Lab/Equipment Safety
Laboratory personnel should conduct their work under conditions that minimize risk from both known and unknown hazardous substances. The types of measures that may be used to protect personnel are engineering controls, administrative controls, work practices, and personal protective equipment.
Laboratories and studios must be equipped with safety equipment appropriate for the work being conducted in the space. Common types of laboratory equipment and procedures are highlighted below.
Chemical Fume Hoods
In the laboratory, the chemical fume hood is the primary means of controlling inhalation
exposures. Fume hoods are designed to retain vapors and gases released within them,
protecting an individual's breathing zone from the contaminant. This protection is
accomplished by having a curtain of air move constantly through the face of the hood.
Chemical fume hoods can also be used to isolate apparatus or chemicals that may present
physical hazards to individuals.
Fume hoods are considered engineered protection devices and must be maintained in good working order. They are intended to be used for the safe manipulation of chemicals and are not to be considered as chemical storage areas. Fume hood inspection and maintenance requirements include:
- Ensure an annual inspection is conducted to ensure it is working properly. The inspection date should be marked on the face of the fume hood.
- Ensure annual face velocity testing is conducted to check for adequate airflow.
- The operating sash height should not exceed 18 inches and should be marked.
- Fume hoods hoods shall be re-certified following any maintenance activity on the unit.
To ensure that fume hoods are operating in accordance with federal, state, and local standards, an off-site contractor conducts annual inspections for TCU.
Emergency Eyewash
Laboratories using corrosive materials must have an emergency eyewash unit in the
immediate work area where there is risk of exposure. Immediate work area means access
is located less than 10 seconds away and does not require travel through a doorway,
navigation of stairs, or any other obstruction. This eyewash must be capable of 15
minute of flush capacity and it should meet the requirements of ANSI Standard Z358.1-2014.
Handheld eyewash bottles (e.g., squeeze bottles) are not OSHA-compliant, nor are they
compliant with ANSI standards; they may only be used as supplemental units. ANSI Eyewash Fact Sheet
In accordance with the TCU Integrated Laboratory Management Plan, eyewashes should be checked and tested weekly by laboratory personnel and monthly inspections of eyewashes should be documented to ensure continued compliance. If an emergency eyewash is malfunctioning, promptly notify TCU Facilities for immediate remediation. Additional installation, maintenance, and training requirements are outlined in the TCU Integrated Laboratory Management Plan.
Emergency Safety Shower
Safety showers are designed to drench the body with a large volume of water to wash
away hazardous substances. There are two types of emergency showers:
- Plumbed shower: an emergency shower permanently connected to a continual source of potable water
- Self-contained shower: a stand-alone shower that contains its own flushing fluid
Emergency safety showers must be located in easily accessible areas, reachable within 10 seconds and the path of travel shall be free of obstructions that could interfere with its immediate use. ANSI Standard Z358.1-2014 requires an emergency safety shower to have an uninterrupted flow equal to 20 gallons per minute for a minimum of 15 minutes of tepid (60 to 100° F) water. The center of the spray pattern must be located at least 16 inches from any obstruction. Emergency safety showers should be tested weekly by laboratory personnel to verify proper operation. If an emergency safety shower is malfunctioning, promptly notify TCU Facilities for immediate remediation. Additional installation, maintenance, and training requirements are outlined in the TCU Integrated Laboratory Management Plan.
Biosafety Cabinets (link to Biosafety cabinet page)
Glove Boxes
A glove box is a sealed enclosure used to manipulate materials where a separate atmosphere
is desired. They are commonly used to protect individuals from hazardous materials
or to protect hazardous chemicals and materials that may be sensitive to air, moisture,
or vapor.
Glove boxes allow users to perform operations in an atmosphere different from the ambient. Built into the sides of the glovebox are gloves arranged in such a way that the individual can place their hands into the gloves and perform tasks inside the box without breaking containment.
Glove boxes may be used under negative pressure or positive pressure. Regular maintenance and daily inspections by the Principal Investigator (PI) are essential to ensure the glove box is adequately protecting the user, the environment, and the integrity of the experiment. All individuals working in the glove box must be trained as well. Additional considerations are outlined in the TCU Integrated Lab Management Plan.
Chemical Spill Kits
Each laboratory has a unique composition of hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals
in various states. As a result, spill kit requirements vary based on the specific
needs of each laboratory. While general guidelines exist for stocking a spill kit
appropriately, the exact contents should be determined by reviewing the Safety Data
Sheets (SDS) for each chemical and assessing the quantities present in the laboratory.
Chemical spill kits are required in any laboratory which uses chemicals. It is the responsibility of the faculty/lab instructor/Principal Investigator to ensure the spill kit within their laboratory contains the appropriate items. At a minimum, a basic chemical spill kit should contain the following:
- Polypropylene or high-density polythylene bucket with top (5 gallon or larger)
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) - safety eyewear and chemical-resistant gloves
- Clean-up tools - dustpan, scoop, and brush
- Inert absorbents - vermiculite, sand, clay, etc.
- Neutralizing and treatment materials
- Chemical resistant bags
All employees working in laboratories and studios shall be familiar with and ensure implementation of the chemical spill procedures mandated in the Integrated Laboratory Management Plan.
Laboratory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The primary strategies for preventing and protecting students and employees in a laboratory
from chemical, biological, radiological, physical, and mechanical hazards include
elimination, engineering, and administrative controls. Personal protective equipment
(PPE) serves as an additional safeguard, varying in type based on an individual's
specific role within a laboratory.
Minimum PPE requirements for all individuals in research and teaching laboratories include:
- Long pants/full-length pants
- Closed toe footwear; and
- A lab coat or long sleeves covering both arms
Additional personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, face protection, eye protection), shall be provided as necessary , based on completion of a hazard assessment, to ensure suitability for the specific laboratory work being conducted. The Principal Investigator (PI) or lab supervisor, in collaboration with the Hazardous Material Safety Manager, shall be responsible for conducting a PPE Hazard Assessment, determining and selecting the appropriate PPE, ensuring proper safety training, and enforcing minimum PPE requirements and standards. A completed copy of the Assessment shall be submitted to the department chair and the Hazardous Material Safety Manager.
*For policies, procedures, and guidelines associated with the use of hazardous chemicals and materials in the workplace, refer to the Hazard Communication (HazCom) Program.
Resources & Forms
OSHA Laboratory Safety Chemical Fume Hoods Fact Sheet
TCU Integrated Laboratory Management Plan (link to doc)
PPE Hazard Assessment Template
Eyewash Testing Log
Training
Assignment of the courses listed below is overseen by the Hazardous Material Safety
Manager. For further training information contact safety@tcu.edu or call 817-257-5395.
Laboratory Safety in Research and Education - UNV-8.2
This course teaches individuals how to identify common physical and chemical laboratory
hazards and related safe work practices are required by OSHA. The course also addresses
the use of personal protective equipment and standard emergency response procedures
for laboratory work. The course assists in meeting safety standards required by OSHA.
Laboratory Safety - Biological Safety Hazards - UNV-4.2
During this course, individuals will be introduced to the basics of laboratory biosafety
and Laboratory Biosafety Levels (BLSs). This course also addresses common biological
hazards, personal protective equipment, housekeeping and decontamination, and common
first aid practices. The course was created in accordance with guidelines from the
Center for Disease Control (CDC) and applicable OSHA standards.
Biosafety Level 2
This course addresses the general protections and requirements for BSL-2 environments.