Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Program

DATE: December 16, 1992

TO: ALL CNS FACULTY, STAFF, FOUNDATION & STUDENT EMPLOYEES

FROM: David Carlberg, Chair, College EH&S Committee

Jeff Mellon, EH&S Coordinator

SUBJECT: SAFETY MEMO 50

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HAZARDOUS WASTE ‑‑ New environmental regulations require more strict management of wastes that contain inorganic MERCURY COMPOUNDS. Disposal of wastes containing mercury salts is difficult and expensive. Please modify your activities so as to minimize the generation wastes containing mercury salts. The most simple minimization technique involves segregating mercury salts from all other wastes. Feel free to contact the CNS EH&S office for more information on this subject.

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) -- Knowledge is a foundation of safety. All persons who use hazardous materials must be aware of the hazardous properties of that material, how it can affect health and the environment, how to minimize exposure, what warning labels are required, and how to respond to an emergency. This knowledge must be communicated to all users of that material. A MSDS will serve as a concise summary of this information. Cal/OSHA requires that a proper MSDS be available for each hazardous material used in the workplace. If you do not already maintain a current inventory of MSDS's, now is the time to do it. MSDS's for CNS items can be obtained from any one of several sources: The MSDS library in the CNS EH&S Office (MICRO 001), Chemistry Issue (PH2-214), from the "Safe Chem II" database in FO5-128 (generic MSDS's) and through central campus EH&S (J.T. Baker products). Most manufacturers of hazardous materials will mail and/or FAX an MSDS upon request. Please forward photocopies of new or unusual MSDS's to the CNS EH&S office so that they are available to others.

ERGONOMICS -- Be aware that job tasks requiring repetitive motion can, in time, induce serious injury. Unhealthy work habits in keyboard operation are a common source of ergonomic complaints. The CSULB EH&S Office is closely monitoring draft Cal/OSHA regulations relating to ergonomics and will eventually develop a campuswide policy. Until a policy is forged, use common sense to minimize ergonomic problems in your workplace. Strive to comfortably configure your workstation. Where possible, schedule tasks into multiple sessions rather than a single block. Break from the task as needed to minimize stress and strain. Specially designed tools are available that can lessen the chance of these injuries. Back supports can be employed for persons who must perform certain lifting tasks. Contact the CNS EH&S office for information or an evaluation of your work practices if you suspect your job puts you at risk for repetitive motion syndrome or back injury.

CENTRIFUGE SAFETY -- Because centrifuges are designed to run at high speeds, rotor assemblies are subjected to stresses that induce metal fatigue. Most centrifuge rotor assemblies are designed by the manufacturer with a fixed "retirement" schedule. In some cases the manufacturer has specified a scheduled down-rating of maximum RPM for rotor components, and in other cases the rotor assemblies have a retirement date stamped on them. It is the responsibility of each centrifuge user (department or faculty member) to ensure that:

1. Use is restricted to persons who have been properly trained in centrifuge operation and safety practices.

2. An adequate visual inspection program for the rotor assembly is in place as specified by the SFM 50 12/16/92

manufacturer (usually monthly).

3. The rotor unit is "downgraded" in maximum RPM and/or retired following the manufacturer's recommendations.

CHEMICAL FUME HOODS -- Chemical fume hoods constitute an important safety resource for CNS personnel. Hoods must be used PROPERLY in order to achieve protection from hazardous emissions that may arise from the materials being handled within. General guidelines for the use of a chemical fume hood are listed below. All conditions MUST be met when handling chemicals that could expose you to harmful concentrations (levels above the Cal/OSHA Threshold Limit Value).

1. The unit must have passed a performance inspection within the last year. A sticker near the sash will indicate the most recent inspection date.

2. A continuously-operating airflow indicator must be present, operational and demonstrate proper airflow. A length of mylar tinsel will suffice.

3. Use the hood with the sash no higher than the point indicated by the "arrow" stickers.

4. Large items placed in the hood near the sash (> the size of a toaster) will impede airflow. Such an obstacle will render the hood illegal for use as a protective device and could cause emissions to escape into the workroom. If in doubt as to the performance of your hood for any reason, arrange for an airflow survey prior to using it for potentially hazardous operations.

5. Hoods that do not pass inspection are posted with a warning sign. These hoods MAY be used for "open bench" type operations that only generate nuisance levels of airborne contaminants.

6. Promptly report hood airflow, plumbing or other utility problems to Plant Operations. Report sash problems to the CNS EH&S office. After repair to major components, the airflow must be re-surveyed if the indicator suggests diminished performance.

7. Do not use the hood to intentionally dispose of (evaporate) hazardous materials. Containers of volatile materials in the hood must be kept closed when not in use.

8. Hood use for a regulated carcinogen requires more stringent standards. Contact CNS EH&S for details.

9. Hoods should be cleaned periodically. Annual cleaning is recommended. The CNS EH&S office has developed a simple written procedure for cleaning a fume hood.

cc: Campus Environmental Health and Safety