Laboratory Safety Self-Study Module

Action level   means a concentration designated in 29 CFR part 1910 (OSHA regulations) for a specific substance, calculated as an eight (8)-hour time-weighted average which initiates certain required activities such as exposure monitoring and medical surveillance.

Acutely toxic substances   Substances in this category meet the ANSI Z129.1 standard definition for high toxicity; due to the paucity of data for inhalation and dermal toxicity, in practice this means having a rat LD50 of 50 mg/kg or less. In addition, microbial toxins with an LD50 less than 50 mg/kg are considered an acutely toxic substance. Also, Material Safety Data Sheets generally employ the following keywords to designate an acutely toxic substance: "Extremely toxic", "Highly toxic" and "Very toxic".

Biosafety Level (BL)   One of four combinations of laboratory practices and techniques, safety equipment, and laboratory facilities recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health in "Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories", as being appropriate for minimizing the risk of infectious disease when microorganisms are worked with. The National Institutes of Health's "Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules" also makes use of this classification system in its requirements for safety practices regarding laboratory activities involving organisms that contain recombinant DNA.

Bloodborne Pathogens   means pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Carcinogen   (see "select carcinogen").

Designated area  means an area which may be used for work with "select carcinogens," reproductive toxins or substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity. A designated area may be the entire laboratory, an area of a laboratory or a device such as a laboratory hood.

Emergency  means any occurrence such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers or failure of control equipment which results in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace.

EOHSS is Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety Services, a service-oriented department of the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ).  It was established to assist the University in providing a healthy and safe working and learning environment.

Flammable Storage Cabinet   A cabinet for the storage of flammable and combustible liquids constructed in accordance with Section 4-3 of NFPA 30, "Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code".

Hazardous chemical   means a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. The term "health hazard" includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic systems, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.

Hazardous Waste Manager is the person designated by the Responsible Investigator as responsible for ensuring the components of the Hazardous Waste Management Program is followed.  The duties include proper collection and storage of hazardous chemical waste at the point of generation; safely transferring the hazardous chemical waste to the campus central storage area; and maintaining the associated paper work consisting of waste disposal forms,  labeling, and inspection of Satellite Accumulation Areas. (see UMDNJ Hazardous Waste Management Plan)

Laboratory   a facility where relatively small quantities of hazardous chemicals or biologicals are used on a non-production basis for clinical or research activities.

Laboratory Personnel   employees, students and other persons conducting research and clinical activities in UMDNJ Laboratories, regardless of UMDNJ employment status.

Laboratory Safety Officer   The Laboratory Safety Officer is a UMDNJ employee designated by the Department Chair who is qualified by training or experience, to provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of the school or unit Laboratory Safety Plan which has been tailored for each laboratory or group of laboratories in the department.

Laboratory Safety Plan   a written, lab-specific plan, based on the Model UMDNJ Laboratory Safety Plan, developed and implemented by the employer, and tailored for each laboratory or group of laboratories, which sets forth procedures, equipment and work practices that (i) are capable of protecting laboratory personnel from the health hazards presented by hazardous materials used in that particular workplace and (ii) meets the requirements of paragraph (e) of 29 CFR 1910.1450 "Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories."

Medical consultation   a consultation which takes place between an employee and a licensed physician for the purpose of determining what medical examinations or procedures, if any, are appropriate in cases where a significant exposure to a hazardous chemical may have taken place.

Minimum UMDNJ Laboratory Safety Standard    Mandatory Protocols and Procedures set forth in the Model UMDNJ Laboratory Safety Plan and denoted by directive phrases such as: "shall", "must", "is prohibited", "is required" and "is not permitted".

Non-Exempt   The term applied to research involving recombinant DNA, where based on the National Institutes of Health's, "Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules", the level of risk for the transmission of infectious disease is such that it is required that the appropriate laboratory safety committee approve the protocol before research begins. Most research at UMDNJ involving recombinant DNA is exempt from this requirement.

OSHA is the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which is responsible to "Assure so far as possible every working man and woman in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions."  This mandate involves the application of a set of tools by OSHA (e.g., standards development, enforcement, compliance assistance) which enable employers to maintain safe and healthful workplaces.

PEOSH  Is the New Jersey Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health Program.  In the State of New Jersey, most, but not all federal OSHA regulations have been adopted so that they apply to public employees.  

The PEOSH mandate is to develop and enforce occupational health standards for public employees throughout the State, and to encourage employers and employees in their efforts to improve the working environment.

Regulated Medical Waste   Cultures and stocks, pathological wastes, human blood and blood products, sharps, certain animal waste, isolation wastes, unused sharps as described in NJAC 7:26-3A.

Reproductive toxins   Chemicals which affect the reproductive capabilities of males or females including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis). Material Safety Data Sheets generally employ the following keywords to designate a reproductive toxin: congenital malformation, fetal toxicity, fetal death, fatal effects to the newborn, neoplastic, teratogenic, mutagenic, maternal effects, paternal effects, fertility and infertility.

Responsible Investigator   UMDNJ Faculty Member or Clinician with assigned research, teaching or clinical laboratory space.

UMDNJ Laboratory Safety Plan for the Piscataway and New Brunswick Campuses (Other campus plans are not yet available online - contact EOHSS for a paper copy)

UMDNJ Hazardous Waste Management Plan

Unattended Laboratory Operation   A laboratory procedure or operation during which there is no person present who is knowledgeable regarding the operation and emergency shutdown procedures.

Unknown Toxic Properties   A term describing a chemical for which there is no known statistically significant study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that establish its toxicity.