RESPONSIBILITY AND AUTHORITY
The President of Wellesley College
The President of Wellesley College, Diana Chapman Walsh, has
the final responsibility for the safety and health of the faculty, students
and staff working at the College.
Administrative Director of the Science
Center
The Administrative Director of the Science Center is Rosamond V.
White, room 139, ext. 3146.
- The Administrative Director of the Science Center has the responsibility
and the authority to see that the Chemical Hygiene Plan is written,
updated and implemented.
- The Administrative Director of the Science Center has appointed
the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) in accordance with the definition
in paragraph (b) of the 29CFR1910.1450 and requirements outlined in
Section IIb.
Chemical Hygiene Officer
The Chemical Hygiene Officer of the Science Center is Harry Clark
Room: Stockroom (Room 100)
Extension 3133
The Chemical Hygiene Officer is an employee designated by the Institution,
and who is qualified by training or experience, to provide technical
guidance in the development and implementation of the written Chemical
Hygiene Plan.
Duties include the following:
- Work with the Faculty and Administration to develop the Chemical
Hygiene Plan for the Science Center.
- Work with Faculty and Administration to monitor safe procurement,
use and disposal of chemicals.
- Assist responsible Laboratory Supervisor with required safety audits
and their documentation including documentation of training.
- Advise Laboratory Supervisor concerning adequate facilities and
procedures under the regulation.
- Seek ways to improve the Chemical Hygiene Program.
In addition, the Chemical Hygiene Officer is responsible for knowing
the contents of the relevant regulation (Occupational Exposures to Hazardous
Chemicals in Laboratories,29CFR1910.145) as well as the Chemical Hygiene
Plan.
Laboratory Supervisor
The laboratory supervisor or the instructor for the course is the person
responsible for the research laboratory and the prep rooms. The primary
responsibility of the supervisor is to institute the Chemical Hygiene
Plan and ensure compliance with the OSHA Laboratory Standard.
Duties include the following:
- Ensure that all work is conducted in accordance with the Chemical
Hygiene Plan.
- Define the location of work areas where toxic substances and potential
carcinogens will be used.
- Obtain, review, and approve standard operating procedures, detailing
all aspects of proposed activities that involve hazardous agents.
- Prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for use of substances
when this use involves alternate procedures not specified in these
guidelines. The SOP will include a description of the alternate procedure
and an assessment of alternate controls that will be used. For
SOP's press here.
- Define hazardous operations, designate safe practices, and select
protective equipment.
- Ensure that program and support staff receive instructions and training
in safe work practices, use of personal protective equipment, and
in procedures for dealing with accidents involving toxic substances.
- Ensure that staff and students understand the training received.
- Monitor the safety performance of the staff to ensure that the required
safety practices and techniques are being employed.
- Arrange, when requested, for workplace air samples to determine
the amount and nature of airborne contamination, inform employees
of the results, and use data to aid in the evaluation and maintenance
of appropriate laboratory conditions.
- Conduct formal laboratory inspections periodically to ensure compliance
with existing laboratory SOP's;
- Prepare procedures for dealing with accidents that may result in
the unexpected exposure of personnel, or the environment, to a toxic
substance.
- Investigate accidents with assistance of the Chemical Hygiene Officer
and/or the Safety Committee and report them to the Chemical Hygiene
Officer. Include procedures that will minimize the repetition of that
type of accident.
- Report to the Chemical Hygiene Officer or the Safety Committee incidents
that cause
- serious exposure of personnel to hazardous chemicals or materials,
such as the inoculation of a chemical through cutaneous penetration,
ingestion of a chemical, or probable inhalation of a chemical,
or
- a danger of environmental contamination.
- Ensure that action is taken to correct work practices and conditions
that may result in the release of toxic chemicals.
- Properly dispose of unwanted and/or hazardous chemicals aAugust 9, 2006
- Clean spills with the Chemical Hygiene Officer's assistance when
necessary.
Safety Committee
The Safety Committee will ensure that all laboratories in the
Science Center are conducted in a safe manner and that compliance with
OSHA, EPA, and DEP regulations is maintained. (For radiation and biosafety
issues consult the Radiation and Biosafety
Committee.)
Membership
The Safety Committee is comprised of representatives from the Departments
of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Physics as well as the CHO,
Administrative Director, Campus Safety Officer, and outside consultant.
Other members will be appointed as deemed necessary. Safety Committee Membership
Duties and Responsibilities
- Approve and annually update the Chemical Hygiene Plan;
- Provide liaison to their respective departments regarding the formulation
of safe working rules;
- Attend periodic committee meetings and conduct safety inspections
of the facilities each semester;
- Approve protocols prior to the use of hazardous substances;
- Review accidents in laboratories;
- Conduct an annual reassessment of the Science Center Safety Manual;
- Act as a resource for resolving student, faculty, and staff concerns.
Faculty, Students and Staff
All faculty, students, and staff working in laboratories have the following
responsibilities.
- Understand and follow all Standard Operating Procedures;
- Understand all training received;
- Understand the function and proper use of all personal protective
equipment. Wear personal protective equipment when mandated or necessary;
- Report to your supervisor any significant problems arising from
the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures;
- Report to your supervisor all facts pertaining to every accident
that results in the exposure to toxic chemicals, and any action or
condition that exists which could result in an accident;
- Contact your supervisor or, if not available, the Chemical Hygiene
Officer if any of the above safety procedures are not clearly understood.
Visitors
Visitors entering laboratories at Wellesley College will abide by the
same rules and regulations as faculty, students, and staff.
Children under 16 years are not allowed in the laboratories. At the
discretion of the Science Center Office exceptions may be made. All
visitors to the laboratories must be in compliance with the safety policies
set forth by the Science Center Safety Committee and everyone who works
in the laboratory must receive chemical hygiene and safety training
prior to starting work.
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