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Environmental Health & Safety Newsletter
April 2002
Environmental Health & Safety Division
Mission Statement
The Medical College of Georgia Environmental Health and Safety Division (EH&S) provides environmental safety services to staff, patients, students, and visitors.
The six sections of EH&S, Administration, Biological Safety, Chemical Safety, Environmental Health & Occupational Safety, Fire Safety, and Radiation Safety ensure full compliance with all local, state and federal laws.
We strive to continually improve the level and quality of services provided through creativity, teamwork and innovation.
THIS ISSUE:
·
Texas
Regents Fire Tenured Professor at San Antonio Campus for Creating Safety
Hazard
·
CEO
of Ohio Company Pleads Guilty to Clean Water Act Violation
·
Training
of Radioactive Material Workers at the Medical College of Georgia and MCG,
Health Inc.
·
“See”
the Facts and Avoid Eye Injuries
Texas
Regents Fire Tenured Professor at San Antonio Campus for Creating Safety
Hazard
Over the past year, the Chemical Safety Committee has begun requiring
researchers to more closely manage laboratory chemicals.
The following article illustrates why chemical management is
important.
A tenured chemistry professor at the University of Texas at San
Antonio was fired [ recently ] on charges that he threatened the safety of
colleagues and students by improperly storing corrosive chemicals in his
laboratory and keeping too many books in his office.
The university's Board of Regents voted 8 to 0, with one abstention,
to terminate Philip L. Stotter, rejecting a unanimous finding in January by
a university hearing panel that there was not good cause to fire him. The
decision ends the professor's 35-year affiliation with the university, 28
years of which he spent on the San Antonio campus. In 2000, an alumnus
established the Philip L. Stotter Award in Organic Chemistry to honor his
former professor.
"I fully anticipated teaching and doing research for 5 or 10
more years," Mr. Stotter, 60, said [ after the decision ]. "I
don't know why the university did it."
University officials, saying they do not discuss personnel matters,
would not comment on the case other than to confirm Mr. Stotter's
termination. A federal lawsuit
that Mr. Stotter filed against the university in 2001 is pending. The suit
alleges that the university violated Mr. Stotter's constitutional right to
due process when it hired a hazardous-material contractor to clean up his
lab last February.
"They entered my lab and stripped it of more than 35 years of
fine chemicals and synthetic samples," said the professor, who
specializes in developing new reagents and synthetic procedures. He would
not say whether the suit would be amended to include claims based on his
firing, and he referred further questions to his lawyer. She could not be
reached for comment.
According to an Associated Press report, university officials in the
past two years had repeatedly urged Mr. Stotter to clean up his office,
which they said posed an extreme fire hazard because he was storing about
100 boxes of books in it. He removed about 40 of the boxes, but his lab was
closed in January 2001 for containing too many corrosive chemicals unsafely
stored.
Mr. Stotter agreed that he was storing too many chemicals but said he
was waiting for the completion of a chemical-storage facility that he had
encouraged the university to build. "I have shown a dramatic concern
for safety in my career," he said. "I was the primary mover in
designing one of the safest and most effective chemistry teaching labs in
the country, and for making sure that the university has a separate building
for the storage of research chemicals."
The university's president, Ricardo Romero, told the Associated Press
that "Every attempt to get this person to act responsibly failed."
He did not return calls from The Chronicle.
The hearing panel, made up of three professors, had found that while
Mr. Stotter's lab clearly posed a safety threat, the university shared some
of the blame for the persistent problem because its safety rules were vague
and open to interpretation, the Associated Press reported.
"I'm not sure where my career is going to go," said Mr.
Stotter. "The idea of an equivalent professorship elsewhere seems
unlikely."
By Jennifer K. Ruark, Copyright © 2002 by The
Chronicle of Higher Education
Reprinted with permission A.M. Wiebe, 14 March 2002
THE
CYLINDER THAT GOT AWAY
The incident...
An operator was
removing one of two fire suppression cylinders containing FM-200 compressed
gas, but things didn’t go as planned.
As you can see in the first photo, only one cylinder is still there.
Its twin made a clean
getaway, through the building roof.
How could this happen?
Compressed gas
cylinders have an enormous amount of stored energy just waiting to be
released. These cylinders
typically have 2200 lbs. p.s.i. stored pressure waiting to be released if
they are dropped, mishandled or abused. If the regulator or valve connection
is broken, exhaust vapor under pressure creates a force that moves the
cylinder like a jet engine... in the direction away from its exhaust trail.
Fortunately, this particular cylinder traveled up instead of across
the room. The pictures speak
for themselves. The force
involved is significant, creating major damage in its wake. Damage to property and injury or death to people could easily
result when this type of energy is released, not to mention the gas itself
displacing oxygen in the area.
To avoid this
situation:
Recall this
incident when working with any type of compressed gas cylinder. Remember the incredible power potential if the gas is
released suddenly. Take these
precautions:
1.
1. Assure all cylinders are properly restrained from
tipping and falling against objects. Never have more than 5 cylinders
restrained together in one place. Pedestal
base, chain or belt restraints all work well.
A proper restraint is critical.
2.
