7.

Hazard & Incident Reporting

7.1. Reporting of Hazardous Conditions

UnderOHSlaw,everyworkerhasadutytoreportuncheckedhazards.Withthenatureofourwork
acrossthecollege,therearemanyhazards;butwithproperplanningandprecautionstheriskcanbe
controlledtoanacceptablelevel.Ifyouhaveconcernaboutahazardinyourworkarea,startby
discussingitwithyoursupervisororadvisor.Ifthescopeoftheproblemistoolargeorifthereis
questiononwhatshouldbedone,theissuecanberaisedtothedepartmentchair,thelocalsafety
committeeand/orEHS.
RememberthatasworkersinOntario,youhavealegalrighttorefuseworkthatyoulegitimatelyfeel
wouldputyouindanger.Refertosection43oftheOHSAformoredetails(http://www.e
laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90o01_e.htm#s43s1.

7.2. Incident Reporting

Ifyouareinjuredatwork,getappropriatefirstaidandnotifyyoursupervisorassoonaspossible.An
IncidentReportFormmustbefilledout,signedbythesupervisor,providedtothedepartmentheadand
employeegroupandsubmittedtoEHSwithin24hoursbutifaninjuryisseriousandpotentiallylife
threatening,aftergettinghelpforthevictim,callEHS(x53282)toreporttheincidentassoonas
possible.AllowCampusPolicetonotifythenextofkintoavoidmiscommunicationandconfusion.
Nearmisses(i.e.,accidentsthatwerenarrowlyavoided)shouldbereportedusingtheIncidentReport
Form.TheIncidentReportFormisavailablethroughtheEHSwebsite.

8.

Laboratory Safety

8.1. General Laboratory Safety

Thegoalofthesafetyprogramisnottohaveyoumemorizeanarbitrarysetofrulesitismuchbetterif
youtrytounderstandtherationalebehindtherules.Inalab,weneedtodothreefundamentalthings:
1) protectourselvesfromexposuretothehazardspresent
2) preventthemigrationofcontaminantsoutofthelab
3) putsystemsinplacetomitigatetheimpactofaseriousincident(e.g.,fire,spill)
Keypoints:
-

Reportallpotentialhazardsorsafetyissuestolabsupervisor/advisor.
Familiarizeyourselfwiththeemergencyresponseprocedures.
12

Knowevacuationroutesfromyourlabandthelocationofemergencyequipmentsuchasfire
extinguishers,spillkits,emergencyshowers/eyewashes,firstaidkits,phonesandemergency
callboxes.
Donotbringfood,drinks,tobaccoproductsorcosmeticsintothelab.
Alwayswearsuitableclothing,closedtoed/heeledshoes,andrequiredpersonalprotective
equipment(PPE)whenworkingwithpotentiallyhazardousmaterials.
Dispensehazardousmaterialsinsideafumehood.
Neverallowglovedhandstotouchsurfacesoutsideofthelab,orcleansurfacesinthelabsuch
asdoorknobs,phonereceivers,orcomputerkeyboards.
Donotwearlabcoatsincommonareasorstairwells.
Keeppersonalitemsseparatedfromhazardousmaterials.
Neverleavelabdoorsproppedopen.
Allmaterialsdispensedfromtheiroriginalcontainersmustbelabeled.
Placeasignonanyunattendedexperiments,andprovidecontactinformationsoyoucanbe
reachedifsomethinggoesawry.
Avoiduseofpersonalmusicplayerswhendoinglabworkyouneedtobeabletohearif
equipmentisfunctioningproperlyanditsimportanttobeawareofthelocationofpeople
aroundyou.
Keepincompatiblechemicalsseparate(noacidswithbases,noflammableswithoxidizers)
lookatthelabelsand/orMSDSsifyouarentsure.
Practicegoodhousekeepingandgoodhygiene.

