Office of Research and
Graduate Studies
AND
OFFICE OF SAFETY &
HEALTH
DREXEL UNIVERSITY AND DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
SAFETY MANUAL
DRAFT 2004
“Safety is a Personal
Decision that Impacts Others on a Daily Basis”
MISSION
STATEMENT FROM THE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH
Our faculty,
staff and students bring a wealth of expertise to our institutions. They are vital to our mission of research,
teaching and service to everyone within and outside of our universities’ community. This expertise requires our institutions to
demonstrate its leadership in providing health protection and apply safety
standards beyond the laws and regulations relating to environment, health and
safety.
Our mission is
to prevent or minimize injuries and illnesses and control potential hazards
from our activities. Our intentions are
to continually consult with each of the departments for complete compliance
with laws and regulations regarding occupational health and safety and
environmental protection.
This Biosafety
Manual is intended to inform you the policies and procedures of our
universities, directions and describe procedures of technical assistance for
your protection, protection of our research subjects and for the protection of our
community. It describes how our offices
have carefully developed compliance strategies, which include training,
periodic inspections, consultations and emergency response services. This
manual also describes in detail biosafety, sanitation, radiation protection,
hazardous materials handling, hazardous waste management, general safety,
occupational health, disaster preparation and reporting of unauthorized
potentially hazardous activities.
We must all
remember, that good environmental health and safety practices are a
responsibility of each faculty member, staff member, students and visitors. Our
participation and adherence to regulatory compliance is essential to a smooth
and effective operation of a safety program. Achievement of these goals is critical
for the growth of our research enterprise.
I welcome your suggestions and cooperation in
making our universities the safest place to work.
THIS
PAGE WILL BE PRESENTED TO HARVIL EATON FOR APPROVAL
RESEARCH
ONLY – SCOPE APPLICABILITY
Drexel University
and Drexel University College
of Medicine
Important Contact Numbers
|
Department
|
Hahnemann, Center City
|
MCP
|
EPPI
|
Queen Lane
|
Drexel
|
|
Emergency Telephone Operator
|
80
|
80
|
80
|
80
|
215-895-2222
|
|
University Safety Office
|
215-762-6506
|
215-762-6506
|
215-762-6506
|
215-762-6506
|
215-895-2880
|
|
Hospital Safety Office
|
215-762-8617
|
215-842-7424
|
215-842-7424
|
215-842-7424
|
N/A
|
|
Office of Research
|
215-762-3453
|
215-762-3453
|
215-762-3453
|
215-762-3453
|
215-895-2499
|
|
Service Center;
Environmental Services
Maintenance
Materials Management
|
215-762-4700
215-762-6500
215-762-6500
|
215-842-5200
215-762-6500
215-762-6500
|
215-842-4327
215-762-6500
215-762-6500
|
215-842-4327
215-762-6500
215-762-6500
|
215-895-2808
|
|
Employee / Student Health
|
215-762-8590
|
215-762-8590
|
215-762-8590
|
215-762-8590
|
215-662-8233
|
|
Radiation Safety
|
215-762-4050
|
215-762-4050
|
215-762-4050
|
215-762-4050
|
215-762-4050
|
|
Glass Wash Facility
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
215-991-8448
|
N/A
|
|
Animal Facilities
|
215-762-7968
|
215-842-4528
|
215-842-4528
|
215-991-8167
|
215-895-1348
|
|
University Biosafety Committee
|
215-762-3453
|
215-762-3453
|
215-762-3453
|
215-762-3453
|
215-762-3453
|
|
University Biosafety Officer
|
215-762-6506
|
215-762-6506
|
215-762-6506
|
215-762-6506
|
215-895-2889
(215-768-1624
Mobile)
|
|
Recombinant
DNA Officer
|
(215)
991 - 8380
|
(215)
991-8380
|
(215)
991-8380
|
(215)
991- 8380
|
(215)
991- 8380
|
|
Security
|
215-762-7110
|
215-842-6633
|
215-842-4180
|
215-991-8102
|
215-895-2822
|
DREXEL UNIVERSITY AND DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Safety manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Drexel University and
