Use your browser's Find command to search for a word or phrase Please contact swihart@purdue.edu if you know of a way to sort the archives Gibberish passages are attachments, they do not archive well! HTML tags in list messages also do not always archive well. A double line as immediately below indicates the beginning of a new message ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 08:18:36 +200 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Conrad Bosch Organization: National Centre Occupational Health Subject: Re: Emergency exit In-Reply-To: <1.5.4.16.19990131104240.211f3e60@sun1.ksu.edu.sa> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Hi all! You are correct - and no arguing about that! We have a similar situation an all our buildings. Emergency exits/fire doors are being locked and keys are kept with security personnel. In the event of emergency the security personnel with keys to these doors are no where to be found? Luckily the situation is starting to change with the installation of small cabinettes next to exit/fire doors in which keys will be housed. The glass faces of such cabinettes can easily be cracked in case of emergency. Also providing keys to several responsible staff members (contingency officers), for use in emergency. Some people just dont understand health and safety! (My views only) Conrad Bosch Chief Contingency Officer Occupational Hygiene Section National Centre for Occupational Health Johannesburg South-Africa cbosch@ncoh.pwv.gov.za ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 19:57:39 +1300 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Tony Haggerty Subject: Re: Emergency exit MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In New Zealand the Fire Evacuation law requires that Emergency Exits be opened without the use of a key. We battle with security agencies and Insurance companies but we have yet to have a major life loss from an improper exitway. If your security people jib at having emergency doors which can be opened like this, then get them to check the Coconut Grove fire in Boston in 1942 with 492 dead and ask them if they could deal with that in their lives. I'm sure US fire ordinances will allow nothing less. Aziz, you may have some education to do but hopefully good sense will prevail. Tony NZFS ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 07:21:40 EST Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Labsafe@AOL.COM Subject: Administrative Reminders Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hi NACHOs Periodically, I'll post to the list this series of administrative reminders. These are some guidelines for use of LABSAFETY-L. If you have any suggestions for changes (additions or subtractions), please send them to me directly unless they are of general interest to the whole group. Thanks to Linda Swihart for help to compile the list. ... jim Administrative Reminders..... 1. All messages should be related to lab safety or topics which will be of interest to chemical hygiene officers or lab safety professionals. Minimize tangential discussions. Please take them to private email. *** We will achieve a larger and more participative readership if we stick to this.*** 2. Please DO NOT send attachments to the list! They will bog down the mail server and fill the archives and digests with ASCII code. They will also be unreadable by many subscribers. If you have a file to share, announce its availability to the list, and attach it to private email to individuals who request it. (And the requests should be made in private email, not to the list.) 3. Keep in mind that when you REPLY to a message from the list, you will reply to the *entire* list, not just to the person to whose message you are replying. Usually. Keep an eye on which address appears in the "To:" box of your emailer when you press REPLY. 4. Please trim quoted text to a bare minumum when making replies. Everyone on the list receives every message, and you need only quote minimum pertinent parts to refresh the thread of discussion. At the same time, take care to keep quotes in context so as not to misrepresent another's remarks. 5. There are many excellent products and services that are available out there. LSW would like to encourage anyone who feels they have something of value for NACHO members to use LABSAFETY-L to let them know about the product or service. This policy is intentionally different from other discussion lists. It recognizes our need to solve lab safety/CHO problems with products and services as well as ideas. We also those who have used the product or service can comment on their experiences. Specific follow-up questions and requests should be directed personally and not to the discussion list. 6. Let's maintain a discussion environment that respects diverse points of views and opinions. Be patient, polite, and treat each other with kindness. 7. Membership in the National Assoiciation of Chemical Hygiene Officers (NACHO) is free and open to anyone who is a CHO or interested in lab safety issues. You join NACHO by subscribing to the LABSAFETY-L discussion list. LABSAFETY-L is a public service of the Laboratory Safety Workshop, the list owner. Please tell your friends and colleagues about NACHO and encourage them to join. 8. Typically many people on a list are "lurkers" (read but never post). LSW would like to encourage everyone to join in the conversation. If you have not yet participated, please post a short note introducing yourself and your interests in lab safety. The more active contributors can help encourage participation. Please continue the professional-while-cheerful demeanor and clear, readable messages which have characterized our first year. 9. No question is too basic for LABSAFETY-L. Some NACHO members have been in the field for a long time, others are just beginning. Welcome all new members and all questions. As we see recurring questions, let's develop FAQs for the web site. And, let's all learn to effectively use our archives. 10. Thank you for taking the time to review these reminders. Please share comments and suggestions directly with me. ... jim ***************************************************** James A. Kaufman, President The Laboratory Safety Workshop Safety in Science Education 192 Worcester Road, Natick, MA 01760 508-647-1900 Fax: 508-647-0062 labsafe@aol.com http://www.labsafety.org/ LSW is a national non-profit educational organization dedicated to making health and safety an integral and important part of science education. Free copies of our Laboratory Safety Guidelines, seminar schedule, Publications List, AV-Lending Library List, and membership information are available on request. The LABSAFETY-L discussion list is a public service of LSW. ****************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 07:34:25 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Jeff Wawrzeniak Subject: Re[2]: Emergency exit Comments: To: "Dr. Linda A. Swihart" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Didn't the Tyson chicken factory have a similar case like this several years ago when the plant was involved in a fire? Several deaths and some major fines for the company. Keep them unlocked from the inside for easy and safe egress. Sorry if this example was already posted... Monday morning came quicker than usual... ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Emergency exit Author: "Dr. Linda A. Swihart" at INTERNET-ACT Date: 1/29/99 2:09 AM At 09:33 AM 1/31/99 -0300, you wrote: Aziz M. Abu-Khalaf wrote: >We have an emergency exit in our lab written on it: fire door, keep closed at >all times. >Security people locked it and the key is kept with them. I argued with them >about that saying that it is to be kept closed but not locked, and the >key be kept with you, and in case of emergency we have to wait for >you to come! this will take time. >Which one of us is correct? You are correct. They are insane. An emergency exit is meant to be available RIGHT NOW during the emergency. What if the security person carrying the key were caught in the worst part of the fire and could not come? If someone is injured or killed in a fire because the door is not unlocked soon enough, your institution will be guilty. There are some precedents in US courts I believe pertaining to the locking or chaining of emergency exits in schools. Anybody on the list who can cite any? Linda ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 07:52:48 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Barb Moore Subject: Re: Emergency exit In-Reply-To: <1.5.4.16.19990131104240.211f3e60@sun1.ksu.edu.sa> MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At least you have an emergency exit to your lab. Our storage room (including flammable storage) has only one means of egress. When I questioned the advisability of this, BWC (Bureau of Workmen's Compensation) Division of Safety & Health responded as follows: After talking to one of our Safety Consultants and to a representative of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration a second means of egress in a chemical storage room is not required. The egress or secondary means of exit is pertinent to the building itself and not the storage room. i hope this information clarifies the issue for you..... I still find it hard to believe that a room storing flammables, corrosives, etc. does not have to have 2 means of egress. Barb Moore Administrative Manager Biology Department The College of Wooster Wooster, OH ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 08:12:00 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Tayman, Tammy" Subject: Re: Emergency exit Comments: To: "Dr. Linda A. Swihart" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain About two years ago, our college was fined a significant amount of money for having emergency exits chained and locked shut. They were chained and locked due to the fact that there was construction directly on the other side of the doors. If someone had tried to exit through them, they would have fallen about ten feet into a rather nasty hole. However, our fire marshall was not impressed and mearly said that arrangements would have to be made to allow for safe egress. We paid the fine and built catwalks. Tammy Tayman ---------- From: Dr. Linda A. Swihart To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Re: Emergency exit Date: Friday, January 29, 1999 2:09AM At 09:33 AM 1/31/99 -0300, you wrote: Aziz M. Abu-Khalaf wrote: >We have an emergency exit in our lab written on it: fire door, keep closed at >all times. >Security people locked it and the key is kept with them. I argued with them >about that saying that it is to be kept closed but not locked, and the >key be kept with you, and in case of emergency we have to wait for >you to come! this will take time. >Which one of us is correct? You are correct. They are insane. An emergency exit is meant to be available RIGHT NOW during the emergency. What if the security person carrying the key were caught in the worst part of the fire and could not come? If someone is injured or killed in a fire because the door is not unlocked soon enough, your institution will be guilty. There are some precedents in US courts I believe pertaining to the locking or chaining of emergency exits in schools. Anybody on the list who can cite any? Linda ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 08:58:25 -0500 Reply-To: wessonl@co.oakland.mi.us Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Larry Wesson Organization: Oakland County Michigan Subject: Re: Emergency exit MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Aziz M. Abu-khalaf wrote: > > Hello every one > > We have an emergency exit in our lab written on it: fir door, keep closed at > all times. > Security people locked it and the key is kept with them. I argued with them > about that saying that it is to be kept closed but not locked, and the > key be kept with you, and in case of emergency we have to wait for > you to come! this will take time. > Which one of us is correct? > **************************************************************************** > ******* > Aziz M. Abu-Khalaf ***** Tel: 00966 1 4676894 > Chemical Engineering Department ***** Fax: 00966 1 4678770 > King Saud University ***** E-mail: amkhalaf@ksu.edu.sa > PO Box 800 ***** > Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia ***** > **************************************************************************** > ******* In all codes and standards, that I follow, you are. Larry Wesson Safety Coordinator/Fire Marshal Oakland County Michigan ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 08:25:02 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Bill Schultz Subject: Re: Emergency exit MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit You are correct. Fire doors are to remain closed to prevent the spread of fire, the exception being doors that are held open with magnets that release and allow the doors to close when the fire alarm system activates, and not for security reasons. I work in a high security building. To enter one of our research areas you have to use a magnetic card reader to enter a change room and from the change room you have to enter a code on a key pad to gain access the laboratory area. We work with highly contagious diseases and the security system is to keep personnel who are not properly trained or immunized out of the laboratories. At the far end of the laboratory opposite the change room entrance there is a fire door that leads to a corridor. The fire door is key locked from the corridor side but is crash bar activated from the laboratory side. Exit from the laboratories is always possible from the fire door and when the fire alarm is activated all magnetic door locks and card readers are deactivated. In the event of fire we want our personnel out of the laboratory as soon as possible. My point to all this is that even in a high security area there is no reason to keep fire doors locked. If you are worried about someone violating security you should put alarms on the doors so that security will know if someone opens the door. You don't have to go back to the 1940's for stories of people being trapped in fires because of locked doors. It happened seven or eight years ago in a North Carolina chicken frying plant. Since OSHA and NFPA are probably not enforceable in Riyadh, logic and