231
INSIGHTS INTO APPLYING THE INTERNATIONAL CODES TO UNIVERSITY LABORATORY DESIGN.
G. Shaver, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; K. Kretchman, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
The 2000 International Building, Mechanical, and Fire Codes are being adopted across the country, consolidating and replacing several established codes. Since the codes are designed to be broadly applied across the full spectrum of structures and their wide range of uses, the code is subject to local interpretation on a project by project basis.
Over the past five years, the North Carolina University system has embarked on the largest new construction and renovation initiative since its inception. Each campus has been wrestling with these code changes for the past two years since they were adopted by the North Carolina Building Code Council. The greatest challenges with code application for the health and safety professionals have dealt with the chemical control areas, risk management, and section 510 of the mechanical code as it relates to laboratory chemical hood exhaust systems.
Different design and procedural approaches have been used to address the new code. In some cases where the code may conflict with good health and safety design practices, alternative methods and materials have been adopted. In other cases, the drawings and specifications have been modified to fit the new requirements. The new codes are particularly problematic when renovating older laboratory buildings. All of these efforts have lengthened the design process and increased costs both for the design and construction.
Short-term and long-term steps are being taken to address the chemical and risk management challenges. For the mechanical code issues, some projects continue to be designed under the new code. However, the recent initiatives to change section 510 of the code will be discussed including the successes at the national level.
232
ENHANCING SAFETY OF RESEARCH LABORATORIES IN A PHARMACEUTICAL FACILITY THROUGH
THE APPLICATION OF A CHEMICAL HAZARD EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT TOOL.
P. Harnett, M. Greenhalgh, COEH Inc., Ringoes, NJ.
A systematic process to determine tasks involving use of hazardous chemicals and to assess the potential for chemical exposure was employed for research laboratories at a pharmaceutical facility. (Although exposure assessments in the production portion of the facility were conducted, the primary focus of this presentation is the exposure assessment portion conducted for the laboratories.) Department representatives (directors, managers, or supervisors) from 22 departments assisted in initial identification of five tasks in their respective departments that potentially posed the greatest chemical exposure concern. Specific information on each identified task was solicited from each department via a detailed worksheet. The worksheet requested information about the identified tasks, including chemical name, physical state, quantity of chemical handled, frequency and duration of task, personal protective equipment, and engineering controls in place. A detailed guidance document providing direction on filling out the worksheet for each task was also provided. When possible, the guidance document provided summary categories or parameters. The use of summary descriptors facilitated compilation of results. After reviewing completed worksheets, follow-up questions were developed as needed to clarify information received or request further information. Each task was analyzed by evaluating information on the toxicity of the chemical, amount used, engineering controls, etc., and applying professional judgment to assign a preliminary hazard category (low, medium, high). Tasks initially assigned to a medium or higher exposure category were further evaluated. In some cases, we were able to observe the task or a mock-up of the task. Corrective actions were recommended, e.g., changes in engineering controls, personal protective equipment, etc. In some cases, air sampling or wipe tests were recommended to determine baseline and post-remediation concentrations. The strengths and weaknesses of the exposure assessment tool will be discussed in some detail.
233
PREPARING FOR CAL/OSHA INSPECTIONS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN CALIFORNIA.
S. Rosenberg, Executive Environmental Services Corporation, Palm Desert, CA.
Twenty-five percent of all inspections listed in the OSHA IMIS for the last five years at colleges, universities, and schools occurred in California. Less than 15% of these inspections took place at schools in the K through 12 level. Three fourths of the college-level inspections were a result of employee complaints. Fines ranged from $150 to $40,000.
Violations fell into six general categories:
Problems identified from three CAL/OSHA inspections conducted by the presenter at community colleges revealed similar areas of concern for improvement:
Innovative Ideas to Address the Problem:
234
LABORATORY INTEGRATED SAFETY AUDITS USING ELECTRONIC DATA COLLECTION AND
AUTOMATIC REPORT GENERATION.