2. Don’t move a cylinder with a regulator attached;
have its valve cap in place when moving it.
3.
3. Never transport cylinders horizontally.
Use a cylinder cart with a restraint belt or chain and keep them
nearly upright.
4.
4. Assure the contents of all your cylinders are properly
labeled. Know the hazards of
the contents by reviewing the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each gas
you use. You can get these from
the supplier.
5.
5. Don’t keep flammable gas cylinders near oxygen cylinders.
6.
6. Remember, many gases can cause frostbite upon contact, and
may not be smelled or seen.
7.
7. If you hear vapor escaping, ensure the valve is
closed. If you still hear vapor, you may have a leak.
A soap bubble solution can help you find a small leak.
For a large leak, leave the room immediately and close the door.
Escaping gas can quickly displace oxygen in the air.
Report the problem to your supervisor at once.
8.
Neve8. Never use grease or oil near oxygen cylinder
regulators or valves. Spontaneous ignition could occur.
Source: Source: American Society of Safety Engineers
ModifiedModified by: Duane Perry. For additional information please
call Mr. Perry at
721-2663.
CEO
OF OHIO COMPANY PLEADS GUILTY TO CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATION
Question: Why
can't I pour my chemicals down
the drain?
Answer:
The Environmental
Protection Agency protects the water in the United States under the Clean
Water Act. Anything poured down the drain eventually ends up in the river or
the water treatment plant. The article below is an example of the penalty
for violating the Clean Water Act:
Ernest
U. Fisco of Beachwood, Ohio, CEO of AAA Pipe Cleaning Corp., pleaded guilty
on Sept. 28 to ordering employees to dump waste into a storm drain through
an illegal pipe, in violation of the Clean Water Act. As part of the plea,
the defendant signed an agreement which calls for him to spend five months
in prison, pay a $55,000 fine and pay $50,000 in restitution.
The storm drain involved empties into Kingsbury Run, a tributary of
the Cuyahoga River. Samples of the wastes were analyzed and contained fecal
coliform bacteria and industrial zinc and copper waste. Discharging fecal
coliform bacteria, zinc and copper into surface waters can make them unsafe
for drinking and recreational uses and creates a potential hazard to the
health of fish and
wildlife populations.
The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division,
the FBI, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Bureau of
Criminal Identification and Investigation. The U.S. Attorney's office in
Cleveland is prosecuting the case.
Source:
When do IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations Apply?
Modified by:
Lyn Eubanks
Training
of Radioactive Material Workers at the Medical College of Georgia and MCG,
Health Inc.
The MCG’s Radiation Safety Office (RSO) trains approximately 1,500
workers every year in the safe use of radioactive material and radiation
producing devices. The training is often tailored to the specific
responsibilities of each worker. Following is a short description of the RSO
training program. It is hoped that this list might be used to ensure
training for those who need it but may not know the extent of training
available.
New Employee Orientation. This short course is given to each
new MCG employee. It is designed to familiarize them with the general
hazards associated with radiation, locations of its use throughout campus
and the functions of the Radiation Safety Office.
Initial Radiation Safety Training. This six-hour class is
given to workers who will work directly with radioactive material. The
course includes Principal Authorized Users and those under their
supervision. It includes biological effects of radiation, basic laboratory
procedures, use of personnel dosimetry, instrumentation, security
requirements, and protection techniques. This course is mandated by state
law and by MCG radioactive material license requirements.
Annual Refresher Training. Those
who receive the initial radiation safety course must have refresher training
each year. The refresher training reviews the most important radiation
safety issues such as security and current regulatory actions. Discussion
among participants is encouraged. This training may be taken on the MCG Web
site.
Activity-Specific Cluster Training. Several activities or
procedures throughout campus require very specific training dealing with the
unique procedure(s) being performed. This training is presented annually or
for each procedure accomplished. Nurses, physicians, technologists and some
researchers receive this training. It lasts approximately one hour. Some of
the areas receiving this training are: Nuclear Medicine, Gamma Knife,
Georgia Radiation Therapy Center, Epilepsy Ward, Animal Irradiator, Blood
Irradiator, wards on which brachytherapy procedures are performed and wards
on which radiopharmaceutical procedures are conducted. This training can be
designed and given to any group needing it and requesting it.
Environmental Services Training. Ancillary personnel in
Environmental Services often work in areas where radioactive material is
used or stored. They also work in areas where patients undergoing radiation
therapy pose an exposure risk. This training presents the locations where
radiation might be prevalent, simple methods of radiation protection, and
steps to take if radiation sources are inadvertently found.
Personnel Dosimetry Training. Each person who is issued
personnel dosimetry receives training on the proper wear of the dosimeter
and simple methods of protection against unnecessary radiation exposure.
This training is provided to each person individually by means of a
videotape prior to issuing the dosimetry.
Public Safety Training. Public Safety personnel are trained
upon their request. A specific course of instruction has been designed and
placed on the MCG Web page for this purpose.
This course presents the locations throughout the campus where
radioactive materials are found and actions to take in the event of an
emergency involving radioactive material.
Biomedical Maintenance Training. Biomedical maintenance
personnel periodically work on machines that contain radioactive material
and are therefore exposed to radiation from these sources.
Procedure-specific training is presented annually to individuals with
these responsibilities.
Warehouse Personnel Training. Individuals who work in the
warehouses receiving packages containing radioactive material are trained
annually. This training consists of a simple explanation of the hazards
presented by exposure to radioactive material and basic precautions to
protect themselves from exposure. Steps to be taken if a package is damaged
are also presented.
Special Training. Special training can be designed and
presented to any population of workers needing and requesting it. The
request should be presented to the Radiation Safety Office at 1-9826.
Written
by: Doug Watson
“SEE”
THE FACTS AND AVOID EYE INJURIES
According to the Department of Labor, an estimated 1,000 eye injuries
occur each day in American workplaces. These injuries cost employers more
than $300 million per year in lost production time, medical expenses, and
worker’s compensation.
How
can employees avoid eye injuries on the job?
1.
Wear eye protection. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nearly
three out of every five workers injured on the job were not wearing eye
protection when the injury occurred.
2.
Know and use the proper eye protection for the particular job.
3.
Make sure eye protection fits properly and allows air to circulate between
the eyes and lens. Ninety-four percent of on-the-job eye injuries result
from chemicals going around or under the protector.
4.
Use extra care when handling chemicals. Statistics show that one-fifth of
all eye injuries are caused by chemicals.
5.
Avoid flying particles, which account for 70 percent of eye-related
injuries.
6.
Wear goggles with face shields for the best eye protection.
Eye
protection is essential. Be
sure devices are free of scratches and dirt for optimum visibility
and use.
Source:
National Safety Council
Modified
by Jimmy Murray
Each year, an average of 5,000 office-building fires are reported.
Would you know what to do if the alarm sounded or you were informed of a
fire in your workplace?
Be prepared. Know the fire plan that MCG calls CODE 17. Study
evacuation routes and know two ways out of each work area. Count the number
of desks or doors between where you work and the nearest exits. (You may
have to escape in the dark.) Know
the location of the nearest fire alarm pull station and fire extinguisher.
Lastly, participate in fire drills.
MCG policy requires that all staff participate in fire drills. Staff
should respond to a drill just like it was a real fire. Close the door of
the room involved, sound the fire alarm and call Public Safety at 721-2911.
Calmly notify others in the area. Leave immediately and quickly. Once
outside, move away from the building. Follow the instructions of the
emergency responders. Do not go back inside until told it is acceptable to
return. Always use the stairs never
the elevators, during a fire or fire drill.
The established procedure in MCG buildings is to evacuate. If you
have a disability that would interfere with your escape, be sure your
supervisor includes your special needs in the area’s escape plans.
Never disregard the sounding of a fire alarm. It may be a drill or a
malfunction but what if it is a fire? There will be no time for training;
you must know what to do. You may
be called upon to save your life and others lives as well. Please know what
to do. The rest of us are depending on you.
Source:
NFPA
Modified
by Jimmy Murray
The
following procedures are required for chemical pick up by the Chemical
Safety Office (CSO):
1.
Fill out a blue chemical
turn-in tag. Blank tags can be
obtained by calling the CSO at 1-2663
2.
Send top (blue) copy to the
CSO at CI-1001 or fax to 1-9844.
3.
Attach remainder of tag to
chemical container(s) to be turned in.
4.
The CSO will pick up your
chemicals on the Wednesday following receipt of the tags.
5.
For more information contact
Lyn Eubanks or Dolly Hobbs at 1-2663.
1.
The Chemical Safety Office
holds a laboratory safety course the third Friday of each month in room
CI-1005. All research faculty
and staff are required to attend this course. Please contact Jim Horne to schedule your attendance, at
1-2591.
2.
The Radiation Safety Office
holds a radiation safety course on the second Friday of each month in room
CI-1005. All new employees,
PAU’s or Rad workers are required to attend.
You may register for a class online at: http://www.mcg.edu/services/ehs/EHSTraining/RadTrain/training.htm
.
3. The Fire Safety Office has a fire safety training module online. It includes the campus fire plan, fire alarms, fire drills, fire extinguishers, interim life safety measures and information about campus fires. At the end of the module you can test your knowledge. The training and/or test can be found at: http://www.mcg.edu/services/ehs/EHSTraining/Index.htm
4. The Environmental Health & Occupational Safety Office has an environmental awareness training module online. It includes identification of hazardous materials, reporting of HazMat incidents, PCBs, refrigerants, pesticides, respirator protection, asbestos and confined spaces. At the end of the module you can test your knowledge. The training and/or test can be found at: http://www.mcg.edu/services/ehs/EHSTraining/Index.htm
Editor:
Christine E. JohnsonTechnical Editors: Jim Horne EHOS/Chemical/ Biological
Phil Maguire Radiation Safety
Director of EH&S: James S. Davis, Ph.D., CHP
Assistant Director: Douglas Watson
EH&S Managers:
Chemical & Biological Safety Office Jim Horne
Environmental Health & Occupational Safety Office Duane Perry
Fire Safety Office Jimmy Murray
Radiation Safety Office Douglas Watson