{"id":18022,"date":"2021-09-28T12:46:40","date_gmt":"2021-09-28T16:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ehs\/?page_id=18022"},"modified":"2021-09-28T12:48:27","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T16:48:27","slug":"research-safety-inspection-findings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/ehs\/ehs-topics\/ehs-newsletters-archives\/research-safety-inspection-findings\/","title":{"rendered":"Research Safety Inspection Findings"},"content":{"rendered":"

SEP 2021<\/span><\/h2>\n

Top Findings Observed<\/h3>\n

EHS research safety team performs inspections of all research laboratories at Boston University at least annually.\u00a0 The data from these inspections is\u00a0 reported to the Lab Safety Committee quarterly and annually to EHS leadership as a part of the EHS annual report.\u00a0 This communication is meant to \u00a0share some of the data from these inspections as they relate to findings observed.\u00a0 Review of the top 5 findings observed during this past fiscal year (Jul 2020-Jun 2021) showed that 3 out of the top 5 findings relate to chemical use and storage.\u00a0 Below you will see examples of each of these findings observed and how each one can be addressed.<\/p>\n

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Chemical Use and Storage Findings<\/h3>\n

Finding:<\/em> Chemical Containers are not properly labelled and\/or don’t meet Globally Harmonized (GHS) requirements.\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Corrective Action: Both images depicts chemical containers which have no GHS label.
\nIt is imperative that a completed GHS label label\u00a0be placed on each chemical container indicating chemical name (no trade name or abbreviations) and hazard.
\nIf you do not have GHS labels\u00a0EHS<\/a>\u00a0can provide them for you.<\/p>\n

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Finding<\/u>: Chemical container is in poor condition or corroded<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Corrective Action<\/u><\/strong>: Both images above depict chemical containers which are damaged.\u00a0 Damaged\/corroded chemical containers must be discarded.\u00a0 Reach out to the EHS Hazardous Waste management group<\/a> and they will assist you in disposing of these containers\/chemicals.<\/p>\n

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Finding<\/u>: Chemicals are improperly stored and\/or segregated<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Corrective Action<\/strong><\/u>: An acid and a base are being stored together in the same secondary container.\u00a0 These chemicals must be segregated and stored in separate secondary containers.\u00a0 Please refer to the chemical segregation and storage chart<\/a> as well as the satellite accumulation area (SAA) setup graphic<\/a> to learn how to properly store chemicals and setup your SAA area.<\/p>\n

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Additional Resources<\/h3>\n

Be sure to visit the EHS\u00a0Chemical Safety webpage<\/a>.\u00a0 On this webpage you will find guidance on all things chemical safety.\u00a0 Safe usage of hazardous chemicals, policies, programs, and toolkits to help ensure that you have a laboratory that is safe\u00a0and in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations as well as BU Policies.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0If you have any questions regarding hazardous waste you can always reach out to the EHS hazardous waste management group via email<\/a>.<\/p>\n

GHS Label Video<\/strong><\/h3>\n