Workplace Safety – Programs & Services
Please see below for information about the Workplace Safety programs and services of most relevance to you.
Work Space
Information about setting up safe working environments and proper posture for people in the lab or at a desk to prevent injury and strain.
Please also see:
Information about indoor air flow and air quality assessments.
Please also see:
Information about the potential health risks of mold exposure and tips to prevent the active growth of mold
Please also see:
Many local, state, and federal agencies require that permits be obtained for projects, equipment, and discharges. EHS and other University and Hospital departments maintain many permits and licenses.
If the work that you will perform requires additional permits, EHS can guide you on when, why and how to apply for a given permit.
Permit Examples Include:
- Air and water discharge and other environmental
- Assembly areas
- Building and demolition Permits
- DEA Controlled Substances
- Hazardous Materials Permits
- Laboratory registrations
- Laser Use Permits
- Occupancy Permits
- Radioactive Material Use Permits
- USDA import/export
Work Practices & Procedures
Information about the potential health risks of asbestos exposure, including the increased risk to smokers, and the Boston University/Boston Medical Center Asbestos Management Plan
Please also see:
Guidance about the safe use and risks of biohazardous materials and organisms, including all infectious agents or biologically derived infectious materials that present either a risk or a potential risk to the health of humans or animals, either directly through infection or indirectly through damage to the environment.
Please also see:
- Biosafety Levels
- Animal Biosafety Levels
- Boston University BPHC Permits
- Primary Containment
- Resources
- Special Hazards
- Shipping of Biological Materials
- Working with Biohazardous Materials
Information about programs in place to a) protect the safety of all those working on or visiting the areas in and around construction sites and b) ensure compliance with OSHA and other regulations and standards
Please also see:
- Demolition, Renovation, & Lead
- Safety Orientation for Contractors
- Project Managers Safety Orientation
- Construction Safety Forms
Guidance in proper electrical safety to avoid fires, electric shock, and electrocution
Please also see:
Guidance to minimize environmental impacts and maintain compliance with environmental regulations in the University’s educational, research, and medical facilities
Please also see:
- Environmental Management Plan
- Biological Waste
- Chemical Waste
- Laboratory Waste Disposal Overview
- Pollution Prevention
- Radioactive Waste
- Spills
Guidance to ensure that the University community is safe from fires and ensure compliance with the appropriate fire codes and fire safety regulations
Please also see:
- Fire Safety Do’s and Don’ts
- Fire Safety FAQs
- Fire Safety For Students On and Off Campus
- Fire Safety Resources
- Fire Extinguisher Use & Safety
- R.A.C.E. Fire Response Procedure
- Sterno Safety Guidelines
Information about the properties, hazards, and protective measures for each chemical and its use
Please also see:
Guidance in the selection, use, care, and storage of stepladders, fixed ladders, and job-made ladders
Please also see:
Information about the safe use of power tools and equipment
Please also see:
Personal Protective Equipment, commonly known as “PPE”, is used to protect the body from chemical, biological, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, and other hazards that students, faculty or staff may encounter in an academic or professional environment. PPE appropriate to the task will be provided to BU faculty, staff, and students by their respective laboratories, departments, and/or supervisors. For additional information, refer to the resources tab at the bottom of the page or feel free to contact EHS at oehs@bu.edu.
An important philosophy to remember is that PPE is the last line of defense. OSHA, NIOSH and BU EHS suggest following the Hierarchy of Controls illustrated below to provide the most effective protection for faculty, staff and students 1.
Assessment of Hazards
-
- Review the safety section of equipment and machinery manuals.
- Read Section 2 of the chemical safety data sheets (SDSs) used in your lab or workplace.
- Read the door placard before entering a laboratory (see figure below).
- Look for signage in lab or around machinery (see figure below).
- Research patterns or incidents of near misses, injuries or illness that have occurred in your workplace with materials or equipment that you are using.
