If you plan to close a room that is posted for the use of radioactive materials, there are a few steps that need to take place to ensure safety.
Notify Radiation Safety - C ontact your EHS representative at least 30 days in advance of the intended close-out. RAM Inventory and Waste - Arrange to have all RAM waste picked up and inventory removed from that space before completing any of the lab’s final surveys. Schedule waste pick-ups through EHS Assist. Survey Meters - Advise which survey instruments will be removed from the university inventory and...
Hot humid weather can cause additional stress to employees while working, and using personal protective equipment in these conditions can exasperate that stress. It is important that you learn to recognize the signs of heat stress and recognize when you are overheated and in need of medical attention.
While working in hot weather conditions, the body may not be able to maintain a normal temperature simply by sweating. If this happens, heat-related illnesses may occur. The most common health problems caused by hot work environments include:
Heat stroke – This is the most serious heat-related effect. Heat...
During the COVID-19 quarantine, EHS will be conducting limited-scope remote research safety inspections. The process involves an audit of the lab’s compliance paperwork consistent with the current laboratory safety checklist . EHS personnel will be reviewing the following compliance-related documents:
Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Chemical Inventory Online Training Records and Protocol review (if BSL2 work is conducted)
EHS also may reach out to customers via email for additional information or clarification before finalizing the audit. Audit deficiencies requiring corrective action must be made in the EHSA system .
Ergonomics is the science of fitting the job to the worker. Environmental Health and Safety has implemented an ergonomics program to focus on the prevention and management of musculoskeletal disorders associated with repetitive job duties. In this edition of the Environmental Health and Safety brief, learn tips to make your workstation more ergonomic-friendly.
Ergonomics at a Distance
Are you working full time at home these days? The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has challenged employers to equip workers with the tools they need to do their jobs safely at home, which includes making your workspace ergonomic friendly....
Biohazardous waste must be covered, closed, or sealed when stored (BMBL 5th addition, 29 CFR 1910.1030). If your laboratory’s biohazardous waste is being stored in EHS-provided biohazardous waste boxes, ensure they are closed when waste is not actively being added. Order Stericyle Flip Top Safety Lid for 18x18 box, product #2463BL.
As an alternative, purchase biohazardous waste containers with lids. Biohazardous waste sealed in the liner can be transferred before pick-up to the EHS-provided boxes. This requirement has been added to the inspection checklist.
What is your official job title at EHS and a general description of your job duties?
Safety Engineer. For the past several years, I have been involved with air compliance permit issues related to the university’s Title V Air Permit, including data collection and submittals to the Ohio EPA and US EPA. A second aspect of my job involves reviewing construction and renovation plans regarding how the construction will impact environmental, safety, and health issues. I either comment on the plans as necessary and/or identify a more appropriate EHS colleague to review and comment. My job role is...
When it comes to respiratory protection, one of the most important aspects to protect Ohio State personnel from inhalation hazards is ensuring that a respirator fits properly. Wearing a respirator with an inadequate seal around a user’s face could lead to harmful exposures from contaminants, such as dust, chemical vapors, gases, mold, or infectious materials.
To prevent these exposures and comply with applicable regulations, a respirator fit test conducted by EHS can determine what type of respirator can provide the highest degree of protection. During a respirator fit test, EHS...
As part of routine maintenance activities, many employees of Ohio State are required to enter potentially hazardous small or enclosed (confined) spaces. For a space to be classified as a confined space, the space must meet all three of the following criteria:
Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work. Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit. Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.
Typical confined spaces include but are not limited to air handling units, elevator pits, tanks, sewers, boilers, and utility vaults. These confined spaces may have...
Environmental Health and Safety hazardous waste staff will now pick up your radioactive waste. The change was piloted in autumn 2019 and resulted in reduced pick-up wait times.
What's the Same What's Different
Package and label waste in the same manner.
Continue to direct questions about any pre-disposal or post-disposal evaluation to your EHS safety representative .
For material ordered on a radiation permit, make waste disposal requests through EHS Assist . Make pick-up requests of naturally occurring uranium and thorium through the EHS website .
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 July - December 2019 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...