Safetyrulesandregulationsinalaboratoryenvironmentareunavoidableitisanenvironmentwhere
fires,explosions,injuries,andexposurestochemical/biological/radiological/physicalthreatsareavery
realpossibility.WehavehadseriousincidentsinCBSinthepastthatwedonotwanttorepeat,so
pleasetakelabsafetyseriously.
Todemonstratethetypeofprecautionsneededtoprotectoneself,considerthesimpletaskof
decantingstrongacidintoabeakerfordilution.Todothisproperlyonewould:
- planahead,ensuringtherewasaclearspacetoworkinthefumehood(aworkpractice
controlthatreducesthelikelihoodofaspill/accidentalexposure)
- bewearingclosetoedshoes,longpants,alabcoat,acidresistantgloves,andgoggles
(personalprotectiveequipmenttoprotecttheskinandeyesintheeventofsmallspillsand
splashes)
- performalltasksinsideafumehood,withthesashinalowposition(anengineered
controlthatkeepscorrosivefumesfromenteringthebreathingzone)
- slowlypourtheacidintoabeakerpartiallyfilledwithwater(aworkpracticecontrolthat
reducestheamountofundilutedacidsplashingup)
Theaboveemphasizestheuseofengineeredcontrols,safeworkpractices,andpersonalprotective
equipmenttomaintainexposuresatasafelevel:Itisademonstrationinthehierarchyofcontrols,which
isamodelfortheevaluationofprotectivemeasures.Theschematicbelowdepictstheorderinwhich
alternativesshouldberanked;themorereliableandeffectivepreventativemeasuresaregiven
preference.Inpractice,usuallyacombinationofcontrolsareusedtogethertoreduceexposuretoa
hazard.
13

EXAMPLE

Elimination

Use a different method/approach altogether

Substitution

Use SYBR Green in place of Ethidium Bromide

EngineeredControl

Work inside fume hood or Biosafety Cabinet

AdministrativeControl

Establish written operating procedures

PPE

Wear gloves, lab coat and eye protection

Keeptheseconceptsinmindwhencriticallyevaluatingtheworkthatyoudoinyourlab.
Somekeypointsaboutpreventingcontamination:
- Alwaysassumeglovesarecontaminated.Youputonglovestopreventonethingor
anotherfromtouchingyourskin.Thelogicalconclusionisthatwhateveritwasyoudidnt
wantonyourskinisnowontheexterioroftheglove.Changeglovesfrequentlyandnever
allowaglovedhandtotouchacommonsurface(likeadoorknob,phonereceiver,etc.).
- Labcoatsprotectyou,andtheclothesthatyouown,frombecomingcontaminated.Itisa
requirementthatlabcoatsbeworninalllabsforanyworkinvolvinghazardousmaterials.
LabcoatscannotbewornoutsideoftheresearchwingsinCBS.Ifyouwillneedalabcoat
atyourdestinationonanotherfloor,simplyplaceyourcoatinaplasticbagandcarryit
withyou.
- Acleanworkareagoesalongwaytoreducingcrosscontamination.Whenworkingwith
radioisotopes,wehavethebenefitofbeingabletodetectcontaminationwithasurvey
meter;withbiologicalandchemicalcontaminants,wearentsolucky.Foranyhazardous
agentitisimportanttoconsiderhowtheinevitablesmallspills,dropletsandsplashescan
becontrolled.Workingoverdisposablebenchpaperisaneasywaytocontrol
contamination,alternativelyyoucanworkoveralowtraythathascleanablesurfaces.
Regardlessofthemethodyouuse,besuretocleanyourworkareawhenfinished,andif
thereareanysmallspills,cleanthemupusinganappropriatemethodassoonaspossible
(refertoCBSSOPsonspillsformoredetails).
- Anotherareawithhighpotentialforspreadingchemical/biologicalorradiological
contaminationisthetransportofmaterialsthroughhallways.Makeuseofcarts,traysand
bottlecarrierswhenmovingmaterialsaroundthebuilding.
- Anotherfactortoconsideristhestorageofyourpersonalbelongings;asmuchaspossible,
youshouldkeeppersonalitemsoutofthelab.Ifyoudohaveitemsyouneedinthelab,
keepthemwellseparatedfrompotentiallycontaminatedareas.

14

Thereareadditionalaspectsofcontaminationcontrolthatpertaintothedesignofequipmentandthe
laboratoryitself,butthelistabovecoversmostofthebasicresponsibilities.

Finally,tomanagethepotentialimpactofemergencies,thegeneralresponsibilitiesoflabpersonnel
include:
- Familiarizingyourselfwithevacuationroutes,emergencyprocedures,aswellasthe
locationsofphones,callboxes,andemergencyequipmentinyourworkarea.
- Notifyingothersofincidentssuchasspillsorfires;verballyforminorincidents,orby
activatinganalarmpullstationformoreserioussituations.
- Keepingaisleandexitroutesclear.
- Ensuringthattheaccesstoeyewashstations,showers,andfireextinguishersis
unobstructed,andthatextinguishershaveadequatecharge(needleonpressuregaugeis
ingreenzone).
- Ensuringspillkitsandfirstaidkitsarereadilyaccessibleandappropriatelystocked.
FurtherinformationcanbefoundintheUniversitysLaboratorySafetymanuallocatedontheEHS
websiteat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/labsafety/