history of past tragedies involving locked fire doors are your only weapons. Bill Schultz ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Emergency exit Author: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List at Internet-Mail Date: 1/31/99 9:33 AM Hello every one We have an emergency exit in our lab written on it: fir door, keep closed at all times. Security people locked it and the key is kept with them. I argued with them about that saying that it is to be kept closed but not locked, and the key be kept with you, and in case of emergency we have to wait for you to come! this will take time. Which one of us is correct? **************************************************************************** ******* Aziz M. Abu-Khalaf ***** Tel: 00966 1 4676894 Chemical Engineering Department ***** Fax: 00966 1 4678770 King Saud University ***** E-mail: amkhalaf@ksu.edu.sa PO Box 800 ***** Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia ***** **************************************************************************** ******* ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 08:37:03 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Bill Schultz Subject: Re[2]: Emergency exit MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The exit requirement is not based on soley on the area use but on a combination of area use and distance to an exit. If it was based only on use a closet could be required to have two means of egress. The maximum travel distance to an exit in an unsprinklered high hazard storage area is 75 feet. If the travel distance to the exit in your storage area is more than 75 feet then a secondary exit is required. If you have only one exit and the room is large I suggest the most hazardous materials be stored the greatest distance form the exit and extra care be taken in segregating materials based on capatability. Bill Schultz ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Emergency exit Author: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List at Internet-Mail Date: 2/1/99 7:52 AM At least you have an emergency exit to your lab. Our storage room (including flammable storage) has only one means of egress. When I questioned the advisability of this, BWC (Bureau of Workmen's Compensation) Division of Safety & Health responded as follows: After talking to one of our Safety Consultants and to a representative of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration a second means of egress in a chemical storage room is not required. The egress or secondary means of exit is pertinent to the building itself and not the storage room. i hope this information clarifies the issue for you..... I still find it hard to believe that a room storing flammables, corrosives, etc. does not have to have 2 means of egress. Barb Moore Administrative Manager Biology Department The College of Wooster Wooster, OH ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 11:25:37 EST Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Ilona Fiser Subject: Re: Administrative Reminders Comments: cc: Ilona Fiser In-Reply-To: <5d49bfc8.36b59c54@aol.com>; from "Labsafe@aol.com" at Feb 1, 99 7:21 am Hi NACHOs, I must say big THANKS, for NEW ADMINISTRATIVE REMINDERS-rules it will make my time spending reading my E-mail much shorter and productive.! THANKS ILONA F. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Carleton University Email address: ifiser@ccs.carleton.ca ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 20:34:34 +0200 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Charles Hellyar Subject: Re: Emergency exit MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="---- =_NextPart_000_01BE4E16.BD6DF6A0" ------ =_NextPart_000_01BE4E16.BD6DF6A0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Dear Net, Good Evening, Having worked in various types of lab, I would not be prepared to have = to wait for 15secs for the security aspect to be attended to before I = could attempt an escape. I once had to cut a chain off to escape from a sodium lab - this could = have cost two lives, you can rest assured that I check access and egress = very carefully since that event - and not only in a lab. Each case has it's merits but very careful consideration must go into = life safety versus (often incorrectly perceived) security threat. In this case NFPA appears to be an "unenforcible guideline" but the = wisdom of the guidance it gives must surely be the equivalent of = "international best practice." Rules are for the observance of fools and for the guidance of wise men! Comments? Regards, Charles. ---------- From: Marshall Huckaby[SMTP:RVNLRRP@AOL.COM] Sent: 31 January 1999 07:25 To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Re: Emergency exit The problem is that do you comply with the NFPA Fire Codes? NFPA 101, = Life ------ =_NextPart_000_01BE4E16.BD6DF6A0 Content-Type: application/ms-tnef Content-Transfer-Encoding: base64 ------ =_NextPart_000_01BE4E16.BD6DF6A0-- ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 14:30:58 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Bob Burns Subject: H2O2 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Does anyone have a recommendation for disposal of unwanted hydrogen peroxide, 35 to 50%? Prudent Practices says something about dispose of according to your institutions procedures. We have a book from MCA from 1979 that says dilute and down the drain. Since we have to blow air through our waste water to oxidize it, a little O2 seems to be a good idea. A recommendation from some authority would be useful. Thanks! Bob "Everything is easy for the person who does not have to do it!" Robert L. Burns Group Leader, R&D Specialty Chemicals Division RUETGERS Organics Corporation 201 Struble Road State College, PA 16801 phone 814-231-9214 fax 814-238-1567 email rburns@bigfoot.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 10:46:25 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Teresa Robertson Organization: CSU Bakersfield Subject: Re: H2O2 Comments: cc: trobertson@csubak.edu MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit LABSAFETY-L@siu.edu,.internet writes: >Does anyone have a recommendation for disposal of unwanted hydrogen >peroxide, 35 to 50%? I am, generally speaking, in DISAGREEMENT with "dilution is the solution to pollution", HOWEVER, when I worked at a plant that routinely used and stored 50% H2O2, that was considered the best (only) way to respond to an emergency involving a spill ---- lots of water. If I were disposing of the material here at my employment, myself (granted, it would be a very small volume), I would package it for my waste contractor. Teresa ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 13:59:37 +0100 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Debra Sharpe Subject: Condensed O2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" A lab suvervisor caught an undergrad employee (lab assistant) bubbling oxygen gas into a liquid nitrogen dewer. The kid said wanted to condense O2 ! Needless to say the lab supervisor was irate and told him what a stupid idea it was. The kid has been reassigned to work when there are no chemicals but he still does not believe it was hazardous. My question is- does anyone have accident stories we can tell this kid (and others during lab safety training) about what has happened to others doing similar acts. Thanks for the info! All opinions are mine alone D. C. Sharpe, CCHO Associate Director Safety and Environmental Health 313 Leach Science Bldg Auburn University, 36849 Ph (334) 844-4870 fax 4640 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 17:12:14 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Nick Pinizzotto Subject: Re: H2O2 In-Reply-To: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I think this is a case where dilution being a solution to pollution doesn't necessarily apply. We have often diluted H2O2 in these concentrations. Just make sure you're diluting w/ water. 35-50% H2O2 is a strong oxidizer. Just my opinion( probably shared by many of you out there)! Nick Pinizzotto Environmental Health Officer Dept. Environmental Health & Safety Thomas Jefferson University nick.pinizzotto@mail.tju.edu 215-503-5853 ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 16:45:33 -0600 Reply-To: "msturgeon@mriresearch.org" Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Mike Sturgeon Organization: MRI Subject: Re: H2O2 Bob- According to 40 CFR 261.21(a) (4), a waste defined as an oxidizer in 49 CFR 173.151 is a D001 (Ignitable) hazardous waste. Hydrogen peroxide is a DOT oxidizer and must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Mike Sturgeon Safety Officer Midwest Research Institute Kansas City, Missouri -----Original Message----- From: Bob Burns [SMTP:rburns@BIGFOOT.COM] Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 1:31 PM To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: H2O2 Does anyone have a recommendation for disposal of unwanted hydrogen peroxide, 35 to 50%? Prudent Practices says something about dispose of according to your institutions procedures. We have a book from MCA from 1979 that says dilute and down the drain. Since we have to blow air through our waste water to oxidize it, a little O2 seems to be a good idea. A recommendation from some authority would be useful. Thanks! Bob "Everything is easy for the person who does not have to do it!" Robert L. Burns Group Leader, R&D Specialty Chemicals Division RUETGERS Organics Corporation 201 Struble Road State College, PA 16801 phone 814-231-9214 fax 814-238-1567 email rburns@bigfoot.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 18:30:45 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: EH&S Compliance Subject: Re: H2O2 Sometimes alternatives to disposal is the best. I think landfills should only be used as last resort. Why fill up a landfill with something that can be disposed of safely, reused or made non-hazardous? There are various ways you can decompose hydrogen peroxide to water. Dilute with water and allow to decompose in sunlight (why do you think the 3% hydrogen peroxide you get in stores for use as an antiseptic is in a dark colored plastic bottle - decomposes with sunlight and with heat) Use sodium sulfite (veggie preservative) or sodium sulfide to create sodium sulfate. If residual sodium sulfite is a problem with your local POTW use an iodide/iodate test for sodium sulfite. Dilute and put a nail or piece of iron in it. I wouldn't try iron powder and concentrated H2O2 - might produce a nice fire or explosion. A piece of charcoal in dilute solution would decompose the H2O2 also. Check your MSDS and Merck index for other suggestions. Before you do any of this first see if anyone else may have a use for it. Our New York plant uses it in their scrubber. What quantity do you have? Rebecca Levins EH&S Compliance Specialist RSR Corporation Dallas, Texas RSRrdl@onramp.net (214) 583-0245 -----Original Message----- From: Teresa Robertson [SMTP:Teresa_Robertson@FIRSTCLASS1.CSUBAK.EDU] Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 11:46 AM To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Re: H2O2 LABSAFETY-L@siu.edu,.internet writes: >Does anyone have a recommendation for disposal of unwanted hydrogen peroxide, 35 to 50%? I am, generally speaking, in DISAGREEMENT with "dilution is the solution to pollution", HOWEVER, when I worked at a plant that routinely used and stored 50% H2O2, that was considered the best (only) way to respond to an emergency involving a spill ---- lots of water. If I were disposing of the material here at my employment, myself (granted, it would be a very small volume), I would package it for my waste contractor. Teresa Attachment Converted: "c:\winnet\eudora\linda\attach\WINMAIL8.DAT" end ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 15:58:59 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Teresa Robertson Organization: CSU Bakersfield Subject: Re: H2O2 Comments: cc: trobertson@csubak.edu MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit LABSAFETY-L@siu.edu,.internet writes: >Sometimes alternatives to disposal is the best. I think landfills should >only be used as last resort. Why fill up a landfill with something that >can >be disposed of safely, reused or made non-hazardous? A few more thoughts - Our contractor recycles what can be, and due to stuff accidentally getting mixed together in land fills, and due to "cradle to grave" my institution prefers incineration. I wish we could, but we cannot treat haz waste legally without a permit (as described below), and we do not have a permit. With all the great advice we have to offer each other, we have to keep local laws in mind. PS to Rebecca - there is one of those "attachments" on your reply; one of those they've spoken of that might be created without your knowledge. >There are various ways >you can decompose hydrogen peroxide to water. Dilute with water and >allow >to decompose in sunlight (why do you think the 3% hydrogen peroxide you >get >in stores for use as an antiseptic is in a dark colored plastic bottle - >decomposes with sunlight and with heat) Use sodium sulfite (veggie >preservative) or sodium sulfide to create sodium sulfate. If residual >sodium sulfite is a problem with your local POTW use an iodide/iodate >test >for sodium sulfite. Dilute and put a nail or piece of iron in it. I >wouldn't try iron powder and concentrated H2O2 - might produce a nice >fire >or explosion. A piece of charcoal in dilute solution would decompose the >H2O2 also. Check your MSDS and Merck index for other suggestions. >Before you do any of this first see if anyone else may have a use for >it. >Our New York plant uses it in their scrubber. What quantity do you have? >Rebecca Levins >EH&S Compliance Specialist >RSR Corporation >Dallas, Texas >RSRrdl@onramp.net >(214) 583-0245 >-----Original Message----- >From: Teresa Robertson [SMTP:Teresa_Robertson@FIRSTCLASS1.CSUBAK.EDU] >Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 11:46 AM >To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU >Subject: Re: H2O2 >LABSAFETY-L@siu.edu,.internet writes: >>Does anyone have a recommendation for disposal of unwanted hydrogen >peroxide, 35 to 50%? >I am, generally speaking, in DISAGREEMENT with "dilution is the >solution to pollution", HOWEVER, when I worked at a plant that >routinely used and stored 50% H2O2, that was