The fifth edition of Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) states that personal health status may impact an individual’s susceptibility to infection, ability to receive immunizations or prophylactic interventions. This statement is included even in biosafety level 1 laboratories, so be sure to address this for all biological laboratories.
June may seem like a long way away, especially with the impending snow storm headed our way, but it will be here before you know it! OSHA along with NSC, AIHA, ASSE and NIOSH, has announced that June 12-18, 2017 is Safe + Sound Week.
With the release of the NIOSH Sound Level Meter mobile application, noise levels may become a hot topic at your facility. Increased awareness around noise levels and hearing protection is an important aspect to any EHS program.
When implementing a mandatory respirator program, be sure to adhere to the applicable stipulations in OSHA’s Respirator Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. Requiring the use of respirators can be driven by several factors, including a company deciding to require the use of respirators even when exposure levels are below permissible exposure limits.
In the event of a hazardous material spill at your facility, are door signs used to notify individuals of the spill situation? Or do you use caution tape, cones, or some other physical barrier to prevent unauthorized entry into the hazardous material spill area?
On a day like today when people are making last minute dinner plans, the use of cell phones and people’s desire to be constantly connected to their phone may be exemplified. In addition to the possibility of cell phones being fomites when allowed in laboratories, the distraction factor is also a concern.
If you were to think back about this past year and how many risk assessments you conducted, what do you think the number would be? Do you have a plan in place to ensure that a thorough risk assessment is conducted prior to new biological agents being introduced into the laboratory?
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) regulates Universal Waste, which includes hazardous batteries, mercury containing devices such as thermometers, mercury containing lamps, and pesticides. Be sure that your facility is properly collecting, storing, and disposing of universal waste streams.
As Safety Partners enters our 25th year, we are proud, humbled, and thankful. We are proud.
As of January 18, 2017, the FDA has banned powdered surgeon’s gloves, powdered examination gloves, and absorbable powder for lubricating a surgeon’s gloves. Manufacturers of powered gloves have been sending notices to customers to advise them of the ban and request that any banned products currently available in the workplace be disposed of.
Safety Partners, Inc. is proud to announce the promotions of Jennifer Reilly to Chief Operating Officer and Sarah Mueller to Vice President of Quality, Research, and Training. Safety Partners is the leading environmental, health, and safety consulting firm serving the life sciences industry in greater Boston.
On January 6, 2017, OSHA issued a final rule to reduce workplace exposure to beryllium. Previous standards were based on out dated studies and data, and more recent data demonstrates that serious lung disease can result from low level exposures to beryllium.