- Communicate with current and former colleagues that are familiar with your operation.
- Reach out to EHS to perform a procedural risk assessment.
Once hazards have been identified, you, in collaboration with your colleagues, supervisor, and EHS, can identify PPE that will most adequately protect you. There are many types of PPE which can be used to protect from various maladies or routes of entry. Each type of PPE may have different makes or models, each with their own limitations such as service life or assigned protection factors (APF). APF helps determine if PPE will protect you based on the frequency, duration of work, and concentration of materials.
Examples of PPE:
For more information about respiratory protection visit this EHS Respiratory Protection Page.
Donning and Doffing
Donning |
Doffing |
1. First layer of gloves (if double gloving)* |
1. First layer of gloves (if you are double gloved)* |
2. Gown or lab coat |
2. Lab goggles or safety glasses |
3. Face mask or respirator (if any) |
3. Gown or lab coat |
4. Lab goggles or safety glasses |
4. Face mask or respirator (if any) |
5. Last layer of gloves (if double gloving) |
5. Last layer of gloves |
| *If double gloving is not part of your procedure, skip this step | |
When doffing disposable gloves, it is important to follow a specific technique to reduce probability of transferring hazardous materials to your bare hands. See the diagram below for guidance 4.
Use and Maintenance of PPE
-
- Disposable gloves are SINGLE USE ONLY. Furthermore, if gloves break during your work, doff them correctly (see section above), wash your hands and don a new pair.
- Remove disposable gloves before reaching for commonly touched items. Items such as elevator buttons, stair railings and door handles should not be touched with a gloved hand. Always doff disposable gloves before exiting the laboratory.
- Do not wash body PPE with street clothing. Residual materials may stay on your street clothes when laundered with your body PPE. This could inadvertently expose your family and friends.
- If you can avoid it, do not bring PPE home. By keeping your PPE at work, you will reduce the likelihood of exposing your family and friends to dangerous materials.
- Always have spare PPE ready to use. Broken safety glasses or torn gloves are equivalent to not wearing protection at all. Never hesitate to throw out damaged or soiled PPE and get a new set.
- Inspect PPE for broken parts, rips, or holes. It can be hard to see damaged PPE during donning. Make sure you inspect your PPE one time before you enter a contaminated space or begin work.
- Make sure PPE is the correct fit. Similar to broken PPE, if the sleeves of your lab coat are too short or your nitrile gloves are too big, for example, your skin may be exposed, making you more susceptible to injury or illness.
- Store PPE in an area that will preserve it in good condition. Read the manufacturer instructions on how to store PPE. Keeping disposable gloves in a hot car or windowsill instead of a cabinet, for example, will degrade the nitrile/rubber and increase the likelihood of breakage during use.
Additional Resources
References
- “Hierarchy of Controls.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 Jan. 2015, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/default.html
- “Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Sept. 2020, https://www.osha.gov/shpguidelines/hazard-prevention.html#ai1
- “Sequence for Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Sept. 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppeposter148.pdf.
- “Glove Removal Procedure” WorkSafeBC, Workers Compensation Board of B.C., 24 November 2020, https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/ppe-information-sheets/glove-removal-procedure?lang=en
For assistance during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM), please call 617-358-7688.
For assistance outside of business hours, please call the Control Center at 617-358-4144.
Boston University, Boston Medical Center, and its affiliates have a robust radiation safety program to oversee the safe use of all sources of radiation in variety of settings. The radiation safety program is maintained by the Division of Medical Physics and Radiation Safety (DMPRS). If you have any questions or concerns regarding the radiation safety program please reach out to the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
Jump to information on the following within this section:
- Dosimetry
- Diagnostic Medical Physics
- Laser Safety
- Radioisotopes
- Radiofrequency (RF) Safety
- Radiation Safety Operational Forms Library
Or visit the Research Support site for additional information and policies:
Information about medical clearance, fit testing, and proper use of respirators for employees, staff, and students