considered the best (only) >way >to respond to an emergency involving a spill ---- lots of water. >If I were disposing of the material here at my employment, myself >(granted, it would be a very small volume), I would package it for my >waste contractor. >Teresa >X-SMTP-From: owner-labsafety-l@SIU.EDU >X-SMTP-To: Teresa_Robertson@FIRSTCLASS1.CSUBAK.EDU >Received: from saluki-mailsmtp.siu.edu (saluki-mailsmtp.siu.edu >[131.230.252.26]) by bak_compserv6.csubak.edu with SMTP id MSGYBZNY; >Tue, 2 Feb 1999 00:34:31 GMT >Received: from saluki-mail.siu.edu (saluki-mail.siu.edu >[131.230.252.17]) by saluki-mailsmtp.siu.edu (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP >id SAA50462; Mon, 1 Feb 1999 18:30:21 -0600 >Received: from saluki-mail.siu.edu (saluki-mail.siu.edu >[131.230.252.17]) by saluki-mail.siu.edu (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id >SAA144634; Mon, 1 Feb 1999 18:32:49 -0600 >Received: from SIU.EDU by SIU.EDU (LISTSERV-TCP/IP release 1.8c) with >spool id 1109560 for LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU; Mon, 1 Feb 1999 18:32:39 -0600 >Received: from saluki-mailsmtp.siu.edu (saluki-mailsmtp.siu.edu >[131.230.252.26]) by saluki-mail.siu.edu (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id >SAA76962 for ; Mon, 1 Feb 1999 >18:32:39 -0600 >Received: from mailhost.onramp.net (mailhost.onramp.net [199.1.11.3]) >by saluki-mailsmtp.siu.edu (8.9.1/8.9.1) with ESMTP id SAA66724 for >; Mon, 1 Feb 1999 18:29:29 -0600 >Received: from ppp12-1.dllstx.onramp.net (ppp17-250.dllstx.onramp.net >[206.50.202.250]) by mailhost.onramp.net (8.8.7/8.8.7) with SMTP id >SAA06529 for ; Mon, 1 Feb 1999 18:29:44 -0600 (CST) >Received: by ppp12-1.dllstx.onramp.net with Microsoft Mail id ><01BE4E10.FE99FB20@ppp12-1.dllstx.onramp.net>; Mon, 1 Feb 1999 18:30:51 >-0600 >Encoding: 46 TEXT, 97 UUENCODE >X-MS-Attachment: WINMAIL.DAT 0 00-00-1980 00:00 >Message-ID: <01BE4E10.FE99FB20@ppp12-1.dllstx.onramp.net> >Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 18:30:45 -0600 >Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List >Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List >From: EH&S Compliance >Subject: Re: H2O2 >To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 1 Feb 1999 19:00:02 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: EH&S Compliance Subject: Re: H2O2 True, hydrogen peroxide is a hazardous waste, if disposed of as is. However, if you are a conditionally exempt small quantity generator (usually labs are) you may treat your hazardous waste and create instead a non-hazardous waste. If you have a waste water treatment plant, they may be able to use the H2O2. If it is used, substituted for something already being bought - it is not a waste therefore not a hazardous waste. Rebecca Levins EH&S Compliance Specialist RSR Corporation Dallas, Texas RSRrdl@onramp.net (214) 583-0245 -----Original Message----- From: Mike Sturgeon [SMTP:msturgeon@MRIRESEARCH.ORG] Sent: Monday, February 01, 1999 4:46 PM To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Re: H2O2 Bob- According to 40 CFR 261.21(a) (4), a waste defined as an oxidizer in 49 CFR 173.151 is a D001 (Ignitable) hazardous waste. Hydrogen peroxide is a DOT oxidizer and must be disposed of as hazardous waste. Mike Sturgeon Safety Officer Midwest Research Institute Kansas City, Missouri ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 11:38:14 -0300 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Aziz M. Abu-khalaf" Subject: Administrative Reminders Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I suggest that something be done to the original message. For example when several messages are included as a reply to the original in the automatic digest, one original to appear. No need for it to appear in all messages. **************************************************************************** ******* Aziz M. Abu-Khalaf ***** Tel: 00966 1 4676894 Chemical Engineering Department ***** Fax: 00966 1 4678770 King Saud University ***** E-mail: amkhalaf@ksu.edu.sa PO Box 800 ***** Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia ***** **************************************************************************** ******* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 07:21:33 EST Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Labsafe@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Administrative Reminders Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit In a message dated 99-02-02 03:44:42 EST, you write: << I suggest that something be done to the original message. For example when several messages are included as a reply to the original in the automatic digest, one original to appear. No need for it to appear in all messages. >> Hi NACHO's, Is there an easy way to address Aziz's concern? It would be tough on this end if we at LSW needed to moderate the list (this is what Ralph has done with SAFETY). My suggestion is that we continue to quote only the minimum needed to maintain a sane conversation. Let's see if we can try erring on the side of quoting too little. So far, I don't recall seeing very many "What were you refering to". If we each try quoting less and less, until someone responds "what were you referring to", maybe we can thin it down a bit. .... jim ***************************************************** James A. Kaufman, President The Laboratory Safety Workshop Safety in Science Education 192 Worcester Road, Natick, MA 01760 508-647-1900 Fax: 508-647-0062 labsafe@aol.com http://www.labsafety.org/ LSW is a national non-profit educational organization dedicated to making health and safety an integral and important part of science education. Free copies of our Laboratory Safety Guidelines, seminar schedule, Publications List, AV-Lending Library List, and membership information are available on request. The LABSAFETY-L discussion list is a public service of LSW. ****************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 07:53:55 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Ward R Phifer Subject: Re: Long messages on LABSAFETY MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jim - The real problem is when people let the whole "chain" they are responding to go in their return mail instead of dropping off the older references. In general, everyone seems to present short, concise questions and answers on this Listserv; I'm sure that's the way everyone would prefer it.... Let's work to keep it that way. Russell Phifer WCC Environmental LLC PO Box 39, 439 S. Bolmar Street, West Chester, PA 19381 610-696-9220 / 610-344-7519 fax envasset@juno.com ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 08:37:53 EST Reply-To: RFasano@ato.com Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Richard Fasano Subject: Condensed O2 - Reply MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Greetings all. On 2/1/99 Debra Sharpe wrote: >A lab supervisor caught an undergrad employee (lab assistant) bubbling oxygen gas into a liquid nitrogen dewer...wanted to condense O2...lab supervisor was irate...The kid has been reassigned...does not believe they did anything hazardous...does anyone have accident stories...?< While I don't have a specific story for Debra, some Tuesday morning ramblings: Why is that person not sitting at home suspended? Why are they still employed for you in any capacity? I'm sorry, but performing unsupervised and unapproved laboratory experiments with the potential to put not only the experimenter others in peril, is grounds for disclipine or termination. By reassigning, you are saying "Well, look, this was really really bad and dangerous and never do it again, but if we catch you doing it, the worst we will do is send you someplace else to work. Have a nice day." No one should ever be formally disciplined for having an accident; however, there is a difference between an accident, an experimental incident and willful negligence in performing known at-risk behaviors. If that experiment had resulted in a lab fire with the undergrad employee receiving second and third degree burns, what would the incident investigation show? Would you have been in compliance with your Chemical Hygiene Plan? How would you show/prove compliance? The fact that your employee did not, and still does not, think they were doing anything hazardous leads to some serious questions as to the quality of your employee training. You have obligations as an employer, but that employee also has obligations to you. OK, nuff of this for me, time to get back to work. Thanks for listening. Flames off the list, please. Rich Fasano (rfasano@ato.com) Supervisor, SH&E Affairs Elf Atochem NA - KoP Technical Center "It's a revolution damn it! We're going to have to offend somebody!" -John Adams, while discussing the massive changes being hacked into the Declaration of Independence in 1776. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:22:00 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Dr. Linda A. Swihart" Subject: incident classification - was condensed O2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" regarding unauthorized, unsupervised student-employee collection of LOX Rich Fasano wrote: >If that experiment had >resulted in a lab fire with the undergrad >employee receiving second and third >degree burns, what would the incident >investigation show? Is there truth in what I've heard, that OSHA incident investigators MUST classify an incident/injury as due to one of these: -- lack of training -- lack of supervision -- employee misconduct (and the way it was explained to me was that it is *never* classified as employee misconduct unless it was clear insubordination, i.e. the employee was instructed to do or not do something, but intentionally defied the instructions...) Any truth in this or is it somewhat mythical? ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:31:00 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Tayman, Tammy" Subject: Re: H2O2 Comments: To: Teresa Robertson MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain However, if you use small quantities at a time, mix with manganese(IV) oxide (a catalyst) and observe, you have a really neat *demo* that just happens to end up with a non-hazardous supernatant (water) and the catalyst which can be dried and reused! This is the good old "genie in a bottle" demo, which is listed in Shahkashiri's books. It's fun and it uses up old or excess H2O2 without being waste treatment. Nice, eh? Tammy Tayman ---------- From: Teresa Robertson To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Re: H2O2 Date: Monday, February 01, 1999 5:58PM I wish we could, but we cannot treat haz waste legally without a permit (as described below), and we do not have a permit. With all the great advice we have to offer each other, we have to keep local laws in mind. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 07:52:15 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Greene, Ben" Subject: Re: H2O2 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain I can't help but remember the old freshman chem "catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide" with tetrammine copper(II). It was an exciting reaction, as far as freshman chem experiments went, with vigorous generation of oxygen. I believe a rather dilute solution of peroxide was used. Is "donating" the peroxide (as a product) to a local university an option, if it has not already been declared a waste? Ben Greene, Ph.D AlliedSignal Las Cruces, NM 88004 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:54:44 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Ward R Phifer Subject: Division Workshop Program at the ACS Meeting in Anaheim MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Following is the complete Division Workshop program for the Anaheim meeting next month. Please note that for the first time you can register online!!! Erik Talley (Division website adminstrator) is in the final stages of putting the registration page together, and you should be able to use it by the end of the week. In the meantime, if you want to get a jump on registration, you can email me with your name, affiliation, and the workshop(s) you want to attend and I'll put you on the list. Russ Phifer WCC Environmental LLC PO Box 39, 439 S. Bolmar Street, West Chester, PA 19381 610-696-9220 / 610-344-7519 fax envasset@juno.com FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1999 8:30 - 4:30 $199 non-members / $169 DivCHAS members The Laboratory Safety Workshop Dr. Jim Kaufman This classic presentation on laboratory safety by Dr. Kaufman has been attended by thousands of safety professionals. With experience in both industrial and academic laboratories, Jim gives a "real world" approach to safety issues in the laboratory. His stories are both interesting and pertinent, and interactivedemonstrations help you deal with everything from creative wiring in the lab to administrators without a vision of what it means to have a safe workplace. Highly entertaining, and an excellent forum to speak openly about safety problems in your workplace. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1999 8:30 - 4:30 $199 non-members / $169 DivCHAS members How to be a More Effective Chemical Hygiene Officer Dr. Jim Kaufman Mr. Russell Phifer Dr. George Wahl Take a close look at the Chemical Hygiene Officer position, and prepare at the same time for the CHP Certification exam to be held the next day. Kaufman, Phifer and Wahl give a different slant to safety issues in the laboratory, focusing on what you do and how you can do it better. The presenters bring a wide variety of experience to the table, but the real stars of the workshop are you - past attendees note the interactive approach focusing on their problems, from getting administrators involved in safety to dealing with regulatory concerns. The course covers all of the content areas of the certification exam (presented on Sunday through NRCC), including a sample test in the same format as the real one. Whether you are a new Chemical Hygiene Officer or an "old" one, you will find something to put to real use in this fast-paced presentation. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1999 8:00 - Noon $175 non-members / $125 DivCHAS members Cleanup of Small Laboratory Spills Dr. Neal Langerman This presentation will help you prepare policies on dealing with small laboratory spills, from clarification of reporting requirements to actual cleanup procedures. Dr. Langerman packs a great deal of information into this half-day workshop; you will leave with ideas on preventing spills as well as preparing for the inevitable when it occurs. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1999 1:00 - 5:00 $175 non-members / $125 DivCHAS members Emergency Response: Contaminated Employee Dr. Neal Langerman Learn the best ways to deal with a potentially serious problem in a laboratory emergency - contaminated employees. Is issue has long been ignored, both by laboratory facilities and hospital emergency rooms. When an employee becomes contaminated and medical attention is required, having a policy in place will result in safer handling of the situation from all perspectives. Make sure your procedures can help minimize problems before the accident by attending this interesting and informative presentation. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1999 8:30 - 4:30 Free (with ACS meeting registration) The Division Founder's Workshop - Effective Presentation Skills for the EH&S Professional Rikki Schwartz Oakland University, Rochester, MI This interactive workshop is designed to assist environmental, health and safety (EH&S) Professionals (both new and veteran) to develop and present more interesting, effective and persuasive presentations. Whether providing "training" to diverse audiences, presenting budgetary proposals to vice presidents, or participating in press conferences, the EH&S professional (at every "level") is now facing a new role: "Presenter". Workshop objectives include: Reducing mental and physical anxiety prior to presentation; Better analyzing your audience for more effective communication; Practicing presentations more effectively; Designing your "content" to better capture and maintain audience interest (via research, organization, "color", props/AV aids, and word use); Gaining/maintaining audience interest through vocal mechanics and body language; Reading and responding to audience cues more effectively; and handling difficult situations and/or questions with more poise and confidence. Russell Phifer WCC Environmental LLC PO Box 39, 439 S. Bolmar Street, West Chester, PA 19381 610-696-9220 / 610-344-7519 fax envasset@juno.com ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:03:31 +0100 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Debra Sharpe Subject: Re: Condensed O2 - Reply Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:00:47 +0100 >To: RFasano@ato.com >From: Debra Sharpe >Subject: Re: Condensed O2 - Reply >Cc: >Bcc: >X-Attachments: > >>Greetings all. On 2/1/99 Debra Sharpe wrote: >>>A lab supervisor caught an undergrad employee (lab assistant) bubbling >>>oxygen gas into a liquid nitrogen dewer...wanted to condense O2...lab >>>supervisor was irate...The kid has been reassigned...does not believe >>>they did anything hazardous...does anyone >>have accident stories...?< >> >>While I don't have a specific story for Debra, some Tuesday morning >>ramblings: Why is that person not sitting at home suspended? Why are >>they still employed for you in any capacity? I'm sorry, but performing >>unsupervised and unapproved laboratory >>experiments with the potential to put not only the experimenter others in >>peril, is grounds for disclipine or termination. By reassigning, you are >>saying "Well, look, this was really really bad and dangerous and never do >>it again, but if we catch you >>doing it, the worst we will do is send you someplace else to work. Have a >>nice day." >> >>No one should ever be formally disciplined for having an accident; >>however, there is a difference between an accident, an experimental >>incident and willful negligence in performing known at-risk behaviors. If >>that experiment had resulted in a lab fire >>with the undergrad employee receiving second and third degree burns, what >>would the incident investigation show? Would you have been in compliance >>with your Chemical Hygiene Plan? How would you show/prove compliance? >>The fact that your employee did not, >> and still does not, think they were doing anything hazardous leads to >>some serious questions as to the quality of your employee training. You >>have obligations as an employer, but that employee also has obligations >>to you. OK, nuff of this for me, time >>to get back to work. Thanks for listening. Flames off the list, please. >> >>Rich Fasano (rfasano@ato.com) >>Supervisor, SH&E Affairs >>Elf Atochem NA - KoP Technical Center >> >> "It's a revolution damn it! We're going to have to offend somebody!" >> -John Adams, while discussing the massive changes being hacked >>into the Declaration >> of Independence in 1776. > >If he were my employee I would have fired him, but the bigger problem here >is education. If he doesn't learn about proper laboratory safety now >he'll be my problem later as a grad student conducting research in one of >the university labs (where they all act like children playing with >chemistry sets) because his major professor sure wont teach him! > > All opinions are mine alone D. C. Sharpe, CCHO Associate Director Safety and Environmental Health 313 Leach Science Bldg Auburn University, 36849 Ph (334) 844-4870 fax 4640 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 10:27:30 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Nick Pinizzotto Subject: Explain the hazard risk LO2 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lots of discussion on this student bubbling O2 thru Liquid Nitrogen. Some one should explain (for the benefit of the group) where the risk of fire /burns lies and what will /may actually occur by praticing this unsafe act! Nick Pinizzotto Environmental Health Officer Dept. Environmental Health & Safety Thomas Jefferson University nick.pinizzotto@mail.tju.edu 215-503-5853 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 10:35:12 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Don Abramowitz Subject: Re: incident classification - In-Reply-To: <3.0.5.32.19990202092200.0081f870@postoffice.purdue.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >Is there truth in what I've heard, that OSHA incident investigators MUST >classify an incident/injury as due to one of these: > > -- lack of training > -- lack of supervision > -- employee misconduct My understanding of OSHA's approach to catastrophe/fatality investigations (they generally don't initiate inspections on the basis of minor incidents, unless it is the basis of a formal complaint) is that they are there to determine whether OSHA standards were violated in connection with the incident. The inspection can certainly address regulations that require training and/or address the role of a "competent person" (I can't recall a standard that specifically calls out a supervision function), BUT it can (and often does) also focus on the enormous array of regulations that address the physical environment (anything from machine guarding, railings, & PPE to overexposure to individual hazardous substances). OSHA is not required to assign a definitive cause to an accident - just to report whether or not standards were violated. OSHA does not enforce employee misconduct matters, though I know of no reason they couldn't/wouldn't acknowledge its presence if it was the clear cause of an accident. The problem is there is a very grey zone between "inadequate training" and "employee misconduct" where there's room for reasonable people (and unreasonable ones, for that matter) to disagree wildly as to whether a specific action or circumstance constitutes one or the other. The above opinions are based on my experience as an OSHA compliance officer many moons ago. Don ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donald Abramowitz, CIH Occupational and Environmental Safety Officer Bryn Mawr College | Swarthmore College 101 N. Merion Avenue | 500 College Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 | Swarthmore PA 19081 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 10:50:53 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Julie O'Brien Subject: Re: H2O2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >I can't help but remember the old freshman chem "catalytic decomposition >of hydrogen peroxide" with tetrammine copper(II). It was an exciting >reaction, as far as freshman chem experiments went, with vigorous >generation of oxygen. I've also done this demonstration before, but we used potassium iodide as the catalyst. It uses the 30% H2O2. Julie O'Brien Chemist PCR, Inc. PO Box 1466 Gainesville, FL 32602 352-376-8246 ext. 232 Fax 352-373-7503 afn35210@afn.org Education/Exhibits Committee Volunteer EXPO The Children's Museum of Gainesville PO Box 5951 Gainesville, FL 32627 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 10:54:27 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Madelyn Miller Subject: EH&S Director at CMU MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Greetings All, Thought you might be interested in this post from our Human Resources. The description sounds pretty general the only draw back is the director is three levels removed from the president. Madelyn ___________________________________ Carnegie Mellon University Employment Opportunity JOB ANNOUNCEMENT CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY JOB NUMBER-CATEGORY: 9488 - Administrative/Supervisory/Managerial DATE: 1/28/99 PG TITLE: Director, Environmental Health & Safety DEPARTMENT: FMS SALARY RANGE: $40,766 - $72,571 HIRING SALARY RANGE: $40,766 - $56,000 JOB GRADE: 11 JOB CLASS CODE (JCC): 3405(not for applicant use) FLSA STATUS: Exempt HOURS: Full-time This position is responsible for providing management of and direction for Carnegie Mellon's occupational safety and health, fire prevention, radiation safety and environmental protection programs. Duties include planning and directing the Environmental Health and Safety programs (including chemical, radiological and biological lab safety, loss prevention, fire safety, and physical safety); providing, and conducting, as necessary, applicable safety training for Carnegie Mellon staff, faculty, and students; assisting in taking measurements; writing procedures and policies; provides risk communication; responding to emergency requests; reviewing plans and projects for health and safety impacts, and recommending design alternatives; and other duties as required. QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training and experience in engineering, science, safety or environmental science or health or industrial hygiene; CH, CSP, and/or PE license; minimum of five years in occupational health, safety, and environmental protection programs and functions including regulatory compliance obligations, management of comprehensive occupational health, occupational safety and/or environmental protection programs, and development and delivery of EH&S training; effectiveness in departmental management, including development and management of operational budgets; supervision of professional, technical, support staff; management of comprehensive health and safety programs; working knowledge of chemistry and mitigation to chemical hazards; ability to coordinate and interact with engineers and architects in design and specification review of new construction projects for safety issues; facility with resources for maintaining current knowledge of regulations, compliance requirements, and standards of practice; skill in delivery of oral communications in a variety of forums; ability to conduct specialized health and safety training; and quality assurance; ability (including passing medical examinations) and willingness to wear tight fitting respirators; ability and willingness to crawl, climb up and down, and to enter into and work in confined spaces; ability and willingness to work in areas with exposure to potential or actual health and safety hazard; under conditions of temperature and humidity extremes and/or dirt; and to wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the potential or actual hazard; ability to make effective strategic decisions for department and tactical decisions in the field of rapid sequence during emergencies, and to maintain a broad strategic safety perspective in the university environment; ability and willingness to respond to emergencies both during and beyond prescribed working hours and to work more than 40 hours per week to meet organizational requirements. Preferred qualifications: HAZWOPER training and asbestos management training with EPA certification and radiation safety training; five years experience as manager and supervisor of a comprehensive environmental health and safety department, operation of an academic or research institution laboratory safety program, and/or experience as an organizational radiation safety officer (RSO), and experience reviewing new construction design and specifications; knowledge in human resource systems such as injury and illness reporting, worker's compensation, ADA, EEO, personnel performance planning and appraisal, development of job descriptions and job classification. This is a summary statement of the responsibilities and qualifications for this position. AA/EEO EMPLOYER DO NOT CONTACT DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY PLEASE SPECIFY JOB NUMBER AND TITLE WHEN YOU APPLY FOR THIS POSITION SUBMIT A SEPARATE APPLICATION OR RESUME FOR EACH JOB FOR WHICH YOU APPLY CONTACT EMPLOYMENT, WHITFIELD HALL, 143 N. CRAIG ST., PITTSBURGH, PA 15213 412-268-2046 Jobline 412-268-8545 Human Resources at Carnegie Mellon University Last Update: February 1, 1999 ---------------------- Madelyn Miller Chemical Hygiene Officer, CCHO Environmental Health & Safety Carnegie Mellon University mmiller@andrew.cmu.edu ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 11:02:18 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Madelyn Miller Subject: Accident Report - Lessons learned MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Greetings all, I don't know how interested you are in disclosure of lab accidents. I feel we have a great deal to learn from them. I sure did on this one! Hope this helps. --------------------------------------------- Doherty Hall A 206 Accident Report January 8, 1999 Summary: Explosion closed a lab in Doherty Hall. The graduate student was thrown four feet, cracked a