Lab Safety

Lab Safety Committee

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety chairs the Laboratory Safety Committee. Monthly meetings are held with the committee members, whom consist of department representatives from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, School of Engineering, School of Nursing, School of Education, Art, and the Center for the Arts. During these meetings, the committee discusses issues regarding safety and environmental matters on campus as it relates to students, faculty, and staff working in and around laboratories.

The purpose of the College of New Jersey’s Laboratory Safety Committee is to provide practical guidance in classroom laboratory and associated research settings in order to promote a safe and healthy environment for all members of its community.

The committee is open to additional members from areas with laboratories. Please email the Lab Safety Manager for additional information and to be included in the next meeting.

For more information, please visit our program specific pages that can be found at: https://ehs.tcnj.edu.

Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies are to be reported immediately to Campus Police Services by dialing 911 from any hard-wired campus phone or by calling (609)771-2345 from a cell phone. Medical emergencies include student, staff and faculty laboratory chemical accidents and chemical exposure accidents that require medical attention. All laboratories have emergency eye wash and shower stations. Should additional medical attention be needed, please contact Campus Police Services by dialing 911 from any hard-wired campus phone or by calling (609)771-2345 from a cell phone.

Please note that TCNJ does not have medical facilities on campus to treat chemical exposures or chemical accidents for students, faculty, or staff. Student Health Services in Eickhoff Hall is able to provide basic non-emergency care to students during their normal business hours with an appointment. Reporting of medical emergencies and accidents is to be communicated through the area or department, which includes notification to EHS. Faculty and staff accidents are to be communicated to Human Resources and their supervisor. To prevent accidents and injuries in the laboratory, EHS is able to provide assistance with the review of experiments and or chemicals to determine the appropriate health and safety measures needed for a laboratory event. EHS reviews all known or reported laboratory accidents and injuries for future experiments. Please contact EHS with any concerns or questions at extension 2881.

Mercury Safety and Spills

Because metallic mercury (Hg) is widely used in laboratory instruments and mercury compounds are used in many laboratory experiments, it is one of the most frequently spilled materials. Metallic mercury and its compounds can be absorbed into the body by inhalation, ingestion, or contact with the skin. If spills are frequent and mercury is added to the ambient air level, the combined concentration may reach or exceed toxic limits. EHS provides mercury spill cleanup and offers assistance in ensuring a safe environment whenever spills of acutely toxic substances are involved. This assistance may include but is not limited to initial entry evaluation and clean-up, pre-entry monitoring, post-clean-up monitoring, etc. EHS is to be notified of all spills involving mercury or other highly toxic materials. For teaching and research purposes, wherever possible, substitute non-mercury devices, e.g., alcohol thermometers or digital thermometers. Wherever possible specify the use of non-mercury devices for measuring pressure, etc. Please have your mercury thermometers set aside for the next hazardous waste pick-up and replace mercury thermometers with digital ones where possible. Mercury-containing items are considered Universal Waste and not Chemical Waste.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment worn in laboratories is specific to the products being used and to the hazards of the tasks being completed. EHS can assist with any PPE questions or concerns.

Chemical Labeling and Inventory

EHS has prepared a Chemical Labeling Guide for Labs, this guide assists with the labeling requirements that are unique to a lab setting.

Laboratory Fume Hoods

Fume hoods are the primary engineering control to protect laboratory users from volatile airborne chemical hazards. Energy and Central Utilities uses contractors to conduct annual inspections to confirm laboratory fume hoods are functioning properly. Laboratory personnel must confirm laboratory fume hoods are working properly prior to use and contact Facilities Operations at extension 2353 immediately whenever the fume hood is not operating properly. Laboratory fume hoods are not to be used to store or evaporate chemicals. For specific information about the use of your fume hood, please contact EHS at extension 2881.

Biosafety

The Lab Safety Manager serves as the College’s Biosafety Officer for the Biosafety Program. The Office of EHS is responsible for ensuring that users and their programs operate in accordance with all applicable regulations. For any campus request to use materials with a biosafety level 1 rating or higher, please contact the Lab Safety Manager.

Laser Safety

The Lab Safety Manager serves as The College’s Laser Safety Officer (LSO) for the Laser Safety Program. The Office of EHS is responsible for ensuring the safe use of lasers through the development and implementation of written procedures, training programs, and recommendations of appropriate safety equipment and facility modifications. For any campus request for laser usage, please contact the Lab Safety Manager.

Radiation Safety

Radioactive Materials

• The College maintains a license with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection for the use and storage of specific radiological materials in specific areas on campus. Currently, only specific areas and Authorized Users within the Chemistry Department are listed on the license.
• All radiological emergencies should be reported immediately to the Office of Campus Police Services by dialing 911 from any campus phone or (609) 771-2345 from a cell phone.
• No radioactive materials are to be brought to campus, shipped off campus, or used on campus without the advanced review and approval of the Director of EHS.

X-Ray Equipment

The College maintains x-ray producing equipment that is required to be registered with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Lab Safety Manager is responsible for assisting all users of x-ray producing equipment in maintaining the highest levels of radiation safety possible, ensuring that all applicable regulations are being adhered to, serving as the liaison with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and for reviewing and approving the ordering or disposal of any x-ray producing equipment. Prior to purchasing or disposing of any such equipment, please contact our office.