Drexel University College of Medicine. 3
I. Introduction.. 9
II. DREXEL UNIVERSITY AND DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Right
To Know Guidelines. 10
III. Laboratory safety training.. 11
A. POLICY.. 11
B. LABORATORY SAFETY TRAINING CURRICULUM... 12
1. INTRODUCTION.. 12
2. CHEMICAL SAFETY.. 13
3. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY.. 13
4. RADIATION SAFETY.. 13
5. WASTE MANAGEMENT. 13
C. SPECIAL ORIENTATION FOR BIOSAFETY LEVEL
3 (BL-3) LABORATORY.. 14
IV. General Laboratory Safety.. 15
A. Housekeeping.. 15
B. Personal Protective Equipment. 15
C. Eating, Drinking and Cosmetics. 15
D. Pipetting.. 15
E. Syringes and Pasteur Pipettes. 15
F. Broken Glassware. 15
G. Gas Cylinders. 15
H. Hazard Warnings. 15
I. Electrical Equipment. 15
J. Fire Safety.. 15
K. Visitors (Unauthorized
Personnel) 15
L. Waste Disposal. 15
M. General Personnel
Protection.. 15
N. Pregnancy Protection.. 15
O. Emergencies/First Aid.. 15
P. Explosion Proof Refrigerators & Freezers. 15
Q. Absorbent Paper.. 15
R. Disinfectants. 15
S. Autoclave Operation.. 15
T. Mailing Etiological Agents. 16
U. HBV Vaccination.. 16
V. Safety Equipment. 17
1. Biological Safety
Cabinets. 17
2. Ultraviolet Lighting.. 21
3. Centrifuges. 22
4. Vacuum Lines, Filters,
and Traps. 22
5. Freezers and
Refrigerators. 22
W. Laboratory Practice and
Technique. 22
1. Personal Habits. 22
2. Pipetting.. 22
3. Counter-tops and
Non-Autoclaveable Equipment. 22
4. Aerosol. 23
5. Infectious Material
Incubation and Transport. 23
6. Human Material with
reference to AIDS/HIV.. 23
X. Disposal of Contaminated
Materials. 23
1. Paper and disposable
soft plastics. 23
2. Glassware and Plastic
ware. 24
F. Spill of Potential
Biohazardous Materials. 25
1. Small Spills. 25
2. Large Spills. 25
3. Laboratory Spills. 25
4. Spill in a Biological Safety Cabinet. 26
5. Spill in the Open
Laboratory.. 27
Y. Care and Use of
Laboratory Animals. 27
1. Care and Handling of
Infected Animals. 27
2. Guidelines that Apply to
Animal Room Maintenance. 29
3. Necropsy Rules for
Infected Animals. 30
Z. Visitors (Unauthorized
Personnel) 30
V. BIOLOGICAL SAFETY.. 31
A. Introduction.. 31
B. Examples of Biohazardous
Agents; Risk Categories. 31
C. Biosafety Levels. 33
D. Safety Equipment. 36
1. Biological Safety
Cabinets. 36
Table V-2 Comparison of
Biological Safety Cabinets. 37
2. Ultraviolet Lighting.. 117
3. Centrifuges. 117
4. Vacuum Lines, Filters,
and Traps. 117
5. Freezers and
Refrigerators. 117
E. Safe Laboratory Practices. 117
3. Counter-tops and
Non-Autoclaveable Equipment. 117
4. Aerosol. 118
5. Infectious Material
Incubation and Transport. 118
6. Human Material with
reference to AIDS/HIV.. 118
F. Disposal of Potentially
Infectious / Biohazardous Materials. 118
Sharps. 119
Infectious Waste. 119
1. Paper and disposable
soft plastics. 120
2. Glassware and Plastic
ware. 120
G. Spill of Potential
Biohazardous Materials. 121
1. Small Spills. 121
2. Large Spills. 122
3. Laboratory Spills. 122
4. Spill in a Biological Safety Cabinet. 122
5. Spill in the Open
Laboratory.. 122
H. Shipping, Receiving, or Transferring
Etiologic Agents. 123
I. Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. 123
1. Care and Handling of
Infected Animals. 124
2. Guidelines that Apply to
Animal Room Maintenance. 125
3. Necropsy Rules for
Infected Animals. 125
J. Visitors (Unauthorized
Personnel) 126
K. Bloodborne Pathogen
Training.. 126
L. Insect and Rodent
Control. 127
VI. CHEMICAL SAFETY.. 129
A. Introduction.. 129
B. General Chemical Safety.. 129
C. Carcinogens. 129
D. Incompatible Materials. 129
VII. RADIATION SAFETY.. 129
A. Introduction.. 129
B. Radioisotope Licensing.. 130
C. Radiation Warning Signs. 130
D. Radiation Work Areas. 131
E. General Radiation Safety Procedures. 131
F. Emergency Instructions. 131
G. Package Receipt. 131
H. Radioactive Waste Disposal. 131
I. Records of Radioactive Materials Usage. 131
VIII. DREXEL
UNIVERSITY AND DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. 132
Biosafety Office