8.2. Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

TheWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem,orWHMIS,isaveryimportantcomponentof
thehazardcommunicationschemeinauniversitylaboratory.WHMISregulationssetoutrequirements
forthetrainingofpersonnel,thelabelingofhazardousmaterials,andtheprovisionofMaterialSafety
DataSheets(MSDSs).
AnyoneworkinginalaboratoryenvironmentmustreceiveWHMIStraining.
Allhazardousmaterialsdecantedfromtheiroriginalcontainermustbelabeled.Containersthatwillnot
leavethelaboratoryrequireonlyaproductidentifier(i.e.thenameoftheproductwrittenonthe
exterior).Ifadecantedhazardousmaterialwillbemovedoutofthelab,itrequiresaworkplacelabel,
whichneedstoincludeaproductidentifier,directionsforsafehandling,andareferencetotheMSDS.
Historically,eachlabwasrequiredtokeepabinderofprintedMaterialSafetyDataSheets,whichare
onlyvalidfor3years.Toeliminatethislabourintensiveinventoryandupdatingrequirement,the
UniversityhasimplementedanelectronicMSDSsystem.Itisstilladvisedthateachlabkeepahardcopy
ofthe20mostusedsolventsorchemicalsonhand,butforthemajorityofchemicals,accesstoMSDSs
canbethroughtheinternetviaacomputerterminal.MSDSscanbeaccessedfromtheUniversityof
Guelphnetworkat:http://hq.msdsonline.com/uoguelph/Search/Default.aspx

15

8.3. Monthly Laboratory Self-inspections

KeyPoints:
-

Activateeyewashstationsweeklytoflushoutcontaminants,discouragemicrobialgrowthand
ensuretheflowisadequate.
Ensuretheaccesstotheemergencyeyewash/showerisnotobstructed.
Checkthefireextinguisheritshouldbeeasytoaccess(i.e.unobstructed),andthepressure
indicatorshouldbeinthegreenareaofthegauge.
Checkthespillkititshouldcontainneutralizers(usually3acid,base,andorganicsolvent
suppressant),absorbentmaterials,gloves,goggles,adustpan/scraperordustpan/broomand
bagsforwastematerial.
Checkfirstaidboxesthekitshouldcontaingloves,tweezers,scissors,adhesivebandages,
tape,gauze,andpadsorcompressbandages.
Visuallyinspectchemicalstorageareastoensurethereisnoleakageandincompatiblesare
separatedeachmonth.
Lookforissueswithunsecuredgascylinders,poorhousekeeping,electricalhazards,andaccess
toexits.
Reportanyissuestoyoursupervisor.

Itisimportantthatlaboratoryinspectionsbecompletedregularlytomonitorandmaintainthesafetyof
eachworkarea.Inanygivenlabtherecanbeacombinationofphysical,chemical,biologicaland
radiologicalhazardsdiligenceisrequiredtocontrolthesehazardsandkeeptheworkenvironment
safe.

8.4. Fume Hoods

KeyPoints:
-

Keepsashclosedwhennotinuse.
Ensurethatthefumehoodisonpriortouse.
Workwithsashaslowaspossible(lessthan18/50cm).
Keepallworkatleast6/15cmbackfromfrontedge.
Donotobstructairventsatrearofhood.
Donotallowhoodstobecomeclutteredortobeusedasextrastorage.
Uncapcontainersinsidethehood,recapthemassoonasyouarefinished.
Donotuseafumehoodifthealarmindicateslowflow.
Anysolutionofperchloricacidabove70%beingheatedmustbehandledinaspeciallydesigned
hoodwithwashdownfeatures.
Completelyclosethesashifyouareworkinginahoodwhenthefirealarmgoesoff.

FurtherinstructionsontheproperuseoffumehoodsareprovidedintheCBSSOPat:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html.

16

Whenahoodisnotinuse,keepthesashfullyclosed.Thisisasimplethingthatcanconservealotof
energyfumehoodsexhaustalargevolumeofairwhentheyareopen,anditrequiresagreatdealof
energytoheatorcoolthereplacementair.
Whenyouareworkinginahood,keepthesashaslowasyoureasonablycan.Thisimprovesabilityof
thehoodtokeepairbornecontaminantsoutofyourbreathingspace,offerssomeprotectiontoyour
faceshouldtherebeasplashorspill,andconservesenergy.
Fumehoodsoncampusareequippedwithawarningdevicethatwillalarmwhentheairflowis
inadequateforthehoodtofunctionasdesigned.Thealarmwillgooffiftheairflowfallsbelowapreset
threshold(facevelocityof80feetperminute).Donotattempttousethehoodifthealarmisgoingoff
andstopanyexperimentstakingplaceinsidethehoodifthealarmpersists.Closethesashfullyto
preventhazardousvapoursfrommigratingintothelab.
Todetermineiflowflowmayberesultingfromadisruptionofairflow,removeitemsthatmaybe
obstructingthemovementofairthroughtheventsatthebackofthehood.Also,lowerthesashand
resetthealarmifpossible.Sashpositionwillaffectthefacevelocity,whichisanimportantfactorin
effectivecaptureofairbornecontaminants.Bafflesshouldnotbeadjustedbyusers.
Largedisruptionsintheairaroundahood(e.g.,theopening/closingofadoor)maytemporarilyaffect
theairflowthroughthehood;ifthisissuspectedasthecauseoftheproblem,tryresettingthealarmif
possible.Iftheabovechangesdonotrectifytheissue,labelthehoodasoutoforderandnotify
PhysicalResources(x53854)ortheappropriatedepartmentalcontactforequipmentproblems.

