Conducting Research at the UW: How Environmental Health & Safety Can Assist You

1. Conducting Research at the UW: How Environmental Health & Safety Can Assist You Jude Van Buren, DirectorEnvironmental Health & Safety November 9, 2011 Gerberding Hall 142, University of Washington

2. Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Mission • To support the University of Washington’s teaching, research, and service missions: • EH&S assists units in meeting their responsibility to: • provide a safe and healthful place of employment and learning • protect the environment Faculty Brown Bag on Research

3. Goal: To provide information to you addressing: • How does UW EH&S assist you in your research agenda? • Importance of a culture of safety in a laboratory and academic environment • Risks of not meeting health and safety and environmental rules and guidelines • Importance of Employee accident reporting and prevention • Sources of information to assist you in addressing compliance and risk issues Faculty Brown Bag on Research

4. Working collaboratively with many University Departments (APS 10.1) EH&S assures: • Accident Prevention • Occupational Health • Fire protection/Safety • Public health • Radiation Safety • Biological Safety • Chemical Safety • Hazardous materials disposal • Pollution control Faculty Brown Bag on Research

5. Since 2001: The World of Research has Changed Media Blitz- bad press is easy press New Facility requirements Changed Risk Perception Boston Univ, Texas A&M Hazardous Materials: Purchasing, Shipping and storage restrictions More oversight: Universities are at risk for terrorism Changed view of researchers: not trusted Criminal sanctions: felony FBI Background checks: *Biologicals: Select Agent staff clearance *Radiation“Trustworthy and Reliable” clearance Faculty Brown Bag on Research

6. Conducting research at the UW has many parallels to running a business • You have employees to protect and supervise • You have materials (biologicals/ chemicals/ radiation • You may have animals or plants under your care • You have procedures, methods and protocols for your processes • You have approvals and laws that govern your practices • You have a facility you need to maintain • You have neighbors you must consider Faculty Brown Bag on Research

7. What are the Risks of Operating a Research Lab? • Regulatory fines or restrictions • Acute or chronic health impact or death • Loss of ability to conduct research --negative publicity • UW Mission at risk Faculty Brown Bag on Research

8. Have These Incidents Happened? • Unfortunately - YES! And at the University of Washington • Faculty – Felony conviction/headlines/Bad PR • Researcher – DOT fine • Student – Eye injury • Departments – FAA shipping fine) • Air Emissions fine - • Explosions/fires in Labs – loss of lab and research • Faculty award compromised by another colleague’s lack of compliance Faculty Brown Bag on Research

9. Why is a culture of safety so essential? • Chemical Safety Board video of 3 accidents in laboratories which caused serious accidents and death • http://www.csb.gov/videoroom/detail.aspx?VID=61 • UCLA – death of research assistant • Dartmouth – death of faculty • Texas Tech – explosion caused severe injuries in Graduate student Faculty Brown Bag on Research

10. Accidents in labs DO HAPPEN –and YOU can make a Difference • ! Does your fume hood look like this? Glass beaker explosion occurred here Faculty Brown Bag on Research

11. EH&S is here to assist YOU in preventing accidents Shard of glass from explosion in hood broke 1” lab bench across room- injured senior researcher Researcher was sitting here – injury resulted from glass shards Faculty Brown Bag on Research

12. 5 questions on SAGES that will engage EH&S involvement in your research • EHS-1: Any Pathogenic Agents, Potential Biohazards, recombinant DNA, human tissues or cells, hazardous materials in animal studies or highly toxic chemicals? If YES – then: • EHS-2: Any involvement of acquisition, possession, use transfer or shipping of Select Agents, Exempted Select Agents or Toxins? • EHS-3: Generate hazardous waste without disposal options or mixed waste (radiation + Hazardous components) or multi-hazard waste (biological /hazardous /radiological components)? • EHS- 4: Involvement of uses of radiation: transuranics, gaseous alpha-emitters or intentional release of radionuclides to atmosphere? • EHS1-A: Does Sponsor require Institutional (UW EH&S) Safety Review of facility prior to submission to the sponsor. Faculty Brown Bag on Research

13. If you are working with biological material or recombinant DNA – you MUST have: • Biological Use Authorization (BUA) – • Institutional approval from EH&S and the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). All work with Recombinant DNA, pathogenic organisms, human or non-human primate tissues (including all cell lines) or other biohazardous agents. http://www.ehs.washington.edu/rbsresplan/rpha.shtm • Biological Safety Manual use required and made available to staff http://www.ehs.washington.edu/rbsbiosafe/bsmanualindex.shtm • Biological Safety Training required by NIH for all of above research prior and annually for work with biohazards • In person class offered monthly – soon to be on-line • Bloodborne pathogen training (BBP) required when working with human blood, blood byproducts and human tissue – (new and annual trainings – in person and soon on-line) • ALL EH&S trainings at http://www.ehs.washington.edu/psotrain/corsdesc.shtm#initialbloodborne Faculty Brown Bag on Research

14. If you are working with animals or hazardous materials – you and your staff will need : • Occupational Health Reviews: • All researchers and staff working with Animals • Must complete EH&S Animal Use Medical Screening (AUMS) Form - receive medical clearance. Review required prior to initiation (IACUC approval) and every 3 years. http://www.ehs.washington.edu/rbs/resocchealth.shtm#AUMS • All Animal Research using hazardous materials • IACUC approval requires Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) review of research involving biohazards, chemical hazards • OHN sends PI letter and IACUC recommendations about these hazards in their protocol • PI must review OHN recommendations with staff and adhere to vaccinations requirements where indicated and work safety practices including protocols and personal protective equipment • Highly hazardous chemicals are referred to EH&S Occupational Hygienist for follow up – possible lab visit and changes to protocols and SOPS to address hazards Faculty Brown Bag on Research

15. If you are working with chemicals: You must have engineering controls for chemical use • Appropriate room ventilation • Functional safety shower and eye wash • Fume hood with recent EH&S performance test • Appropriate chemical storage cabinets • Spill kits/secondary containment • Appropriate ventilation if using chemicals in a certified biosafety cabinet Don’t retrofit by yourself – get professional help! Faculty Brown Bag on Research

16. If you are working with chemicals you must have administrative controls for chemical use • Chemical management training • Health Hazards from exposures • Operations • Use/storage/Personal Protective Equipment • Waste/ Spills • Standard Operating Procedures http://www.ehs.washington.edu/epo/chemmanage/index.shtm • Chemical inventory, MSDSs (material safety data) and emergency contacts (MyChem) http://www.ehs.washington.edu/epomychem/index.shtm • Training for shipping hazardous materials • Fire Department hazmat permit • EH&S approval for toxic gases http://www.ehs.washington.edu/fsohazmat/toxgas.shtm#approval • ALL EH&S trainings at http://www.ehs.washington.edu/psotrain/corsdesc.shtm#initialbloodborne Faculty Brown Bag on Research

17. If you are working with radiological materials you MUST have: • Been granted Authorized Investigator (AUI) status by the EH&S Radiation Safety Office or be working under an existing AUI. • http://www.ehs.washington.edu/rsolabauth/rad_auth.shtm#forms • X-ray and laser generating equipment must registered with the Radiation Safety Office. • Training must be verified and inspection schedules established for x-ray producing equipment.  • Disposal of these items must be done properly. Users must notify the RSO prior to disposal. http://www.ehs.washington.edu/rso/index.shtm Faculty Brown Bag on Research

18. As a business person you have employees that you must protect, mentor and govern • Responsibilities you must address for your employees welfare: • Report employee accidents • Employee must inform boss and EH&S http://www.ehs.washington.edu/ohsoars/index.shtm • 2.  Inform your employees of what they are working with: • Worker Right-to-Know Communications http://www.washington.edu/admin/rules//APS/12.05.html • Identify hazardous chemicals- label them appropriately, access Material Safety Data • Sheets (MSDSs) http://www.ehs.washington.edu/epomychem/msds.shtm • 3. Have a current Lab Safety manual http://www.ehs.washington.edu/manuals/lsm/and review it, have it in lab and make it available to staff • 4. Report chemicals in your lab in MyChem – chemical inventory database • http://www.ehs.washington.edu/epomychem/index.shtm Faculty Brown Bag on Research

19. As a business person you have employees that you must protect, mentor and govern • 5. Identify hazardous procedures and describe employee protective measures: • “Chemical” Lab http://www.ehs/washington.edu/manuals/lsm/lsm6.pdf • “Physical” Lab http://www.ehs.washington.edu/rbsresplan/ppe.shtm • 6. Know your Emergency Procedures / Plans • Ask your Department for their Health and Safety Plans and your building’s Emergency Evacuation and Operations Plan • 7. Staff Training- required trainings and trainings to educate new researchers and staff • Ensure all training is documented, keep training current, train all new staff http://www.ehs.washington.edu/manuals/lsm/lsm7.pdf Faculty Brown Bag on Research

20. Examples of costs of not following procedures/protocols/regulations Cost of fine > $10,000 to Metro • Failure of researcher to properly dispose of hazardous waste (fine could have exceeded $10,000 fine -2010) • Violation of air operating permit from EPA resulted in a $350,000 fine – 2006 • 2010 another $22,000 fine) • Failure to protect workers (>$1,500 per event, $12,000) • $33,000 fine levied vs. UW for explosion and violation of FAA shipping regulations (2010) • Loss of labs and research Costs for “dumpster diving” = $800 Faculty Brown Bag on Research

21. Educational Materials created for your use by EH&S & campus partners • On-line trainings: • Radiation • Bloodborne pathogen (BBP) • Biological Safety • Asbestos • Most recently – PI Guide found at: • http://www.ehs.washington.edu/Manuals/piguide.pdf Faculty Brown Bag on Research

22. Education and Outreach: Chemical Waste Handling/Storage/Disposal • Project Goal: Improve • EH&S outreach and training tools related to chemical waste disposal and chemical safety. • School of Medicine • Tina Sheldon (co-chair) • Barbara Loveseth • Dr. Ray Monnat • EH&S • Dave Lundstrom (co-chair) • Douglas Gallucci • Dr. Megan Kogut • Diana Sartorius Faculty Brown Bag on Research

23. Health threats to our employees, our most important resource • Employees are injured/exposed at work and costs of injuries and disabilities are increasing • Worker health and safety citations - L&I cites UW for unsafe work practices, lack of required employee training and failure to support workplace H&S committees • Worker’s compensation claims • costs are increasing • Types of injuries more severe • and more costly: electrocutions, • infected bites, slips and falls, • spills to eyes/face Faculty Brown Bag on Research

24. Examples of jobs with special ergonomic issues: Animal technician jobs • Awkward Postures • Forward reach/lift (change cages) • Overhead reach (top rack rows) • Kneeling, crawling, crouching, forward bending • Wrist & neck bending • Lifting large animals (> 200 lbs. pigs) • Repetition: Gripping / Pinching / Rotation • Twisting on/off water bottle caps • “Pinching” cages • Carrying and dumping cages • Forceps use • Forceful exertions • Lifting animals, bedding, feed bags, water bottle racks Faculty Brown Bag on Research

25. Reporting all accidents and near misses assists University in addressing risks • Accident reporting of all on the job accidents/injuries/near misses to UW employees – at off site locations as well (BBP exposures included) • Report all within 24 hours via Online Accident Reporting System (OARS)http://www.ehs.washington.edu/ohsoars/index.shtm • Report any serious or fatal incident that requires hospitalization to EH&S within 8 hours of knowledge of incident- 206.543.7262 or afterhours UWPD at 911 and ask them to page EH&S • (NOTE: Medical centers employees use PSN to report- hospitalizations require call to EH&S as above). Faculty Brown Bag on Research

26. Accident/Injury prevention training and guidelines provided by EH&S for you • Safety plan • Specific job training for certain jobs with ergonomic strain or repetitive motion • Accident reporting and investigation • Health and Safety committees accident review • Supervisor follow-up to remove cause • Accident prevention training and tips Faculty Brown Bag on Research

27. Four Points to Remember about Your Role as a PI in Lab Safety • Work safely and make sure your students and employees work safety • Ensure all lab employees know and follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) • Follow University Administrative Policy Statements (APS) regarding health and safety • Our job is to assist you to be successful! EH&S Phone: (206) 543-7262 EH&S Website: www.ehs.washington.edu Faculty Brown Bag on Research

28. Summary points: • Operating a full research agenda is like running a business - Worker and campus environmental health and safety is essential to your business and the University’s mission of research and teaching. • EH&S is the liaison with regulators – call us to assist • Report accidents within 7 days • Preventing accidents, and fostering a culture of safety is a proactive way to avoid loss of research, trusted reputation, citations, injured workers, claims costs and environmental fines - EH&S is here to assist you • Questions? Faculty Brown Bag on Research

29. Thank you! • Jude Van Buren Dr.PHDirector • Environmental Health • And Safety • judev@uw.edu206.616.4146Hall Health • Room 229 Faculty Brown Bag on Research