Frequently Asked Questions

Approvals

• What procedures is followed to receive US Army grant approval from EHS?

Asbestos

• There is a dust falling in my work area, how do I know that this is not asbestos?
• I occasionally see signs concerning asbestos abatement that will take place in a WMC building. Should I be concerned?

Biological Material Shipments

• I would like to ship Biological Material by Fedex, but I have not attended the Biological Material Shipment training. Can I ship the material without attending the training? I have read the Biological Material Shipment manual posted on the EHS website.

Biological Safety

• How long does diluted bleach last?
• How often does a biological safety cabinet have to be certified?
• Is a pipette tip considered a sharp?
• When does work with recombinant DNA or other biological materials require approval?
• Who can I have certify my biological safety cabinet?
• Which Clorox products are EPA-registered disinfectants?
• Can I use a bunsen burner inside a biological safety cabinet?
• Are human cell lines applicable to OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Standard?
• I don't want to change my bleach squirt bottle daily. Are there any other options?
• Can I use paraformaldehyde to decontaminate my contaminated equipment?
• I work with mice. Do I need to attend the Bloodborne Pathogen training?

Biological Waste Disposal

• Is a pipette tip considered a sharp?
• Can unused syringes (unopened package) be disposed in normal trash?
• Where do I obtain red bags labeled with the generator's name and address to use for College-generated biological waste?
• How do I request a collection for sharps containers?
• How do I request additional sharps containers?
• When are sharps containers collected?
• What sizes of sharps containers are available?
• Can I schedule routine sharps container collections?

Chemical Inventory

• Are chemical inventories required for laboratories?
• What do I NOT have to inventory for the chemical inventory?
• Our inventory keeps changing over the year, what should we do?
• Do I need to have an inventory of all my chemicals in my laboratory or other work area using chemicals?
• How often should an inventory be conducted?

Chemical Safety

• Who must maintain Material Safety Data Sheets?
• Were should I store my MSDSs?
• Are there OSHA standards that cover workers exposed to hazardous chemicals in laboratories?
• How do I store corrosive acids in my laboratory?
• How often do I have to update my chemical inventory and Material Safety Data Sheets?
• Is electronic access to MSDSs considered “readily accessible” or should I maintain hard copies?
• What is an MSDS?
• What is a Hazard Communication Program?
• Where can I find an MSDS?
• Where can I find secondary containment bins/trays?
• What quantity limits on chemical storage in laboratories do I need to follow?
• What is needed in a chemical spill clean up kit?
• What is a laboratory Certificate of Fitness?
• Who needs a laboratory Certificate of Fitness?
• Do I need to have an inventory of all my chemicals in my laboratory or other work area using chemicals?
• How often should an inventory be conducted?
• What is required to use Hydrofluoric Acid (not Hydrochloric Acid)?
• What are the hazards of oxidizing acids?
• What are examples of oxidizing acids?
• How should oxidizing acids be stored?
• How should corrosive bases be stored?
• How should corrosive materials be stored?
• Is there a location where my laboratory can store excess flammable liquids?

Chemical Waste Disposal

• What is a hazardous waste?
• How can I see if my chemical waste is approved for drain or trash disposal?
• What if my chemical waste is not listed for drain or trash disposal?
• What is an appropriate container?
• Where can I set-up a Chemical Waste Satellite Accumulation Area?
• How do I designate a Chemical Waste Satellite Accumulation Area?
• What is secondary containment?
• How do I request a hazardous chemical waste collection?
• Chemical Waste Audit Program Frequently Asked Questions
• What is a Satellite Accumulation Area?
• What is considered a chemical waste?
• Who is considered a chemical waste generator? Am I?
• How can I receive more hazardous waste labels?
• How should I label chemical waste containers?
• When must I label chemical waste containers?
• What information should be on a chemical waste label?
• What is an acute hazardous waste?
• How do I dispose of empty containers of acute hazardous waste?
• Can my x-ray and photo processing wastes be disposed down the drain?
• What training must I receive to work with chemical waste?
• I want to be sure I am in compliance with all hazardous waste requirements. What should I be doing?
• How can I dispose of chemical wastes?
• How can I dispose of my cylinders?
• How can I dispose/replace my ethidium bromide gel waste container?
• When do I need to have the lid/cap on my waste container?
• What is meant by a “properly sealed” waste container?
• How should I dispose of surplus electronics from off-campus locations?
• How should I dispose of printer toner cartridges?
• How should I dispose of toner collection reservoirs from photocopiers?
• I have completed my Chemical Collection Request Form. When will my chemical waste be collected?
• How should I dispose of unneeded X-ray film?
• Are household containers acceptable to containerize hazardous waste for disposal?
• How do I discard old computers and computer-related equipment in the Hospital?
• How do I discard old medical equipment in the Hospital?

Construction Safety

• What are the storage requirements for acetylene and oxygen compressed gas cylinders on a construction site?
• What should I do if I see dust coming from the construction areas into corridors or other areas?

Electronics and Equipment Recycling / Disposal

• How should I dispose of surplus electronics from off-campus locations?
• How should I dispose of printer toner cartridges?
• How should I dispose of toner collection reservoirs from photocopiers?
• How do I discard old computers and computer-related equipment in the Hospital?
• How do I discard old medical equipment in the Hospital?

