EH&S for Clinical Laboratories

We strongly recommend that you ignore environmental health and safety issues! 

That is if you want to:

• be unaware of potential employee exposures/risks
• increase the potential of an OSHA complaint and/or inspection
• blindly manage your risk prevention program without relevant data
• gamble with your regulatory compliance and licensing status

We know from experience that clinical laboratories with well planned and implemented environmental health and safety programs can:

• Improve employees well being and productivity
• Reduce company liabilities
• Control insurance costs
• Minimize/avoid emergency situations
• Improve regulatory compliance
• Bolster the “bottom line”

Here is a FREE and authoritative resource that anyone can use:

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/laboratories/index.html

Below are the excellent resources you can find in the “What’s New” section of this OSHA web page:

Laboratory Safety Guidance [490 KB PDF^*, 52 pages]. OSHA Booklet.

Laboratory Safety – OSHA Laboratory Standard [366 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet. 

Laboratory Safety – Chemical Hygiene Plan [366 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
Laboratory Safety – Labeling and Transfer of Chemicals [144 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
Laboratory Safety – Chemical Fume Hoods [150 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Chemical Hazards
Laboratory Safety – Chemical Fume Hoods [150 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Biological Hazards
Laboratory Safety – Working with Small Animals [151 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
Laboratory Safety – Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs) [367 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA FactSheet.

Physical Hazards
Laboratory Safety – Noise [365 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.
Laboratory Safety – Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Laboratories [369 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA Fact Sheet.

Safety Hazards
Laboratory Safety – Autoclaves /Sterilizers [449 KB PDF^*, 1 page]. OSHA QuickFacts.
Laboratory Safety – Centrifuges [135 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
Laboratory Safety – Cryogens and Dry Ice [147 KB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.
Laboratory Safety – Electrical Hazards [130 KB PDF^*, 1 page]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Other Hazards
Laboratory Safety – Latex Allergy [1 MB PDF^*, 2 pages]. OSHA QuickFacts.

Feel free to contact GSE If you need assistance with your lab’s EH&S program.  Our team of Industrial Hygienists and compliance experts has years of relevant experience and a great track record of success.  We offer project-specific consulting, testing and training and long term contract staffing of EH&S departments to reduce program costs and increase the breadth of available technical skills. 

We offer a free initial consultation to assess your needs and priorities.  No hard sell - just sound advice.

Call as needed and in the meantime, take advantage of the free OSHA resources listed above.