Contact lenses may be worn under safety glasses, goggles or other eye and face protection. Experts currently believe the benefits of consistent use of eye protection outweigh potential risks of contact lenses interfering with eye flushing in case of emergency. C. Respiratory Protection Respiratory protection is generally not necessary in the laboratory setting and must not be used as a substitute for adequate engineering controls. Circumstances which may require the use of a respirator include the following: Working with chemicals that are highly toxic and highly volatile or gaseous Experimental protocols that require exposure above the action level (or PEL) that cannot be reduced by engineering or administrative controls A rare experimental situation that potentially involves Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) concentrations of chemicals Prior to use of respiratory protection, researchers must contact DEHS to conduct a hazard assessment, and enroll in the University of Minnesota through the Office of Occupational Health and Safety. 3.3 Hygiene Practices Eating, drinking and chewing gum are all strictly prohibited in any laboratory with chemical, biological or radioactive materials. Researchers must also be careful to restrict actions (such as applying lip balm, rubbing eyes or using iPods or cell phones) which could inadvertently cause exposure to research materials. Consuming alcohol or taking illegal drugs in a research laboratory are strictly prohibited, as such actions potentially endanger the health and safety of not only the user, but everyone in the building. Infractions will be met with serious disciplinary action. 3.4 Administrative Controls Supervisors shall consider the hazards involved in their research, and in written research protocols, detail areas, activities, and tasks that require specific types of PPE as described above. Researchers are strongly encouraged to prioritize research so that work with hazardous chemical, biological or physical agents occurs only during working hours (8 am 5 pm, Monday through – Friday). After-hours work (on nights and weekends) should be restricted to nonhazardous activities such as data analysis and report writing. If hazardous materials must be used at nights or on weekends, ensure that at least one other person is within sight and ear-shot to provide help
Contact lenses may be worn under safety glasses, goggles or other eye and face protection. Experts currently believe the benefits of consistent use of eye protection outweigh potential risks of contact lenses interfering with eye flushing in case of emergency. C. Respiratory Protection Respiratory protection is generally not necessary in the laboratory setting and must not be used as a substitute for adequate engineering controls. Circumstances which may require the use of a respirator include the following: Working with chemicals that are highly toxic and highly volatile or gaseous Experimental protocols that require exposure above the action level (or PEL) that cannot be reduced by engineering or administrative controls A rare experimental situation that potentially involves Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) concentrations of chemicals Prior to use of respiratory protection, researchers must contact DEHS to conduct a hazard assessment, and enroll in the University of Minnesota through the Office of Occupational Health and Safety. 3.3 Hygiene Practices Eating, drinking and chewing gum are all strictly prohibited in any laboratory with chemical, biological or radioactive materials. Researchers must also be careful to restrict actions (such as applying lip balm, rubbing eyes or using iPods or cell phones) which could inadvertently cause exposure to research materials. Consuming alcohol or taking illegal drugs in a research laboratory are strictly prohibited, as such actions potentially endanger the health and safety of not only the user, but everyone in the building. Infractions will be met with serious disciplinary action. 3.4 Administrative Controls Supervisors shall consider the hazards involved in their research, and in written research protocols, detail areas, activities, and tasks that require specific types of PPE as described above. Researchers are strongly encouraged to prioritize research so that work with hazardous chemical, biological or physical agents occurs only during working hours (8 am – 5 pm, Monday through Friday). After-hours work (on nights and weekends) should be restricted to nonhazardous activities such as data analysis and report writing. If hazardous materials must be used at nights or on weekends, ensure that at least one other person is within sight and ear-shot to provide help
Department%20Safety%20Plan.docx