edited bv MALCOLMM. RENFREW University of ldaho MOSCOW, ldaho 83843
An Operational Safety and Health Program For A Multidiscipline Research Institute Robert E. Uhorchak Safety Office, Research Triangle Institute, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is a nonprofit corporation created by joint a e ~ tion of Duke University in Durham, The Universitv of North Carolina a t C h a ~ eHill. l the Triangle universities with its own Board of Governors, full-time staff, and physical facilities. RTI's campus of 180 acres and 12 lahoratory and office buildings containing 359,500
Robert E. Uhorchak issafety coordnator at the ResearchTriangle InsitUte. concerned with all in-house safety programs including training of personnel and planning. Earlier he Served as an associate professor of chemistry at SUNY, Canton Agricultural and Technical College, and as a medical technologist at the Duke University Medical Center. He holds degrees in chemistry: BS from SUNY at Conland and MS from St. John's University: his MS degree in industrial management was conferred by Clarkson College of Technology.
square feet of space are in the 5,400 acre Research Triangle Park located st the center of a geographic triangle whose points are anchored by the three cities and three major universities. A separate Energy and Environmental Research annex is located in Durham. The Institute supports itself by providing scientific research services under contract to a wide range of clients. Clients include federal, state, and local government departments, public service agencies, foundations, and industry sponsors ranging from small companies to national corporations. Organizationally, RTI is divided into aperating groups in the areas of social sciences, statistical sciences, chemistry and life seiences, and energy, engineering and enviranmental sciences. A corporate support staff provides services to each operating group. The professional research staff a t RTI includes approximately 165 Ph.D., 175 M.S., 225 B.S., and 200 n0nB.S. level personnel. This staff is supplemented by support services groups and a professional administrative group bringing total Institute employee streneth to aooroximatelv 1100 ~ersonnel. .. Since the Institute concentrates on stateof-the-art research, anticipating problems and responding to unforeseen circumstances is a daily occurrence. Further, the dynamic states of the contract research business continually generates projects which include new technologies, processes, and materials which need to be reviewed. The inherent dvnamic rr,r.m,f c s m ~ 1 . 1 . 1 c d nr thc In-t~rutc.. 11pIt11 w l t o thr w r n d 1.t r..,orn I rh.rngc;rrr;~tr~.t ! M L ~ 1s d" ?I,, .m,,,:,i>."L! ,,d r e q h " > , v t ~ safety program.
,
Safety LaboratoryfFacilitieslStaIf The Institute safety program uses a labaratorv. aoerated as oart of the Institute acc rrtlitcd .\ir .111d Inclu~tri.tlH y w m k'.h ilit) . \ v ~ : I : ~ Ir. I~~~ u ~ l m invluclrn ~ r n ~( 6 - I , ,)t K t w u n w :madl;~r)I,)l,.t... t < m wh.w 11. 11, \linr Safety Appliance air sampling pumps, a Hewlett-Packard 5880A Series Gas Chromatograph, a Miran 1A Portable Ambient Air Analyzer, and a Olympus Polarizing Micrascope. Another laboratory houses a Packard 460CD Tricarh Liquid Scintillation Counter
.
Volume 60
as well as portable radiation detection and survey equipment and necessary supplies. Further, research instruments from the operating groups may be used if the need arises. Most importantly, in-house research staff capability can he utilized ta help salve unusual problems requiring specific expert adwe. The program has four full-time emplayees-a coordinator, two safety technicians, (Cont~nuedon page A42)
Malcolm M. Renfrew draws on varied industrial and academic experiences in his approach to good safety practices. After ~raduatestudy at the University of Minnesota, he was a supervisor of research and 0e.e o ) m m 6 tn D P o n l i l l # > &neril M s m i n an anmn w m o r ano ,ea,:nnr at inc ,n .er s !, of nano n a Alma Mb-C, m e b active in the American Chemical Society. including service with the Committee on Safety and the new division of Chemical Health and Safety. He now is professor emeritus of chemistry and is patent director of his University's ldaho Research Foundation. Inc.
Number 2
February 1983
A41
and a secretary. The safety program is involved in the following major areas of activity: radioisatopelradiation use, training, inventory, monitoring, and disposal; hazardous chemicallcarcinogen use, training, monitaring, and disposal; chemical waste management; workplace air monitoring and analysis; coordination of medical examination program; fire safety and training including emergency planning; Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulation compliance; and accident prevention through education and training.
