PCB Environmental Health & Safety

The procedures and information provided on this web page are for the Faculty and Staff of The Ohio State University, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology. Other Departments may have different procedures to follow.

Issues regarding Building Safety/Emergency Operations and Evacuation Plan are handled by Mike Gregory, OSUMC Safety Director. Mike's contact information is 292-9767, Michael.Gregory@osumc.edu.

The COM OSHA Coordinator is Dr. Cecil Smith, Assistant Vice President and Institutional Biosafety Officer. He is located in 244 Meiling Hall, and may be reached at 292-0220, Cecil.Smith@osumc.edu.

College of Medicine staff members are required to take a variety of training programs to comply with local, state, federal, and accreditation agencies. Each employee's duties are reviewed and assigned to training requirements. There are two groups of employees within the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology:

Group 2: Non-clinical with no laboratory duties

Group 3: Non-clinical with laboratory duties

Below are the training requirements for each group:

Group 2:

• HIPAA Basic
• HIPAA Module 3: Information Safeguards and Security
• Institutional Data Training
• Sexual Harassment
• OSU EOEP (Building Safety) [includes fire safety and emergencies] - one time
• Generic Hazard Communication Online (HazCom)

Group 3:

• HIPAA Basic
• HIPAA Module 3: Information Safeguards and Security
• Institutional Data Training
• Sexual Harassment
• OSU EOEP (Building Safety) [includes fire safety and emergencies] - one time
• Laboratory Standard Training - one time with annual in lab refresher
• Bloodborne Pathogens - initial
• Bloodborne Pathogens Refresher Training (annual update)

Please remember when you complete the online registry and training sessions to print the completion screen or exam results. A copy of that record needs to go to your Laboratory Mentor or Supervisor. Thanks!

HIPAA Training

All OSUMC/COM employees are required to take HIPAA training. These courses may be accessed at http://orrp.osu.edu/irb/training/citi.cfm.

Institutional Data Training

All employees and students in the Department of Physiology and Cell Biology are required to take the Institutional Data Training. The online training may be accessed at http://buckeyesecure.osu.edu/Policy/InstitutionalDataTraining.

Building Safety Training

All new employees are required to take the Building Safety Training course. It is mandatory for every employee located in a COMPH building to take the one time only training session. Building Safety/Emergency Operations and Evacuation Plan (EOEP) training can be completed online at the EH&S training site (http://www.ehs.ohio-state.edu/index.asp?PAGE=ehs.training).

Hazard Communication Training

The Generic Hazard Communications online training is required for non-lab personnel. This is a one time only training session. The training may be accessed at https://www.ehs.ohio-state.edu/secure2/index.asp?ref=programs.

Responsible Research Practices Training

The Office of Responsible Research Practices offers free web-based educational courses licensed by the Collaborative IRB Training Initiative that can be used to supplement required training. Following are a few courses available for all faculty, staff, and students: International Research, Responsible Conduct of Research. Contact: colvin.51@osu.edu http://orrp.osu.edu/irb/training/rcr.cfm.

Lab Standard Training

The Lab Standard Training is mandatory for all research lab personnel, including Faculty, Research Staff, Postdoctoral Researchers/Fellows, Graduate Students, and Undergraduate Students. The online version covers regulatory requirements, employer responsibilities, employee rights, and how to implement the standards. It can be used as a substitute or in conjunction with the Generic Lab Standard classroom session. http://www.ehs.ohio-state.edu/index.asp?PAGE=ehs.training Those taking the training will need their OSU e-mail identification number and password. The certificate must be printed and the test taken to receive credit.

Generic Biosafety Training / Bloodborne Pathogens Training

All new hires in research labs are required to take Generic Biosafety Training/Bloodborne Pathogens Training (http://www.ehs.ohio-state.edu/index.asp?PAGE=ehs.training). Once successfully completed, your name will be entered on the COM Safety Page (http://www2.med.ohio-state.edu/safety/) under 'Generic Safety Training Records', indicating that you have fulfilled the OSHA mandated training requirement. Your ID or SS number will not appear on the record.