8.5. Biosafety Cabinets (BSCs)

KeyPoints:
-

AnytimeyourworkrequiresuseoftheBSC,youshouldwearalabcoatandglovestoprotect
youskinandyourclothingfromcontamination.Aswell,longhairshouldbetiedback,as
requiredbytheLaboratoryBiosafetyGuidelines.
Planyourworkandminimizemovementinandoutofthehood.
Chemicallydisinfectbeforeandafteruse
Allowtimeforaircurrentstostabilizebeforestartingworkinthecabinet

ReviewtheCBSSOPat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.htmlforadditional
detailsontheuseandcareofthisequipment.

8.6. Liquid Nitrogen

KeyPoints:
-

Alwayswearglovesandeyeprotectionwhenhandlingliquidnitrogen

17

FollowtheoperationalpracticesoutlinedintheCBSSOPat:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html
Keepthedooropenwhendispensingfrombulkstoragedewars.
Ifyouhaveaspill,theonlythingyoucandoisevacuateimmediately.Makesureeveryonegets
outoftheimmediatearea,andwait30minutesfortheairtoclear.Ifaspillis>4L,callEHS,as
airtestingmayberequiredtoverifytheoxygenlevelhasreturnedtonormal.

Somestorageareasfordewarsareequippedwithanoxygenmonitor.Whenthealarmsounds,closeany
openvalvesimmediatelyandleavetheroom.

8.7. Chemical Safety

KeyPoints:
-

Knowthehazardsofthematerialswithwhichyouareworking.ReviewtheMSDSpriorto
handlinganewchemical.
Dontaccumulateunnecessaryinventorychecktoseeifyourlabalreadyhasthechemical,and
orderonlyasmuchasyouneed.
Neverstoreincompatiblematerialstogether.Acidscannotbestoredwithbases,flammables
cannotbestoredwithoxidizers.
Neverputflammablesolventsinafridgeunlessthefridgeisspecificallydesignedto
accommodateflammables.Therearefartoomanyrecordedcasesoffridgesandfreezers
explodinginlaboratoriesasaresultofimproperstorageofflammablematerials.

8.8. Compressed Gas Cylinders

Keypoints:
-

Whenmovingatankensurethesafetycapiscompletelyscrewedonandthetankischained
orstrappedtoacylindercart.
Alwayssecuretanksverticallyusingastraporchainwhetherinstorageorinuse.
Tanksinusemustbesecuredinanuprightpositionwitharegulatorattached.
Donotattempttochangeatankunlessyouhavebeentrainedtodoso.
Neverstoretanksofincompatiblematerialstogether(e.g.,flammablegasesbesideoxygen).

Compressedgascylindersareunderhighpressure,andcontainalotofpotentialenergy.Theprinciple
hazardsarethatafailureinthetankorthevalvewillcausearapidreleaseofpressure(i.e.an
explosion),andareleaseofthecontents(leakingoropenvalve)thatcouldbehazardous.
Evennontoxicgasessuchasnitrogenarepotentiallyharmful,astheleakinggascandisplaceoxygen
andleadtoasphyxiation.Aleakofatoxicgascanrapidlyreachahazardouslevel.Similarlyaleaking
cylinderofflammablegascouldpotentiallyleadtoafireorexplosion.
Topreventleaks,alwaysusetherighttypeofregulator,fittings,andhosesforyourapplication.Inspect
allcomponentspriortoassemblingtoensuretheyareclean,dry,andfunctioningproperly.When

18

appropriate,checkallconnectionsbybrushingonasoapysolutiontoensurethereisnoerrantgas
escaping.Insomeapplicationsagasdetectormayberequired.

