August/September 1995

Biohazardous Waste Containers

Throughout the Biomedical Research Building and the Medical School are
red biohazardous disposal cans, into which researchers can put previously
bagged biohazardous waste.  Please be careful not to overfill these cans.

The weight limit of these 32-gallon vessels has been determined to be 50 lbs. 
Overfilling these containers beyond that weight can be hazardous for many
reasons:  housekeeping personnel cannot effectively transfer these containers
if they are filled beyond capacity, increasing the chances for spillage and
occupational injuries.  If housekeeping cannot move the container safely,
they will leave it--they are protected by OSHA standards against moving
containers that are not of a reasonable weight.  Having full containers sitting
around can lead to further hazards for everyone in the building.

If the biohazardous container nearest you is full, please make the effort to
locate another and place your trash in it.  As a reminder, all trash placed in
these containers must be previously placed in red biohazardous waste bags.  If
you have further questions or comments, contact Dick Dell in Safety Services
(x2907).

Leaving CWRU:  Decommissioning Labs

Last month's newsletter featured an article on moving from one part of
campus to another.  But what if you are moving off-campus?  The required
procedures to safely and quickly move out of lab space increases greatly. The
Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety (DOES) has
developed the following decommissioning procedures for PIs and AUs whose
research will terminate.  Follow these guidelines when preparing to leave the
university:

Send a letter to the Radiation Safety Office (RSO) and Chemical Safety
Office stating you wish to terminate your status at least 3 weeks prior to the
investigator's departure.  Indicate which of the following procedures you
have completed at this time.  All of the following must be completed prior to
your termination.

All equipment that has a CWRU inventory control sticker present must
be released from the university.  In addition, the facility to which you will be
moving must accept the equipment into their facility by written reply.

All mechanical, electrical, and other laboratory equipment that is to be
removed from the University must be examined by the Chemical Safety
Office and Radiation Safety Office.  The survey must also include a PCB check
(e.g. capacitors and transformers found in electric/electronic equipment)
performed by Plant Services prior to removal from the University property. 
Contact the Chemical Safety Office for PCB determination and proper labeling
if the equipment is to leave the University or be placed in the University
storage area.

All chemicals need to be packed and moved by professional services.  For
transporting chemicals please contact Jim Pillar in Purchasing for Department
of Transportation (DOT) information.  He will arrange for a contractor to
move your chemicals according to DOT standards.  A letter from the new
facility's Safety Officer stating acceptance of the materials must be presented to
CWRU Chemical Safety Office.

If you plan to take isotope to your new place of work, arrangements must
be made for an EXTERNAL TRANSFER of radioactive material following the
guidelines in the Radiation Safety manual.

All RAM inventory and all chemicals that will not be taken to your new
location must be either disposed of by DOES or transferred to another AU. 
Any investigator to whom you transfer part of your chemical inventory must
present an acceptance letter of that material and an updated chemical
inventory to the Chemical Safety Office.  All chemical, radioactive, biohazard,
and sharps waste must be removed prior to moving--the lab should not
have  leftover chemicals or materials in it upon departure. 

List the unwanted chemical bottles and their quantity separately  on a
Waste/Recycle form available from the Chemical Safety Office (368-2907). 
Make sure to include an account number on the Chemical Waste/Recycle
form in order that the material be taken from the site.

Give the RSOF a list of all laboratory personnel leaving CWRU.  If some
personnel are staying at CWRU, indicate where on campus they will be
working.

Return all film badges.

Make sure that all equipment is decontaminated.  Equipment which will
be moved to another location on or off campus must be cleaned and have all
radioactive material stickers removed.  If you use carcinogenic, biohazardous,
or other hazardous materials, these hazards must be eliminated prior to
handling of the equipment.

Complete a radioactive material decommissioning survey for all of your
rooms not used by another AU.  The survey should be done after the lab has
been cleared out and the equipment has been checked.  Follow the
DECOMMISSIONING guidelines in the Radiation Safety Manual.

Present your survey results for all rooms and equipment to the RSOF for
approval.  All sewer disposals and transfers of isotopes and chemicals must be
thoroughly documented.

Remove radiation, chemical, and biohazardous labeling from laboratory
when informed to do so by the Radiation Safety Office and Chemical Safety
Office.

Contact DOES (x2906 or x2907) if you have any questions concerning the above procedures.

MSDS on CWRUnet 

It is now possible to access CWRU's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) system
from various platforms using different software and communication
protocols.  This system has been received from MDL, Inc., for campus-wide
service and can be accessed through any of the following platforms:

DOS Systems directly connected to CWRUnet
Windows Systems directly connected to CWRUnet Using Telnet
Windows Systems directly connected to CWRUnet Using WINQVT
Windows Systems connected to CWRUnet Using Dial-up Access
DOS Systems connected to CWRUnet Using Dial-up Access
Macintosh Systems connected to CWRUnet Using Dial-up Access

Following is a description of the new MSDS database; complete instructions
on how to access the database will be available in a brochure put out by the
Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety.  This brochure will
be mailed to all faculty members as soon as it is completed in September.

The CWRU MSDS Database
 
Hazard communication can challenge the resources of any teaching and
research organization.  When time and expertise are at a premium, it is often
difficult to ensure that MSDSs are readily available, and are clear, focused, and
up-to-date, so your staff can safely handle chemicals, comply with state and
federal regulations, and respond to emergencies.

