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safety tips
Johnson C. Smith University Charlotte, NC 28216
A System for Chemical Hygiene Planning Michael Guarnieri 1423 Bolton Street, Baltimore, MD 21217 This report describes a simple system that is applicable to general laboratory safety, and specifically applicable to the current requirements of OSHA's "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories" Standard (29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.1450). The Standard requires laboratories to comply with specific requirements if hazardous chemicals are used. For example, the institution or employer must establish a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) t h a t describes, among other things; each laboratory's standard operating pmiedures ISOP's,; engineering controls; personill pn~tectiveequiper of hoodsiemment: measures to &sure ~ r o ~functionina ployee training methods; response to injuries; and procedures for waste d i s ~ o s a l The . Standard's reauirements have been reviewed ( l , 2 ) .
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A Matrix System to Organize Safety Plans Bell Telephone Laboratories originated the system described here while under contract for the Air Force in the early 1950's (3). The plan centers on the three determinants of any operation: the person(s), the place, and the agent(s) involved. Each determinant is analyzed before, during, and after the operation takes place. The system, thus, generates a nine-cell matrix consisting of questions about the person, place, and thing before, during, and after the operation. The figure illustrates the structure of such a matrix. Gibson (4) and Haddon (5)modified the Bell matrix system in two ways. They described how the approach could be used to prevent injuries, and they demonstrated that although a n i n f i i t e variety of "agents," or "things" could be involved in accidents, only those agents that transWhat are the safety needs of the operation?
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Work
an Injury I
PERSON, e.g. Students Employees Visitors Teaching Lab Analytical Lab Stockroom
A Matrix for Organizing Laboratory Safety Needs
494
Journal of Chemical Education
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ferred energy wuld cause an injury. Safety engineers suhsequently replaced the term "agent" in the Bell matrix with the form of energy involved in the work: for example, mechanical, thermal, or chemical energy. Applications To illustrate the application of the matrix system to the creation of laboratory SOP'S, one would s t a s with either the person (in this case, the employee . . or student), the place ilahnr;ituT nmm x, the stockroom, instrument roomctc.,, or the agent ta compressed gas cylinder, or metallic sodium for e ~ a & ~ l before-work. e) Here are examples of SOP'S for a laboratory (place) before work: ~
Fire extinguisher and alarmsclearly marked and functioning. Safety showers and eyewash stations tested and accessible. Phones and intercoms available. Emereencv numbers clearlv marked bv"the ohone. . F i r s t aid
