[Entm-beu] Entomology Lab Safety Updates- January 2023

[Christina Hoddle]

Hello Ent. Dept.,

Here are some Safety Updates:

1)   In December the campus underwent a CUPA (Certified Unified Program Agency) inspection. This is certified by CalEPA to enforce hazardous waste and materials management.  This included looking at Hazardous Materials Business Plan (HMBP).


MAJOR FINDINGS:

  *   Waste not properly labeled
  *   Open waste containers
  *   Mixing of contaminated glass waste and clean glass
  *   Mixing of lab trash and solid hazardous materials

  SOLUTIONS:

  *   EHS is developing a Pilot program to address these issues with a few select buildings before campus wide roll-out. Genomics will be included in this so if you lab is in Genomics, look out for new changes.
  *   New job aids and supplies from EHS (ex.  daily waste stickers for small receptacles, new trash containers, new labels etc.)
  *   Updated training and guidance from EHS
  *   New NFPA Diamond Placards placed outside research buildings. These placards are the standard system for identification of hazardous materials for emergency response crews.

Please review your own lab spaces for the above issues.

A particular issue that came up frequently is open waste containers from daily waste use without labels. Some labs use open, unlabeled waste containers while doing experiments. They may be emptied daily but you still need to have a label on it once any waste is put in.   If you need further guidance or clarification as to if your lab is not compliant, EHS will help resolve issues.



2)     EH&S website has been updated again for improved navigation and access to common documents. Please check out the new improved site:   https://ehs.edu/laboratory





3)      Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Laundering

  *   EH&S is finalizing details on a new laundering program for lab coats that will be FREE to labs
  *   There will be 5-6 drop off locations (TBD) spread throughout campus but more details to come.


4)     Controlled Substance Biennial Inventory

  *   Campus wide Biennial Inventory is scheduled for April 13th for those labs that work with controlled substances. If your lab does, the controlled substance program admin will be reaching out to you before then.

5)     Trainings Update

  *   Everyone working in a lab environment needs to have updated training records. You can check your records at https://ehs.ucr.edu/training . To see ALL your trainings make sure you select “all” in date range at the top of the webpage.
  *   A few trainings need to be completed yearly including Fire Extinguishers and Hazardous Materials and Waste Management.
  *   Laboratory Safety Fundamentals needs to be updated every 3 years


If you have any questions, please let me know.

Regards,
Christina Hoddle
Lab Safety Officer for Entomology (LSO)

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