Responsibilities and Services. 132
A. Introduction.. 132
B. The University Biosafety
Committee (UBSC) 132
C. The University Biosafety
Officer and Recombinant DNA Officer ( UBSO and URDO) 132
D. Personnel. 133
E. Offices. 135
F. Resource Documents. 136
IX. CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN - DUCOM... 138
FOREWORD/DISCLAIMER.. 138
EXHIBITS. 139
Exhibit II-a.. 140
RIGHT TO KNOW GUIDELINES. 140
Exhibit IV-a.1. 141
Biohazard Warning sign.. 141
Exhibit IV-a.3. 142
Radiation Warning Sign.. 142
Exhibit IV-c.. 149
AUTOCLAVE OPERATION.. 149
Exhibit IV-f. 151
EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN for
RESEARCH LABORATORIES. 151
Exhibit V-a.. 165
Classification of Human Etiologic Agents on the Basis of Hazard.. 165
Exhibit V-b: 173
Interstate Shipment of Etiologic Agents. 173
Exhibit V-c: 180
Importation Permits for
Etiologic Agents. 180
Exhibit V-d: 187
Packaging and Shipping of Biomedical Material. 187
Exhibit V-e: 190
Final Rule: Additional Requirements for Facilities Transferring or
Receiving Select Agents. 190
Exhibit V-f. 201
Research involving Recombinant DNA: Section 111. Experiments Covered by
the NIH Guidelines and Appendix C-VI: The Purchase or Transfer of Transgenic
Rodents. 201
Exhibit V-h.. 212
Occupational Health and
Safety Program for All Personnel Handling and Working Near Laboratory Animals. 212
Exhibit VI-a.1. 222
Chemical Carcinogens
Regulated by the University Biosafety Committee. 222
Philadelphia Fire Prevention Code. 224
FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE
LIQUIDS. 224
Exhibit VII-a.. 234
General Radiation Safety in
the Laboratory.. 234
Exhibit VII-b.. 236
Policy and Procedures: Protection and Monitoring of
Personnel-Pregnant Workers 236
Exhibit VII-c.. 239
Radiation Emergency
Instructions. 239
Exhibit VII-d.. 240
RADIATION EXPOSURE LIMITS*.. 240
Exhibit VII-e. 241
ISOTOPE TABLE. 241
APPENDICES. 242
APPENDIX G.. 244
TARGET ORGAN POSTER.. 244
Appendix I – Sample
Incident Report. 245
APPENDIX N 246
APPENDIX N.. 247
Common Research Activities
Requiring Personal Exposure Monitoring.. 247
The purpose of this Safety Manual is to provide information
concerning Safety Policy and Procedures in effect at Drexel University and Drexel University
College of Medicine, and thereby promote a safe working environment. Although the manual is primarily designed for
compliance by the institutional scientific, technical and supportive staffs,
all other employees must be knowledgeable about these safety policies and the
procedures for implementation.
In 1983, the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) set forth the Occupational Safety and Health Standard entitled "HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD" (29
CFR 1910.1200) and “LABORATORY STANDARD”
(29 CFR 1910.1450). These standards and similar existing State and local
governmental ordinances have been commonly called the "Worker's and
Community Right to Know" laws which provide minimum standards that
employers must adhere to for informing employees about occupational‑related
hazards in the work place.
On August 28, 1987, OSHA published a Final
Rule (Standard), which supersedes all State and Local regulations regarding the
use of toxic substances in laboratories. All employers in the non‑manufacturing
sector have until May 23, 1988 to be in compliance with
all provisions of the Standard.
The policies, regulations and procedures defined in this manual
are one means of compliance with the Right to Know laws. However, this manual
has a much broader scope than occupational‑related hazards. It is not
just a means for Drexel University and Drexel University
College of Medicine to resolve its obligation to inform its employees, but a
guide to follow in making this a safer workplace. Accordingly, this manual
covers a wide spectrum of safety precautions, ranging from daily housekeeping
chores to procedures to follow in emergencies. It addresses the following five
specific issues:
1.
General Laboratory Safety
2.
Biological Safety
3.
