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Lab Coat Implementation team update. EHS Coordinator - Lead Contact Meeting Presented by: Mary Lindstrom. 3/12/13. Updated lab coat rule. “ At a minimum, a laboratory c oat
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Lab Coat Implementationteam update EHS Coordinator- Lead Contact Meeting Presented by: Mary Lindstrom 3/12/13
Updated lab coat rule “At a minimum, a laboratory coat or equivalent protective clothing is required for work with hazardous chemicals, unsealed radioactive materials, and biological agents at BL2 or greater.” Chemical Hygiene Plan Template Revision 13 (1/31/2013)
Applying the new rule • Some MIT groups already had more restrictive language – these should be unchanged. • DLCs using the original CHP language could see an increase in demand for clean lab coats.
IMPLEMENTATION Create a program that will aid DLCs in providing coats people want to wear in an efficient manner.
Common complaints • Coats don’t fit • Don’t know how to get clean coats • Coats don’t offer protection • Costs too much to buy/launder
Safety • There is currently no standard lab coat model at MIT with respect to safety features. • Goal: • Identify best features available in lab coats. • Encourage standardization of coats within research areas to promote consistency.
Flame resistant coats • Labs should have flame resistant (FR) coats available for researchers as needed based on a hazard assessment. • FR coats (ex: Nomex) should be worn whenever working with pyrophorics.
Flame resistant coats • “A coat that is advertised as flame resistant has not been tested using criteria involving flammable chemicals on the coat.”* • Wearing FR coats is only one step to staying protected. • Researchers should utilize other engineering controls and proper experimental techniques to limit hazards associated with flammable materials. * Laboratory Coat Selection, Use, and Care Guidance Document https://ehs.mit.edu/site/sites/default/files/files/LabCoatGuidance.pdf
Splash resistant coats • OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Standard: • Personal protective equipment will be considered "appropriate" only if it does not permit blood or other potentially infectious materials to pass through to or reach the employee's work clothes, street clothes, undergarments, skin, eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes under normal conditions of use and for the duration of time which the protective equipment will be used. * Laboratory Coat Selection, Use, and Care Guidance Document https://ehs.mit.edu/site/sites/default/files/files/LabCoatGuidance.pdf
Splash resistant coats • FR or poly/cotton coats may not provide protection needed if there is a substantial splash hazard. • If chemical splashes are a concern, use of a rubber apron over the lab coat is recommended. • When in doubt, perform a hazard assessment!
convenience • The Lab Coat Team has researched a variety of lab coat supply and laundry models. • Most convenient model for reusable coats involves combination rental/laundry service. • Reduced up-front cost vs. buying coats. • Sizes/numbers of rented coats can be changed on demand. • Automatic repairs of minor problems. • Automatic replacement of old coats.
price • Cost savings possible when multiple labs combine resources. • Lab Coat Team has facilitated cheaper prices from multiple laundry companies vs. previous MIT contracts. • Request for Proposal (RFP) will potentially bring costs down even further.
Request for proposals • MIT is soliciting bids for lab coat supply and laundry services using an RFP. • Covers both rental and lab-owned coat models. • Supplier’s Questionnaire tohelp MIT understand each Supplier’s capabilities. • Price Proposal to outline Supplier’s pricing structure, including pricing to implement and maintain proposed solutions.
Centralized Service • Benefits: • Consistency across labs in coat quality and laundering • Take advantage of volume discounts • Questions to consider: • Who is in charge? • Where are clean/dirty lab coats stored? • How do we track inventory to limit loss? • Which model will best serve the labs within an area? • How is billing for a centralized service handled?
Overall Lab coat guidance • Upon completion of the RFP process, overall lab coat guidance will be provided to the MIT community. • Information to be include: • Style considerations • Preferred vendor information • How to set up the service (physical locations, management, billing) • Ongoing monitoring of service and feedback
What shouldyou do? • If your DLC has a lab needing lab coats immediately, contact Mary Lindstrom for a summary of suppliers and contacts. • Start considering coat supply in your DLC(s). • Is there centralized service now? • If not, could your labs benefit from a more centralized system? • When the preferred vendor(s) is selected by MIT, talk to your AOs and labs about how they can improve lab coat supply for their areas.
LAB COAT IMPLEMENTATION TEAM • John Fucillo • Scott Ide • Dan Herrick • Donna Johnson • Rosa Liberman • Mary Lindstrom • Michele Miele • David Petricone • Emily Ranken • Steve Wetzel