Occupational Health Registry

All research faculty, staff, and students are required to submit the electronic 'Occupational Health Registry' form listing workplace exposures to the Office of Responsible Research Practices (ORRP). The form may be accessed on their website (https://rf.osu.edu/secure/ochre/). Your University e-mail address and password are required to enter. Also, anytime there are procedure or chemical/radiation changes in the lab or if there is a health change (i.e., pregnancy, a new diagnosis of cancer, etc.), an updated Occupational Health Registry form must be completed. There are guidelines for volunteers who come into contact with animals.

Risk Management

All personnel receive safety training that is required for their position.

In the event that job related injury occurs, the employee’s Supervisor and Department Administrator must be notified immediately. Accident report forms are completed and forwarded to Environmental Health and Safety. Medical attention, if needed, is available at Employee Health (2A Cramblett Hall, University Hospital Clinic) during regular business hours or the OSUMC Emergency Department after hours.

  Employee Accident Report

Volunteer Applications for Research Laboratories

Just a reminder that all volunteers working in research laboratories must complete applications and provide the required medical screening and references prior to starting positions. There are guidelines for volunteers who come into contact with animals.

The requirements for a volunteer are listed below and on pg 2 of the volunteer application:

Requirements	Responsibility
Clearing background check(s) & receiving an OSUWMC ID badge	HR Service Center
Completing a volunteer application	HR Service Center
Compose a Welcome letter to the Volunteer from the Chair & save to shared drive	Department
Volunteer provides 2 letters of recommendation	HR Service Center
Health exams are completed (#9 from the volunteer application)-proof of health insurance and current tetanus and Hepatitis B vaccinations are required.	HR Service Center
Safety Training is completed (not required prior to start date)	Department

  Adult Volunteers in Research Labs Policy/Form

  Minor Volunteers in Research Labs Policy/Form

Radiation Safety Training

The material presented in this program requires a basic understanding of biology, chemistry, and physics. The seven modules presented are: Radiation Protection Fundamentals Regulatory Requirements and Administrative Practices Risk, As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), Personnel Monitoring Contamination Detection, Survey Techniques, and Instrumentation Laboratory Inspection Program Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Spill Response / Emergency Procedures. Once you have completed the training you need to print the RS-2 Form.

Animal Usage Courses

All employees who use animals or animal tissues are required to take the Animal Usage Orientation Course http://orrp.osu.edu/iacuc/training/ upon hire. More intensive Animal Usage Classes are offered also.

Chemical Redistribution Program Available at OSU

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s Chemical Redistribution program has usable chemicals available at no cost for faculty and staff to be used on campus for university related purposes. Interested persons must register on the Environmental Affairs portion of the Environmental Health and Safety Web site to view the available chemicals. As requests are filled, they will be delivered within a week. Contact: 292-1284

Hazardous Materials Inventory Forms

Managing hazardous materials is an important part of maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors, staff and students. OSU Health System's Department of Safety is assisting in this effort by implementing a quarterly hazardous materials inventory process. An inventory sheet has been created to document any hazardous chemicals located in each work area. Managers in all areas should complete the inventory form and fax a copy to the Department of Safety at 292-7517. The original form should be kept in the work area. Inventory should be updated quarterly and a new form must be faxed to Safety. Dates to submit inventory are: May 15, August 15 and November 15. If you have questions about completion of the form contact the Department of Safety at 292-9767.
The inventory form (http://www.medctr.ohio-state.edu/Departments/Safety/Docs/Hazardous%20Material%20Inventory.pdf) can be found on OneSource under Departments > Safety > References > Environmental Safety > Hazardous Materials Inventory.

OEH&S Extended Laboratory Safety Course

This is a reminder that the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (OEH&S) sponsors an Extended Laboratory Safety Training Course. The course consists of five-two hour sessions, a total of 10 hours. Classes meet on THURSDAYS from 2 - 4 PM, in Room 700B at the 1314 Kinnear Road training facility. Be prepared to provide your name, department and e-mail address. Please note that the class is limited to 40 participants.

