General Principles

• Know the safety rules and procedures that apply to the work that is being conducted.
• Determine the potential hazards (ex. physical, chemicals, etc...) and appropriate safety precaution before beginning any new operation.  This can be achieved by reviewing chemical labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), manufacturer manuals/instructions and department specific Standard Operation Procedures( SOP).
• No horseplay
• Know where emergency equipment is located and what to do in the event of an emergency.
• Try to use the safest materials and processes available, Examples include but are not limited to
  • Choose water-based materials instead of solvent-based ones.
  • Eliminate toxic metals like lead and cadmium ( ex. use cadmium-silver solders and lead fee glazes and enamels)
  • Use wet techniques instead of dry techniques to minimize dust production
  • Apply coatings by brushing or dipping instead of spraying.
  • Choose products that do not create dust or mists. If possible, avoid using materials in powder form or aerosol products.

Personal Health & Hygiene

• Do not prepare, store or consume food or beverages in any work area where hazardous materials are used or stored or in locations where hazardous procedures are conducted. Coffee pots, lunch storage, etc. must be maintained in a separate location away from the work area.
• Do not smoke, use or store tobacco products in the work area.
• Do not apply cosmetics in the work area
• Wash hands and arms thoroughly before leaving the work area, even if gloves have been worn
• Do not smell or taste chemicals
• Never use toluene, turpentine, or other solvents to remove paint, inks or stains from your skin.  Baby oil can be used to remove paint.
• Never hold brushes or tools in your teeth or mouth
• No shorts, open toed shoes or sandals are permitted in areas where hazardous materials are used or hazardous operations are conducted.
• Long hair and loose clothing must be constrained.

Food & Beverages

Contamination of food, drink and smoking is a potential route for exposure to hazardous materials. Food and beverages must be stored, handled and consumed in an area that is free of hazardous materials or in locations where hazardous operations are not conducted.

• Well-defined areas must be established for the storage and consumption of food and beverages. 
• Areas where food is permitted must be prominently marked and a warning sign (ex. Eating Area-No Chemicals) posted. No chemicals or chemicals equipment is allowed in such areas.
• Consumption of food and beverages must not be permitted in areas where hazardous operations are being conducted.
• Glassware or utensils that have been used for operations involving hazardous materials are never to be used to prepare or consume food or beverages.
• Refrigerators/freezers, ice chests, equipment that stored or came into contact with hazardous materials must not be used for food or beverage storage. Separate equipment must be dedicated to that use and prominently labeled.

Housekeeping

There is a definite relationship between safety performance and orderliness in area where hazardous materials or operations are conducted. When housekeeping standards fall, safety performance inevitably deteriorates.

• Work areas must be kept clean and free from obstructions.  Cleanup must follow the completion of any operation, class or at the end of the day.
• Maintain minimal equipment on working surfaces.
• Waste must be deposited in appropriate receptacles
• Spilled materials must be cleaned up immediately and disposed of properly.  All wet floors should be cleaned up immediately
• Floor (s)  must be cleaned regularly.
• Dusty surfaces should always be mopped or cleaned with a HEPA filtered vacuum.
• Walkways, doorways and hallways must be unobstructed
• Area must be free of all tripping hazards
• Equipment, tools and chemicals must be stored properly.  All items should be return to their proper storage space when not in use.

Safety While Working Alone

It is generally prudent to avoid working alone. If circumstances require working alone, the following rules must be followed

• Anyone planning on working alone must  be approved by Chairs, Department Heads, Faculty, Area Heads, Supervisors or Managers
• Arrangements must be made for the periodic inspection of the area where the individual will be working alone.
• Arrangement with campus security or police may be necessary.
• May not undertake in operations known to be hazardous or involves the use of hazardous materials.
• All operations involving working alone must be specified in a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and be available upon request.

Unattended Operations

Some operations or tasks may need to be carried out continuously or overnight.

