Warm weather is finally here in Binghamton! It may be tempting, but remember to keep these tips in mind when coming into work for the summer:
Dress appropriately for lab- Long pants and closed toed shoes are required in lab.
You may keep an extra pair of pants or clothes in your office if you wish.
New lab workers must have safety training. If they are coming from an organized group such as SRI they may have already been set up, if not they must contact our office for instructions on taking the training.
Humidity changes may cause disturbances in the lab such as condensation forming on cold surfaces. Make sure to clean this condensation up right away so it doesn't present a slip hazard or become confused with a chemical spill.
Incident Spotlight
A recent incident in a general chemistry lab has highlighted the importance of fire extinguisher training. Undergraduates at Northwestern University discovered that hydrogen peroxide soaked absorbent pads in their fume hood ignited, and luckily their fire extinguisher training kicked in and the TA extinguished the fire without incident.
Remember here at Binghamton you may fight any fire, but make sure a pull station is pulled first. Next you may grab the fire extinguisher nearest you and discharge it. UPD and EHS must be made aware of the incident so we can do required regulatory reporting and replace the extinguisher.
EHS Inspections
Annual Safety Inspections are underway. Inspection results will be sent to the PI on LabCliq Safety Management Software. Make sure to address the inspection actions within 10 days.
Common violations found are:
There are often questions and misconceptions regarding these waste streams, as they are not handled the same way (neither through regulatory compliance nor through the EHS office).
From waste collection, to storage requirements, DOT/transportation laws, and final disposal, they have much different requirements that we all must follow to be sure that everything is disposed of safely and appropriately. This is why we collect wastes on opposite weeks (every Tuesday) and we require separate request forms from your lab.
For chemical wastes, please complete this fillable form or email directly to hazwaste@binghamton.edu if you require additional information regarding your hazardous waste.
