Hazard Communication
Every person who works with chemicals has a right to know the identities and hazards of those chemicals. The Laboratory Supervisor/Principal Investigator should make laboratory workers aware of the chemical hazards present in the laboratory. Environmental Health and Safety can offer additional advice and training. When working with chemicals, there are two important questions to ask: […]
Extended Leave From Laboratories
It is important that laboratories using hazardous materials plan accordingly prior to any type of extended leave. This procedure outlines basic precautions that labs should take prior to expected university closures or times of limited resources. Laboratory Experiments: Complete all running experiments and do not begin any new experiments that would require attention during an […]
Door Placarding
The Boston Fire Department requires the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704 Diamond be posted on all laboratory doors. These diamonds are also displayed on most chemical labels. The laboratory must inform EHS if the lab acquires different chemicals or gases so the door sign can be updated. Other hazards may be identified on the […]
Autoclave Safety Guidelines
An autoclave is a common piece of lab equipment used to sterilize equipment and supplies, which poses several hazards to the user. Burn Hazards: pressurized heat and steam Explosion Hazards: failure of door to seal while in operation Heavy Lifting Hazards: loading and unloading of autoclave The following general guidelines, in combination with the instructions […]
Pyrophoric SOP Template
All laboratories at BU that work with pyrophoric must complete the standard operating procedure template below and submit to the Chemical Safety Officer via oehs@bu.edu (please send to the attention of the Chemical Safety Officer in the body of the email). Labs are also encouraged to contact EHS (oehs@bu.edu) for further assistance adopting and working […]
Highly Hazardous Chemicals Program Guidance Document
Approved: January 2022 To Print or Save: Download the guidance below as a PDF 1. Purpose Boston University (BU) is committed to the safe and compliant use of highly hazardous chemicals (HHCs) in the laboratory. This document sets forth procedures and guidelines in place to protect laboratory workers, those supporting laboratories at BU, and students […]
Pyrophoric SOP Teaching Lab Template
All laboratories at BU that teach with pyrophoric must complete the standard operating procedure template below and submit to the Chemical Safety Officer via oehs@bu.edu (please send to the attention of the Chemical Safety Officer in the body of the email). Labs are also encouraged to contact EHS (oehs@bu.edu) for further assistance adopting and working […]
Perchloric Acid and Perchlorate Salts SOP Template
All laboratories at BU that work with perchloric acid and perchlorate salts must complete the standard operating procedure template below and submit to the Chemical Safety Officer via oehs@bu.edu (please send to the attention of the Chemical Safety Officer in the body of the email). Labs are also encouraged to contact EHS (oehs@bu.edu) for further […]
Osmium Tetroxide SOP Template
All laboratories at BU that work with osmium tetroxide must complete the standard operating procedure template below and submit to the Chemical Safety Officer via oehs@bu.edu (please send to the attention of the Chemical Safety Officer in the body of the email). Labs are also encouraged to contact EHS (oehs@bu.edu) for further assistance adopting and […]
Hydrofluoric Acid SOP Template
All laboratories at BU that work with hydrofluoric acid must complete the standard operating procedure template below and submit to the Chemical Safety Officer via oehs@bu.edu (please send to the attention of the Chemical Safety Officer in the body of the email). Labs are also encouraged to contact EHS (oehs@bu.edu) for further assistance adopting and […]