LABORATORY SAFETY

Principal investigators (PIs) at UC Berkeley are responsible for ensuring that research performed under their leadership is conducted in a manner that protects laboratory personnel and the campus environment. The Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) assists PIs in complying with local, state, and federal regulations governing their research. The EH&S website (http://ehs.berkeley.edu) provides detailed information on over 50 topics pertaining to laboratory safety and compliance. A few of these topics are highlighted below.

Laboratory Safety Program
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/healthsafety/labsafety.html

EH&S assists departments with laboratories by providing hazard evaluations, work practice guidance, and training on:

• Carcinogens and other hazardous chemicals
• Shower/eyewash units and other safety equipment
• Chemical Hygiene Plans and other required safety documents
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate for laboratories
• Chemical exposure monitoring
• Required approval for use of radioactive materials, radiation-producing machines, lasers, biohazardous agents, and toxic gases

Hazardous Materials Management
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hazmat.html

Storage: PIs are responsible for overseeing proper storage of hazardous chemicals in their laboratories. EH&S provides detailed guidance entitled Safe Storage of Hazardous Chemicals Booklet (http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/pubs/chemicalstoragebooklet.pdf) and Guidelines for Explosive and Potentially Explosive Chemicals - Safe Storage and Handling (http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/pubs/guidelines/pecguidelines.html).

Disposal: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates disposal of laboratory wastes. PIs are responsible for ensuring that employees and students working in their laboratory follow proper disposal procedures. EH&S provides hands-on assistance in this area. By filling out an electronic Material Packing List (e-MPL) on the EH&S web site, PIs can arrange for EH&S to pick up their unwanted hazardous materials and lab debris. The EH&S web site also describes disposal procedures for other hazardous materials, including radioactive or biohazardous materials, batteries, light bulbs, computer monitors, and refrigerators. PIs should contact EH&S if they have questions about proper labeling and storage of unwanted hazardous materials. Most chemicals cannot be disposed down the drain. Violations of this rule have resulted in regulatory fines. If you think you have a material that may be allowed down the drain, refer to the drain disposal guidelines on the EH&S web site, or contact EH&S.

Chemical Hygiene Plan: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/healthsafety/chp.html

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) requires that all laboratories have a written Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) that includes laboratory-specific hazard and safety information. PIs can obtain a template CHP for their laboratory on the website.

Chemical Inventory: EH&S maintains an inventory of hazardous materials for the entire UC Berkeley campus and its field stations. PIs are responsible for ensuring that all hazardous materials they control are listed in their inventory. Chemical inventories are required by environmental, occupational, and Fire Code regulations and are kept in a secure central database prepared and maintained by EH&S.

Select Agents: see the section on "Post-9/11 Security Issues" in this handbook.

Training
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/training.html

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety offers compliance and safety training at no cost to most campus departments. Most training is specific to the work you perform in your job here on campus. Contact EH&S if you're interested in learning more about our training offerings or if you'd like training designed for your department.

Fact Sheets
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/pubs/factsheets.html

Laboratory employees and students may need guidance on other research safety and compliance topics. The web page above has over 80 Fact Sheets available, most of which cover a variety of laboratory safety and compliance practices.

Laboratory Self-Inspections
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/iipp/iippform3.html

Cal/OSHA requires that all workplaces be inspected for hazards at least annually. Therefore, the PI or a designee must perform and document an annual safety inspection of each laboratory. EH&S provides a laboratory self-assessment form at the URL above. This effort is coordinated campuswide by EH&S each fall, but supplemental self-inspections can be performed at any time.

Research Using Scuba Diving and Small Boats
http://pe.berkeley.edu/scubadiving

The Division of Diving Safety insures that all underwater diving conducted under the auspices of the University of California, Berkeley is done in accordance with the standards and policies established by the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) and the Berkeley campus Diving Control Board (DCB). The program is administered by the Diving Safety Officer (DSO). A University scientific diver permit is required for anyone diving for science using University equipment, diving from University-owned property, or diving as a student or employee of the University. The Diving Safety Program (DSP) provides opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to pursue SCUBA certification or a scientific diver permit. There are fees associated with these services. Permits may be awarded by the DCB, based on recommendations by the DSO, through previous training and experience, completion of a scientific diver course, or through reciprocity with other institutions.

Researchers planning to use small boats (defined as being 26 feet in length and smaller) are advised to: take a boating safety course, file a float plan (http://pe.berkeley.edu/smallboats) for all research activities, and contact the DSO with questions.

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
Telephone: (510) 642-3073
Web site: http://ehs.berkeley.edu

Life-threatening Emergency
Telephone: 911

University Health Services Information
Telephone: (510) 642-2000

Office of Emergency Preparedness
Telephone: (510) 642-9036

University of California Police Department
Telephone: (510) 642-6760

Optometry Clinic (for safety glasses)
Telephone: (510) 642-2020

Each campus department has a Department Safety Coordinator (DSC) who is familiar with EH&S programs and departmental procedures for ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. DSCs can provide training on their department's Injury and Illness Prevention Program and the appropriate Building Emergency Plan. Cal/OSHA requires that all employees receive documented training on these documents. Contact EH&S if you need an introduction to your DSC.