rib, and her hair was singed from the fire ball. She was heating dioxane, a flammable solvent, and azobisisobutyronitrile when a leak was suspected to have developed in the box. The hot plate's thermostat probably served as the ignition source. She did not have the MSDS for azobisisobutyronitrile so did not know that upon heating it produced a deadly chemical, tetramethylsuccinonitrile (TMSN). TMSN is immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) at 5 ppm. Cyanide gas has a IDLH at 25 ppm. Personnel from Environmental Health and Safety entered the room to retrieve coats and open the windows not knowing the presence of this chemical. Their selection of personal protective clothing was insufficient to protect them from the TMSN and both became ill from exposures. An explosion occurred on January 5, 1999 in Doherty Hall. Two graduate students were present at the time. One was located in an office area, partitioned from the laboratory, the other was running an experiment across the room. Their major professor left Carnegie Mellon to take a position elsewhere. The students were under the supervision of another professor. This student had done this procedure many times, but on this day, she was using a new glove box. The experiment involved heating 300 mL of dioxane, 30 grams of N-isopropylacrylamide, and 6.24 grams of azobisiosobutyronitrile ("VAZO" 64) in an inert atmosphere, on a hot plate. Early in the experiment the student suspected there might be an air leak because the gloves which normally were inflated were sagging. Noticing that the liquid level looked low she added more dioxane. During an addition she spilled approximately 10 mL. Working within the gloves, she wiped up the spill with some paper toweling. With no warning, the reaction exploded and threw her 3 to 4 feet into the bench behind her. She ran to the other student and told him to call Security and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S). He proceeded to evacuate the hallway and all the adjacent labs. They grabbed the book of MSDSs before they left. She identified to EH&S only three of the four chemicals that were involved in the incident. The company had never sent her a MSDS for the "VAZO". She appeared to be visibly shaken and her eyelashes and hair was singed. EH&S recommended that she shower, change clothes, and get a medical examination, which she did. The weather was subfreezing and students were requesting their coats, backpacks, and a lap-top computer from the affected area. An employee from EH&S entered the lab with a half face respirator with organic vapor cartridges to turn off the experiment, retrieve personal items, and open windows. EH&S found that many of the windows were fixed and which had been designed to open were sealed shut. Unable to open a window after about 20 minutes, a pane of glass was broken for ventilation. An emergency response team from McCutcheon Enterprises was called after several hours to appraise the situation because the smell persisted. The emergency response team decided to wear Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Neither student experienced any chemical exposure symptoms and both were examined by physicians. The attending physician determined that the student involved in the explosion did crack a rib as a result of her impact with the counter. The next day the student was interviewed again. She revealed additional information about a chemical she neglected to mention the day before. The missing chemical was the azobisiosobutyronitrile or "VAZO" 64 and she thought it was causing the residual smell in the room. Researching the chemical, EH&S discovered that upon heating the "VAZO" it readily converted to Tetramethylsuccinonitrile a chemical that is highly toxic and fatal, in very small doses. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), concentrations of Tetramethylsuccinonitrile are Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) at 5 ppm. [For reference NIOSH lists Sodium Cyanide, gas, at 25 ppm., both by inhalation.] Both member of EH&S who had entered the room experienced temporary symptoms from exposure to the Tetramethylsuccinonitrile that rapidly penetrated their cartridges. Tetramethylsuccinonitrile is odorless. Conclusions: The heating of flammable solvents should be done in such as way as to avoid any contact with ignition sources. An explosion proof hot plate is recommended for future experiments. It has not been established that this glove box is suitable for the use of flammable liquids due to the factory installed electrical outlets. With an air leak, all the elements were present for the fire ball that singed the students hair and threw her into the counter. The student should have researched each of the reactants and had a thorough understanding of their properties and decomposition products. EH&S should have never entering an area that has an unknown atmosphere. Students possession should have never left the room without decontamination. These items were collected again for cleaning. Recommendations: · In the future an explosion proof hot-plate and a non-electric balance should be used to avoid ignition sources. · The glove box manufacturer should be contacted and asked if the box is designed for the use of flammable solvents. · A written standard operating procedure (SOP), that includes safety procedures, should be written to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all chemicals involved. · SOPs should be reviewed by students supervisors. · Closer supervision of graduate students. · After incidents like this one the contents of the room should stay there until a thorough evaluation is completed. · No chemical should be used until the MSDS is obtained and reviewed. ---------------------- Madelyn Miller Chemical Hygiene Officer, CCHO Environmental Health & Safety Carnegie Mellon University mmiller@andrew.cmu.edu ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:05:55 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Helen B. Gerhard" Subject: Re: H2O2 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Ben Greene, Ph.D wrote "if it has not already been declared a waste?" That is the crux. Most local agencies will allow as the last step in a process an activity which renders the material non-hazardous. However, if the material has been declared "waste" then treatment requires a license. Also, for donation, using the term "Excess" instead of "waste" takes away the requirement to treat it as waste. However, if it truly is waste (e.g. contaminated to a point that it can't be reused), then you must dispose of it properly. Thanks! Helen -----Original Message----- From: Greene, Ben [SMTP:bgreene@SMTP3.WSTF.NASA.GOV] Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 1999 7:52 AM To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Re: H2O2 I can't help but remember the old freshman chem "catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide" with tetrammine copper(II). It was an exciting reaction, as far as freshman chem experiments went, with vigorous generation of oxygen. I believe a rather dilute solution of peroxide was used. Is "donating" the peroxide (as a product) to a local university an option, if it has not already been declared a waste? Ben Greene, Ph.D AlliedSignal Las Cruces, NM 88004 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 10:11:02 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Armen Casparian Subject: Member Introdcution and MSDS Web Site Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hello out there, I am an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. As Jim knows, we have no CHO serving in an official capacity. As far as I can understand the Institute's position, our campus security director can wear "that hat" when necessary or else subcontract assignments or responsibilities as the need arises. This, of course, does not meet the intent or requirements of the law. Regarding obtaining MSDS's, I have found downloading them from Vermont SIRI MSDS Collection is quick and easy. Their url is: http://hazard. com/msds/index.html. Good Luck! ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 09:21:08 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Dean Calhoun Subject: Re: EH&S Director at CMU Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Interesting... Was this job posted before or after the explosion? ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 12:26:22 EST Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Gilbert Smith Subject: Re: Division Workshop Program at the ACS Meeting in Anaheim Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/2/99 9:57:36 AM Eastern Standard Time, envasset@JUNO.COM writes: << Take a close look at the Chemical Hygiene Officer position, and prepare at the same time for the CHP Certification exam to be held the next day. Kaufman, Phifer and Wahl give a different slant to safety issues in the laboratory, focusing on what you do and how you can do it better. The presenters bring a wide variety of experience to the table, but the real stars of the workshop are you - past attendees note the interactive approach focusing on their problems, from getting administrators involved in safety to dealing with regulatory concerns. The course covers all of the content areas of the certification exam (presented on Sunday through NRCC), including a sample test in the same format as the real one. Whether you are a new Chemical Hygiene Officer or an "old" one, you will find something to put to real use in this fast-paced presentation. >> TO APPLY FOR NRCC CHO CERTIFICATION EXAM CONTACT GILBERT SMITH AT: NRCC6@AOL.COM It takes about one month to process an application, so time to apply. Gilbert Smith ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 14:11:27 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Jane Barth Subject: Source of White Phosphorus MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit To all Chemists on the list: Does anyone know of a source for white phosphorus. The major chemical catalogues do not list it. Thanks for your help. Jane Please reply to me jbarth@acad.ursinus.edu > ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 11:25:56 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: EH&S Compliance Subject: Re: H2O2 Great idea! I would still like to know the quantity involved. We do use lots of H2O2 and if it is uncontaminated might take it. It is only a hazardous waste if it is first a waste. -----Original Message----- From: Tayman, Tammy [SMTP:ttayman@MC.CC.MD.US] Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 1999 8:31 AM To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Re: H2O2 However, if you use small quantities at a time, mix with manganese(IV) oxide (a catalyst) and observe, you have a really neat *demo* that just Tammy Tayman ---------- From: Teresa Robertson To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Re: H2O2 Date: Monday, February 01, 1999 5:58PM Attachment Converted: "c:\winnet\eudora\linda\attach\WINMAIL9.DAT" end ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 14:57:44 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "L. James Stock III" <34EMQ6K@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Subject: Re: attachments = gibberish in the list archives Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" >http://www.labsafety.org/archives/archives.htm This site was unavailable????? http://www.labsafety.org/archives/ This gave the directory of the archives. The stats.htm shows all the archived e-mails. I have found an absolutely fantastic way to organize my safety related e-mails from this group. I have an Apple Macintosh 7600. I use both Claris(FileMaker) e-mailer for my e-mail POP server and I use Claris(FileMaker) FileMaker Pro 4.0 for my database program. I also use Claris(FileMaker) Home Page to create my web pages. I have downloaded a neat apple script from Claris(FileMaker) that allows you to archive your e-mail messages in a FileMaker Pro database file. I also use QuickKeys that makes it easy to create a keyboard shortcut to access the macro. When I read an e-mail message I just hit command-e and the message is archived while I am reading it. I then just close the window and move on to the next message. Now my e-mail is stored not only in the single flat database file within e-mailer but also as a web accessible, search and sortable FileMakerPro file. With FileMaker Pro 4.0 you can easily turn your desktop into a web server using the built-in Web Companion. In addition Claris(FileMaker) Home Page makes it a snap to create CDML tagged pages that are easily served up to the web. I have actually put a link on my home page to these safety related e-mails from this group. Check out my page at http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/stockj and look at the table under tithe tour picture. One of the links is for these e-mails. You will actually be sent to my desktop as the server location. Now you can search for subject or even key words. All it takes is a Mac and the right software and even a lab manager can become a web master. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 15:05:04 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Don Abramowitz Subject: Re: Accident Report - Lessons learned In-Reply-To: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >Greetings all, >I don't know how interested you are in disclosure of lab accidents. I for one, am very interested in reports of the sort you shared today. I find accident descriptions like this to catch the attention of my faculty, staff, and student audience much better than stand-alone safety instructions/notices. I pass them along via e-mail to the folks I think can benefit from them (minus identifiers), and post edited, big-print versions on the safety bulletin board in our main science building. Seems to me that sharing lessons learned and recognizing hazards that don't fit neatly into the textbook are some of the best things about our humble little group. Don ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donald Abramowitz, CIH Occupational and Environmental Safety Officer Bryn Mawr College | Swarthmore College 101 N. Merion Avenue | 500 College Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 | Swarthmore PA 19081 ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 12:06:08 -0800 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Neal Langerman Subject: Re: Source of White Phosphorus Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 02:11 PM 2/2/99 -0500, you wrote: >To all Chemists on the list: > >Does anyone know of a source for white phosphorus. The major chemical >catalogues do not list it. Thanks for your help. Jane Please reply to me >jbarth@acad.ursinus.edu > > > >> > > ChemSources lists WP sources as: FMC Corp 215 299 6000 Pechiney World Trade/Brandeis Chemical Div 203 625 9081 Neal ************************************************************* NEAL LANGERMAN chemsaf@ix.netcom.com ADVANCED CHEMICAL SAFETY 8909 Complex Drive San Diego CA 92123-1418 619 874 5577 (phone) 619 874 8239 (FAX) 619 990 4908 (cellular) visit our homepage: http://www.chemical-safety.com ************************************************************* ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 14:37:43 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Armen Casparian Subject: Member Introduction and an MSDS Web Site Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hello out there, I am an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. As Jim knows, we have no CHO serving in an official capacity. As far as I can understand the Institute's position, the campus security director wears "that hat" when necessary or else can make assignments to outside subcontractors as the need arises. This, of course, does not meet the intent or requirements of the law. Regarding obtaining MSDS's from Aldrich Chemical, I have found downloading them Vermont SIRI MSDS Collection fairly quick and easy. Their url is: http://hazard.com/msds/index.html. Good Luck! ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 11:45:18 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Teresa Robertson Organization: CSU Bakersfield Subject: Re: Accident Report - Lessons learned Comments: cc: trobertson@csubak.edu MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit LABSAFETY-L@siu.edu,.internet writes: >>Greetings all, >>I don't know how interested you are in disclosure of lab accidents. >I for one, am very interested in reports of the sort you shared today. I second this vote, finding this information as useful as Don does. Thanks for sharing. Teresa ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 16:23:48 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Henry Boyter Jr." Subject: Re: Member Introduction and an MSDS Web Site MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Watch the Vermont system. Many of the sheets are old and the sheets can now be gotten from the Aldrich site itself. Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr. Ph.D. Chemist The opinions of Dr. Boyter are provided for informational purposes only and should not be used as advice. No warranty or expression of professionalism is implied. ***************************************************************** -----Original Message----- From: Armen Casparian To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Date: Tuesday, February 02, 1999 3:34 PM Subject: Member Introduction and an MSDS Web Site Hello out there, I am an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. As Jim knows, we have no CHO serving in an official capacity. As far as I can understand the Institute's position, the campus security director wears "that hat" when necessary or else can make assignments to outside subcontractors as the need arises. This, of course, does not meet the intent or requirements of the law. Regarding obtaining MSDS's from Aldrich Chemical, I have found downloading them Vermont SIRI MSDS Collection fairly quick and easy. Their url is: http://hazard.com/msds/index.html. Good Luck! ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 18:05:16 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. Comments: RFC822 error: TO field duplicated. Last occurrence was retained. From: Claudia Toback Subject: Fwd: EPA offers assistance to small laboratories Comments: To: AliceK13@aol.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii ------Begin forward message------------------------- DEAR COLLEAGUES, THIS WAS SENT TO ME BY DIANA HARDING, THE SCIENCE ASSOCIATE AT NYSED. Hope you can use the information. Please pass along the information to others who might find it useful. Many thanks, Claudia Toback Science Council of NYC EPA offers a publication entitled "Environmental Management Guide for Small Laboratories" One copy may be sent to you for free by calling the Hotline at 1 800 368-5888. Ask for the document by title or number (EPA 233-B-98-001) I've received my copy and it has useful information on: - resources - checklists, e.g., hazardous waste management, pollution prevention - incompatible chemicals - pollution prevention - hazardous and non-hazardous wastes - spill containment - air emissions ------End forward message--------------------------- ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 2 Feb 1999 22:34:40 EST Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Labsafe@AOL.COM Subject: Accident Reporting Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hi NACHOs, LABSAFETY-L is an excellent place for accident and injury reporting. Close calls and near misses are welcome too. This was one of the original purposed of the organization. ... jim ***************************************************** James A. Kaufman, President The Laboratory Safety Workshop Safety in Science Education 192 Worcester Road, Natick, MA 01760 508-647-1900 Fax: 508-647-0062 labsafe@aol.com http://www.labsafety.org/ LSW is a national non-profit educational organization dedicated to making health and safety an integral and important part of science education. Free copies of our Laboratory Safety Guidelines, seminar schedule, Publications List, AV-Lending Library List, and membership information are available on request. The LABSAFETY-L discussion list is a public service of LSW. ****************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 09:14:45 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Janeen LaPierre Subject: Re: Accident Report - Lessons learned Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Thanks Madelyn for these examples of what can go wrong in a lab setting. So many times these types of illustrations help seed the message home that accidents happen and in some case they could have been avoided if safety guidelines had been more closely followed. I like to use this stuff in my training sessions. Janeen ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 23:55:36 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: EH&S Compliance Subject: Please ignore: test for attacments Please ignore this e-mail. On a list I have had trouble with automatic attachments. I have changed a few things and hope it has fixed it and I am checking to see if it has. Thanks for patience. Rebecca Levins EH&S Compliance Specialist RSR Corporation Dallas, Texas RSRrdl@onramp.net ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 13:13:07 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Mary Ann Solstad Subject: HgS protocol request from down under Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/enriched; charset="us-ascii" >>>> From: "Bronx Stefanescu" To: Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 04:35:41 +1100 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.1 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3 Hello, I was wondering if you could give me some advice on Mercuric Sufide (toxic black powder...not red), I am currently looking on doing some experiments with it and I would like to know what safety precautions I would need to take, what my options are when it comes to disposing of the waste after the experiment and also how to clean materials (eg containers) that have been in contact with the Mercuric Sulfide. I would appreciate any help... THANK YOU! EMAIL : <Bronx@dragon.net.au <<<<<<<< ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 07:05:42 -0800 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "SafetyInfo.Com" Subject: New Member MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings, We are new to this list. By way of introduction, Neil & I sponsor a OH&S web site that provides free written safety programs, training material and other safety & health information. We don't sell anything, just an attempt to give a bit back. We occasionally receive questions re. lab safety and would like to re-post them, as appropriate to this list for comment, suggestions. Site address is http://www.safetyinfo.com Regards & Best Wishes Marc Neuffer, Director - interSafe Neil Gunter, President - Gunter & Associates ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 08:41:20 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Stoll, Ilse (Ilse)" Subject: new member Comments: cc: "Wenger, Debra L (Deb)" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain I am a new member to this information sharing group. I head the Lucent Technologies Environmental Laboratory, an AIHA accredited laboratory, performing industrial hygiene analyses for metals, organics and inorganic acids for all Lucent facilities. I also characterize the routine and not-so-routine wastes we generate here at our Allentown facility for prevention of worker exposure, for correct reuse/disposal procedures, as well as for obtaining an "environmental material balance" of our facility. On the side I am the coordinator for our Local Environmental Advisory Group at Lucent in Allentown; a community group with whom we share our environmental policy, goals and objectives, status of accomplishments, and ask for input and discussion of what is important to the local community with respect to environmental protection. Check out our website http://www.lucent/micro/leagpage.html on the Internet. Additionally, I am the CHO for our Allentown facility covering 23 labs (no reason to be impressed, 16 are one person labs). Last summer I took the CHO courses and took the CCHO exam. I am looking forward to hear what other labs and CHOs are doing out there. Ilse Stoll TRB198BG Environmental Laboratory Lucent Technologies 555 Union Blvd. Allentown, PA 18103 610.712.5505 voice 610.712.4400 fax ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 09:32:47 -0600 Reply-To: khmorgan@UDel.Edu Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Kelly Morgan Subject: Re: EH&S Director at CMU MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Madelyn, I am passing the information on to my husband who is currently a EHS Manager. Why aren't you applying for the position? I suppose that if you know enough not to apply I couldn't either so I am passing on to my husband who is also a Carnegie Mellon Graduate. Thanks for any insight. Kelly Madelyn Miller wrote: > Greetings All, > Thought you might be interested in this post from our Human Resources. > The description sounds pretty general the only draw back is the > director is three levels removed from the president. > Madelyn > ___________________________________ > Carnegie Mellon University > Employment Opportunity > > JOB ANNOUNCEMENT > CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY > > JOB NUMBER-CATEGORY: 9488 - Administrative/Supervisory/Managerial > DATE: 1/28/99 PG > TITLE: Director, Environmental Health & Safety > DEPARTMENT: FMS > SALARY RANGE: $40,766 - $72,571 > HIRING SALARY RANGE: $40,766 - $56,000 > JOB GRADE: 11 > JOB CLASS CODE (JCC): 3405(not for applicant use) > FLSA STATUS: Exempt > HOURS: Full-time > > This position is responsible for providing management of and direction > for Carnegie Mellon's occupational safety and health, fire prevention, > radiation safety and environmental protection programs. Duties include > planning and directing the Environmental Health and Safety programs > (including chemical, radiological and biological lab safety, loss > prevention, fire safety, and physical safety); providing, and > conducting, as necessary, applicable safety training for Carnegie > Mellon staff, faculty, and students; assisting in taking measurements; > writing procedures and policies; provides risk communication; > responding to emergency requests; reviewing plans and projects for > health and safety impacts, and recommending design alternatives; and > other duties as required. > > QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training > and experience in engineering, science, safety or environmental science > or health or industrial hygiene; CH, CSP, and/or PE license; minimum of > five years in occupational health, safety, and environmental protection > programs and functions including regulatory compliance obligations, > management of comprehensive occupational health, occupational safety > and/or environmental protection programs, and development and delivery > of EH&S training; effectiveness in departmental management, including > development and management of operational budgets; supervision of > professional, technical, support staff; management of comprehensive > health and safety programs; working knowledge of chemistry and > mitigation to chemical hazards; ability to coordinate and interact with > engineers and architects in design and specification review of new > construction projects for safety issues; facility with resources for > maintaining current knowledge of regulations, compliance requirements, > and standards of practice; skill in delivery of oral communications in a > variety of forums; ability to conduct specialized health and safety > training; and quality assurance; ability (including passing medical > examinations) and willingness to wear tight fitting respirators; ability > and willingness to crawl, climb up and down, and to enter into and work > in confined spaces; ability and willingness to work in areas with > exposure to potential or actual health and safety hazard; under > conditions of temperature and humidity extremes and/or dirt; and to wear > personal protective equipment appropriate to the potential or actual > hazard; ability to make effective strategic decisions for department and > tactical decisions in the field of rapid sequence during emergencies, > and to maintain a broad strategic safety perspective in the university > environment; ability and willingness to respond to emergencies both > during and beyond prescribed working hours and to work more than 40 > hours per week to meet organizational requirements. Preferred > qualifications: