University of Delaware
Policies and Procedures Manual

Section: Safety and Security
Policy Number: 7-29
Policy Name: Facility Safety Equipment
Date: July 1, 1987
Revisions: June 1999; January 12, 2006; November 15, 2007; October 10, 2008

1. PURPOSE

   To establish minimum safety equipment requirements for new or newly renovated laboratories, rooms, areas or facilities where hazardous chemicals will be used or stored or where other hazardous operations will occur.

2. POLICY

   Unless otherwise specified or exempted by the Director of the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, each new or newly renovated laboratory, room, area or facility in which hazardous chemicals* or materials are used or stored shall be equipped with the following:

   1. A laboratory hazard sign consistent with the University sign standard. Laboratory Warning Signs

   2. A plumbed emergency eye wash with tepid water meeting the current ANSI Z358.1 Standard.

      1. Hand held single stream hoses are not a substitute for an ANSI approved, hard-plumbed eye wash. These units may be used to supplement the approved showers and eye washes.

      2. Whenever possible, the eyewashes shall be plumbed with a drain to facilitate ANSI required testing.

   3. An emergency shower wash meeting the current ANSI Z358.1 Standard, unless a corridor emergency shower is located within 10 seconds or 100 foot travel distance of the hazard area. If corrosive materials are going to be used in a laboratory or area, an emergency shower meeting the current ANSI Z358.1 Standard must then be installed within the area or laboratory where the materials are in use.

   4. Access to corridor installed emergency phone with direct dial to Public Safety within 10 seconds or 100 foot travel distance of the laboratory.

   5. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupts shall be installed in laboratory settings where electric outlets are within 6 feet of water sources.

   6. A biosafety cabinet must be used if work involving infectious materials will take place in the lab unless another containment device, approved by OHS, is incorporated to address the hazards. Cabinets will be selected based on the hazards. They must be approved by Occupational Health and Safety prior to purchase, and must be certified prior to use.

   7. An illuminated laser warning sign may be required if a Class 4 laser will be operated in the room. The sign must be posted at the entrance of the facility and must be capable of being interlocked to the laser power or to the shutter that allows the laser beam to exit the laser unit. Consult with Occupational Health and Safety prior to purchase.

   8. A laboratory fume hood with audio/visual alarm from performance failures which meets the University's performance standards including requirements outlined in the latest edition of ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003.

   9. A Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratory approved flammable liquid storage cabinet.

   10. A Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratory approved corrosive liquids cabinet. Laboratories where corrosives are used shall have an eyewash and safety shower in the room and,

       Animal facilities, for laboratory animals, shall at least be designed and constructed according to the minimum standards specified in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals to assure AAALAC accreditation. Agricultural animal facilities shall at least be designed and constructed according to the minimum standards specified in the Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching.

   The installation of the above items shall be included and funded as part of the construction or renovation project. Recurring costs for emergency phone lines shall be assigned to Public Safety as part of their emergency operations program.

For more information regarding this policy, contact the Department of Occupational Health and Safety (ext. 8475.)

*A hazardous chemical shall mean any element, chemical compound or mixture of elements and/or compounds which is a physical hazard as defined by OSHA Standard in 29 CFR Section 1910.1200(c) or a hazardous substance as defined by the OSHA Standard in 29 CFR Section 1910.1200(d) (3).

References: ANSI Z358.1, ANSI/AIHA Z9.5-2003: WWW.ANSI.ORG

Link:AALAC Standards

Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Agricultural Research and Teaching. Federation of Animal Science Societies, First Revised Edition, January 1999

Submitted by: Occupational Health and Safety

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Please direct questions to the Executive VP office.