Organization
an air sampling committee, and a technical operating group safety committee. The uperating group committee is composed of "bench" representatives from various laboratories. This committee addresses day-today operational safety concerns and serves as a conduit for concerns of the bench staff. The air samoline . committee reviews the results of the dailv air monitorine oroeram and is active Institute Safety Committee has representatives from each operating group as well as the corporate staff and serves as a policy review and guidance committee. This committee also reviews, approves, or amends all research orotoeals involvine either radioactive or work.
Radiation Safety The Institute has a specific-broad scope radioisotope license issued by the State of North Carolina allowing possession and use of up ta 100 curies of hydrogen-3,5 curies of carbon-14, as well as lesser amounts of ather isotopes. Also the Institute is licensed to operate a cobalt-60 irradiator-an Atomic en^ ergy of Canada Gammaheam 150. Prior to use of either the irradiator or purchase of isotopes, the researcher must file a protocol' which extensively details proposed use, storage, safety aspects, and disposal of any waste. The Safety Coordinator and Safety Committee then reviews the researcher's initial request. Once approved, the office keeps an inventory of all radioisotopes on campus, monitors areas and personnel usine radioisotaoes bv means of asmear test
of North Carolina. Further, an independent Certified Health Phvsicist is retained hv the
mittee. ' A sample protocol is available from the author.
A42
Journal of Chemical Education
Hazardous ChemicalslCarcinogens Requests to use hazardous chemicalslcareinogens are submitted to the safety Coordinator and Safety Committee by the principal investigator using a completed protocolZ application. After approval, the Safety Office acts in the c a ~ a c i t vof internal auditor
isotopes are used), and investigates any problems that may arise. Further, the Institute i%m2ult~!t2 pll?siri~ll( t n unupaut 11,d u ~ linv i ~ -1)~. .aIi-t I. , ~ p p m (4~ i s r u i U.IW t these v h m ~ A. . l ~ q m ~ p r i a AI)M t r ~ t i vIh,. I 4 i ~t el s t , w r k pr.c,tnt 7 , . ~ n drrvqwn;y ut t m m ~ ~ < marc n x d . 5 1 1in~ , ~ ~ d . t~u hin w rec!~,tnencl.,tt~.n-.K d ) , d i q h ~ l01' 311 carcinogenic waste is accomplished by either burning in a licensed incinerator or burial in an approved site.
As part of the employee medical health program, the air sampling data are eategorized by employee name, worklacation, date, and results. Prior to the employee's annual medical examination, all data from the employee's work area are forwarded t o the consulting physician. As a specialist in aecupatianal health, the physician has this extra information available t o aid in diagnosis of potential problems. Further, the physician may recommend specific air muniLuring based on unusual clinical chemistry results. As well as alertine the ohvsician t o ooten-
warning of potential problem areas normally not considered as a hazardous work e n v i ~ ronment, e.g., computer areas with ink printers.
Chemical Waste Management Disposal of all hazardous waste is done in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. The Safety Office provides advice and collection services for the different types of wastes generated. Solvent wastes are segregated as either flammable or halogenated with the halogenated criteria taking precedence in mixtures containing hoth. A running inventory of the waste composition is accomnlished bv the research staff reratories 5-gallon refuse cans. The cans are picked up weekly and the waste transferred to 55-gallon drums. A weekly, running composite of all the wastes is made from these cards in order to identifv oronerlv the waste
Fire Safety A fire safety program includes annual formal laboratory inspections with consultants, annual insoeetions hvlocal fire marshalls as well as an ongoing monthly inspection to include fire extinguishers, safety showers, spill kits, and so forth. Biannual fire drills are run in each building. Also, annual training is given each employee on the use of extinguishers, self-contained breathing apparatus, and gas masks. ~
~
.
~~
system and sent for approved burial or in cineration.
Air Sampling An Institute air sampling program has been implemented to make routine checks on air composition todeteet potential hazards. Daily stationary and/or personnel air samples are taken in areas recommended by the air sampling committee, the Institute's consulting physician or the Safety Coordinator. The samples are analyzed following the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Organic Solvents in Air ( I ) , procedures in the accredited Air and Industrial Hygiene Facility. Ten common solvents are routinely fallowed against calibrated standards. The occasional solvents found that do not match the standards prompt further investigation hoth analytically and by investigation of the work site. All sample data are reviewed by a staff Certified Industrial Hygienist and kept on permanent file as part of the employees medieal history.