Note: Although this 10-hour class is not mandatory for College of Medicine and Public Health employees, beginning graduate students and others without extensive laboratory experience are encouraged to enroll. The program fulfills the "basic/generic" training requirement for OSHA&'s Hazard Communication, Laboratory and Bloodborne Pathogens Standards. Please make sure your attendance is recorded. It should be noted that complete Hazard Communication/Lab Standard or Bloodborne Pathogens Standard training must include workplace-specific training on Standard Operating Procedures, which is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (see Safety Management Guidebook in your department office).

For additional questions contact: Gary Isaacs at 292-1284 (isaacs.30@osu.edu). To pre-register, call OEH&S at 292-1284 and ask to register for the 10 hour 'Extended Lab Safety Course'.

Individual Laboratory Chemical Hygiene Plans

The Chemical Hygiene Plan template is available at http://www.ehs.ohio-state.edu/docs/labsafe/Chem%20Inventory%20Template.xls for review and to update your Lab Plan. All Chemical Hygiene Plans should be updated at least annually.

Keeping Your Chemical Hygiene Plan Up-To-Date

According to the OSHA Laboratory Standard 1910.1450 chemical hygiene plans are subject to annual review by the chemical hygiene officer, laboratory supervisor or principle investigator. Changes, additions and updates are to be made during this review. Once the review is complete, the CHP is to be re-dated to keep the plan current to the calendar year. The problem with waiting for your annual review to make changes is you must think back to what has changed and spend time going through the entire document. If no changes occur within a year, simply re-date your CHP with a current date.

Most laboratories are highly active and changes occur throughout the year. New employees are hired, chemical inventories are adjusted, new equipment is purchased or standard operating procedures are added or modified. In this instance, an alternative to the annual review should be considered; keep your CHP current by making changes and updates as they occur. The switch to our on-line chemical hygiene plan has made this process much easier. In addition, each time your CHP is updated or changed, your CHP starts a new clock and is good for another year. Many research groups at Ohio State have found this to be much easier and less time consuming.

So, what do you look for as you keep your chemical hygiene plan current? The three most common items that change in the CHP include training records, inventories and SOPs. Unless a laboratory moves or acquires new space, other changes are less likely.

Tips to keep your CHP current:

1. As new employees are hired, collect training certificates and update in-house training records as these employees complete training.
2. Use electronic inventories and make additions and deletions as they occur. In the near future OEHS will have a chemical inventory program available on-line.
3. As new laboratory procedures are added or old procedures are adjusted, review existing SOPs and make changes or use the on-line guide for creating a standard operating procedure.
4. Make sure contacts and phone numbers are current. Re-date the second page of your chemical hygiene plan.

Eating and Drinking in Laboratories

Evidence of eating and drinking in laboratories has been witnessed on many occasions during laboratory visits. Eating, drinking, gum chewing, tobacco use, use of cosmetics, food preparation and storage within the laboratories can result in the accidental ingestion of hazardous materials (chemical, radiological, biological). To comply with regulations and guidelines established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the World Health Organization (WHO), The Ohio State University prohibits these activities or evidence of these activities in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored. Good lab practices will reduce the potential for lab personnel to have exposures to hazardous materials through ingestion. Please remember that this is a 15 point violation for radiation users. In addition, good lab practice incorporates standard hand hygiene practices, which include not wearing gloves outside of the lab. So, if you are craving a snack or are thirsty, please remember to remove your personal protective equipment (e.g. lab coat, gloves), wash your hands, and then consume your food and drink outside of the laboratory. Please also remember to dispose of any food and drink packages outside of the laboratory.

Cleaning of Laboratory Coats

One of EH&S's guidelines is that lab coats cannot be taken home for cleaning. I have contacted the OSUMC Scrub Room. They will clean lab coats as long as your name is on the coat (indelible ink, collar or pocket), so they know who it belongs to.

The Scrub Room is in South 537 Rhodes Hall. When you drop off your coats, there will be a form to fill out for your name and phone #.