Laboratory Workers

Select one of the links below for more information.

Training

It is important that you have the required training before you start to work in the lab. Every laboratory worker is required to take Laboratory Safety Training annually. Also, if you work with certain biological materials, you may be required to take Bloodborne Pathogens training annually. These courses, provided by the Division of Occupational Health and Safety, are the minimum required training to begin working in a laboratory at the NIH. Please speak with your supervisor to arrange task-specific training. Additional course information is available here.

Có thể bạn quan tâm

The table below outlines the mandatory training courses, who is required to take the course, and when to take the course.

Bạn đang xem: Laboratory Workers

Course

Who Should Take It

When to Take It

Introduction to Lab Safety (online)

All laboratory personnel

Once, when you first start at NIH

Laboratory Safety Refresher Course (online)

All laboratory personnel

Annually

Lab Safety Refresher- LIVE (classroom)

All laboratory personnel

Annually- in lieu of online refresher

Working Safely with HIV and Other Bloodborne Pathogens for Non-Hospital Personnel (online)

Xem thêm : Which Spices, Seasonings and Herbs are Gluten-Free?

All laboratory personnel working with bloodborne pathogens and/or as indicated by the NIH Biosafety Officer

Once, when you first come to NIH or as indicated by the NIH Biosafety Officer

Bloodborne Pathogen Refresher Course (online)

Xem thêm : Which Spices, Seasonings and Herbs are Gluten-Free?

All laboratory personnel working with bloodborne pathogens and/or as indicated by the NIH Biosafety Officer

Annually, following the classroom course

Biological Safety Level 3 Training (classroom)

All BSL-3 laboratory personnel and/or as indicated by the NIH Biosafety Officer

Annually

Biological Materials Shipper Training (classroom)

All personnel preparing shipments of biological materials

Biennially

S.T.A.R.S. “Learn by Doing” Lab Safety Training (classroom)

All laboratory personnel 21 years old and younger

Once, when you first start at NIHThis course is only available in the summer. Laboratory Safety at the NIH classroom course must be taken when STARS is not available.

You may find the following supplemental training resources helpful:

Video portraying basic lab safety policies: A Day in the Lab
Southeast Regional Center of Excellence for Emerging Infections and Biodefense (SERCEB):Dual Use Dilemma in Biological Research

Xem thêm : Turkey Tail vs. Lion's Mane Mushroom: Comparing the Differences & Similarities

back to the top

Globally Harmonized System (GHS), Hazard Signage, and Chemical Labeling

There are currently three official methods for labeling chemicals in the United States; the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Hazard Identification System (NFPA Diamond) or the American Coatings Association’s (ACA) Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS), and the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System (GHS). On March 26, 2012 OSHA adopted the GHS and incorporated it into the Hazard Communication Standard. The GHS will replace the NFPA and HMIS identification systems in workplaces. By December 1, 2013, all employers must train their employees about GHS. By December 1, 2015, all chemicals distributed in the U.S. must utilize the GHS labeling system. By June 1, 2016 all U.S. employers must be in full compliance with GHS.

The GHS will utilize standardized pictograms, standardized hazard statements, and standardized precautionary statements to alert workers to chemical hazards.

Pictograms

Pictograms are visual identifiers that will help employees readily recognize general hazard categories. A chemical may have multiple pictograms.OSHA Pictograms.

Hazard Statements

Hazard Statements describe the nature of the hazard or hazards present and possibly the degree of the hazard for a chemical. A chemical may have multiple hazard statements. Each hazard statement is defined by OSHA and assigned a number. If you have personnel in your laboratory that do not speak or recognize English, you may use the assigned number of the hazard statement to identify the correct hazard statement in their language. Hazard statements can be physical, health, or environmental hazards.

List of GHS Hazard Statements in English
Hazard Statements in European Languages

Precautionary Statements

Precautionary Statements alert employees to actions they must take to protect themselves from hazards associated with a chemical. Each precautionary statement is defined by OSHA and assigned a number. If you have personnel in your laboratory that do not speak or recognize English, you may use the assigned number of the precautionary statement to identify the correct precautionary statement in their language.
Precautionary statements cover prevention, response, storage and disposal of chemicals.
Precautionary Statements in English and European Languages

Name, address and telephone number of person or company that prepared the mixture or compound
Product identifier (name or chemical formula)
Signal word, if applicable
- Danger (more severe)
- Warning (less severe)
Hazard statements
Precautionary statements
- Prevention
- Response
- Storage
- Disposal
Pictograms

The following resources will help you learn the differences between the three labeling systems:

OSHA Brief; Hazard Communication Standard: Labels and Pictograms
UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), 4th Edition
Journal of Chemical Health and Safety: GHS and its impact on laboratory safety
Sigma-Aldrich: Globally Harmonized System
OSHA Guide to the Globally Harmonized System
EPA Globally Harmonized System
University of Oregon NFPA Hazard Identification System

Xem thêm : Turkey Tail vs. Lion's Mane Mushroom: Comparing the Differences & Similarities

back to the top

Biological Safety

Below are some links that you may find useful in addition to the DOHS biosafety website. If you need more specific information or help, please contact your IC Safety and Health Specialist.

Video: How to prepare to work in a biosafety cabinet
Video: The differences between a biosafety cabinet and a laminar flow hood
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 6th Edition (BMBL)
Shipping or Receiving Biological Materials
Exposure Control Program
NIOSH Guidance on Latex Allergies

Xem thêm : Turkey Tail vs. Lion's Mane Mushroom: Comparing the Differences & Similarities

back to the top

Safe Lab Equipment

The following websites provide useful information on the safe use of lab equipment:

AIHA Lab Safety Centrifuge Explosions Incidents
Video: Safe and Proper Use of Autoclaves
AIHA Lab Safety Autoclave Incidents
AIHA Implosion From Use of Erlenmeyer Flask Under Vacuum
AIHA Lab Safety Electrial Incidents

Additional Information

University of Rochester Sonicator Safety

Xem thêm : Turkey Tail vs. Lion's Mane Mushroom: Comparing the Differences & Similarities

back to the top

Emergency Procedures

Use the links below to help familiarize yourself with NIH emergency procedures. Speak with your PI about lab specific emergency procedures.

Hazardous Materials Incidents and Spills
NIH Division of Emergency Preparedness and Coordination: Evacuation and Shelter in Place

back to the top

OSHA and Lab Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has several laws and guidance documents that pertain to laboratory workers. The links below are a compilation of some of the pertinent resources from OSHA: