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Safety and Environmental Management Requirements for
Operating Laboratory Facilities at UM

  1. Warning signs must be placed at doors to all laboratories and lab support spaces (cold rooms, equipment rooms, spectroscopy rooms, etc.). Signs may be requested by lab managers online at:
    http://www.des.umd.edu/programs/enslab.html
    or information may be supplied directly to an Environmental Safety representative by calling 405-3960. The signage program is available at:
    http://www.des.umd.edu

  2. Review elements of the Lab Personnel Safety Check List with each lab employee and sign off when completed. Return signed copies of the Check Lists to the appropriate departmental Compliance Officer. The Check List is available at:
    http://www.des.umd.edu
    A list of Compliance Officers may be reviewed at:
    https://des.umd.edu

  3. Implement procedures in the UM Personal Protective Equipment Program. The program is available at:
    http://www.des.umd.edu/os/ppe/ppe.pdf
    Required elements of program include:
    1. Written hazard assessments
    2. Provide necessary protective equipment
    3. Train employees in the proper use and care of protective equipment

  4. Post Emergency Response Guide in laboratory (obtain from Environmental Safety at 405-3960) The Guide may be reviewed at:
    http://www.des.umd.edu/hw/spill/response/emergency.html

  5. Post Hazardous Waste Guidelines in laboratory (obtain from Environmental Safety at 405-3960) The Guidelines may be reviewed at:
    http://www.des.umd.edu/hw/pickup/wdg/wdg.html

  6. If chemicals are to be used:
    1. Implement procedures in the UM Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) which is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/os/ch/chp.pdf
      Develop and insert the necessary lab-specific elements:
      1. Chemical inventory
      2. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
        1. Identify carcinogens, teratogens, mutagens, & acute toxins and establish designated location(s) for their use
        2. Define conditions that require prior notification to the lab manager (e.g., substitution of process reagents, unattended reactions, working alone at night, etc.)
        3. Establish requirements for use of Personal Protective Equipment
        4. Specify when engineering controls (e.g., fume hood) are necessary
        5. Emergency procedures
      3. Contact information
      4. Chemical safety data (e.g., Material Safety Data Sheets, or instructions for their access)
      5. Specify prior approval conditions
      Submit copy of completed Chemical Hygiene Plan to Environmental Safety and applicable Compliance Officer.
    2. If chemical exposure is suspected, contact Environmental Safety (301) 405-3980 to coordinate exposure assessment
    3. Insure that employees report (suspected) chemical over-exposures or injuries and seek medical attention
    4. Coordinate training of all lab employees:
      Chemical Hygiene Training Program for Laboratory Workers is available online at:
      https://des.umd.edu/Training/ch/login.cfm
      Lab Manager must provide training to lab employees concerning the implementation of CHP and SOPs
    5. Obtain a spill kit for containment of minor spills in laboratories. Kit and replacement supplies are available from General Stores. Description and part numbers are available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/hw/spill/generalstores.html

  7. If regulated wastes are generated (chemical, biological, radiological):
    1. Take the Waste Generator Training annually which is available online at:
      https://des.umd.edu/training/rcra/login.cfm
    2. If radioactive waste is generated, take the Radioactive Waste Generator Training which is available online at:
      https://des.umd.edu/training/RadWaste/login.cfm
    3. Implement requirements and procedures defined in the UM Hazardous Waste Procedures Manual which is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/hw/rest/manual/manual.pdf
    4. Regulated waste pickup requests are submitted online at:
      https://des.umd.edu/Waste/login.cfm

  8. If research involving infectious agents, transgenic plants or animals, human blood or tissue, or recombinant DNA is conducted:
    1. Notify the Biosafety Officer of your intent to conduct this research by completing the appropriate registration form which is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/general/form.html
    2. Implement procedures in UM Biosafety Manual which is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/biosafety/rest/manual.pdf
    3. If working with human blood, unfixed human tissues or human cell cultures, take Bloodborne Pathogens for Researchers training annually which is available online at:
      https://des.umd.edu/training/bbp/login.cfm
      and implement procedures of the UM Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan which is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/biosafety/bbp/bbp1.html
    4. If working with infectious agents take the Biosafety Level 2 Training.

  9. If research involves radioactive materials:
    1. Implement procedures in the UM Radiation Safety Manual which is available at: http://www.des.umd.edu/rs/material/manual/begin.html
    2. Take Radiation Safety training online which is available at:
      https://des.umd.edu/Training/BasicT.cfm
    3. Review and follow the Authorization Procedures for Radioactive Materials which are available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/rs/material/rso009/rso009.html
    4. Ensure that the required Notice to Employee is posted in the lab by Environmental Safety staff ((301) 314-8336):
      http://www.des.umd.edu/rs/material/notice.html
    5. The Radioactive Material Ordering Form is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/rs/material/purchasing.pdf
    6. Consult the Radiation Safety Officer/staff ((301) 314-8336) or the Radiation Safety Web Page for additional information concerning X-Ray devices, particle accelerators, transportation of radioactive materials:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/rs/index.html

  10. If research involves Class III or Class IV lasers:
    1. Implement procedures in the UM Laser Safety Plan which is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/rs/laser/laserplan.html
    2. Post signs on lab door when lasers are operating. Signs may be obtained from Environmental Safety ((301) 314-8336).
    3. Take the Laser Safety Training
    4. Contact the Laser Safety Officer ((301) 405-3985) for assistance, consultation and information.

  11. If research involves formaldehyde:
    1. Implement procedures in the UM Formaldehyde Management Plan which is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/os/mngmt/formaldehyde.html

  12. If research involves methylene chloride:
    1. Implement procedures in the UM Methylene Chloride Management Plan which is available at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/os/mngmt/methylenechloride.html

  13. If researchers prepare packages of hazardous materials for shipment by commercial carrier (e.g., FedEx) they must first:
    1. Take Hazardous Materials Transportation Training which is available online at:
      http://www.des.umd.edu/hw/index.html
    2. Contact DES (301) 405-3975 to schedule further training if the hazardous material is a human or animal pathogen.



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