Chemical Safety
4. Radiation Safety
5. Emergency Procedures
As a Drexel and/or Drexel Unversity College of Medicine employee,
it is your right and responsibility to follow the rules of laboratory safety.
It is your responsibility to read and understand the information contained in
the manual and to keep the manual readily accessible for review and emergency
use. It will be updated as new safety information or governmental regulations
are obtained. This manual is to be used
as an informational resource. The handbook is not a contract, nor a legal
document. Drexel University and Drexel University
College of Medicine reserve the right to delete, add or amend the contents of
this manual. Occupational hazards and regulatory rules will undoubtedly
continue to be changed. Accordingly, no representation can be made or
responsibility undertaken by Drexel and/or Drexel University College of
Medicine regarding the completeness, accuracy or continuing validity of the
contents of this manual.
In the final analysis, each employee must assume his or her
responsibility to work in a safe manner hereby avoiding personal harm or
endangering others.
II. DREXEL UNIVERSITY AND DREXEL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF
MEDICINE Right To Know Guidelines
Biological and Chemical research often requires the use of
hazardous materials including radioisotopes, infectious agents, and hazardous
chemicals. While working at Drexel and/or Drexel University College of
Medicine, it is likely that you will be required to handle such materials. In
this regard it will be your specific right and obligation to know, before using
a hazardous material in an experiment, what is the nature of the material, its
specific hazard and the proper procedures for its use.
Radioactive material use will continue to be monitored by and
under the control of the Drexel University and Drexel University
College of Medicine’ Radiation Safety Office.
With your right to know emerge specific responsibilities for your protection and the protection
of others. Adherence to all Government and Drexel and/or Drexel University
College of Medicine guidelines and regulations for the use and disposal of any
hazardous materials is mandatory. In addition, all reasonable precautions to
assure the safety of yourself and others must be taken. This may include vaccination
and/or medical monitoring.
If you are ever in doubt or have a problem with the use of any
materials or have a complaint about experiments done by others, the following
procedures are to be followed:
1.
Discuss the problem with your immediate
supervisor.
2. If you
are not satisfied, discuss with the department Chair.
3. If you
are not satisfied, then discuss the problem with the Drexel University and Drexel University
College of Medicine’ Safety Office.
4. If
still unsatisfied, discuss the problem with the University Biosafety Officer.
5. If still unsatisfied, contact the University Biosafety
Committee Chair.
6. If still not
satisfied, request a meeting with the Associate Vice President for
research Compliance
7.
If still not satisfied, request a meeting with the senior vice president
for research and graduate studies
Please note that
Exhibit II-a
provides a copy of a Right-to-Know guideline form. This form must be completed by all laboratory personnel.
As an integral part of Drexel University and Drexel University
College of Medicine’ Safety Management Program, all new Scientific, Technical
and Research Support Personnel must attend the mandatory safety training
concerning Drexel University and Drexel University College of Medicine’ Safety
Policies and Procedures. This includes all fulltime, part time and temporary
employees. Initial training will be provided to all newly hired employees. Additional training will be conducted on an
annual basis.
More detailed laboratory safety training will be provided on an
annual basis to all concerned
employees. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) to schedule laboratory
safety training for all affected employees.
It is your individual responsibility to attend in accordance with this
University’s Policies and Procedures.
Laboratory safety training is available from the Office of Safety and
Health at Drexel. To receive training, at Drexel University please call (215) 895-2889 and at DUCOM
(215) 762-6506.
The PI in each laboratory is responsible for ensuring that all
activities under his / her control are conducted in a manner that represents
the least possible risk to human health and the environment. If the activity involves
the use of extremely hazardous chemicals or recombinant DNA/RNA material, the
use of such material must be approved by the biosafety committee before a
procedure to use such material is implemented. The PI must ensure that all
safety policies and regulations are enforced and that necessary safety
equipment is available in the laboratory. The PI has the
primary responsibility for the health and safety of all personnel under his /
her jurisdiction including employees, students, guest scientist and visitors.
Principal Investigator Responsibilities are to:
a. Identify hazards and assess the risks associated with
operations;
b. Ensure that program personnel are aware of hazards and
of the precautions they should take in carrying out their assigned tasks;
c. Select proper laboratory safety practices and
engineering controls necessary to minimize personal injury or property damage;
d. Select appropriate preventative medical
practices, serological monitoring, and immunization protocols, and inform
program personnel of the rationale for their selection In conjunction with
Human Resources, Biosafety Committee, Safety Office and Office of Research;
e. Provide instruction and training programs for personnel
in the practices and techniques required for their assigned tasks and laboratory
operations;
f.
