The OSH program establishes the framework and mechanisms for managing and controlling BNL activities while minimizing the
risk to workers, guests and visitors. It has been designed to systematically mitigate Occupational Safety and Health hazards,
monitor and communicate OSH performance, and continually improve OSH management.
The Basic Energy Sciences Directorate (BESD) manages the safety and health impact of their operations and activities by
maintaining an Occupational Safety and Health Management System in conformance with the OHSAS Standard 18001. The purpose of
BESD's OSH Management System is to assure that all activities associated with the Condensed Matter Physics and Material Sciences
Department, Chemistry Department, and the Center for Functional Nanomaterials are conducted in conformance with BNL's OSH
Management Plan and in line with the safety and health commitments set forth in BNL's Environmental, Safety, Security and
Health Policy. This web site is intended to present key elements of BESD's OSH Management System.
Area or Facility |
JRA# |
Description |
Hazards |
Priority |
Reasons/Controls |
Facility-wide Issues (FRAs) |
Walking |
NC-FRA-001 |
Normal movement throughout the Department and grounds |
Roadway accidents; falls on same level; being struck by object |
High |
Daily activity for nearly all workers. Sidewalks in poor condition (noted in safety day) |
General Office Work |
NC-FRA-002 |
General office work throughout the Department. |
Repetitive motion; eye strain; being struck against object, tripping |
Medium |
Recent back and repetitive stress injuries, and frequency of performance increase risk. Previous accidents came from tripping. |
Oxygen Deficiency Hazards |
NC-FRA-003 |
ODH in various labs, service galleys and receiving area. |
TBD |
Medium |
Daily use of cryogens in building involving movement of transfer dewars |
Hazards in Mechanical & Service Locations |
NC-FRA-004 |
Auto restart of equipment |
Rotating Equipment, hot/cold surfaces |
Medium |
Potential exposures to a variety of equipment on tours/inspections |
Smoking/Fire |
NC-FRA-005 |
Smoking outside of Facility |
Brush Fires, Garbage Fires |
Medium |
Series of cigarette fires (outdoors) was reported including one at CFN. |
JOB / Area-specific Issues (JRAs) |
Electron Microscopy |
NC-JRA-001 |
Use of TEMs, SEMs, Auger Microprobe |
Struck by object; ODH/toxicity concerns; overexertion, falls to lower level, Compressed gases. |
Low |
Hazard experienced daily by many workers. Controls have been effective. |
Thermal Synthesis/Oven and Furnace Operation |
NC-JRA-002 |
Use of ovens and tube furnaces, to produce samples or novel compounds and nanostructures |
Contact with temperature; chemical toxicity; chemical sensitivity; chemical reaction; fire; electrical shock |
Medium |
Burn hazards are controlled by oven design and PPE; chemical hazards controlled by work in hood where relevant. |
Work with chemicals in laboratories |
NC-JRA-003 |
Work with carcinogens, listed chemicals, peroxidizables, pyrophoric chemicals, oxidizers, etc. |
Chemical toxicity; chemical sensitivity; chemical reaction; fire |
Medium |
Work done in hoods as a control; additional controls for environmental and BNL special concerns where needed. |
Compressed Gas Transportation & Use |
NC-JRA-004 |
Transporting gas cylinders in the facility, Storage and use throughout Department |
falling cylinder, release of pressure, inhalation exposure, Struck by object; ODH/toxicity concerns; overexertion |
Medium |
Daily activity. Potential problem of exposure, Used widely by all/; quantity and variety on hand raises concern level. |
General Cryogenic Work |
NC-JRA-005 |
Filling dewars and cryostats with LN2 and LHe; |
Contact with temperature; ODH; being struck by object; falls to lower level |
Medium |
Large amounts used widely/PPE is used effectively, ODH concerns are addressed, Dewar integrity checks questioned. |
Manual Lifting Objects < 30lbs. |
NC-JRA-006 |
Lifting by personnel without forklifts and other mechanical assistance |
Muscular and skeletal injury; being struck by dropped object; falls on same or lower level |
High |
Frequent activity for many workers. |
Operation of Lasers in a Laboratory |
NC-JRA-007 |
Laser work for lithography |
Eye injury; chemical sensitivity |
High |
Laser exposure controlled by, PPE, and SOP. |
Operation of Braun Controlled Atmosphere Glove Box |
NC-JRA-008 |
Anaerobic studies |
Compressed gases, toxicity |
Low |
Training |
Manual Material Handling |
NC-JRA-009 |
Operation of overhead crane in high bay area in 480; includes PE rigging and incidental rigging and transportation by staff |
Being struck by object; overexertion, counterfeit items |
Medium |
Equipment is locked and keys are only available to trained and qualified personnel, but other incidents outside MA raises level of concern. |
Generating Hazardous Waste and Satellite & 90-Day Area Operation |
NC-JRA-010 |
Immediate waste collection point for generating processes |
Chemical reactions; toxicity; fire; sensitivity |
Medium |
Some misunderstandings; generators need continual retraining/retrained in RCRIGEN annually. |
Hand Tool Use |
NC-JRA-011 |
Use of non-powered hand tools. Use of plug in and battery powered hand-held tools |
Being struck by object; struck against object; cuts by sharp object; repetitive motion; falls on same level |
Low |
Hazard experienced daily by many workers. Controls have been effective. |
Magnetic fields and non-ionizing radiation work |
NC-JRA-012 |
Use of magnets with field exposures exceeding at or exceeding 4G PPMS, MPMS, and Suprerconducting Test Rigs. |
Non-ionizing radiation exposure; falls to lower levels; being struck by metal object in field |
Low |
Effective reviews, posting and controls reduce level of concern. |
Radiation Generating Device Use |
NC-JRA-013 |
Fully enclosed x-ray diffraction and analysis machines |
Radiation exposure |
Low |
Devices are registered and controlled, operator and user training is provided. Interlocks are maintained and tested according to schedule. |
Changing out Pyrophoric, Flammable and Toxic Gasses |
NC-JRA-014 |
CVD devices |
Fire, explosion, toxic gas exposure |
High |
Experimental equipment for nanomaterials research requires pyrophoric and toxic gasses |
Working with Vacuum Systems |
NC-JRA-015 |
Wide variety of small scale experimental equipment |
Implosion |
Low |
New pressure stds treat vacuum systems similar to pressure systems |
Working With Nanomaterials |
NC-JRA-016 |
Significant amount of nanomaterial work in experimental operations |
Exposure to nanoparticulates |
Medium |
Unknown risks of nanomaterials warrants conservative controls. |
Clean Room Operations |
NC-JRA-017 |
Wide variety of hazards encountered in the cleanroom |
Acids, toxic & pyrophoric gasses, cryogenics |
Medium |
Large user facility, requires significant amount of procedural controls. |