Ergonomics

• What is Ergonomics?
• Are back belts or braces effective in preventing back injuries?

Fire Safety

• I hear the fire alarms. Is this a drill?
• The alarms have gone off in the main college. What should I do?
• The alarms and strobes have activated in Olin Hall, ‘S’ Building or Kips Bay Building. What should I do?
• There is a strong burning chemical odor in my area. What should I do?
• Should I utilize a fire extinguisher in the event of a fire?
• A service representative I have contracted is working on equipment in my laboratory and has to do some soldering / hot-work. Is that okay?
• I am in the basement of the A-E College buildings. Sometimes I hear audible beeps which repeat about 4 times. What does this mean?
• There are building materials and trash located inside the stairwell. What should I do?
• The painters just finished my workspace, and I noticed they painted some of the sprinkler heads. Is that normal?
• The cabinet fire hose is leaking. Who should I report this to?
• May items be stored on shelves up to the ceiling?
• I noticed that most of the extinguishers are mounted on the wall, but our extinguisher is not mounted. Is this acceptable?
• Why can’t I use the elevator instead of the stairs during a fire alarm?

General Safety

• Can equipment or furniture be stored in a corridor, and what are the restrictions?
• During the winter my work area gets cold, can I use a space heater?
• There is a safety shower in the corridor outside my work area. Can I store equipment next to the safety shower and are there any requirements I need to consider?
• Can we use electrical extension cords in our work area and run them through a cable organizer to prevent people from tripping over wires?

Hot Work (e.g. welding)

• What is Hot Work?
• Is non-fire causing work part of the Hot Work program?
• When is a Fire Watch required?
• Why does a Fire Watch have to remain on the job site for 1 hour after the completion of Hot Work?
• Do I need to have a Certificate of Fitness to perform hot work?

Indoor Air Quality

• I smell a moldy condition and I see black stains that look like mold. What should I do?

HazMat Shipments

• How do I ship samples with 10% formalin?
• When I transport hazardous materials between buildings, do I need DOT training?

Laboratory Safety

• How do I renew my Laboratory Certificate of Fitness from the Fire Department?
• I am new to WMC and have a Laboratory Certificate of Fitness from another institution. How do I update the new employer information?
• Who certifies laboratory chemical hoods?
• What is a Material Safety Data Sheet?
• How do I submit a Health and Safety Door Sign request?
• What is a laboratory Certificate of Fitness?
• Who needs a laboratory Certificate of Fitness?
• Is there a location where my laboratory can store excess flammable liquids?
• How do I discard old refrigerators and freezers?
• How do I discard old electronic laboratory equipment?
• What is considered electronic laboratory equipment?
• What fire-retardant standards should be used when purchasing laboratory furniture for WCMC?

Laser Safety

• Do I have to notify anyone if I use a laser?
• How are the classes of lasers defined?
• Who do I contact with laser safety questions?

Miscellaneous Waste

• How do I dispose of broken glass?
• How do I get rid of old electronics (e.g. computers)?

Occupational Safety

• What do I do if I am injured on the job?
• I was injured at work and received a call from EHS after the incident. Why is EHS contacting me?
• When working with chemical in a laboratory, how do I know that my exposure to the chemicals is not unsafe?
• What is Personal Protective Equipment?
• Can I substitute a face shield for goggles or safety glasses?
• Is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) considered the first line of defense against hazards?
• What is a Material Safety Data Sheet?
• What are the guidelines for Waste Anesthetic Gases?

Respiratory Protection

• Can I be fit tested if I have a beard?
• Do I have to complete an OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire to be medically approved for a respirator?
• Do I need medical clearance prior to wearing a respirator?
• What is a respirator?
• When is respirator use applicable?
• Where and who provides medical clearance?
• Can any respirator be used or are there specific types?
• Who certifies respirators?
• My hazard requires the use of a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. Which class of respirator should be used to meet the HEPA requirement?
• Do I ever need to be re-tested after my initial respirator fit test?
• What do I need to do to complete my annual respirator fit-test?
• What do I do if my medical condition changes after my initial medical clearance to wear a respirator?
• How can I determine if I need respiratory protection?

Training

• How do I register to attend one of the EHS Instructor Lead Trainings?
• Can EHS provide Instructor-led Trainings for specific departments?
• What documentation do I need to bring to Training in order to receive my Laboratory Certificate of Fitness (C-14)?
• I am a Physician with a clinical practice but also maintain a research laboratory. Should I attend the Bloodborne Pathogen training or the Clinical Safety training or both?
• How do I cancel my registration for an EHS Instructor Lead Training?
• How can I obtain a certificate for attending an EHS Instructor-lead Training?
• What is a laboratory Certificate of Fitness?
• Who needs a laboratory Certificate of Fitness?
• How do I renew my Laboratory Certificate of Fitness from the Fire Department?
• I am new to WMC and have a Laboratory Certificate of Fitness from another institution. How do I update the new employer information?
• What training must I receive to work with chemical waste?
• Does EHS offer on-line training?
• If I don't have a CWID, how can I complete annual on-line refresher training?