• Unattended operations must be approved by Chairs, Department Heads, Faculty, Area Heads, Supervisors or Managers
• Plan for interruptions in utility services such as electricity, water and gas.
• Operations must be designed to be safe and plans must be made to avoid hazards in case of failure.
• Arrangements must be for routine inspections of the operation and lights must be left on and appropriate signage (Emergency instructions, copy of SOP and contact information for the individual most familiar with the operation) must be placed on the door.
• All unattended operations must be specified in a Standard Operating Procedures and be available upon request.

Warning Signs and Labels

• All areas must be appropriately posted or labeled with warning signs.
• Areas that have specials or unusual hazards must be posted with warning signs
• Standard signs have been established for a numbers of special situations such as radioactivity hazards, biological hazards, corrosive hazards, toxic hazards, physical hazards, mechanical hazards, laser hazards, Ultraviolet hazards, etc...
• Signs must be posted to show locations of safety showers, eyewashes, exits and fire extinguishers.
• Emergency information and telephone contact sheets are posted by EHRS in each area. The Department Head, Area head, Faculty member or Supervisors full name and 24 hour, 7 day week phone numbers must be posted on top of the sheet.  A campus phone number is unacceptable.
• All containers of chemicals are to be labeled with chemical content and contain information of hazards associated with the use of the chemical. Refer to section on chemical management for additional information.

Equipment

• All personnel must be authorized and trained in the proper operation of all equipment including control devices designed to operate in conjunction with the equipment.
• All equipment must have instruction on us posted or readily available in close proximity to the storage and or use location.
• Must be maintained in a state of good repair. Maintenance must be performed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• All equipment must be periodically inspected and inspected prior to each use.
• All damaged or malfunctioning equipment must be tagged out and taken out of service until it is repaired by a qualified technician. Procedures must be in place to ensure that equipment cannot be restarted if it is out of service or not operating properly.
• Required machine guards must be in place prior to equipment operation and should not be removed except to perform equipment maintenance.
• Moving equipment/machinery such as fork lifts and motorized pallet trucks/jacks require the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).  Consult with EHRS for assistance.

Compressed Gas Cylinders

• Must be installed and leak tested by personnel who are trained to connect the cylinder properly
• Must be properly secured (including empty cylinders) in an upright position at all times by an appropriate stand, chain or strap.
• Must be capped when not in use with the appropriate protective valve cap.
• Must be fully labeled including cylinder content.
• Must be used with a compatible regulator and other auxiliary equipment. Assure all threads match those on the cylinder valve outlet.
• Must use a cylinder cart or hand truck when moving cylinders. Cylinder (s) must be properly secured with a chain or strap and have the protective valve cap in place when moving. Do not drag or roll cylinders.
• Cylinders containing flammable gases such as acetylene must be stored separately from oxidizers (oxygen) by either a 20 foot distance or by a non-combustible 5 foot high wall or barrier. 

Hand Tools (non-powered)

• Inspect tools before each use to make sure that they are in good condition. Worn or defective tools must be repaired or discarded.
• Use the right tool for the job. Example. Don’t use a wrench as a hammer. In addition, always use the right size tool.
• When using a knife, always cut away from the body and keep hands and body clear of the knife stroke.
• Dispose of razor blades and utility knife blades in a puncture resistant sharps container.
• Store tools safely. Sharp edges or blades must be protected or enclosed to prevent accidental contact.
• Keep tool cutting edges sharp so the tool will move smoothly.
• Maintain good grip and stand in balanced position to avoid sudden slips. Avoid awkward postures, bending, twisting, reaching etc..
• Use ergonomically designed tool whenever possible.
• Follow department specific rules and Standard Operating Procedures

Visitors, Contractors & Individuals under the Age of 18

• Refer to the Temple University policy 1.9.Guidelines for Entering Hazardous Environments
• Area staff must accompany visitors or contactors at all times
• Required to follow all Federal, State, local and Temple University regulations policies and procedures.