swanson school lunch and learn part 1
DESCRIPTION
Keep Safety in Mind and Save Your Behind Presenters: Schohn L. Shannon, Assistant Dean of Engineering Keith M. Duval, Environmental Manager, Environmental Health and Safety Topics will cover the laboratory safety initiatives implemented by the University, the training that is offered, and other resources available from Environmental, Health and Safety, as well as some of the more common safety issues that are encountered within the Swanson School. In light of the tragic accident at UCLA and the subsequent first-ever filing of criminal charges against an academic faculty member, the potential implications for faculty and principal investigators will be discussed.TRANSCRIPT
Environmental Health and Safety
“Keep Safety in Mind and Save Your Behind”
Department of Environmental Health and Safety(412) [email protected]
Swanson School of EngineeringDecember 5, 2013
Environmental Health and Safety
EH&S Training Programs
• Chemical Hygiene Training• Bloodborne Pathogen Training• Dangerous Goods Shipping
Training
These programs are offered both online and in a classroom setting.
Environmental Health and Safety
Additional Training Programs Available
•Confined Space Entry •Lockout/Tagout •Lead Awareness
•Laser Safety •Hazard Communication
•Fall Protection
•Respiratory Protection •Personal Protective Equipment
•Ergonomics
•Fire Safety •Asbestos Awareness •Respirator Fit Testing
•Hearing conservation •Ladders/scaffolds
Environmental Health and Safety
Maintaining Compliance at Pitt
Compliance Considerations:• EPA • OSHA • FDA • DOT/FAA• DEA• USDA/CDC• Local: ACHD, PA DEP, PA Dept. of Ag
Environmental Health and Safety
Safety Issues Encountered at Swanson School Chemical Waste
Before After
Environmental Health and Safety
Unknown/Unidentified Chemicals
Environmental Health and Safety
Unknown/Unlabeled Chemical Waste
Environmental Health and Safety
Compressed Gas Storage Issues
31 Cylinders 1 Chain
Environmental Health and Safety
Emergency Exit/Egress Restrictions
Environmental Health and Safety
Electrical Issues
Environmental Health and Safety
Chemical Storage IssuesBefore After
Environmental Health and Safety
Chemical Waste Disposal
Environmental Health and Safety
UCLA Fatal Lab Accident• 1/16/09, 23 yr old staff research assistant died from injuries
sustained in a chemical fire at a UCLA research lab (December 29, 2008)
• Working with t-butyllithium (tBuLi), & plunger accidently came out of syringe. tBuLi was exposed to the atmosphere.
• tBuLi ignited and caught the researcher’s polyester sweater on fire (no lab coat)
• Safety shower was available, but postdoc wrapped a lab coat around researcher in an effort to put out the fire
• Lab coat began to burn and then postdoc poured water on researcher from a nearby sink
• Transported to burn center and later died on January 16, 2009
Environmental Health and Safety
Accident Investigation by Cal/OSHA
Findings:• Determined that lab typically follows Aldrich Technical Bulletin for
handling air-sensitive reagents• Bulletin mentions that the needle used to transfer air-sensitive
reagents should be 1 to 2 ft long, researcher was using 1.5 inch long needle
• Charges filed against both the University and PI• Cited for lack of training, failure to document training, failure to
correct unsafe laboratory conditions/work practices, and failure to ensure that employees wear personal protective equipment
Environmental Health and Safety
Cal/OSHA Charges• UCLA settled charges in July 2012, agreed to
comprehensive corrective safety measures and established a $500K scholarship.
• PI faces felony charges for violating state labor code. First criminal case involving an academic lab accident in US.
• Charged with willfully violating state health & safety standards: failure to provide chemical safety training to employees, failure to require PPE for employees, failure to correct unsafe conditions in workplace.
• Faces up to 4 ½ years in prison if convicted
Environmental Health and Safety
Criminal Case Moves Forward• Trial will begin with 60 days of 10/3/13• PI’s lawyers argued that laws were not willfully
violated, and researcher was a “seasoned chemist” who was trained by a senior researcher in the lab
• LA County Superior Court refused to dismiss charges
• Court was not convinced that the researcher was trained properly
• Court concluded that the PI is an “employer” since PI has authority to “hire/fire”
• Trail has yet to begin
Environmental Health and Safety
Contact Information:
Environmental Health and Safety412-624-9505
Environmental Health and Safety
• SaM I Am: • How the Center for Simulation and Modeling
• can Increase the Quality and Impact • of your Computationally-Enabled Research
• The mission of the Center is to facilitate interdisciplinary collaborations, especially between experimentalists and modelers, on tackling grand challenge problems impacting everyday life. In addition to providing access to state-of-the-art computing hardware, consultants can lend their expertise towards redesigning your computation software or workflow to provide more efficient research throughput. In this talk, faculty will learn about the diverse services offered by SaM as well as examples of recent collaborations that have lead to proposal awards, have accelerated research, and have enhanced the training opportunities for students.
Don’t Miss the Next VORP Lunch & Learn!January 9, 2014