As a new laboratory researcher at UIC, you should be familiar with the components of our safety program, as described below. The Environmental Health and Safety Office (EHSO) web-site is available at www.uic.edu/depts/envh.
Laboratory Audit Guidelines - The Laboratory Audit Guide addresses issues of concern that are inspected during the annual lab safety audits. Please review these before setting up your lab. Be familiar with the "Guidelines for Handling Simple Chemical Spills in Laboratories" before beginning work in the laboratory.
UIC Chemical Hygiene Plan - The Chemical Hygiene Plan is available on the EHSO site and can be accessed by clicking on the Standards and Manuals section of this web site. If you have questions regarding safe handling of the chemicals you will be using, please contact the Assistant Director for Chemical Safety, Heather Jackson extension 3-9706.
Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) - The CHO is the central person in a lab or department to liaison with EHSO and provide lab safety info and oversight. More information on responsibilities can be found in Part 2, Section 2.0 of the Chemical Hygiene Plan in the Standards and Manuals section of this web site. Each research group/PI or department should assign a CHO. Check with your departmental office to find out how it is done in your department. An annual CHO Professional Development Seminar is offered in the fall. Watch our web-site or announcements.
Chemical Safety Training - Web based safety training for researchers and staff is available through the EHSO website under Training. This training meets the requirements of the OSHA Lab Standard and Department of Transportation for annual lab safety training and hazardous materials shipping and receiving training, respectively. There is also a library of safety video tapes and CDs which may be viewed in our office or loaned to UIC personnel. To request email: health-safety@uic.edu.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) - You will need to have access to the MSDS's for the chemicals you are using. MSDS's amy be accessed by clicking on the Web Links section of this web site.
Chemical Waste Disposal - If you plan to generate chemical waste, you should review the Hazardous Waste Management Manual. For further questions contact Thomas Johnson, 3-2436. The form to be used for requesting chemical waste pickups may be printed from the Waste Disposal portion of the EHSO website www.uic.edu/depts/envh. Try to minimize hazardous wastes either by using less hazardous alternatives, smaller quantities, or by adding a final neutralization step in your experimental procedures that would deem the chemical less hazardous.
Chemical Redistribution Program - The UIC Chemical Redistribution Program is coordinated by Becki Oberjat , extension 3-3707. A list can be viewed by clicking on the Laboratory Safety link which will take you to the Free Chemicals section of this web site. We encourage you to check the list before ordering new chemicals.
Biosafety Program - All employees working with biological materials should be familiar with the Biosafety Manual with Bloodborne Pathogens must become familiar with our OSHA mandated Bloodborne Pathogen Program, which is available on-line by clicking on the Biological Safety link. EHSO conducts monthly Bloodborne Pathogen training sessions that are designed to comply with OSHA's annual training requirement (contact Leo Njongmeta, extension 3-5986 for more information). See our Message Board for dates. Questions regarding infectious materials or other biologically hazardous materials should be discussed with Leo. You will also want to review our documents entitled Guidelines for Working with Bloodborne Pathogens and Disposal of Potentially Infectious Materials.
Fire Safety - Our Fire Safety Officer, David Wilson, extension 3-3706, is in charge of our Fire Safety Program and our fire protection equipment. Everyone on campus should become familiar with our Fire Safety guidelines, which can be seen by clicking on the above web link.
Hospital Safety - Keith Hronek, extension 3-3705, is our Hospital Safety Officer. Please direct all safety related issues related to the Hospital and Clinics to him.
Industrial Hygiene - If you have questions or concerns about your working conditions, including air quality in your work space, contact Dennis Terpin, extension 3-5657.
Radiation Safety - If you plan to be working with radioactive materials or machines that produce ionizing radiation, contact one of the Health Physicists in our Radiation Safety Section at 6-7429.
Grant Support - To assist with questions regarding Environmental Health and Safety documentation for grant proposals, refer to the Grant Support Information section of our site. For further questions and signatures, contact Heather Jackson at 3-9706.
If you have other safety issues, please to not hesitate to contact our Health and Safety Section at 6-7411, or our Radiation Safety Section at 6-7429.