R. Vernon, University of California–Riverside, Riverside, CA.
The challenge is how to provide efficient, integrated, consistent laboratory safety inspections in an academic setting. Laboratory inspections based upon checklists can provide consistent interpretations of conditions but often require extensive time in writing the reports. We have applied the approach of electronically connecting the recommended or required action directly to the selection of observations in a “physical conditions” type of laboratory audit covering a plethora of topics. With in-house software development, the integrated laboratory safety audit program at UCR uses tablet PCs for gathering and uploading inspection data. Reports are automatically generated and e-mailed to the responsible parties. The challenge, approach, process, and results will be presented.
235
TASK-SPECIFIC VENTILATED SAFETY ENCLOSURES FOR PHARMACEUTICAL LABORATORIES
HANDLING POTENT MATERIALS.
D. Walters, KCP Inc., Raleigh, NC; R. Ryan, Flow Sciences Inc., Wilmington, NC.
Today’s potent material handling laboratories have changed significantly. Synthesis-based R&D has moved into the new millennium and been supplemented with advanced analysis/discovery processes utilizing sophisticated computer and high throughput robotic technology. The laboratory use of novel compounds of unknown potency (e.g., drugs) and potent powders is rapidly expanding, thus requiring flexible task-specific containment solutions to minimize environmental impacts, protect operator safety, and optimize overall process efficiency. While many laboratory operations can only be safely performed in large traditional chemical hoods, certain limitations arise, namely, containment is not always effective, introduction of potent powders into the house exhaust system, large space is required, hood design is not task specific, relocation is difficult if not impossible, purchase, installation, and operation is expensive. Hence, in many practical cases it is imperative to provide process-specific containment solutions optimized for safe, adaptable, and energy efficient operation in a fast changing lab environment. This presentation describes a project performed for a pharmaceutical laboratory to develop several custom designed vented enclosures.
The project encompassed three distinct phases all critical for the project’s successful completion.
236
INTEGRATING PERFORMANCE-BASED EXPOSURE CONTROL CRITERIA INTO LABORATORY PLANNING
AND DESIGN.
J. Phillips, Phillips Collaborative, Washington Crossing, PA.
The principle characteristic that differentiates laboratories from every other building type is that it is designed to mitigate the risk of intentionally working with hazardous materials and processes. The safest laboratory facilities integrate hazard management control methods into building design.
Currently, there are trends in design emerging as norms, regardless of their capacity to manage laboratory risks appropriately. One example is the open plan laboratory. The greatest problems in leading a lab design with a concept or trend occur where detailed exposure limits for hazards are not known or anticipated. The potential exists for contradictions that increase the risk to laboratory workers, but more likely the result is an unnecessary reliance on protocols or equipment to create a safe work environment. This leads to reduced efficiency and productivity. This in turn promotes the human tendency to take short cuts and higher risks than necessary.
Performance-based exposure control (PBEC) methods are highly useful where exact toxicological knowledge of chemical hazards is unknown or limited. The approach looks at chemical hazards in classes, grouped by characteristics common to similar entities. Appropriate risk management measures are developed for each class and applied to protocols, equipment, and facilities. The approach is analogous to biological safety levels.
This study looks at how to integrate PBEC methods with good laboratory design. Examples of current trends with specific case studies are compared with PBEC criteria commonly used in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Recommendations for integrating PBEC criteria with laboratory design are presented. Most importantly, techniques and lessons learned are presented that are useful for influencing the design process. Methods are articulated that enable the industrial hygiene professional to have the greatest positive influence, regardless of the timing of their entry to the process.
237
SETTING INJURY RATE REDUCTION GOALS FROM A HEADQUARTERS’ POV FOR A LARGE R&D
ORGANIZATION.
