A chemical fume hood is type of local ventilation device designed to limit exposure to hazardous or toxic fumes, vapors, or dusts. There are different types of chemical fume hoods with certain rules that should be followed.
SASH HEIGHT
Keep the sash opened no further than 16-17 inches above the air foil. Typically, there is an arrow indicating where the sash should be opened to when working in the fume hood.
PROPER USAGE
Never store equipment or materials permanently in a hood. Do not place items that block the baffles....
The University Staff Advisory Committee ( USAC ) is proud to recognize Ohio State staff who exemplify what it means to be a Buckeye and is excited to announce that EHS's Ross McClain is a July 2021 Staff Spotlight honoree. Thank you for all that you do to make a positive impact at Ohio State.
What is your official job title at EHS and a general description of your job duties?
I am a Health Physicist Technician working as a Regulatory Compliance Officer in EHS’s Radiation Safety group, to promote the safe use of ionizing radiation and appropriate handling of radioactive materials per state and federal guidelines and regulations. Some of my roles include procuring and shipping radioactive materials, preparing radiotherapy rooms, surveys and decontamination, portal monitor checks, radioactive source checks, and transvac system monitoring in various Ohio State facilities. I also coordinate with other departments, such as Nuclear Medicine/Pharmacy, Brachytherapy, Pathology, and...
Each year, EHS conducts a laboratory safety site visit of all campus research laboratories using hazardous chemicals and biological materials. The site visit focuses on appropriate facilities, protocols that minimize risks, and properly trained competent personnel. Achieving compliance is not a matter of chance but a matter of choice!
EHS would like to congratulate the following Principal Investigators and their laboratory staff for making the January - June 2021 Laboratory Safety Dean’s List, with no items of concern noted during the initial annual site visit. Thank you for your continued commitment to making Ohio State a safe...
Approximately 8 percent of industrial incidents result from the improper use of hand tools. Always follow safety precautions, know the common risk factors, and operate all tools properly to avoid injuries ranging from simple cuts, contusions, and abrasions to amputations, fractures, and punctures.
Hand Tools
Carry all sharp tools in sheath or holsters. Tag worn, damaged, or defective tools as "out of service" and do not use them. Do not use a tool if the handle surface has splinters, burs, cracks, or splits. When handing a tool to another person, direct sharp points and cutting...
In autumn 2020, Environmental Health and Safety launched the Good Catch Program to help prevent injuries or property damage and improve the safety culture in the university. The program provides a new avenue for anyone in the university community to report unsafe acts, conditions, or equipment.
EHS has been pleased to see how the Good Catch Program has continued to gain traction since it was first launched, receiving 42 Good Catch reports as of July 2021, 86% of which have been closed. A Good Catch report is considered closed when EHS intervention between effective parties has implemented proper safety...
Most authorized users, permit holders, and radiation workers eventually will be involved in an inspection by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), the next routine inspection expected sometime during the third or fourth quarter, 2021. To try to determine the status of regulatory compliance, inspectors review records and observe and communicate with laboratory personnel. Environmental Health and Safety provides training and guidance to build consistency and confidence in radioactive material (RAM) users, including performing audits and surveys to ensure laboratories are using RAM safely while indirectly helping to prepare workers for ODH inspections.
The University Laboratory Safety Committee (ULSC) at The Ohio State University recognizes recipients of the fourth annual “Excellence in Safety” Award. The award recognizes three categories of those who have made a considerable contribution to improving laboratory safety on the Ohio State campus: a university faculty or staff member (Staff Award), an undergraduate or graduate student (Student Award) and a laboratory research group (Group Award). Such contributions can be defined as but are not limited to actions taken to prevent injury or illness, outstanding response and cooperation given to resolve unsafe conditions, consistent improvement during laboratory inspections, or any other...
Poison hemlock has more severe toxic properties than poison ivy and is quickly growing throughout the area.
Indentification Tips The flowers are tiny, white and arranged in small, umbrella-shaped clusters. Flowers appear in the second year. The plants have a musty odor. The stems have a reddish-purple spots, blotches, or streaks. They are not hairy and are hollow. First-year plants are low-growing and resemble carrot plants. It can be distinguished by the lack of hairs on the stems.
Safety Tips
Touching the plant is similar to touching poison ivy. It can cause painful blisters, and eating any...
Machine guards are important because they protect operators and other individuals in the work area from hazards associated during the machine’s normal operation.
Machine guards can protect from the following hazards:
Pinch points Rotating parts Flying debris/sparks Reciprocating parts Live electricity Punching/Shearing/Bending parts
All guards and safety devices must be in place prior to operating a machine. It is not meant to hinder any type of activity involving the machine. Notify your supervisor immediately upon detecting missing or inadequate guards.
