labs & studios - november meeting

date: 
wednesday, november 22, 2023 - 2:00pm

present:  c. surette, j. sylvestre, t. moore, m. sorokopud, m. moore, a. diochon, g. oba, s. zaker

time commenced: 10:00am by zoom

  1. agenda :  no additions, j. sylvestre motion to accept  sz second carried.

  2.  july 26  2023 minutes – j. sylvestre motion to accept,sz second.  carried.

 

  1. incidents/accidents 

    1. luars - while unloading a wagon, worker was hit with the handle of a hay fork. safety boots and helmet worn. no eye protection, but not generally require for the work done.  no recommendations,

    2. anthropology - briefly unsupervised student doing necropsy, cut her finger on a clean scalpel (laid out the tools for work and inadvertently moved her hand into the scalpel). a tool tray could be used to keep track of tools while working so they don’t get missed while working. 

    3. biology -  mercury thermometer was in block.  thermometer was struck by user in the area, breaking the top of the thermometer.  mercury was contained within the bulb and did not spill.  t. moore to send out reminders to departments to replace if able, and use only when no other alternative is available.  

    4. biology - trichloroacetic acid spill bottle was picked up in a fumehood by the lid.  the lid was brittle, broke and spilled the contents on the floor.  user was wearing all appropriate ppe.  acid was neutralized and cleaned up.  t. moore to include not lifting bottles by lid in lab safety presentation, as well as periodic inspection of condition of reagent bottles/containers.  t. moore to send out email jan/feb to lab supervisors to update their inventory and check the conditions of their bottles/containers.

    5. cases - smell complaint (multiple) - release of offensive odours from the lab into surrounding offices. 

equipment working with toll oil boiling off acetone under vacuum.  the apparatus is exhausted to the lab fume hood.  the viscous fluid boiled over, so workers vented the vacuum system and opened the oven door releasing the odours to the lab.   the area in the lab has separate ventilation from the surrounding office, but workers repeatedly entered and exited the lab, causing mixing of the office air with the lab air.  users were instructed at inspection to remain outside the lab if they need to leave due to chemical/odour release.  users were instructed at inspection to put their fume hoods into emergency exhaust to help bring in fresh air to clear the smell faster.  workers were reminded that any release of bad smells or chemicals are to be reported to security, so that physical plant can increase ventilation of the building.   followup with the lab supervisor and workers: physical plant will see if dedicated supplementary ventilation can be added for the equipment; procedures to be checked to see if temperatures can be reduced, the system should not be vented, or oven door opened, until the unit is cooled down. 

  1. inspections

    1. engineering - one eyewash station with low water pressure

    2. student health and counselling - some lights burned out

    3. kinesiology - gas cylinders unsecured, with no cylinder cart for movement. inadequate ventilation for 3d printer. mix of technical repair workshop with graduate student office, leading to mix of food/drink/office and other hazards. some items addressed at time of meeting.

    4. nursing - temperature control of labs in the braun building  an issue for student comfort. 

    5. luars - extension cord altered, flammable solvents stored improperly, exits and fire extinguishers obstructed, food and chemicals stored together, combustible materials accumulated, general housekeeping needed.

  2. old business

 

5.1   gas policy update

no update

5.2 erportal upgrade

printer issue if you don’t have a label maker attached.  contact tiffany if you encounter any issues, take a screen shot if able.

5.3    respiratory protection program

program is live; training of individuals can start

5.4 silica program update

quotes for testing received, recommendations to be sent for funding

 

  1. new business

    1. phac visit results

munro facility officially removed from licence (the facility will need many updates to be compliant if it will be used again).

nosm to change autoclave sops and autoclave procedure.  these changes will be applied campus wide.

  1. llumin

  lab based reports can now be generated.  there is now a hyperlink that can be used while working in llumin to help you see what chemicals are there and access to sds.  the links will be on your inventory homepage.  waste request history from llumin will also be coming.

 

  1. adjournment:  11:17 am

 

  1. next regular meeting: dec 18, 2023 11:00 am