Section A:  Responsibilities

1.  Year-Round Responsibilities

 

  • As stated in official Department reports to the University, the central focus of Winthrop’s chemistry program is year-round student-centered research.  Implementation of this overriding learning goal often requires chemistry faculty to work in Winthrop laboratories during periods of time that Winthrop is not paying them or when they are not teaching.  Similarly, students will often be working in laboratories conducting research or other learning activities during times in which they are not enrolled in any courses or being paid by Winthrop.  During all of these periods, faculty and students are considered by Winthrop University and by the Department to be acting in their official capacities and to be covered by the existing University insurance policies.  During these times, both students and faculty are expected to comply with all requirements of the Department Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan.

2.  Chair of Department

  • Has ultimate responsibility for chemical hygiene in the Chemistry Department. The chair must ensure that an effective hygiene program is in place and supported by everyone in the department.

3.  Department Chemical Hygiene Officer

  • Coordinates and implements the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
  • Maintains all records required by the Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP).
  • Conducts a formal CHP inspection of all laboratories and chemical storage areas each semester. Documents results of each semester's inspection; follows up to ensure appropriate corrections have been made by the responsible faculty or staff member.
  • Advises course directors, researchers, instructors, and workers of how the CHP applies to them.
  • Works to continually improve chemical hygiene practices, procedures and equipment.
  • Maintains an up-to-date safety library that is available to all which includes a current copy of the CHP.
  • Reports all accidents and other potential exposure conditions to the Chair. Keeps a central file of all incident and hazard reports

4.  Laboratory Chemist

  • Conducts weekly visits to all chemical areas for compliance with the CHP to identify and to correct CHP items, which require immediate attention.
  • Conducts annual inventory of all chemicals in all storerooms and labs; updates the chemical data base with the inventory results
  • Logs the receipt of each new chemical in the department by:
    • Entering them into data base
    • Adding inventory bar code to container
    • Adding label with receipt date and disposal date
    • Obtaining MSDS sheet, placing copy in central MSDS inventory and in appropriate MSDS notebook in lab where it will be stored and used.
  • Monitors procurement, use, and disposal of all chemicals used in the department.
  • Identifies and prepares chemical waste and excess chemicals for disposal.
  • Works to ensure that chemicals are properly labeled and stored.
  • Tests all eyewash stations throughout the department and keeps a written record of these.
  • Monitors and ensures that protective equipment is available and maintained according to the chemical hygiene plan (i.e. lab aprons are clean and available, testing of eyewash stations, ensures that spill kits are properly stocked, fire extinguishers are inspected, etc.)
  • Coordinates with other campus organizations and faculty on chemical hygiene issues.
  • Ensures that copies of MSDS's are available for chemicals in each lab and in a central location.

5.  Faculty and Lab Instructors

  • Faculty must attempt to ensure their own safety as well as the safety of all students under their supervision by:

o        Complying with the CHP in teaching and research laboratories.

o        Developing good personal chemical hygiene habits.

o        Ensuring that housekeeping and maintenance of all lab areas are up to standard.

o        Reporting all accident and unsafe conditions to the chair or chemical hygiene officer.

o        Participating in chemical hygiene training.

o        Informing all students of safety precautions and supervising students to ensure they work safely in the laboratory.

  • The following is a short list of some of the issues that should be addressed before the start and during each lab period. The faculty member or instructor should ensure that:

o        Students are briefed on safety/emergency considerations and procedures for the laboratory work being conducted.

o        Students are advised of any MSDS considerations for the substances being used that day.

o        Students are properly informed of the proper waste disposal produces for each lab, ensuring that all waste containers are properly labeled and that students adhere to the proper waste disposal procedures.

o        Students are actively supervised during lab work to ensure safe procedures are being followed.

o        Chemicals are properly labeled.

o        Chemicals are properly stored during and at the end of each lab period.

o        The proper laboratory protective equipment is used by everyone in the lab, including visitors.

o        The laboratory area is maintained in a state of cleanliness, safety equipment and exit routes are free of obstructions

o        At the end of each lab, ensure that all waste containers are properly closed; equipment is turned off or unplugged if appropriate and all utility valves are turned off.

6.  Student Employees

  • Participating in chemical hygiene training
  • Planning and conducting each operation in accordance with the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
  • Developing good laboratory hygiene habits.
  • Reporting unsafe acts or conditions to the instructor or the safety coordinator.
  • Being familiar with procedures for dealing with accidents and emergencies

7.  Students

  • All students are required to ensure the safety of themselves and others by following all safety precautions as outlined in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

8.  Safety Committee

  • Members:
    • Chemical Hygiene Officer
    • Laboratory Chemist
    • Chair of the Department
    • A chemistry faculty member
    • A physics faculty member
    • A geology faculty member
  • Duties
    • Ensure that independent inspections of all laboratory areas are conducted and documented each academic year.
    • Conduct annual review of the Chemical Hygiene Plan and update as necessary.
    • Monitors the use of particularly hazardous chemicals, particularly in research areas.

9.  The University Chemical Hygiene Officer

  • Ensure that all hoods, safety showers and fire extinguishers are properly maintained and tested.
  • Annually inspect laboratories and chemical storage areas for compliance with CHP plan; provide the chemical hygiene officer and department chair with documentation of all such inspections and testing.
  • Ensure that all University employees, outside of the chemistry department, that have access to any laboratory in the chemistry building are properly trained as to the safety procedures that must be followed when entering a laboratory.
  • Coordinate and schedule chemical waste disposal at least twice each year so that no waste is stored on site in excess of 270 days.