The new MSDS database delivers carefully targeted, accurate, and timely
electronic data on regulations, health, and safety.  It provides valuable data
that can protect your staff with updated information on almost 20,000
commonly used chemicals and mixtures.  Some of its features include:

Broad Coverage of Pure Substances and Mixtures. The  MSDS database
contains unique MSDSs for almost 20,000 substances--including more than
15,000 pure substances and 4,000 chemical mixtures--to work with a broad,
variety of chemicals.

Comprehensive Research.  Manufacturers' data sheets are often
incomplete and their formats inconsistent.  The MSDS database system draws
upon hundreds of sources, representing thousands of original references.

Quarterly Updates.  The MSDS database is updated electronically.  Every
quarter you will receive the latest information, including newly reported data
and additional regulatory requirements.

Extensive and relevant regulatory information, including U.S. DOT
shipping designations, SARA TPQs and RQs, SARA 313 hazardous
substances, CERCLA RQs, TSCA 12(b) import/export notifications, TSCA
Inventory Status, OSHA Process Safety Management, and California's Prop 65.

Fully researched and accurate information on exposure levels, methods
for air sampling, and animal and human toxicological data (where available),
as well as other detailed information for regulated chemicals.

Clear, Consistent Format.  The MSDSs adhere to the industry-standard
ANSI Z400.1 format, making information easy to find.  The format includes
these 16 sections:

Chemical Product and Company Identification
Composition, Information on Ingredients
Hazards Identification
First Aid Measures
Fire Fighting Measures
Accidental Release Measures
Handling and Storage
Exposure Controls, Personal Protection
Physical and Chemical Properties
Stability and Reactivity
Toxicological Information
Ecological Information
Disposal Considerations
Transport Information
Regulatory Information
Other Information



The MSDSs provide everything required by the Hazard Communication
Standard--carcinogen status, target effects, persons at increased risk, antidote
information, chemical properties, handling, and hazard data.


"Near Misses" and "Close Calls"

Did you ever slip or trip and almost fall?  Did a machine or piece of apparatus
you were using ever spark or give you a mild shock?  Did something fall and
land harmlessly on the floor?

Chances are when these and similar incidents occurred and no injuries or
property damage ensued, they were soon forgotten and no other action was
taken.  However, if you are involved in a "near miss" or "close call" such as
these, report it to your supervisor and assist in determining what caused it
and how to prevent it from happening again.  You or someone else might not
be so lucky next time.

Call DOES at x2907 for assistance if necessary.  Notify Plant Services (x2580) if
there is a maintenance problem such as a wet spot from a leak, loose/missing
floor tiles, or a loose shelf or bracket.


DOT Regulations:  Requirements for Shipping

There have been some questions recently concerning shipping of regulated
materials.  With new DOT regulations, packaging of any etiologic, chemical,
and radioactive agents for shipping off campus requires strict adherence to the
stringent Department of Transportation (DOT) HM 181 rules.  

This ruling affects shipping of these materials for any purpose:  whether
returning a chemical to a distributor, transferring chemicals to a new place of
employment, or sending a sample to another institution or test site.  The
manner of shipping is also regulated by the HM 181 law:  whether via
highway (in one's own vehicle or in a hired vehicle such as Federal Express),
air, vessel, or railroad.

In order to meet these complex rules: 

It is required that principal investigators (or their designee) notify the
Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety (DOES) prior to
shipping etiologic, chemical and radioactive agents off campus in order to
determine packaging requirements.  A DOES technician will visit your lab
promptly to ensure that proper manifesting, packaging and labeling are in
place.

A copy of the shipping papers must be forwarded to the Department of
Occupational and Environmental Safety (FAX:  368-2236) prior to shipping the
material and before 4:00 PM.

One of the following emergency response telephone numbers must be
entered on the shipping papers:

Domestic Shipments:  800-255-3924
Overseas Shipments:  813-979-0626  (call collect)

If you frequently ship etiologic, chemical or radioactive material, we will
provide you or your staff with the necessary training to prepare packages for
shipping.  Proper shipping containers and DOT labels are available from the
Department of Material Support in the Service Building.  Call Jim Pillar at
368-2560.

Be assured that we will not delay shipment of your materials.  If possible, a
one-day notice prior to shipping would be helpful. It is vital that you contact
DOES before the package is sent out.  If you have any questions, call DOES at
(x2907).


New Radiation Workers

With the new semester approaching, many laboratories will gain new
personnel.  All new lab personnel who will be working with radiation should
be familiarized with their Principal Investigator's safety protocol before
coming to a New Radiation Worker Training Session.

Workers must have basic knowledge of the lab and of safety applications for
this training session to be helpful.  To ensure they have a basic understanding
before coming to the training session, new personnel should:

review the new user manual (if you need copies, call our office at x2906). 
be well-briefed in any lab-specific procedures or special safety protocol. 


Furthermore, though new personnel attend the safety training session, this
cannot be considered the end of their "training"--they need practical
experience in safety protocols and procedures which can only be achieved in
the laboratory setting.  The individual responsible should take the time to
monitor new personnel, correct them if necessary, and make him/herself
available for any questions they may have.

Ancillary personnel, those who do not use radiation but work in its proximity
in the lab, have an equal right to be knowledgable about radiation use in the
lab.  Therefore, we strongly encourage all new members of a lab using
radioactive materials to attend a New Radiation Worker Training
Session.

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