HAZWOPER training and asbestos management training with > EPA certification and radiation safety training; five years experience > as manager and supervisor of a comprehensive environmental health and > safety department, operation of an academic or research institution > laboratory safety program, and/or experience as an organizational > radiation safety officer (RSO), and experience reviewing new > construction design and specifications; knowledge in human resource > systems such as injury and illness reporting, worker's compensation, > ADA, EEO, personnel performance planning and appraisal, development of > job descriptions and job classification. > > This is a summary statement of the responsibilities and qualifications > for this position. > > AA/EEO EMPLOYER DO NOT CONTACT DEPARTMENT DIRECTLY PLEASE SPECIFY JOB > NUMBER AND TITLE WHEN YOU APPLY FOR THIS POSITION SUBMIT A SEPARATE > APPLICATION OR RESUME FOR EACH JOB FOR WHICH YOU APPLY CONTACT > EMPLOYMENT, WHITFIELD HALL, 143 N. CRAIG ST., PITTSBURGH, PA 15213 > 412-268-2046 Jobline 412-268-8545 > > Human Resources at Carnegie Mellon University > Last Update: February 1, 1999 > ---------------------- > Madelyn Miller > Chemical Hygiene Officer, CCHO > Environmental Health & Safety > Carnegie Mellon University > mmiller@andrew.cmu.edu ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 12:48:40 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: EH&S Compliance Subject: Subject: Scintillation Vial Shaking I don't know if this would be vigorous enough, but we have shakers that rotate around and turn the vials upside down. They are used for TCLP samples. Rebecca Levins EH&S Compliance Specialist RSR Corporation Dallas, Texas RSRrdl@onramp.net (214) 583-0245 Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 16:53:49 -0800 From: Matt Kotowski Subject: Scintillation Vial Shaking We need to find a different way of getting the water and the scintillation fluid to mix reliably. Vibrating mixers have been tried and they don't work. Does anyone know of a specific method for accomplishing this? Is there any scintillation fluid or any emulsifier that might help? Thanks in advance. Matt Kotowski E. O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 10:35:10 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Helen B. Gerhard" Subject: Re: new member MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" I can't access the website. Explorer says it can't find the address. Thanks! Helen -----Original Message----- From: Stoll, Ilse (Ilse) [SMTP:ilsestoll@LUCENT.COM] Sent: Thursday, February 04, 1999 6:41 AM To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: new member I am a new member to this information sharing group. I head the Lucent Technologies Environmental Laboratory, an AIHA accredited laboratory, performing industrial hygiene analyses for metals, organics and inorganic acids for all Lucent facilities. I also characterize the routine and not-so-routine wastes we generate here at our Allentown facility for prevention of worker exposure, for correct reuse/disposal procedures, as well as for obtaining an "environmental material balance" of our facility. On the side I am the coordinator for our Local Environmental Advisory Group at Lucent in Allentown; a community group with whom we share our environmental policy, goals and objectives, status of accomplishments, and ask for input and discussion of what is important to the local community with respect to environmental protection. Check out our website http://www.lucent/micro/leagpage.html on the Internet. Additionally, I am the CHO for our Allentown facility covering 23 labs (no reason to be impressed, 16 are one person labs). Last summer I took the CHO courses and took the CCHO exam. I am looking forward to hear what other labs and CHOs are doing out there. Ilse Stoll TRB198BG Environmental Laboratory Lucent Technologies 555 Union Blvd. Allentown, PA 18103 610.712.5505 voice 610.712.4400 fax ========================================================================= Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 10:55:56 -0800 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Sam Hurlbut Subject: Re: new member MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain I got the URL to work by adding .com after lucent. Sam p.s. It must be time for a member intro. I am the CHO for the analytical laboratory at the Plutonium Finishing Plant on the Dept. of Energy's Hanford site in eastern Washington. We are a fairly small lab ~20-25 employees and we are currently disposing of a large number but small quantities of legacy chemicals. We are relatively new at being required to comply with state and federal hazardous waste guidelines but we are getting better at it. Sometime it does seem to be odd when the regulators seem to be more concerned that we might have chrome in a waste than the Pu in the waste. But maybe they are new at it, too. > -----Original Message----- > From: Helen B. Gerhard [SMTP:hbgerhard@MEDLOGIC.COM] > Sent: Thursday, February 04, 1999 9:35 AM > To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU > Subject: Re: new member > > I can't access the website. Explorer says it can't find the address. > > Thanks! > > Helen > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Stoll, Ilse (Ilse) [SMTP:ilsestoll@LUCENT.COM] > Sent: Thursday, February 04, 1999 6:41 AM > To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU > Subject: new member > > I am a new member to this information sharing group. I head > the > Lucent > Technologies Environmental Laboratory, an AIHA accredited > laboratory, > performing industrial hygiene analyses for metals, organics > and > inorganic > acids for all Lucent facilities. I also characterize the > routine and > not-so-routine wastes we generate here at our Allentown > facility for > prevention of worker exposure, for correct reuse/disposal > procedures, as > well as for obtaining an "environmental material balance" of > our > facility. > > On the side I am the coordinator for our Local Environmental > Advisory Group > at Lucent in Allentown; a community group with whom we share > our > environmental policy, goals and objectives, status of > accomplishments, and > ask for input and discussion of what is important to the local > community > with respect to environmental protection. Check out our > website > http://www.lucent/micro/leagpage.html on the Internet. > > Additionally, I am the CHO for our Allentown facility covering > 23 > labs (no > reason to be impressed, 16 are one person labs). > > Last summer I took the CHO courses and took the CCHO exam. > > I am looking forward to hear what other labs and CHOs are > doing out > there. > > > Ilse Stoll > TRB198BG > Environmental Laboratory > Lucent Technologies > 555 Union Blvd. > Allentown, PA 18103 > 610.712.5505 voice > 610.712.4400 fax ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 11:08:39 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: EH&S Compliance Subject: chemical inventory-confidential? I'm industrial, but there are a few chemicals in our labs that I would not like to have open public knowledge. Why endanger my workers from outside sources? They may have concerns about certain chemicals or equipment that could be used by illegal drug manufacturers, made into explosives or biological weapons, or students who would want to have 'fun' with some of the chemicals (and I know that happens). I remember my academic lab experiences and the security for a lot of the chemicals/equipment was not of the highest quality. Maybe you may be able to address their concerns and let them know certain things can be kept confidential and not allow total public access. Also, SARA Community Right to Know Reporting 40 CFR 370.20(b)(2) has reporting thresholds of 10,000 pounds for hazardous chemicals and thresholds of 500 pounds or their Threshold Planning Quantity for Extremely Hazardous Chemicals. Texas had a 500lb threshold for all chemicals for a few years but went back to the 10,000lb haz & 500lb EHS and California still goes by their 500lb limit for all chemicals. Only zero limit I know of is in (b)(3) which allows for zero threshold for a request from a LEPC or local fire department. Rebecca Levins EH&S Compliance Specialist RSR Corporation Dallas, Texas RSRrdl@onramp.net (214) 583-0245 Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 08:45:58 -0600 From: "Raebig, Bob" Subject: chemical inventory-confidential? I'm looking for some feedback from safety netters regarding a matter that came up here recently. A graduate student working on a class project is doing a risk assessment of our sciences building. This student has requested a copy of our chemical inventory. It turns out that the stockroom manager and the dean are refusing to release this information. They feel that this info is confidential and considered sensitive. I'm very curious how other schools feel about protecting this type of information. Thanks in advance. Bob Raebig Environmental Safety Officer Campus Recycling Coordinator raebig.bob@uis.edu 217-206-6736 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 23:41:33 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Mark Smith Subject: Hg Stories In-Reply-To: <000d01be504f$d6f261c0$25c6e4d0@default> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Can someone point me to some of the better sources of Hg poisoning stories that have been shared? Of course, the Karen Wetterhahn story being one I would particularly like to document. Thanks, ms *************************************** MARK SMITH HENDRIX COLLEGE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY COORDINATOR CHEMICAL HYGIENE OFFICER NRCC-CHO *************************************** 1600 Washington Ave Conway, AR 72032 501-450-3812 Fax : 501-450-3829 *************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 12:11:48 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Jeff Rubin Subject: Re: chemical inventory-confidential? In-Reply-To: <01BE515D.EC5A45A0@ppp11-19.dllstx.onramp.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" If you think that's a problem, consider what EPA walked into. With Right-to-Know in hand, they were advising users that this type of information (hazardous inventory, risk management plans, etc.) would have to be accessible on the web. After the DoD, DoJ, and many industries pointed out that this would amount to giving would-be terrorists blue=prints for site-specific attacks (releasing hazmat as a "secondary chemical weapon), the EPA started to figure out whether this could in fact be prevented. I don't knwo if anyone has come up with answer, but so far the info is not generally accessible on the web. More os those unintended consequences... I'm impressed that someone in academe who is not in the EHS or public-safety field would think twice (or even once) about releasing such information. JNR Jeff Rubin, Asst. Dean for EHS College of Natural Sciences G2500 W.C. Hogg Building University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX 78712-1199 (512) 471-6176 (O) (512) 471-4998 (F) jrubin@mail.utexas.edu "The opinions of Dr. Rubin are not meant to offend anyone unless otherwise specified." ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 13:33:44 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "M. Drago" Subject: Mercury Disposal MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello everyone, Does anyone know if the EPA is allowing hazmat transporters to take mercury now? At one time our transporter informed us that the EPA had put a "hold" on Hg, so we had to hold on to our supply. As a corollary thought, is there someone or some business that would take/buy our supply? We have a little over 19lbs of Hg. Thanks for your help. Marcia -- Marcia Kilday Drago Science Lab Manager Central Florida Community College 3001 SW College Road Ocala, FL 34474-4415 (352)854-CFCC, 4 + 1635 FAX: (352)237-0510 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 12:51:59 +0100 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Debra Sharpe Subject: ACGIH, NIOSH or OSHA Which do you use? Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" I asked this question earlier and only got a few responses, so at the risk of being obnoxious, let me ask again. Do you use the NIOSH, ACGIH or OSHA levels when implementing controls to protect your employees ( or students) from chemical exposure. For some chemicals the two are very far apart (i.e formaldehyde .75 ppm vs .016). Does your industry or institution have a policy on this or do you look at the hazards associated with the chemical? Right now my issue is with formaldehyde but it could be anything in the future. Given most of the OSHA levels are so old (1979) and are driven by special intrests, I for one, feel uncomfortable using them. Is anyone one aware of court cases were employers were considered negligent for not protecting to the more conserative NIOSH, or ACGIH levels? You may respond to me directly but I think other list members might want to hear this too. Thanks for your collective views on this. sorry for the x posting All opinions are mine alone, not Auburn University's D. C. Sharpe, CCHO Associate Director Safety and Environmental Health 313 Leach Science Bldg Auburn University, 36849 Ph (334) 844-4870 fax 4640 ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 11:56:16 -0700 Reply-To: terrie@cc.usu.edu Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Terrie Wierenga Organization: USDA-ARS PPRL Subject: Re: ACGIH, NIOSH or OSHA Which do you use? MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: multipart/alternative; boundary="------------A86B2DB0080FE6494FA1D18D" --------------A86B2DB0080FE6494FA1D18D Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Debra wrote: > Do you use the NIOSH, ACGIH or OSHA > levels when implementing controls to protect your employees ( or students) > from chemical exposure. > We use whichever level is the most stringent. Terrie -- **** Terrie Wierenga, CDSO, LRPO USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Lab 1150 East 1400 North Logan, UT 84341 v: 435-752-2941 f: 435-753-5681 e: terrie@cc.usu.edu --------------A86B2DB0080FE6494FA1D18D Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Debra wrote: 
Do you use the NIOSH, ACGIH or OSHA
levels when implementing controls to protect your employees ( or students)
from chemical exposure.


