DEAS/Physics Safety Committee

Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Noon-1:00PM

1. Video - "Laser Safety " (17 minutes) - Video projector was broken again!

2. 2005/2006 Lab Inspection Schedules - Lenny

Two teams have not yet indicated when their inspections will be made :

1. Team # 8 Yuan Lu - January ?
2. Team # 10 Patrick McClusky - January ?

It was mentioned that the McKay Basement is the Cleanroom.

REMINDER: It is a good idea to inform labs of their impending inspection, so that we do not disturb their experiments.

3. Evacuation Planning and Floor Plans - Status Report - Lenny

• The floor plans on our website are not consistent and many are not up to date.
• Lenny called Harvard's Risk Management office about getting accurate floor maps and they referred him to Jack Fallon (a consultant). He said he would set up a meeting with him. Also, Lenny called Joe Jones (Harvard Real Estate), but Mr. Jones never returned his call.
• Chemical Database update - chemical purchases cannot be tracked by using the 33-digit code. Some chemicals are bought on PC-cards, and there would be no way to track them. Lenny met with the VWR rep who said he could give Lenny some information about monthly chem purchases. He has not gotten back to Lenny with more info about this. Not being able to track our chems is becoming are real problem for us. The Fire Dept. wants MSDS sheets to be stored in a box next to the fire alarm. Mike Labosky can help Ed Jackson with setting up these boxes.
• EPS is experimenting with using more accurate coding on chemical purcahses. Paul Kelley said he could give Lenny a print-out of their chemicals.
• Lenny said he would need to meet with Mike Labosky about setting up MSDS's for the Fire Dept.
• Any lab that has created chemicals which are not commercially available should have information about these chems that they can show the Fire Dept. if needed.

4. EH&S Report

• EH&S revised their template for the chemical hygiene plan. Eeryone should check this out on the EH&S website. Concentrate on Part 3 which is unique to your lab area. Mike will send a copy of the template to Lenny.
• Space heaters are NOT ok at Harvard. They are simply too dangerous. During these cold winter months, if you need heat adjustment in your work space, please contact Ed Jackson or your Facilities Manager.
• The Emergency Response Guide is being revised and new copies will be printed and distributed.
• There may have been a case of a food-borne illness in one of the dorms.

5. Hazardous Waste Training Report - Rob Stanhope

Rob reported on several people needing retraining.

6. Old Business

• Lenny mentioned that the Lab Inspection checklists have been updated on our website.

7. New Business

• Lenny will get together with Stuart McNeil and Ed Jackson to get volunteer fire marshals for the second floor of Pierce Hall.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, February 8, 2006, 12:00 noon, Maxwell/Dworkin 119