DEAS/Physics Safety Committee

Meeting Minutes

Wednesday, April 12, 2000
Noon-1:00PM

1. Video - "Hazard Alert: Laboratory Spills" (11 minutes)

Spill Kits - Lenny mentioned that we have many spill kits in many areas. Check the website for their locations and to see what should be in them. Website also lists who should maintain them. Everyone should check them and make sure they are full. Report missing items to Lenny so he can restock the kits.

2. Lab Inspection Reports

ESL & HEPL Laboratories - 2/17/2000 (Team 4 - Mark Topinka)

ESL:

• General comments - Everything seemed in good order, just minor comments.
• Basement/shop comments - safety glasses for drill press; better lit Sat. Accum. Area (also doubles as bike room), looks like it has been forgotten; Peter Bochnak's # is still listed on sign.
• Rm 215 - Sat. Accum. Sticker on waste cabinet that houses new chemicals; fume hood had waste as well as work in progress; UV lamp needs warning sticker(?); caps on water pipes (to prevent accidental flooding).
• Rm 214 - Power cord runs across floor--might be good if a ramp covered and protected it; 195mW class III laser: no sign identifying it as such, also are goggles required?
• 305 - gas cylinder not tied down; fume hood is made out of asbestos (perhaps should be clearly labelled as such for people who don't know).

HEPL:

• General comments - Everything was in good order, only minor comments.
• 1st Floor - perhaps there should be signs that stick out from wall indicating fire extinguishers, emergency exit plans?
• Rm 306 - ground fault, should there be a circuit breaker on plug right next to sink? emergency exit plans?
• Shop area - perhaps better labelling of fire extinguishers is possible.

3. Lab Inspection Follow-up Reports

McKay, ESL/HEPL and Cruft/Pierce follow-up reports will be expected at next month's meeting.

4. Spring Safety Seminars

• Right-to-Know: had good attendance. Let Lenny know about anyone who still needs training.
• Compressed Gas seminar is tomorrow.
• Safety Shoe Truck - will be at Harvard on May 11, 2000, at 11:00am-2:00pm in back of Pierce Hall.

5. EH&S Report - Henry Littleboy

• Hazardous Waste Training has been combined with Chemical Safety Training. They will be a one-hour training session each month. First one begins April 19th.
• Compressed Gas Cylinder Committee - the official vendor is AirGas (not mandated by Harvard). Program begins April 20th.
• Mike Labovski reported that the EH&S web site has been revised and is now more user-friendly.

6. Hazardous Waste Training Report

Rob Stanhope handed out a list of names of people needing retraining. Rob also reminded everyone to inspect their SAAs every week.

7. Old Business

• First Aid boxes - they have been purchased from Respond Systems and installed. They cost $270 per box and are maintained by Respond.

8. New Business

• Steve Shepard - Should summer students have safety training? He and Lenny will discuss it at a later time.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 10, 2000, 12:00 noon, Maxwell/Dworkin 119