Maintain a laboratory procedure
notebook;
g. Ensure that necessary safety equipment is available in
the laboratory, it is used when required, and is
adequately maintained;
h. Periodic review of emergency procedures
for accidental spills and any overt exposure to hazardous substances. This
should be done in conjunction with the Biosafety Committee and Safety Office;
i.
Arrange
for immediate
medical attention for injured personnel and reporting of incidents as required and
j.
Comply
and assure that you and other support personnel adhere to policies and
procedures as outlined in this manual.
Employee and Student Responsibilities
a. Comply with all University safety policies and
procedures.
b. Maintain awareness of the risks associated with assigned
duties.
c. Take all necessary and appropriate safety
precautions relevant to performance of duties.
d. Become familiar with emergency procedures prior to
accidental spills, overt personal exposures, fire, etc.
e. Report unsafe conditions or practices to the PI,
Safety Office, Office of Research or the Biosafety Committee Chair.
f.
Report all incidents resulting in
injury or exposure to hazardous agents to the PI, Safety Office, Office of
Research, or Biosafety Committee Chair.
Health and safety awareness will be promoted among PI’s, managers,
supervisors, employees, students and others (visitors, contractors, community
members) through orientation programs and regularly scheduled education and
training session, as appropriate. If you
are interested in scheduling training services, please contact the Office of
Safety and Health at Drexel (215) 895-2880 or DUCOM at (215) 762-6506.
The Laboratory Safety Training curriculum shall include, but not
be limited to the following list of subject matter:
a. Personal
Safety
b. Safety of
Non-Laboratory Personnel
c. Safety
Manuals
d. Safety
Committees
e. Fire and
Life Safety / Emergency Preparedness
a. Chemical Hygiene Plan
b. The Right-To-Know Laws
c. Chemical Hazards
d. Personal Protective
Equipment
e. Chemical Handling and
Transfer
f.
Decontamination
g. Chemical Labeling and
Storage
h. Emergency Response
i.
Centrifuge Hazards
j.
Medical Surveillance
a. Bloodborne Pathogens
b. Other Biological Hazards
c. Standard / Universal
Precautions
d. Biosafety Levels
e. Primary Barriers and
Containment
f.
Personal Protective Equipment
g. Vaccination and Surveillance
h. Spill Response
a. Radiation
Safety Office – Licensing and Monitoring
b. Common
sources of Radiation at Drexel University and Drexel University
College of Medicine’ Facilities
c. UV Microscopes and Lamps
d. Exposure – Time, Distance,
Shielding
e. Decontamination
a. Infectious
/ Biohazardous Waste
b. Radioactive
Waste
c. Hazardous Waste
d. Municipal Waste
As stated above all newly hired personnel will receive basic
safety training at their orientation. Additionally, these individuals must
receive site-specific laboratory safety training from their perspective
PI’s. This training must be documented. Copies of syllabus and completed sign-in
sheets must be forwarded to the University Safety Office located at:
Drexel 3201 Arch
Street, Ste. 350
Phila., PA. 19104
Fax –
215-895-1560
DUCOM Bellet Bldg., 1505 Race Street, 5th Fl.
Phila., PA 19102, MS 622
Fax –
215-762-8318
Specific orientation sessions will be held for all laboratory
personnel whose work assignments require the use of the University's BL-3
facility. A biosafety level
3 or BL-3 laboratory is equipped to work with small quantities of infectious
agents for which a vaccine may not be available. The facility is prefaced by an anteroom, is
equipped with a pass through autoclave, has a collection basin for all drains
and has speciaily designed ventilation and filtration systems. The orientation session must
be held and approval obtained prior to allowing the applicant admission to the
BL-3 facility. Whenever possible, the orientation will be held on an individual
basis and shall consist of the following steps:
1. Personal interview with the applicant by the
Biosafety Officer for determining the applicants' knowledge and experience with
indigenous or exotic agents.
2. Applicant will be given a copy of the Standard
Operation Procedures.
3. Applicant will be required to sign an
acknowledgment form.
4. Applicant will have their ID cards activated
for entrance and egress to and from the BL-3 laboratory, respectively.
5. Facility users
are encouraged to participate in a voluntary surveillance program to monitor
occupational exposure to infectious agents.