Does your facility hold a Category 2 MWRA permit? If so, it is likely that you are required to conduct semi-annual sampling by June 30, 2014. Many cities and towns located in Eastern Massachusetts fall under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority Toxic Reduction and Control (TRAC) Department for industrial wastewater discharge.
How would the EHS program at your company be presented to a regulator that showed up at your door unannounced? Being prepared is essential. Many people use Memorial Day weekend as a time to prepare for the summer.
Implementing a safety committee with regularly scheduled meetings has many beneficial effects on a company’s EHS program. Do you have an established safety committee or have you considered gathering members for a safety committee?
There are numerous factors to consider when conducting a risk assessment for biological materials, and the importance of completing thorough risk assessments should not be underestimated.
It is sometimes necessary for small amounts of radiolabeled materials to be shipped to CROs, collaborative organizations, or other institutions. Would you know what to do if you were asked how to proceed with an excepted shipment?
Wastewater effluent from lab sinks is considered industrial wastewater, which typically requires a discharge permit with the local authority. pH neutralization systems are included – is yours permitted and overseen by a certified wastewater operator?
With the long winter we have had, everyone will be eager to wear their flip flops and shorts this spring. Do you have a policy in place requiring closed-toed shoes and leg covering in your labs?
The OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.134, Respiratory Protection, mandates requirements for implementing respiratory protection programs. As best practice, there are steps that should be taken prior to implementation to make the program come full circle.
Have the procedures for disinfecting the biological waste at your facility been reviewed and approved as required by the State Sanitary Code?
EHS permitting and licensing in compliance with Federal, State, and Local regulations is a crucial item to address for all companies.
Do you know what chemicals in your inventory have the potential to form dangerous peroxides? Certain classes of compounds are prone to forming peroxides over time, including ethers, halogenated alkenes, vinyl halides, and secondary alcohols.
We’ve been wondering if safer companies actually outperform others. Dr. Diane Chen of the Harvard School of Public Health pointed us to a fascinating study, “The Link Between Workforce Health and Safety and the Health of the Bottom Line” (Fabius et al, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 55, No. 9, September 2013, web). The answer appears to be “yes”.
