If you are conducting internal laboratory audits, how do you handle the findings? Once internal lab audits are implemented, the appropriate approach to handling the findings needs to established.
Developing and implementing policies for an environmental, health, and safety program needs to be a collaborative effort. There are various driving factors when considering what types of policies to implement including regulations, best practice implementation, particularly hazardous operations or equipment, etc.
There are many reasons to conduct internal lab safety audits, including preparing for regulatory inspections, promoting safety, and discovering what program elements could use some attention. Has your safety committee considered implementing internal lab safety audits?
All work-related incidents, accidents, and near misses need to be reported according to your institutional policy, which typically involves completing an incident report within 24 hours of the occurrence. The critical next step is a review process to evaluate the event.
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?
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”.
Make sure that your facility is in compliance with OSHA recordkeeping rules. Are your incidents and accidents recorded? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)’s recordkeeping rules (Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illness, 29 CFR 1904) require employers to record and report work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses.
A few years ago, I had the good fortune of joining a super team of scientists at a for-profit chemistry lab. The team invented new organic and inorganic molecules for a wide array of industrial and consumer applications. I was very excited to be joining this team of smart, dedicated individuals as their new CEO.
As Co-Chair of the Working Group, Denise will be attending the MassBio Safety, Environmental and Facilities Operations (SEF) Working Group for a Networking and Forum Planning Session tomorrow.
Last week, Safety Partners had the pleasure of co-hosting The Third Annual Micro-Conference, Improving Lab Productivity in Cambridge, MA. The conference provided a collaborative venue for scientists, executives, lab managers, and sponsoring providers to share and learn about best practices for improving lab efficiency, regulatory compliance, and, of course, safety.
Flammable liquids are classified based on their flash point and boiling point. NFPA 30 addresses the definition and classification of flammable and combustible liquids, and establishes three classes as follows:
