University of Arkansas
PA-12: Workplace Health and Safety

A ten year span seemed like a reasonable spread. We have data for all recent years.

For Chemical Hygiene: The University of Arkansas is committed to preserving and protecting the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, the surrounding community, and the environment. Believing that it is prudent to minimize all chemical exposure, the University's Toxic Substances Committee (TSC) and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) in accordance with Federal and State regulations provides this Chemical Hygiene Plan as guidance regarding the safe use, storage, and handling of chemicals that may be present in University laboratories. This Plan applies to all laboratories at the University of Arkansas where chemicals are stored or used. For purposes of this Plan, shops and studios are also considered to be laboratories. The 90-day hazardous waste accumulation facility is addressed separately in Appendix I. For Biological Safety: Researchers, technical staff, and students shall: 1. Comply with the established policies, procedures, and guidelines for biological safety as trained. 2. Promptly inform immediate supervisor of any unsafe practice or conditions in the work area. 3. Report any change in health status to the supervisor if there is a possibility it may be work related. 4. Immediately report all biological spills and incidents to the supervisor. 5. Become familiar with written emergency procedures for handling exposure to infectious or potentially infectious biological agents and other hazardous materials. 6. Become trained in the procedures, both archived and wall posted, to safely handle appropriate biological agents. For Radiation: RADIATION SAFETY is the responsibility of all faculty, staff and students who are directly or indirectly involved in the use of radionuclides or radiation-producing machines. The Radiation Safety Committee is responsible for the University's radiation control program outlined in this manual. The State of Arkansas has also issued Registrations for the use of radiation producing machines (such as x-ray devices) at the University. While the broad radioactive materials license does not cover the use of these devices, they are included in this manual for radiation safety completeness and uniformity in radiation protection practices at the University. The use of radiation in a university, where a large number of people may be unaware of their exposure to radiation hazards, makes strict adherence to procedures established by state and federal authorities of paramount importance for the protection of the University, the safety of its faculty, staff, and students, and the protection of the environment. It is the responsibility of all faculty members, staff, and students involved in radiation work to become thoroughly familiar with the University's radiation safety program and to comply with its requirements and all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Radiation safety depends on a continuous awareness of potential hazards and on the acceptance of no short cuts in order to keep radiation exposures and releases of radionuclides to the environment as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) For Respiratory Protection: The use of respirators is regulated by OSHA through the Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134). The standard requires the development of a Respiratory Protection Program, including all of the elements described below. Initial Hazard Assessment: Anyone who believes that respiratory protection is needed during the course of his or her work must notify EH&S. EH&S will evaluate the potential hazards of the work and determine whether respiratory protection is needed. This may involve personal and area air sampling to measure exposure levels. Respirator Selection: EH&S determines the type of respirator needed (e.g., half-face or full-face air purifying respirator, powered air purifying respirator, supplied air respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus) based on the results of the initial hazard assessment. When air-purifying respirators are recommended, the appropriate type of filter or chemical cartridge is selected. Only respirators and supplies approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) may be used. Medical Surveillance: Prior to the assignment of respiratory protection, the individual must be evaluated by the University Health Center to determine whether he or she is able to wear a respirator. This involves the completion of a medical history questionnaire, a limited physical examination and baseline laboratory testing. This may include a pulmonary function test, a chest x-ray, an echocardiogram, a urinalysis and a complete blood count. The medical history questionnaire (which is part of the annual Respirator Fitting Form) must be completed annually by each individual enrolled in the Respiratory Protection Program and is reviewed by a licensed healthcare professional. The frequency of physical examinations and laboratory testing is at the discretion of the physician, based, in part, on age and general health. Training and Fit-Testing: Individuals who require respiratory protection must receive training before using a respirator. Training, which can be supplied by EH&S, must include discussion of the need for respiratory protection, the elements of the Respiratory Protection Program and the individual’s responsibility under it, the medical surveillance program, proper use of respiratory protection, respirator maintenance, and handling emergency situations. Individuals required to wear negative pressure respirators must be fitted properly and tested for an adequate seal prior to use in a contaminated atmosphere. Qualitative fit-testing using banana oil is performed by EH&S. Instructions on performing positive and negative pressure checks are provided to respirator users so that they may check their respirator’s fit in the field. SCBA users must show proficiency donning and doffing the respirator. It is imperative that they know how the SCBA functions and how to use it under varying conditions. All respirator users must attend training and be fit-tested annually. Inspection and Maintenance: Respirator users are responsible for regular cleaning and inspection of their respirators, including looking for defects and missing parts. Respirators must be stored properly in order to protect them from dust, sunlight, excessive heat or cold, moisture and chemicals. Inspection forms are available through EHS and are distributed during annual training. SCBA must be inspected at least monthly and a record of the inspection must be maintained. The department appoints an individual or group to be responsible for the monthly inspections. Inspection forms are available through EHS and are distributed during annual training. Recordkeeping: For each individual assigned a respirator, the department maintains records of training, fit-testing, and respirator inspections. Medical records, including copies of the Respirator Fitting Form and results of physical examinations, are kept by the University Health Center.