LABORATORY SAFETY MANUAL

Site Map of Manual

Lab Safety Manual
1st Page

Chapter 1
Emergency Response

Chapter 2
General Safety

Chapter 3
Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chapter 4
Radiological Safety

Chapter 5
Biological Hygiene Plan

Chapter 6
Laser Safety

Chapter 7
Administrative Concerns

Chapter 8
Standard & Special Operating Procedures

Chapter 9
Facility Data

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Appendicies

Bibliography

Glossary

Index

On-Campus Contact Information

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1st Rule of Lab Safety

Haz-Waste No-No

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Updated December 1999

General Safety
Section 2.3 - Personal Protective Equipment

OSHA's new final standard on personal protective equipment, 29CFR 1910 132, Subpart I (here-after referred to as the standard), imposes several new and important requirements relating to basic safety and health programs. The standard adds new general requirements for the selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Included in these requirements are the following:

• Employers must conduct a hazard assessment to determine if hazards present necessitate the use of PPE.
• Employers must certify in writing that the hazard assessment was conducted.
• PPE selection must be made on the basis of hazard assessment and affected workers properly trained.
• Defective or damaged PPE must not be used.
• Established training requirements for employees using PPE must be established. This should include requirements for employees to demonstrate an understanding of the training.

• Employer must certify in writing that training programs were provided and understood.

At Oklahoma State University, the office of Environmental Health and Safety may be contacted to assist departments with their hazard assessment and the required PPE training.

A variety of laboratory personal protective equipment is commercially available and commonly used in laboratories. However, for the equipment to perform the desired function, it must be used and managed properly. Laboratory supervisors and/or departmental chemical hygiene officers shall determine a need for such equipment, monitor its effectiveness, train the employees, and monitor and enforce the proper use of such equipment.

A. Eye Protection

Eye protection is mandatory in all areas where there is potential for injury. This applies not only to persons who work continuously in these areas, but also to persons who may be in the area only temporarily, such as maintenance or clerical personnel. All eye protective equipment shall comply with the requirements set forth in the American National Standard for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection, Z 87.1-1968, and the Oklahoma Eyeglass Protection Law of 1961.

1. The type of eye protection required depends on the hazard. For most situations, safety glasses with side shields are adequate. Where there is a danger of splashing chemicals, goggles are required. More hazardous operations include conducting reactions which have potential for explosion and using or mixing strong caustics or acids. In these situations, a face shield or a combination of face shield and safety goggles or glasses should be used.

2. Plastic safety glasses should be issued to employees who do not require corrective lenses.

3. For persons requiring corrective lenses, safety glasses ground to their prescription are available in a safety frame. Contact Environmental Health Services for additional information about availability. Please note that the wearing of safety glasses does not excuse the employee from the requirement of wearing safety goggles.

4. It is recommended that contact lenses not be permitted in the laboratory. The reasons for this prohibition are:

   • If a corrosive liquid should splash in the eye, the natural reflex to clamp the eyelids shut makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to remove the contact lens before damage is done.
   • The plastic used in contact lenses is permeable to some of the vapors found in the laboratory. These vapors can be trapped behind the lenses and can cause extensive irritation.

   • The lenses can prevent tears from removing the irritant. If Departmental Chemical Hygiene Officer chooses to allow contact lenses to be worn, they shall be protected by goggles designed specifically for use with contact lenses. (The protective goggles for use with contact lenses fit loosely around the eyes and have no vents for access by vapors.) If chemical vapors contact the eyes while wearing contact lenses, these steps should be followed:

     • Immediately remove the lenses.
     • Continuously flush the eyes, for at least 15 to 30 minutes.

     • Seek medical attention.

5. Although safety glasses are adequate protection for the majority of laboratory operations, they are not sufficient for certain specific operations where there is danger from splashes of corrosive liquids or flying particles. Examples are: washing glassware in chromic acid solution, grinding materials, or laboratory operations using glassware where there is significant hazard of explosion or breakage (i.e., in reduced or excess pressure or temperature). In such cases, goggles or face shields shall be worn if there is need for protection of the entire face and throat.

6. If, despite all precautions, an employee should experience a splash of corrosive liquid in the eye, the employee is to proceed (with the assistance of a co-worker, if possible) to the nearest eyewash fountain and flush the eyes with water for at least 15 to 30 minutes. Flush from the eye outward. During this time, a co-worker should notify the proper authorities.

7. Visitors shall follow the same eye protection policy as employees. If they do not provide their own eye protection, it is the laboratory's responsibility to provide adequate protection. It should be the responsibility of the employee conducting the tour to enforce this policy. After use safety glasses/goggles used by visitors should be cleaned prior to reuse.