J. Larson, U.S. DOE, Washington, DC.
The Department of Energy’s Office of Science conducted a program to improve safety at its 10 national laboratories, which employ more than 23,000 personnel. In so doing, the Office of Science established injury rate reduction goals for the laboratories, with the intent of reaching a final corporate goal indicating that the laboratory system is among the “Best in Class.” The goals were set to be achieved over a five-year period and were based on quartile and decile injury rate data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Office of Science primarily uses recordable case rate and days away, restricted, and transferred rate data for research and development facilities with 1000 or more employees. The BLS quartile data could be used by other research and development institutions, and BLS quartile data for universities will also be shown. This presentation will reflect the policy setting point-of-view of a federal headquarters organization that manages 10 world-class laboratories in eight different states and will discuss the specific injury rate reduction goals, the basis for the goals, and how the goals were developed and internally accepted. The presentation also will focus on how injury rate data is presented to senior management, and the actions the Office of Science takes to implement those goals.
238
REDUCING EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE IN A MEDICAL SCHOOL GROSS ANATOMY LABORATORY.
R. Liguori, D. Hurley, WFUHS, Winston-Salem, NC.
Annually, approximately 16,000 first year medical students are exposed to formaldehyde during the study of gross anatomy. Embalming fluids are used in gross anatomy laboratories to preserve the cadavers and inhibit microbial growth.
The preparation used in the gross anatomy laboratory that is the subject of this study contains approximately 3% of a 37% formaldehyde solution. Other components of the embalming fluid include phenol. Formaldehyde is regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as an irritant and potential cancer hazard. OSHA has established a permissible exposure limit of 0.75 ppm (TWA), and an action limit of 0.5 ppm. The purpose of this study is to discuss the pitfalls of various approaches to reducing formaldehyde exposure in a gross anatomy laboratory and eventual success in permanently reducing exposure to formaldehyde.
Over a period of years, various sampling methods were used to assess exposure. While both area and personal samples were collected, each method yielded different answers with regards to control strategies. In some cases, short-term exposure limits were determined using an infrared ambient air analyzer. The challenge throughout this sampling program was to sample on days when the exposure would be at its worst. Active and/or passive samples were taken from randomly selected students in order to provide representative data from throughout the laboratory.
During the years of study, sampling results were used to justify or verify various control strategies. Several rounds of personal samples showed excessive exposures. Additional controls were implemented, including changing the composition of the embalming fluid, and implementation of work practice controls. When changes failed to reduce formaldehyde exposure to below the OSHA action limit, a plan to install downdraft tables was initiated. After installation of the downdraft tables, personal sampling results were below the OSHA PEL.
239
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROTOCOL FOR HYDROGEN FLUORIDE USERS AND FIRST AID
RESPONDERS.
N. Wilk, L. Morine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
The determination of a positive outcome in response to accidents with chemicals is often dependent on quick and effective emergency response. A lack of knowledge of some chemicals or a lack of understanding of the associated toxicology can lead to treatment delay which may result in catastrophic outcome for the injured person. The acid hydrogen fluoride (HF) is often used in laboratories as a chemical derivative as well as is commonly found in industrial processes such as metal pickling and the etching of glass and semiconductors. HF, and fluorides that form HF, may produce severe ocular and dermal injury as well as acute life threatening systemic toxicity with minimal external tissue damage. Both liquid and vapor can cause severe burns, which may not be immediately painful or visible. Both anhydrous and aqueous HF solutions are highly corrosive to living tissues and HF will penetrate the skin and attack underlying tissues. Workplaces where HF and HF-producing fluorides are used require an HF emergency response protocol incorporating specialized first aid and medical treatment of all exposures. An HF emergency response protocol should include the following elements: emergency first aid measures to be administered at the workplace location; a well-stocked and maintained HF first aid kit; training requirements and program for HF users, managers, as well as emergency responders; a communication strategy for the sharing of information with the local emergency medicine departments; and information packets for transport along with injured persons, and presentation to, emergency medicine services. All HF events should be thoroughly investigated and analyzed in a view to future prevention and implementation of best practices.
Posted May 30, 2005