Safety is our responsibility. Keeping ourselves and our coworkers safe is a social compact we share as employees of Berkeley Lab. By educating people about proper behavior and holding them accountable, we can make safety an integrated part of everyone's work experience here. Remember: if it isn't safe, it isn't done.
Know the Facts
Contact your EH&S Coordinator.
View slides showing the Lab's accident statistics, trends, etc.
Got One Minute for Safety?
Find a wealth of downloadable safety slides with short lessons on everything from ergonomics to lasers.
News
8/24/09
Stay Healthy: Put Your Hands Together
Scientists estimate that people are not washing their hands often or well enough and may transmit up to 80% of all infections by their hands. From doorknobs to animals to food, harmful germs can live on almost everything. Handwashing may be your single most important act to help stop the spread of infection and stay healthy. In light of the potential for a fall resurgence of the H1N1 pandemic flu, the Center for Disease Conrol has created a short video reminding people about the ways they can help prevent the spread of infection. Go here to view the video.
8/13/09
Safety Note: Brush Up on Biking Acumen with Training Course
While bicycles provide a healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around, most agree that riding in urban settings can be dangerous, particularly if cyclists don’t understand the rules of the road. Bicycling on the steep inclines of Lab roads can be even more challenging. All bicyclists are reminded that wearing of helmets is required while riding at the Lab. Also, those who use Lab shuttle buses to transport their bicycles must inform drivers prior to loading and unloading bikes. To help educate emerging bikers, or veterans who want to brush up on their knowledge, free safety classes are offered throughout the Bay Area. Training sessions are sponsored by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.
8/3/09
Nitric Acid Waste Policy Changed
Effectively immediately, most waste nitric acid waste solutions may not be stored in an SAA. Those waste nitric acid solutions subject to this new policy, must be treated immediately after being used. The new policy is in PUB-3000. Waste nitric acid solutions may not be treated until this authorization is in place through Waste Management. There have been several recent explosions associated with nitric acid wastes in the DOE complex, including two here at Berkeley Lab that could have injured or killed workers. Contact your Waste Generator Assistant for guidance. Additional information about treatment requirements and a template for the treatment procedure may be found here.
7/15/09
Avoid Heat-Related Illness
With the heat of summer upon us, here are some recommendations for avoiding heat-related illnesses:
Workers should avoid exposure to extreme heat, sun exposure, and high humidity when possible. When these exposures cannot be avoided, workers should take the following steps to prevent heat stress:
- Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton.
- Avoid non-breathing synthetic clothing.
- Gradually build up to heavy work.
- Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day.
- Take more breaks in extreme heat and humidity.
- Take breaks in the shade or a cool area when possible.
- Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty.
- Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of sugar.
- Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment may increase the risk of heat stress.
- Monitor your physical condition and that of your coworkers.
If you know you will be working in a high heat area, discuss how to reduce its impact with your supervisor. Hints for work planning can be found at:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/
Safety Forum
Have a safety question that you'd like to get feedback on? Join our Safety Forum to exchange ideas and get advice from expert moderators.
Safety Lessons Learned
Razor Blade Safety in Laser Labs
Recently a staff researcher cut the back of his hand while reaching to extract a pair of goggles from a plastic goggle rack outside a laser hutch. Unexpectedly someone had placed an optical mount with an unguarded razor attached to it in one of the goggle pockets, a location in which no user would expect a hazard to be waiting for them. The razor blade was being used as a knife edge in optical measurements. Placing an exposed blade in the goggle holder is equivalent to throwing sharps in the trash. When the researcher reached for the goggles, the optical mount with the razor blade fell through from the pocket above and cut him. The extent of the injury was a longitudinal cut along the back of his hand 4-cm, which required 8 stitches. Instead of a razor, use a commercial substitute or flat metal surface. A razor can only be used if it is in an optical mount with guards placed over the setup to prevent one's hands from reaching the blade. Full briefing here.
To review more safety incidents and lessons learned go here.
Profiles in Safety
Burgers, Potato Salad and Safety
Learning about safety need not be a boring affair. That’s what prompted Sandra McFarland with Materials Sciences to use her division’s annual BBQ as the place to showcase safety lessons in an entertaining way. She decided to use comedy, and with the help of Alice Muller-Egan, a playwright and theater veteran, they produced a stand-up routine, mock music program, and a version of American Idol to get the attention of staff. More>
'Reel' Safety
What is Integrated Safety Management, or ISM? This interactive video provides a short introduction to Integrated Safety Management, and brief overview of ISM's five core functions. Click on any one of the five to learn more about how it is applied in the workplace.
Last updated
08/24/2009