8.9. Biosafety
Risk Groups and Containment Levels
BiologicalmaterialsareclassifiedintoRiskGroupsonthebasisoftheirabilitytocausediseasein
humansand/oranimals.
RiskGroup1lowindividualandcommunityrisk
RiskGroup2moderateindividualrisk,limitedcommunityrisk
RiskGroup3highindividualrisk,lowcommunityrisk
RiskGroup4highindividualrisk,highcommunityrisk
TheRiskGroupindicatestherelativelevelofrisktoworkersandtopublichealth,butthemorerelevant
classificationfromanoperationalperspectiveistheContainmentLevel.TheContainmentLeveldefines
thenatureoftheengineeringandproceduralcontrolsrequiredforhandlingdifferentorganisms.For
commonorganisms,theContainmentLevelcanbeobtainedfromtheMSDSpostedonthePublicHealth
AgencyofCanadawebsite,atthisURL:http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/msdsftss/index.html
Ifyouareunabletofindinformationonanorganismofinterest,contacttheUniversityofGuelph
BiosafetyOfficerforassistance.
ThecontainmentlevelforrecombinantDNAandgeneticmanipulationisnotsomethingthatcanfeasibly
bedefinedinadvance.Itwilldependonariskassessmentthattakesintoaccountthepathogenicityof
thedonor/sourceorganismandtherecipientorganism,aswellasthepropertiesoftherecombinant
organismwithrespecttoproteinexpressionandreplication.Forassistanceindeterminingtheproper
containmentlevel,youmaycontacttheOfficeofLaboratorySafetyinOttawaat(613)9571779.
Celllinesmaybebiohazardousasaresultoftheorganismsinherentpathogenicity,ordueto
contaminationwithotheragentssuchasviruses,fungi,bacteriaorprions.AttheUniversityofGuelph,
thepolicyistoworkwithcelllines/cellculturesunderContainmentLevel2.Incaseswherethereisa
highpotentialforlaboratoryacquiredinfection(e.g.,celllinesderivedfrommacaquesthatmaybe
contaminatedwithHerpesvirussimiae)ContainmentLevel3willberequired;converselyincaseswhere
theriskisassessedanddeemedtobelow,workwithcelllinesmaybedowngradedtoContainment
Level1.
AnyoneperformingworkwithhumanpathogensmustfamiliarizethemselveswiththeLaboratory
BiosafetyGuidelinesissuedbyHealthCanada.Ifyouaredoingworkwithanimalpathogens,youmust
reviewtheCanadianFoodInspectionAgencysContainmentStandardsforVeterinaryFacilities.The

19

generalsafetyprecautionsforhandlingpathogenicbiologicalagentsarediscussedinthesectionon
operationalrequirementsbelow.

Permits
Avalidbiosafetypermit,issuedbytheUniversityofGuelphBiosafetyCommittee,mustbeobtainedfor
allactivitiesinvolvinguseorstorageofbiohazardousmaterials.Formoredetails,pleaserefertothe
informationprovidedon:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/biosafety/.
AdditionalresourcesareavailableontheCBSHealth&Safetywebsitetoassistinpreparingbiosafety
permitapplications.

Import of Pathogens
InordertobringpathogenicagentsintoCanada,oneof,orboth,thePublicHealthAgencyofCanada
(PHAC)andtheCanadianFoodInspectionAgency(CFIA)mustapprovetheimportation.Insomecases
wemustobtainthepermitsourselves,inothercasesweimportunderthepermitofasupplieror
distributor.Theflowchartsbelowdepicttheprocessforimportationofriskgroup2materialsfor
circumstanceswherethesupplieristhepermitholder,andforsituationswherethePIappliesforthe
importpermit.

Process Map 1 Supplier as Import Permit Holder

20

Process Map 2 Principal Investigator as Import Permit Holder

ThePHACandCFIAoperateasseparateentities,soatpresent,documentationmayberequiredbyboth.
Eachagencyprovidesachecklisttohelpusersconfirmwhethertheycomplywithalltherequirementsof
therelevantguidelinesthechecklistsareavailableatthefollowingURLs:
http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/olsbsl/containment/pdf/cl2checklist_e.doc
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/sci/bio/anima/path/animae.shtml

Material Transfer
Beforewereleasebiohazardousmaterialstoanotherindividual,organizationorinstitution,itis
incumbentonustakereasonablestepstoensurethatthematerialwillbehandledproperly.
FormaterialsthatfallintoRiskGroup2(orhigher),wemustensurethedestinationfacilityfulfillsall
requirementsofaContainmentLevel2laboratory,asdescribedinthePHACand/orCFIAguidelines.As
well,shipmentsofriskgroup2orhighermaterialsmayfallundertheTransportationofDangerous
Goods(TDG);refertotheCBSSOPonTransportofDangerousGoodsforfurtherdetailsat:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/cbs/safety/cbs_ehs_procedures.html.
Anotherconsiderationistheprotectionofintellectualpropertyoftheuniversity;theBusiness
DevelopmentOfficeintheOfficeofResearchhasaMaterialTransferAgreementformwhichisavailable
online:http://bdo.uoguelph.ca/assets/Material_Transfer_Agreement.pdf
21

Biosecurity
Inrecentyearsthelevelofconcernoverthesecurityofpathogenicmaterialshasgrown.Fromthe
perspectiveoftheenduser,thekeypointssurroundaccessandinventorycontrol.
Accesscontrolisanimportantaspectofbiosecurity.Neverpropopendoorsortamperwithlocking
mechanisms,andpleasereportanysuspiciousactivitiesorbehaviour.Generallyspeaking,doorscanbe
unlockedduringthedaywhenthelabisoccupied,butafterhourslabdoorsmustbesecurelyclosedand
locked.
Tofacilitateproperinventorycontrol,makesureyoukeepyourmaterialswellorganized,properly
labeled,andaccountedforusingtheinventorysysteminyourlab.Iffreezersorstorageroomsarekept
locked,besuretorelockthemwhenyouarefinishedusingthem.Disposeofbiologicalwastesproperly
sothatpathogensareeffectivelydestroyed.

Operational Requirements
TherequirementsforthevariousBiosafetyContainmentLevelsaredefinedindetailintheHealth
CanadaandCFIAguidelinedocuments,andreiteratedinthereferencematerialsthatsupportthe
biosafetyprogram.TaketimetoreviewtheHealthCanadaLaboratoryBiosafetyGuidelinespriorto
startinganyworkwithbiologicalorganisms.
Asdiscussedinthesectiononlabsafety,thepurposeofthevariousrequirementsaretokeepyou,asa
worker,frombeingexposed;topreventcontaminationfrombeingcarriedoutofthelabandspreadto
otherpartsofourfacilities;andtoputplansinplacetodealwithemergenciesthatmayarise.
AfewoftheessentialoperationalrequirementsforContainmentLevel2(manyofwhichareapplicable
inalllabs)arelistedbelow:
-

Allpersonnelmustwearfastenedlabcoatswhenworkinginthelab.Labcoatsarenottobe
worninstairwellsorcommonareasofthebuilding.Contaminatedlabcoatsshouldbe
autoclavedorchemicallydisinfectedpriortolaundering(unlesslaundryhasbeenprovento
effectivelydecontaminatelabcoats).
Eyeorfaceprotectionisrequiredwheneverthereisariskofsplashes,aerosolsorflyingobjects.
Closedtoedshoesarerequiredwhenworkinginalllaboratories,includingContainmentLevel2
areas.
Glovesmustbewornwheneverthereisapotentialforskincontactwithabiohazard,and
removedpriortoleavingtheworkarea.Anycutsorscrapesmustremaincoveredatalltimes
withawaterproofdressing.Handsshouldbewashedwheneverglovesareremoved,andprior
toleavingthelaboratory.
Topreventaccidentalcontamination,longhairmustbetiedbackandlabcoatsmustbewornby
allpersonnelwhenworkinginthelab.Jewelryisnotrecommended.
Toreducetheprobabilityofingestion,food,drinkandcosmeticsarenotpermittedinthelab,
andoralpipettingisprohibited.
22

Routinechemicaldisinfectionofworksurfacesisnecessarytopreventthespreadofpotentially
pathogenicmaterial,andnonessentialitemsandpersonalbelongingsmustbekeptawayfrom
areaswherebiohazardsarehandled.Benchkoteshouldbechangedonaregularbasisand
followinganyminorspills.
Allbiohazardouswastematerialsmustbedecontaminated(i.e.autoclaved)priortodisposalor
collectedbyadisposalcompanyspecializinginthehandlingofbiohazardouswaste.

8.10. Radiation Safety

Permits
AllradioactivematerialsmustbeorderedthroughtheRadiationSafetyOfficerandmayonlybehandled
bylaboratoriesthathaveapermitgrantedbythecampusRadiationSafetyCommittee.
AttheUniversityofGuelph,wehaveBasicLevelLaboratories(BLL)andIntermediateLevelLaboratories
(ILL).TheopenquantityofaradioisotopeinaBLLislimitedtolessthan5timestheAnnualLimiton
Intake.AnILLmaybeusedtohandleradioactivematerialwithactivityupto50timestheAnnualLimit
onIntake.
Inadditiontoquantitylimitationswithinpermittedlabs,thereareextensiverequirementsforinventory
tracking,useofshieldingdevicesandexposurecontrols,monitoringofexposureandcontamination,and
managementofwaste.ThesetopicsarecoveredindetailaspartoftheRadiationSafetyTraining,and
documentedintheRadiationSafetyOperationalGuidance(RSOG)documents.Moreinformationis
availableontheEHSwebsiteat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/ehs/programs/radiation/

Requirements
Priortoanyworkwithradioactivematerials,staffandstudentsmustsuccessfullycompleteRadiation
SafetyTraining.ThecoresetofRSOGdocumentsareavailabletousersinpermittedlabs,andtreatedas
theprimaryreferenceforoperationalguidance(alongwiththespecificprotocolsfollowedinyour
individuallab).
Duringexperiments,inmostcircumstancesitwillbeappropriatetohaveasurveymeteronhandto
periodicallysweeptheworkarea,verifyingthatcontaminationhasbeeneffectivelycontrolled.Aswell,
postexperimentwipetestingmustbeperformedtoconfirmtheworkareaisadequatelyfreefrom
radioactivematerial.ThewipetestprotocolforthesharedIntermediateLevelLaboratoriesinthe
ScienceComplexisavailableonline,andcanbeusedasatemplateforsettingupaprotocolinyourlab.

8.11. Human Testing

Theuseofhumansubjectsforresearchhasobviousethicalandsafetyimplications.Anyresearch
projectsthatwillinvolvehumansubjectsmustbeapprovedbytheUniversityofGuelphResearchEthics
Board.Furtherdetailsareavailableonlineat:http://www.uoguelph.ca/research/services
divisions/ethics.Inadditionresearchersinvolvedinhumanclinicaltrialsinvolvinghumanfluidand/or
23

tissuerequirehandsonclinicaltrainingprovidedbyHumanHealthandNutritionalSciences.Please
contactx53493formoreinformation.

8.12. Animal Care

TheuseofanimalsinbiologicalresearchisundertheoversightoftheAnimalCareCommittee.Priorto
initiatinganystudyinvolvinganimals,anAnimalUtilizationProtocol(AUP)mustbeapprovedbythe
committee,andparticipantsmustsuccessfullycompletetrainingasanimalusers.Furtherdetailsare
availableonlineat:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/research/animalsinresearchteaching

8.13. Laboratory Wastes

Acrossthecollegewegeneratemanydifferenttypesofwaste.Thepropersegregationofwasteisan
importantissue;placinghazardouswasteinthenormalgarbagecanputthesafetyofthecustodialstaff
atrisk,andleadtoseriousfinesandpenaltiestotheUniversity.Thepouringofchemicalsdownthe
drainisincrediblyirresponsible,damagingtotheenvironment,andisprohibitedbylaw.
Ifyouareunsureofhowacertainchemicalormaterialmightbeclassifiedasawaste,hangontoitand
askforclarificationfromyoursupervisor,ortheLaboratorySafetyOfficerintheEHSdepartment.
Thetablebelowitemizesthetypesofwasteweroutinelyhaveinthecollege,andwhatshouldbedone
witheach.
HazardousWastetags,liketheoneshownbelowareavailablefromtheStockroomorfromtheEHS
Department.Youmaycallx53282andasktheAdministrativeAssistanttosendyouasupplyoftags
throughinterofficemail.Affixatagtothewastecontainerwhenyoubegincollectingwaste.

24

Waste

Examples

DisposalProcedure

Regular,non
hazardousgarbage

Papertowel,gloves,

Placeingarbagecontainer(blackbag).

Recyclablematerials
(notcontaminated
withhazardous
materials)

Finepaper,
newspaper

Placeinbluebin(clearbag)

Aqueoussolutions

Phosphatebuffer

Aqueoussolutionsthatcontainanyhazardousmaterials(metals,dyes,
stains)mustbecollectedanddisposedofashazardouswaste.

Trisbuffer

Ifasolutionisamixtureofaqueousandorganicsolvents,treataseither
halogenatedornonhalogenatedsolvent.
NOTEifsolutionsarestronglyacidicorbasic,labelandseparate.Donot
mixacidsandbasesinwastejugs.

Halogenatedorganic
solventwaste

Chloroform,
methylenechloride

Collectineitherasafetycanoranempty4Lbottle.Safetycanswillbe
returnedwithinaweekofpickup.
Ifusingasafetycan,labeltoindicatethetypeofwaste.Keeplidclosed
exceptwhenfilling,andstoreinflammablestoragecabinet.
Ifusinga4Lbottle,ensureiteithercontainedacompatiblechemicalorhas
beencleanedofanyresidue.Theoriginallabelmustbedefacedorremoved,
andthebottlemustbelabeledindicatingthetypeofwasteitcontains.Store
intheflammablestoragecabinet.

Nonhalogenated
organicsolventwaste

Acetone,ethanol,
isopropanol

Collectineitherasafetycanoranempty4Lbottle.
Ifusingasafetycan,labeltoindicatethetypeofwaste.Keeplidclosed
exceptwhenfilling,andstoreinflammablestoragecabinet.
Ifusinga4Lbottle,ensureiteithercontainedacompatiblechemicalorhas
beencleanedofanyresidue.Theoriginallabelmustbedefacedorremoved,
andthebottlemustbelabeledtoindicatethetypeofwaste.Storeinthe
flammablestoragecabinet.

BiohazardousWaste

Usedculture
plates/tubes/flasks,
disposablepipettes

Collectinanautoclavablebag(typicallyorangeorred).Regularly(e.g.daily)
closethetopofthebaganduseacarttotakeittothewasteautoclave.
Donotpackwasteintightly;penetrationofthesteamisimperativefor
effectivedecontamination.
Noteindepartments/areaswheresuitableautoclavesarenotavailable,a
specializedwastecontractorcanbecontractedtoregularlypickupcollected
biohazardwaste.ContactEHStoinitiatethistypeofagreementwitha
contractorinthisarea.

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Biohazardoussharps

Syringes,blades,
contaminatedbroken
glassorothersharp
objectpotentially
contaminatedwitha
biohazardous
material

Biohazardoussharpscanbedisposedofinoneoftwoways.
Inbothcases,sharpsmustbecollectedinapunctureresistantcontainer
designedforsharpscollection.Whenthebinhasreachedthefillline,thelid
mustbesecuredshut.
Somedepartmentsautoclavethesharpscontainer,andthensubmita
requisitiontoEHStohavetheautoclavedwasteremoved.
Alternatively,awastecompanythatspecializesinbiohazardouswaste,can
becontractedtopickupthesecuredcontainerswithoutautoclaving.Inthis
case,thesharpsareclassifiedasbiohazardouswaste.

CleanGlassWaste

Cleanglassware,
glasspipettes

Clean/sterilizedglass,includingbrokenglasswareandpipettes,canbeplaced
inthecontainersmarkedasGlass(whitepail,yellowbag).Ensureanyglass
goingintothiswastestreamisclean.

Radioactivewaste

C14,P32

Thereare2methodsthatmaybeappliedfordisposalofradioactivewastes,
dependingonthecircumstances.
Themostcommonistoarrangeforaradioactivewastepickup.Wasteis
collectedindesignatedbins(separatedbyisotope).CompletetheRequest
forRadioactiveWasteDisposalandsubmittoEHS.
Solutionswithverylowactivitythatcontainnootherhazardousingredients
canbedischargedtodrain,inaccordancewiththelicenseissuedtothe
University.Theamountdischargedmustbelessthanthewasteactivity
concentrationlistedonthepermitissuedtoyourlab,andthispracticemust
beapprovedbytheRSO,throughsubmissionoftheRSOF100Form.

Expired/Unneeded
chemicals

Expireddryorliquid
chemicals,chemicals
thatarenolonger
used

Donotremovefromoriginalcontainer.Placeinasafeareaofthelab,affixa
wastetagandsubmitrequisitiontoEHS.

Compressedgastanks

EmptyN2cylinder

Inmostcases,tankscanbereturntothesupplier.Ifyouareleftwithatank
thatcannotbereturned,affixawastetagandsubmitrequisitiontoEHSfor
disposal.

Formaldehyde

Formalin
preservative

Formaldehydeisanirritantandahumancarcinogen,andmustbetreatedas
ahazardouswaste.Collectinasuitablecontainer,andwhenfullaffixtagand
submitrequisitiontoEHS.

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Ethidiumbromide
waste

Stocksolutions

Stainedgelsandcontaminatedsolidwastes(weighpaper/tray,benchkote)
shouldbecollectedinasealablecontainer(e.g,20Lpailw/lid,linedwith
heavygaugeplasticbag&labeledasHAZARDOUSEtBrWASTE).Todispose
ofcontainercontents,submitrequisitiontoEHS.
Stocksolutionsshouldbecollectedinalabeledbottleandstoredinasafe
location.Whennecessary,submitrequisitiontoEHSfordisposal.
Stainingsolutionscanbetreatedinthesamemannerasstocksolutions,or
detoxifiedbychemicalreactionorspecializedfiltration.Byproductsofthe
filtrationmethodmustbetreatedashazardouswaste.

Acrylamide

Stocksolutions,
polymerizedgels

Acrylamidemonomer(i.e.powderorinsolution)mustbetreatedasa
hazardouswaste.Uncontaminatedpolymerizedgelscanbediscardedinthe
regulargarbage.

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