We use whichever level is the most stringent.

Terrie
 

--
****
Terrie Wierenga, CDSO, LRPO
USDA-ARS Poisonous Plant Research Lab
1150 East 1400 North
Logan, UT 84341

v:  435-752-2941
f:  435-753-5681
e:  terrie@cc.usu.edu
  --------------A86B2DB0080FE6494FA1D18D-- ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 12:02:13 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: "Greene, Ben" Subject: Re: Mercury Disposal MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain I have recycled mercury to Bethlehem Apparatus Company, Inc.; Hellerton PA; phone # 610-838-7034. The sent a 76 lb capacity container with all the shipping documentation and instructions to return it (for retort and recycle), including MSDS and how many wraps of teflon tape around the plug you need, etc. (Not an endorsement, just something I did.) Ben Greene, Ph.D AlliedSignal Las Cruces, NM 88004 > ---------- > From: M. Drago[SMTP:dragom@CFCC.CC.FL.US] > Reply To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List > Sent: Friday, February 05, 1999 11:33 AM > To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU > Subject: Mercury Disposal > > Hello everyone, > Does anyone know if the EPA is allowing hazmat transporters to > take > mercury now? > At one time our transporter informed us that the EPA had put a "hold" > on > Hg, so we had to hold on to our supply. > As a corollary thought, is there someone or some business that > would > take/buy our supply? > We have a little over 19lbs of Hg. > Thanks for your help. > Marcia > > -- > Marcia Kilday Drago > Science Lab Manager > Central Florida Community College > 3001 SW College Road > Ocala, FL 34474-4415 > (352)854-CFCC, 4 + 1635 FAX: (352)237-0510 > ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 12:09:06 -0700 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Sharyn Bake Subject: Re: Hg Stories MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Mark, For a detailed discussion of the tragic case of Karen Wetterhahn see the excellent article by Nierenberg, et al, in the June 4 1998 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine. Your library or a library near you should have this journal. Another excellent resource on toxicology is the volume edited by Sullivan and Krieger called "Hazardous Materials Toxicology: Clinical Principles of Environmental Health". I hope this is helpful. Sharyn Baker Instructor Health and Safety Division University of Colorado Health Sciences Division Denver, Colorado email: sharyn.baker@uchsc.edu > ---------- > From: Mark Smith > Reply To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List > Sent: Friday, February 5, 1999 10:41 PM > To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU > Subject: Hg Stories > > Can someone point me to some of the better sources of Hg poisoning stories > that have been shared? Of course, the Karen Wetterhahn story being one I > would particularly like to document. > > Thanks, > > ms > > *************************************** > MARK SMITH > HENDRIX COLLEGE CHEMISTRY > LABORATORY COORDINATOR > CHEMICAL HYGIENE OFFICER NRCC-CHO > *************************************** > 1600 Washington Ave > Conway, AR 72032 > 501-450-3812 > Fax : 501-450-3829 > *************************************** > ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 14:29:36 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Julie O'Brien Subject: Re: Mercury Disposal Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >Hello everyone, > Does anyone know if the EPA is allowing hazmat transporters to take >mercury now? >At one time our transporter informed us that the EPA had put a "hold" on >Hg, so we had to hold on to our supply. > As a corollary thought, is there someone or some business that would >take/buy our supply? > We have a little over 19lbs of Hg. Marsha, We just disposed of a couple of jars full of mercury-containing substances (thermometers, spill control waste) about two weeks ago. (Much less than 19 lb.) City Environmental out of Tampa handled a large lab pack for us. Mercury disposal is very costly, more than anything else we got rid of. One 1 gal. jar was about $200 to dispose of. The chemist who handled our pack claimed that no facility in the U.S. actually processes mercury recovery because the regulations are just too tight here. They have to ship it to a facility in Canada. Julie O'Brien P.S. Will you be attending Jim Kaufman's lab safety workshop in Gainesville? I remembered that you had expressed an interest in attending a local safety workshop. Chemist PCR, Inc. PO Box 1466 Gainesville, FL 32602 352-376-8246 ext. 232 Fax 352-373-7503 afn35210@afn.org Education/Exhibits Committee Volunteer EXPO The Children's Museum of Gainesville PO Box 5951 Gainesville, FL 32627 ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 01:31:47 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: EH&S Compliance Subject: Re: Mercury Disposal Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission has a RENEW catalog - listing of materials offered & wanted. http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/admin/topdoc/pd/002/ A few wanted listings are: Mercury RE:W11/1227 (Aug. 10, 1998) Wanting any amount on a continuous basis for retorting. Will accept from hospitals, universities, laboratories, and industrial applications. Packaged in bulk or drums. US CONTACT: Greg Locke, 972-231-6266 Surplus Chemical RE:W11/1066 Wanting surplus chemicals. Any quantity on a continuous basis, bulk or drums. US, Canada, Mexico CONTACT: Drew Stern, 201-696-9200 Surplus Chemicals RE:W11/989 Wanting to buy all types of surplus chemicals. All geographic regions CONTACT: Harvey W. Rambach, 201-589-7774 Surplus Chemicals, Solvent, Resins, etc. RE:W11/859 Wanting from all geographical regions. Any quantity, bulk, drums or bags. CONTACT: Ted Stepanoff, 610-689-8500 Inorganic Reagents and Organic Solvents RE:W14/1067 Wanting on a continuous basis, wide variety of inorganic chemicals, organic solvents and pharmaceuticals for research. US and Canada CONTACT: Gary Clapper, 619-698-1841 Rebecca Levins EH&S Compliance Specialist RSR Corporation Dallas, Texas RSRrdl@onramp.net (214) 583-0245 -----Original Message----- From: M. Drago [SMTP:dragom@CFCC.CC.FL.US] Sent: Friday, February 05, 1999 12:34 PM To: LABSAFETY-L@SIU.EDU Subject: Mercury Disposal Hello everyone, Does anyone know if the EPA is allowing hazmat transporters to take mercury now? At one time our transporter informed us that the EPA had put a "hold" on Hg, so we had to hold on to our supply. As a corollary thought, is there someone or some business that would take/buy our supply? We have a little over 19lbs of Hg. Thanks for your help. Marcia -- Marcia Kilday Drago Science Lab Manager Central Florida Community College 3001 SW College Road Ocala, FL 34474-4415 (352)854-CFCC, 4 + 1635 FAX: (352)237-0510 Attachment Converted: "c:\winnet\eudora\linda\attach\WINMAIL10.DAT" end ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 15:23:04 -0500 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Bill Schultz Subject: Re: Hg Stories MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit THE SCIENTIST, THE NEWSPAPER FOR THE LIFE SCIENCES PROFESSIONAL, Volume 11, No. 21, October 27, 1997. Scientific American, September 1997, Laboratory Safety, Page 20 ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Can someone point me to some of the better sources of Hg poisoning stories that have been shared? Of course, the Karen Wetterhahn story being one I would particularly like to document. ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 20:02:41 EST Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Labsafe@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Hg Stories Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hi NACHOs, LSW has a collection of stories (4,000). Many are about problems working with mercury. One recent incident involved a sixth grade student who stole a bottle of mercury and took it home for the summer. He played in the basement with his brother and sisters. They all became very sick. He lost his spleen. The house was declared an EPA waste site. And the family sued the school system. They settled for over $600,000 in 1997. ... jim ***************************************************** James A. Kaufman, President The Laboratory Safety Workshop Safety in Science Education 192 Worcester Road, Natick, MA 01760 508-647-1900 Fax: 508-647-0062 labsafe@aol.com http://www.labsafety.org/ LSW is a national non-profit educational organization dedicated to making health and safety an integral and important part of science education. Free copies of our Laboratory Safety Guidelines, seminar schedule, Publications List, AV-Lending Library List, and membership information are available on request. The LABSAFETY-L discussion list is a public service of LSW. ****************************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 21:51:34 EST Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Marshall Huckaby Subject: Re: ACGIH, NIOSH or OSHA Which do you use? Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit OSHA is regulatory, the others are advisory. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 6 Feb 1999 13:08:15 -0600 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: Peter Ashbrook Subject: Mercury Disposal Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" On Feb. 5, 1999, Marcia Drago wrote: >Hello everyone, > Does anyone know if the EPA is allowing hazmat transporters to take >mercury now? >At one time our transporter informed us that the EPA had put a "hold" on >Hg, so we had to hold on to our supply. > As a corollary thought, is there someone or some business that would >take/buy our supply? > We have a little over 19lbs of Hg. >Thanks for your help. I believe your transporter was mistaken. I have no knowledge that EPA prohibited hazmat transporters from taking mercury. We have shipped mercury wastes for disposal for each of the 17 years I have been handling waste disposal at the University of Illinois. Perhaps, your transporter is only allowed to transport mercury if it is not classified as RCRA hazardous waste? Companies that handle mercury metal include: Bethlehem Apparatus (Pennsylvania) Mercury Refining (New York) Mercury Solutions (Wisconsin) D.F. Goldsmith (Illinois) AERC (?) (Pennsylvania) maybe others. Peter Ashbrook, CHMM Assistant Director Chemical Safety Section Division of Environmental Health and Safety University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 09:40:45 +1300 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: John Downey Subject: Alcohol flashpoints MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain Does anybody know of any work done on flashpoints of common alcohol - water mixtures> I would be interested in MeOH - H2O, EtOH - H20 and IPA - H2O mixtures. The only things I have found have been a limited table in NFPA425 and a few values in CHRIS. This would be a good little project to assign to somebody with a Pensky-Martin unit and some time - get them to come up with a formula that allows the FP to be predicted. How flammable is that Early Times and coke? What about your bottle of wine? Is beer flammable? How about sparkling wines - does the CO2 alter the FP? I suspect that the liquor industry have this information, but refuse to divulge it in case it puts their customers off. Many thanks John Downey Waitakere City Council Waitakere City New Zealand John.Downey@waitakere.govt.nz ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 8 Feb 1999 11:31:58 +1300 Reply-To: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List Sender: LABSAFETY-L Discussion List From: