Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Program

DATE: February 24, 1997

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

FROM: Jeff Mellon & Kristin Hunter, CNSM EH&S Coordinators

SUBJECT: SAFETY MEMO 56 ______________________________________________________________________________________

FIRST AID KITS -- Kits placed in offices, labs and shop are a good idea, but an improperly stocked kit violates Cal/OSHA regulations and could cause a critical delay in emergency care. Recent workplace regulations limit kit contents to bandage-related materials and cleaning/disinfecting type products. Common items that are now forbidden include burn ointment, smelling salts, and analgesics (or anything else that can be ingested). In addition, someone must take responsibility for keeping each kit clean and stocked. Contact the CNSM Safety Office if you want to be sure your kit is in compliance. The office will label the kit and provide a supply of disposable gloves (see Safety Memo 53 for bloodborne pathogen cautions).

DEA-REGULATED DRUGS -- Laws relating to drugs (controlled substances governed by the US Drug Enforcement Agency) have changed drastically in the past two years. Federal Law now requires that a current DEA permit be held by any person in possession of common lab "drugs" such as sodium barbital, chloral hydrate and steroids, even if the drugs were properly acquired prior to the new regulations. These permits cost $70 each year and specific inventory tracking, security measures, and user training are required. CNSM Safety has already contacted all faculty and staff who have listed these drugs on their Hazardous Material Inventories. If you have not yet been contacted but suspect you possess a material that is classified as a regulated drug, please notify the office ASAP at x55623.

RADIATION SOURCES AND MACHINES -- State-regulated sources of radiation must be acquired and/or disposed of in a specific manner. It is not uncommon for scientific equipment classified as "radiation-producing" or containing a regulated radiation source to come onto campus without the required approval. X-ray equipment such as x-ray diffraction analysis systems and electron microscopes are examples of x-ray producing machines. Liquid scintillation counters and gas chromatographs with electron capture detectors are examples of equipment that contain regulated sources of radioactive material. Acquisition of such equipment requires prior approval from the CSULB Radiation Safety Committee (RSC). Disposal of such items also must be formally coordinated with the RSC. Please contact the CNSM Safety Office for guidance and approval prior to disposal/transfer, purchasing, or accepting a donation of such equipment.

WATER SPILLS -- The college continues to suffer thousands of dollars in loss from damaged equipment, ruined research projects, and lost time as a result of water damage. Be advised that most floors, counter tops and fume hoods in our science buildings are NOT liquid-tight. Spilled water WILL percolate through various penetrations and the dirty water will drip, if not flood, areas below. Leaking hoses from unattended stills have caused the most (non-rain related) damage, but careless dishwashing at a sink or defrosting a lab freezer have caused their share of damage as well. Please avoid such incidents. Inform your lab workers and students of the problem. Ensure that spills are mopped up immediately. If necessary, call the Facilities Management "Help" line at 5-HELP and they can send a custodian with a "wet vac" to help clean up the water. Known floor penetrations, broken sinks and defective plumbing are usually fixed at no cost to the College; call 5-HELP AND our Associate Dean of Facilities, Bob Loeschen (5-54939) when such repairs are needed.

STUDENT INJURY/ILLNESS PROCEDURES: If a student is seriously injured or ill in your teaching laboratory and needs medical assistance please follow the procedure below. If a student has a minor injury the most treatment we are allowed is to provide a bandage. The student should always be referred to the Student Health Center for professional evaluation.

Please note: If the injured person is an employee of either the University or the Foundation and the injury is work-related, different procedures must be followed. The injured employee should contact their supervisor immediately. The injured employee's supervisor will then work with the designated Administrative Services Manager to prepare specific documents: Henry Wu at X5-4646 or Frank Costa at X5-4265 handle our University cases. Foundation-paid employees should work with Melody Fogarty at X5-7949.

1) GET HELP - Dial 911 FROM ANY OFFICE PHONE or use one of the special CSULB campus emergency phones. Know these key CNSM Emergency phone locations:

PH3 second floor stairwell near PH3-207C

PH2 second floor, across the hall from the Chem Issue Room, PH2-214

PH3 first floor in the cross hallway near PH3-116

PH3 basement across the hall from the Safety Office, PH3-018

MICROBIOLOGY 100 Level, across from elevator (in a wall-mounted box)

PH2, PH3, and Microbiology elevators (inside each)

PH2/3 Loading Dock (to the left of the "Blockhouse" door)

These are direct lines to CSULB Public Safety. Give them as much information as possible.

2) STUDENT HEALTH CENTER - The Student Health Center (SHC) is used for the student's initial treatment when possible. If the student needs to be transported to the SHC or elsewhere, campus Public Safety will make the arrangements. A student injured in a lab may be required to present a medical clearance document prior to readmittance to the lab.

3) BLOOD - If anyone is injured and any blood or human body fluids are involved, please notify the CNSM Safety Office (X5-5623) or Campus Safety and Risk Management (x5-2283). Certain protocols should be followed anytime anyone is exposed to human body fluids. College Safety personnel have received special training in the handling and clean-up of infectious materials and are the only CNSM personnel who should clean-up a spill of that nature.

4) REPORTING - The supervisor in charge of the area must file an Incident Report. These forms are available in department offices and the CNSM Safety Office. Do not have the injured student fill out the Incident Report; the lab supervisor is required to complete the report. Get help from department administration or the CNSM Safety Office if necessary. Turn in the completed form to your department office and give a copy of the Incident Report to the lab course coordinator.

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cc: Office of Safety and Risk Management