Environmental Health & Safety
Hazard Assessment and Control
Revised: June 13, 2018
Background
Many work processes at
LSUHSC present risk that must be mitigated to an acceptable level to ensure the
safety of our faculty, students and staff.
A sound assessment of hazards and the implementation of proper controls
will minimize incidents and accidents, and ensure compliance with state and
federal safety requirements. This training module provides information on how
to assess hazardous work processes and methods for controlling exposures,
including the use of personal protective equipment.
Assessing Hazards
Supervisors shall conduct an assessment for operations where a
reasonable expectation of exposure to hazards is anticipated. The assessment may be in the form of an
informal job safety analysis (JSA) as discussed below. When the assessment identifies that a hazard
exists then implement appropriate protective measures, including
engineering/administrative controls and/or personal protective equipment.
Assessing risks posed by chemicals
can be challenging. Regular
exposure/environmental monitoring is not usually warranted in labs because
chemicals are typically used for relatively short time periods and in small quantities. However, exposure monitoring as part of an
initial hazard assessment or required by OSHA (29 CFR 1910.1450) may be
conducted when:
- Hazardous chemicals
are used in quantities and for frequencies and durations of significance.
- Highly toxic
chemicals with low threshold exposure limits are used.
- When regular use of
an OSHA regulated substance creates exposures potentially in excess of an
action level (AL) or permissible exposure limits (PEL). AL and PELS for regulated substances can be
found in 29 CFR 1910.1000, Toxic and Hazardous Substances.
- When laboratory
personnel exhibit signs and symptoms of exposure to chemicals used or stored in
their areas.
The Environmental Health and
Safety Department (EHS) can conduct this exposure monitoring. See the Chemical Hygiene Plan for further information.
Subsequent to the completion
of an assessment that has identified a hazard(s) and determined the need for
the implementation of exposure control measures, the supervisor will develop
hazard specific standard operating procedures (SOP) that incorporate the
necessary and appropriate use of hazard controls, work practices and PPE.
EHS can provide technical support with hazard
assessments and assist departments in implementing effective hazard
controls. EHS primary points of contact
for support are Darren Burkett, Certified Industrial Hygienist, at dburk2@lsuhsc.edu or 568-2324 and Taylor Kriete, Chemical and
Biological Safety Officer, at tkriet@lsuhsc.edu or 568-6586.
Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
- The JSA is an evaluation tool used to identify
potential accidents or hazards and implement safe job procedures. They are used to prevent accidents and
workplace illnesses by improving employee skills and awareness through an
organized process.
- JSAs are generally an optional tool used to identify
hazards and implement control measures.
However, the State of Louisiana requires that a JSA must be
developed for:
- All jobs that have resulted in an incident/accident
trend or death.
- Jobs that have a potential for severe injury or
property damage.
- Changes in job procedures or equipment where a JSA has
already been developed.
- JSAs should be maintained and displayed in plain view
in the work area where the task will be performed or equipment used.
- Equipment Operating Manuals that provide instructions
on the proper and safe usage of equipment can also serve as JSAs, but must
be readily accessible to employees using the equipment.
- See the Job Safety Analysis policy for more information.
Controlling Exposures
When the hazard
assessment is complete, action will be taken to mitigate/eliminate identified
hazards. There are three general methods
for controlling hazardous exposures:
- Engineering Controls eliminate or reduce exposure to a
chemical or physical hazard through the use or substitution of engineered
machinery or equipment. Some examples include: self-capping syringe
needles, ventilation systems such as fume hoods, sound dampening materials
to reduce noise levels, safety interlocks, and radiation shielding.
- Administrative Controls (work practice controls) are
changes in work procedures, such as written safety policies, rules,
supervision schedules, and training, with the goal of reducing the
duration, frequency, and severity of exposure to hazardous chemicals or
situations.
- Personal Protective Equipment is a device or clothing
worn by a worker to help prevent direct exposure to hazards.
The preferred method
for reducing exposures is the use of engineering controls, with administrative
controls as the second option. If neither
is sufficient to reduce exposures to an acceptable level, personal protective
equipment shall be used.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
What is PPE?
- Devices used to protect an employee from injury or
illness resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical,
electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards (OSHA).
- Types of PPE include:
- Eye and Face Protection: safety glasses, goggles, face
shields
- Head Protection:
hardhats and helmets
- Foot Protection: steel-toed shoes and boots
- Hand Protection:
cotton, leather, latex, vinyl, PVC gloves, etc.
- Hearing Protection: ear plugs, ear muffs. See the Hearing Protection Program for more information
- Respiratory
Protection: Note that before using tight fitting respirators (e.g.,
half-face, full-face, N95 (a.k.a., TB respirator)) personnel must be medically cleared and be fit tested. See the Respiratory Protection Program for more information.
LSUHSC-NO is required to Provide PPE when:
- The supervisor determines that engineering and/or
administrative controls are not feasible or do not reduce exposure
potential to a safe level.
- The supervisor determines that PPE is necessary to
protect the health and safety of employees from hazards of processes or
environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical
irritants encountered in a manner capable of causing injury or impairment
in the function of any part of the body through absorption, inhalation, or
physical contact.
- The development or installations of engineering
controls are pending.
- Short term, non-routine operations where engineering
controls are not practical.
- An emergency situation occurs such as spills,
ventilation malfunctions, etc.
Who Pays for Protective Equipment?
- LSUHSC-NO provides all PPE and replacement PPE at NO
cost to employees, except when the employee has lost or intentionally
damaged the PPE.
- LSUHSC is not required to pay for:
- Non-specialty PPE (e.g., safety-toe protective
footwear and non-specialty prescription safety eyewear) if the employee
wears such items off the job-site.
- Everyday clothing, such as long-sleeve shirts, long
pants, street shoes, normal work boots or ordinary clothing.
- Items used solely for protection from weather, such as
winter coats, jackets, gloves, parkas, rubber boots, hats, raincoats,
ordinary sunglasses, and sunscreen.
For more information
see the Personal Protective Equipment policy.
Employee Training & Recordkeeping
- Employees must receive hands-on training on basic PPE
usage BEFORE they can work.
- In an area where PPE is required. Initial training must contain the
following elements:
- When PPE is necessary.
- The type of PPE required.
- How to properly don, doff, adjust and wear PPE.
- Limitations of PPE.
- The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal
of PPE.
- Refresher training is required when:
- The supervisor deems it necessary to do so (unlimited
circumstances).
- The supervisor determines that an employee does not understand
the skill required.
- Changes in the workplace or in the types of PPE
require updated training.
- Inadequacies in an affected employee's knowledge or
use of assigned PPE.
- Note that training must be documented using Appendix B,
PPE training Certification located in the Personal Protection Equipment Policy. Note
that Supervisors/PIs are required to maintain a copy of employee training
records for a minimum of three years.
Support
If you need assistance
with assessing hazards, implementing controls, or selecting PPE for your lab or
workspace, please contact the Environmental Health and Safety Department at
(504) 568-6585 or safetytraining@lsuhsc.edu.