Medical Program
New laboratory employees are provided with base-line medical examinations and supplied a pair of safety glasses hy the lnstitute. Medical examinations are scheduled annuallv or more freauentlv . . based on the physicians recommendations or protocol review, and glasses are replaced as necessary.
Training
supervisor. All pertinent rules, regulations. and safety equipment are reviewed a t this time. On-the-job training continues daily and the Safetv Office snansors seminars includinr safe work with chkmicals/radioisotones. use
employee, many operating groups provide specific procedure and training manuals. These include Animal Research FacilityPolicy and Procedure Manual, Radioisotope Lab Manual, Toxic Lab Manual, and the Semiconductor Laboratory Procedures Manual. Additionally, employees are encouraged t o attend training in eardiopulmanary resuscitation (CPR) and other lifesaving courses. The Safety Office coordinates the Institute emergency response plan in which (Continued on page A44)
A sample protocol is available from the author. Sample cards are available from the author. " A Sample copy is available from the author.
Volume
60 IUumber 2
February 1983
A43
surance carrier. hv an inde~endentsafetv
coordinated through the Safety Office. staff members who are certified as Emergency Medical Technicians respond to accidents, fires, or any personnel injury of a serious nature. Accident Prevention Accident prevention hegins with the design and proper use of facilities that conform to dl applicable fire and insurance codes and with proper personnel training. The Safety Office is involved with both. In conjunction with the Facilities Department, a preventative equipment maintenance program has been established. This program includes quarterly velocity measurements and machinery checks on all laboratory hoods as well as lahoratory ventilation systems. The heating and ventilation supervisor has been trained and certified by the National Institute of Health as a Certified Biological Safety Cabinet Certification Officer. All hoods used for carcinogenic materials are certified to meet requirements published in the National Sanitation Foundation Booklet #49 (2). All hoods also are tested according to the Scientific Apparatus Manufacturers Association Guidelines ( 3 ) and meet or exceed the recommendations of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists ( 4 ) . Further, periodic inspections and recommendations are made by the Institute's in-
A44
Journal of Chemical Education
Advisement The Safety Office provides safety advisement service to all Institute employees. A major aid in evaluating new or unusual situations is that among the Institute research staff there is normally a person with the specific technical specialty needed or a group that has done contract work on a related project. This in-house expertise is used to evaluate initially concerns, and the Safety Office maintains close liaison with counterpark at the Triangle universities as well as neighboring industries, state, and federal agencies
Conclusion Ex~erieneeat the Research Triangle Institute confirms approaches to safety proerams that have been sueeested hv NIOSH
of top management. This management interest is not only valuahle in the "formal"
organizational structure but also contributes to the "informal" structure increasing employee awareness that the management indeed is concerned about the health and welfare of the staff. As a benefit, morale is enhanced and a valuable communications channel between staff and management is open. An active and visible program further contributes to the ability to show good faith efforts in compliance to the multiple regulations from numerous regulatory agencies. Finally, and most importantly, the ultimate objective of the program, to preserve the health and safety of individuals directly or indirectly involved in the research program, is significantly enhanced.
Literature Cited (1) "NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods." 2nd Ed., National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Cineinnsti, OH, 1977,Vol.1,pp. NO. (2) "Class 11 (Lamina Flow) Biohazard Cabinetry-NSF Standard Number 49,"National Sanitation Foundation, Ann Arbor, Mi 1976. 131 "SAMA Standard for Lsboraiorv Fume Hoods? SeiG d i f i c Apparatus M a k e r s ~ ~ ~ Washington,DC, ~ i ~ i i ~ ~ . 1975. (4) "Industrial Ventilation? American Conference of Govnnmentsl Industrial Hygienist.. Lansing, MI,
.~,
1979. (5) "A Management System for Occupational Safety and Health Pragrams for Academic Research Lahuratories: Natlonsl Institute for Occupatiunal Safety and Health, Cincinnati. OH. 1979. (6) "Prudent Practice8 for Handling Hszaidous Chemicals in Laboratories: NationalResearehCouncil. National Academy of Sciences. Washington. DC, 1981.
