MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FOR CHEMICAL HAZARD CONTROL WORK INSTRUCTION #6

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1 Page 1 of 7 1. SCOPE 1.1. This instruction is controlled by the Dean of Science with specific responsibilities assigned to the Director of the Facilities Management Department and the departmental chairs/program co-ordinators The Facilities Management Department is responsible for fixed in place mechanical equipment that controls in any manner the exposure to chemicals. Specifically, but not limited to, ventilation equipment (e.g. fume hoods, etc.) and fixed storage locations The chairs/program co-ordinators are responsible for: elimination or reduction of hazardous chemical use, proper placement of warning signs, requisite training (WHMIS) of persons, handling of chemicals in accordance with Work Instructions, and the use of personal protective equipment This Work Instruction will apply where chemical hazards not specifically controlled under Work Instruction - #10 or #11 are involved. This will include: new chemicals or processes, physical changes to labs, and will require a Risk Assessment (Form 6.1) followed by a Control Options Assessment (Form 6.2). 2. DEFINITIONS 2.1. Fixed in place mechanical equipment - any equipment with moving parts or attached to equipment with moving parts that is intended to reduce exposure levels to hazardous chemicals, but is not portable Hazardous chemical - any amount of chemical having the capability to kill, injure or otherwise cause permanent negative health effect. This includes but is not limited to chemicals with an MSDS Hazardous process - any experiment or other reaction with the capability to kill, injure or otherwise cause a permanent negative health effect by any means (not just limited to chemical contact). 3. EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES 3.1. General HVAC [Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning] system, fume hoods, scrubber systems and other fixed systems designed to reduce hazardous chemical exposure are the responsibility of the Director of the Facilities Management Department All other portable control equipment, supplies, warning signs and protective equipment are the responsibility of the chairs of the Science Faculty. 4. PROCEDURE 4.1. Risk Assessment and Evaluation Any change in chemical exposure control processes shall only be addressed after a qualified written Risk Assessment is received and reviewed by the Director of the Facilities Management Department and departmental chairs The Risk Assessment (Recognition of Hazards) should use form 6.1 attached to this work instruction. No Risk Assessment shall contain less information than in this form.

2 Page 2 of The Risk Assessment shall be evaluated by the department chair and the Faculty of Science Safety Committee. Evaluation tests may be necessary to define the risk better, and this may require outside professional assistance Control Options and Actions All options for hazard control shall be reviewed using Form 6.2 attached or an equivalent document. No review shall contain less information than that required in this form Elimination of hazardous chemical or process. Is this chemical or process really necessary for the teaching or research objective? Substitution of a less hazardous chemical or process. Can we use another chemical or process, or less hazardous form of the chemical (e.g. more dilute) to carry out the process effectively and meet the teaching requirement? Specific training with regards to potentially hazardous chemicals or processes, to ensure safety and prevent unsafe exposures Warning signage must be used for all locations, even if just overnight, using the WHMIS categories (see Work Instruction #10) and as approved by the Facilities Management Department: Class of chemical (e.g. flammable and subclass) Hazard or warning phrase (e.g. flammable, toxic, etc) Hazard symbol or symbols Engineering controls to reduce the chemical hazard to an acceptable level. Define the types and levels of hazardous chemicals and select the best engineering means of control? Choice of engineering controls may require professional assistance and specific testing of airborne contaminant levels Protective equipment in the form of lab coats, safety glasses (with side shields), minimal exposed skin, and gloves as necessary shall always be worn as a precaution If a Risk Assessment and Evaluation (always refer to MSDS) show that protective equipment other than that noted in work instruction #10 is required in the teaching lab then that lab shall not proceed (i.e. the risk of student exposure is too high) If a Risk Assessment and Evaluation (always refer to MSDS) show that protective equipment other than that noted in work instruction #11 is required for a research lab then it is recommended that lab work not proceed without a more detailed assessment of risks and controls Post Control Action Installation For fixed in place mechanical systems, the Director of the Facilities Management Department shall ensure the unit or system is operated and maintained as per manufacturers or designer s specifications and keep a record to that effect.

3 Page 3 of All warning signage should be standardized and reviewed by the Facilities Management Department. The departmental chairs shall ensure by periodic audit that all chemical storage locations (including solvent stores) are correctly labeled All Risk Assessments (Form 6.1 or equivalent) must be reviewed and approved by those assigned responsibility prior to control actions. Risk Assessments must be kept on file All Control Actions (Form 6.2 or equivalent) must be approved by those assigned responsibility and by the Dean of Science. Control Actions Assessments must be kept on file. 5. FORMS 5.1. Form 6.1 is a basic Risk Assessment. A more detailed Risk Assessment may be needed where the hazard is wide spread Form 6.2 is a basic Control Options Assessment. A more detailed Control Options Assessment may be needed where the hazard is wide spread. 6. REFERENCES 6.1. Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, B Plog et al, National Safety Council, 1011 pages, 1996.

4 Page 4 of 7 FORM 6.1 Hazardous Chemical Use Risk Assessment Where space is insufficient, attach sheets and note on appropriate line of this page. 1) Date/Time: Location (Rms. #): 2) Chemical(s) or process(es) name: 3) Describe use of chemical(s) in process (use extra sheets where necessary): 4) Known hazards of chemical or process (attach MSDS): 5) WHMIS Classification of chemical(s): 6) Have their been any incidents or near misses with the use of the chemical(s) or process(es): Describe: 7) How long will process/chemical be used (start/end): and where 8) What is expected risk of exposure? (circle one) Process or chemical(s) will be used: DAILY WEEKLY MONTHLY 9) Is process/chemical: heated, used under pressure (>4 water), produce toxic byproducts, potentially exothermic, (circle all that apply) and list any other hazardous use conditions:

5 Page 5 of 7 10) Are students intended to be involved in the work? They are (circle all that apply) UNDERGRADUATE or GRADUATE students. On separate piece of paper list student names, training and work experience in this type of process or chemical use. Signature Position Prepared under authority of:, Chair or Director of the Facilities Management Department Reviewed and approved by:, Dean of Science

6 Page 6 of 7 FORM 6.2 Control Options Assessment Where space is insufficient, attach sheets and note on appropriate line of this page. 1) Date/Time: Location (Rms. #): 2) Chemical(s) or process (es) name: 3) Attach Risk Assessment Form 6.1 or equivalent. 4) Referring to MSDS most hazardous chemical indicate routes of entry (inhalation, contact, and TLV): 5) Can hazardous parts of the process (es) or chemical(s) be eliminated? State why if not possible: 6) Can hazardous parts of the process (es) or chemical(s) be substituted with a less hazardous process or chemical? State why, if not possible: List options: 7) Are their special hazards that may require additional training or information (above existing level of WHMIS and professional knowledge)? State why, if not possible: Briefly describe: 8) Are additional engineering controls, other than those available in the proposed lab required? Briefly describe: 9) For the process and chemicals proposed what protective equipment (other than basic) is recommended (by MSDS). Briefly describe: Prepared under authority of: Management Department, Chair or Director of Facilities

7 Page 7 of 7 Reviewed and approved by:, Dean of Science