It is easy to say that the importance of developing an effective safety training program should not be overlooked, but how do you put a fun and therefore effective safety training program into practice?
Have you taken the time to thoroughly review the ventilation system at your facility? The answer to this question is hopefully yes, and as facility changes are initiated, ventilation consequences should be taken into consideration.
Does your company offer first aid and CPR training to employees on a voluntary basis? Of course if an AED is present in the company’s space, CPR and AED training needs to take place.
With a holiday weekend approaching, and many people getting ready for vacations and weekend plans, ask yourself if you are confidently aware of what happens after hours at your facility. Is there an established policy for signing in and out after hours?
Have you ever wondered how much money an incident or accident could cost your company? OSHA’s “$afety Pays” program is an interactive program that allows users to assess the potential impact that an occupational injury or illness could have on their bottom line.
What do the biological project registration documents in use at your facility cover? Are project registrations required for work utilizing recombinant DNA technology only, or are they required for all proposed work with biological agents?
When was the last time that you conducted an inventory of the flammable materials stored at your facility? A weekly or monthly inventory may be necessary if you are strictly limited by the volumes allowed in accordance with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
When establishing a radiation safety program, be sure to assign the responsibility of reviewing the dosimetry reports to one individual. Whether you are exchanging dosimeters on a quarterly basis, monthly basis, or some other frequency, a specific person needs to own the responsibility of reviewing the reports and notifying individuals of their results as necessary.
As EHS permits and licenses are received, amended, and renewed, be sure to review the conditions stipulated in the permit or license upon receipt. Avoid the temptation to be happy that the final document has been received, and just file it away in your central recordkeeping location.
If you are the holder of a Low Flow/Low Pollutant wastewater discharge permit with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), be sure to keep an eye on the average daily discharge volume.
What does hazard communication mean in your laboratories? Are there hazard warning signs posted everywhere, are you constantly having to remind lab employees to label their chemical bottles appropriately, or do you need to update the door signs that have not been looked at in years?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an exposure hazard in laboratories that needs to be adequately addressed. Equipment interlocks, safety shields, appropriate work practices, and personal protective equipment can prevent exposure to UV sources when used properly.
