Introduction to Workplace Safety

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What is “Safety”?

• Elimination of potential threats to health and well-being

ACCIDENTS

EMERGENCIEShttp://www.drs.illinois.edu/images/genlab/CorrectUseOfLabBenchPaper.jpg

Accidents

• Unexpected, usually sudden, events that cause harm– Trips, slips and falls (30% of

accidents)

PREVENTABLE….http://trippnt.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/lrg-62-mb-keep-walkway-clear2.jpg?w=300&h=231

Emergencies

Situations requiring immediate action to prevent harm or damage to people or property

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Hazards

• Equipment, chemicals, conditions with potential to cause harm.

• Safety programs are designed to control hazards.

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Risk assessments

• Risk: the probability that a specific hazard will cause harm

• Risk assessment: – attempt to estimate

potential for injury or property damage

– manage or eliminate hazards

– safety guidelines and standards help

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Maintaining Workplace Safety

• Federal agencies: – Create regulations

• Employers: – safe environment– training – emergency response

plans• Employees:

– implement the institutional safety plan

Federal agencies

Employers

Employees

The Roles of Federal Agencies

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• Standards: – Voluntary

• Regulations: – required by law

• Categories– Worker safety– Environmental

protection– Use and

handling of animals

– Regulation of radioisotopes

Major Regulatory Agencies

• OSHA – Worker safety

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EPA: • Safe waste disposal and

storage • Release of genetically

modified organisms into environmenthttp://domesticfuel.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/

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Major Regulatory Agencies

• DOT: – Transportation of hazardous

materials.

• NRC: – Safe use of radioactivity

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“Right-to-Know” Law• Federal Hazard

Communication Standard

• Developed in 1983 by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)– Regulates use of hazardous

materials in industrial workplaces

– Regulates availability of information about employee hazard exposure and safety

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Employer Responsibilities

• Workplace hazard identification

• Written hazard communication plan

• Safety Data Sheets (SDS)• Clear labeling of all

chemicals• Worker training for safe

chemical handling

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Chemical Hygiene Plans

• Laboratory Standard requires all institutions to file a chemical hygiene plan (CHP) for each laboratory http://ehs.ucsb.edu/units/labsfty/labimages/labweb/

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CHP content

1. General chemical safety rules and procedures

2. Purchase, distribution and storage of chemicals

3. Environmental monitoring4. Availability of medical program5. Maintenance, housekeeping and inspection

CHP content

6. Protective devices and clothing

7. Record-keeping

8. Training programs

9. Chemical labeling

10. Accident and spill policies

11. Waste disposal