When evaluating expansion space or entirely new space, be sure to evaluate the control areas. The Maximum Allowable Quantity (MAQ) of Hazardous Material per Control Area table in 527 CMR 1 establishes the limits for hazardous materials storage.
It started with pipet tip boxes, which were piling up in labs with many hoping to find a way of recycling them. Recycling was fully implemented for homes, but there were limited options for labs. The demand for implementing a recycling program for cardboard boxes and styrofoam was also high based on the high generation of these waste materials as well.
When facilities are established, safety manuals need to be put into place. Customization of the initial manuals can be challenging when the full scope of lab operations is not completely certain. As work evolves and work practices become firmly established, updates to the manuals may be necessary.
OSHA's Access to employee exposure and medical records standard, 29 CFR 1910.1020, stipulates the requirements for medical and exposure records. The requirements for how to keep these
records as well as the retention of these records is specified in this standard.
There will inevitably be a time when you are asked about how to transport a small quantity of a hazardous material to another location without going through the process of hiring a licensed hazardous material transporter. Some situations like the transport of samples to a collaborating facility may fall under the Materials of Trade classification
I hope everyone enjoys a safe, cool, and happy 4th of July week! It is definitely hot out there this week, and OSHA is encouraging employers to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and hazards.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP) has adopted the use of the Environmental Protection Agency’s myRCRAid system. This online resource is now used to help obtain hazardous waste generator identification numbers and manage hazardous waste generator profiles.
When was the last time you updated the emergency contact information posted throughout your facility? How readily available are the phone numbers for your emergency coordinator, back up emergency coordinator, and safety officers?
The fifth edition of the BMBL, Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, includes a statement encouraging individuals to discuss their personal health situations with an occupational health physician.
Be sure to take advantage of the available resources that provide guidance on the implementation of e-manifests. From what I have been seeing and hearing, there are many questions surrounding this topic. EPA has issued a very useful e-Manifest Frequently Asked Questions summary that provides guidance on the logistics of the e-manifest system.
OSHA recently announced that they will begin enforcing certain requirements of the beryllium final rule, including the permissible exposure limits, exposure assessment, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and medical removal provisions.
