a breach in lab safety and causes the ventilation systems to operate improperly. Your instructors will unlock door handles for entry during lab periods, but doors will remain closed. 17  Two types of common Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV’s) Systems Fume hoods: An example of an Engineering Control to be used for working with volatile agents (ex. solvents) and particulates (ex. Silica dust) Try to work 6” inside the hood Lower the sash height to maximize air draw and protect your upper body Be aware of walking quickly past a fume hood, as a disruption of the airflow may occur https://ehs.wisc.edu/labs-research/chemical-safety/chemical-safety-guide/fume-hoods/ Snorkels not as effective as fume hood more susceptible to air flow disruption SOURCE of vapors/fumes needs to be within 8” (20cm) for most effective removal https://www.psalaboratoryfurniture.com/FumeHoodTypes/Snorkel 18  Operational Practices Standard Work Practices in a CL1 lab Wear long pants Wear closed toed shoes Tie hair back Use mechanical pipetting devices Wash hands frequently Minimize splashes and aerosols Decontaminate work surfaces daily with 70% ethanol Handle wastes properly NOT permitted in any laboratories: Eating Drinking Smoking Handling contact lenses Pipetting by mouth Storing food and drink  Operational Practices Standard Work Practices in a CL1 lab - ALWAYS tie back long hair - ALWAYS wash hands before and after performing any work: – after removing disposable gloves ALWAYS discard sharps into red, puncture resistant sharps containers – Needles – Razor blades – Scalpel blades ALWAYS discard broken glass into broken glass lined boxes ALWAYS DECONTAMINATE your workstation before and after using 70% ethanol and paper towels  Operational Practices Standard Work Practices in a CL1 lab ALWAYS Place sharps directly into a red, puncture resistant, leak-proof sharps container – Sharps containers are sent for incineration when full. – Incineration serves as a form of decontamination. NEVER discard needles or sharps into biohazard pails NEVER discard needles into regular trash NEVER recap, bend, or break needles Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is protective equipment and/or clothing that are designed to minimize the risk of exposure to hazards. Come prepared with the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Personally owned Lab coat Personally owned safety glasses Other PPE will be provided when required Nitrile Gloves Acid aprons Hot hands Chemical Resistant Gloves UV resistant face shields Other Equipment as Required https://health.ucdavis.edu/medresearch/safety/Documents/4-3-poster-for-ppe-and-lab-attire.pdf  Operational Practices – Avoid using cell phones in labs, especially if wearing gloves. – If you would like to take pictures, ask a friend to hold your specimens or samples while wearing gloves. https://ehs.unl.edu/safety-posters/laboratory-safety-posters  Operational Practices Hand Hygiene Hands must be washed before and after working in the lab. Washing hands for at least 20 seconds: – wash with soap and water, leaving hands wet – cover with soap which is worked into a lather to cover the skin for at least thirty seconds – rinse with water. Before putting on nitrile gloves: – Cuts, abrasions, lesions or dermatitis must be covered by a waterproof dressing for extra protection Operational Practices Donning and Doffing of gloves Operational Practices Donning and Doffing of gloves  Operational Practices – eyewash station & safety showers – Each lab is equipped with and eyewash station and safety shower*. https://www.fishersci.ca/shop/products/haws-combinatio – * or within close proximity of a safety shower n-safety-shower-eye-face-wash-2/p-7138098 – Some labs have the eyewash station affixed to the safety – Other labs are equipped with a rotating eyewash station (example to the right) – It functions as a normal tap, until you rotate the end piece. Practice using this when in the lab. – If an eyewash station or safety shower is required, NOTIFY YOUR LAB INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY https://www.fishersci.ca/shop/products/haws-model-762 0-axion-eyepod-faucet-mounted-eyewashra/19033732  Spills in Laboratories Labs are equipped with spill kits - One for biologicals - One for chemicals (acids/base) Instructions for these are found within the kits, and lab staff understand the required steps. Notify your instructor and those in your immediate vicinity immediately of a spill. NOTE: Spills of non-hazardous substances do not need to be reported as an incident (ie. Salt water, salt solutions etc…) NOTE: Spills of a hazardous substance (biological or chemical) that are >50mls need to be reported as an incident.  Accidents / Occurrence Reporting Injuries, which occur in the laboratory must be immediately treated. – Please contact Security Services (5555 from an internal phone) or 780-479-8481 immediately – For serious accidents or injury phone 911 Injuries requiring first aid may be treated using the eyewash station, safety shower or first aid kit provided in the lab. Emergency transport (ambulance) shall be contacted to respond to injuries requiring more extensive treatment. All injuries shall be investigated by the employee's immediate supervisor (or designate) and reported to the Biosafety officer. Lab incidents (without injury) should also be reported and reviewed with the Biosafety officer. Occurrence Reporting at CUE is currently done through Health and Safety – As a member of the CUE Community, if you are involved in a health and safety incident, accident or injury on campus, or during the course of your duties off campus, you must complete the Occurrence Report. – The Occurrence Report can be accessed here or at https://bit.ly/CUE-Occur. You will need your CUE faculty, staff or student credentials to log-in to access the Occurrence Report. – Please forward the completed Occurrence Report to your Supervisor for review and signature. Your Supervisor will review, sign and forward the Report to [email protected]. – As a Worker, you may also need to also complete a WCB Worker Report of Injury or Occupational Disease. This can be done on the Alberta WCB website at https://www.wcb.ab.ca/claims/report-an-injury/for-workers.html.  Literature cited Ansell - https://www.ansell.com/-/media/f30e6572b71646d3b3a889d4777ea017.ashx CCOHS - https://www.ccohs.ca/products/posters/handwashing.html CCOHS- https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/whmis_ghs/pictograms.html Eyewash station- https://www.fishersci.ca/shop/products/haws-model-7620-axion-eyepod-faucet-mounted-eyewashra/19033732 Safety Shower - https://www.fishersci.ca/shop/products/haws-combination-safety-shower-eye-face-wash-2/p-7138098 PPE- https://health.ucdavis.edu/medresearch/safety/Documents/4-3-poster-for-ppe-and-lab-attire.pdf Public Health Agency of Canada. 2022. Canadian biosafety standard for facilities handling or storing human and terrestrial animal pathogens and toxins. 3rd ed. Ottawa (ON): Public Health Agency of Canada. Publication No.: 220463; [updated 2022 Nov 24]. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/migration/cbsg-nldcb/cbs-ncb/assets/pdf/canadian-biosafety-standard-third-e dition.pdf. University of Nebraska Lincoln EH&S - https://ehs.unl.edu/safety-posters/laboratory-safety-poster Any additional images take by Devin Hughes.