To view this newsletter on the web, visit: https://engineering.purdue.edu/MSE/research/newsletter/safety-equipment-newsletter

 

MSE Safety & Equipment Newsletter for November/December 2024

**** Important Upcoming Dates ****

**** Congrats to Casey Peters, 2024 Presidential Safety Award Winner ****
Casey is the winner of the 2024 Presidential Safety Award at Purdue! He was nominated by Dr. Robin Ridgway, Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Compliance at Purdue. From his nomination: Since joining the School of Materials Engineering, Casey has successfully implemented an exceptional safety program, demonstrating significant improvements that have enhanced workplace safety for Materials Engineering. His commitment to fostering a safety-first culture is evident in his consistent performance and proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential hazards. He has not only maintained the highest standard of safety but he has also inspired others to prioritize safety in their daily operations. Casey is diligently with ensuring safety standards are upheld and never hesitates to reach out to Purdue EHS for further support. Specific ways that Casey has gone above and beyond to ensure safety include, but are not limited to, enforcing PPE requirements, enhancing safety in MSE’s shared lab spaces, following up on fume hood alarms and repairs, taking ownership of Purdue MSE’s Integrated Safety Plan program, and encouraging frequent safety reviews. He exemplifies what it means to be a safety role model in the School of Materials Engineering and across other departments at Purdue. Congrats Casey!

 

A person and person holding a certificate Description automatically generated
Casey pictured with Mita Juristyarini, Interim Senior Director of Purdue EHS

 

**** OSHA Building Inspection ****
In October, Purdue EHS administered the annual OSHA Building Inspection of ARMS. Action Items were recently emailed to ARMS Lab Supervisors by Casey in November. The top 3 violations were:

  1. Unlabeled Containers: All containers need appropriate labels that indicate their contents, even “water”. In particular, waste containers should be labeled using the orange Hazardous Waste Disposal Tags and include the following information: PI name, chemical names (written out; no acronyms or chemical formulas), volume percents, and an indication of hazards at bottom of label.
  2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): It is important that all PPE be kept clean and properly maintained. If lab coats are intended to be reused, do not store them atop one another, on seats/chairs, or in any other manner where cross contamination may occur.
  3. Power Strips and Extension cords: Extension cords should not be used as permanent wiring. Muli-outlet “power strips” also need to have 15-amp over-current protection (typically, these are the power strips with an “on/off” button). Household-use extension cords are not permitted due to the potential for overload.

**** Safety Best Practice: Wintertime Safety ****   

The snow is already here(!!), so it is important to get prepared for cold temperatures and extreme weather conditions. Make sure you have a solid set of winter gear. Gloves and a warm hat are a must. Dress in multiple layers, at least three on the coldest days: a base layer, an insulating layer, and an outer shell layer. For working and playing outdoors, avoid 100% cotton clothing as it will absorb water & sweat and remove heat from your body. Opt instead for something with better “wicking” action like synthetic fleece or wool. For footwear, get sturdy shoes or boots that provide traction on ice and snow. And if driving someplace, find out about the driving conditions before leaving home. From INDOT: “Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits. If the weather is bad, remember, Ice and Snow, Take it Slow, or just don’t go.”

**** New Program at Purdue: Safe & Sustainable Labs (S2L) ****
Research laboratories are among the most resource-intensive facilities on Purdue’s campus, consuming up to 10 times more energy than similarly sized commercial buildings and generating substantial amounts of chemical, physical, and hazardous waste. To promote sustainable practices within labs and grow the sustainability culture across campus, Purdue’s EHS and the Sustainability and Energy and Utility (E&U) departments in Administrative Operations have partnered to implement the new Safe and Sustainable Labs Program (S2L). The S2L team works with researchers, lab managers, staff, faculty and students to implement sustainable practices and technologies in their labs without compromising the integrity of their work. Campus labs interested in participating will start by filling out an interest form, after which a meeting with a S2L team member will be scheduled. During this meeting, lab personnel can discuss their current practices and receive recommended sustainability practices. Following the initial meeting, the S2L team member will conduct a baseline assessment, tour the lab and evaluate current practices. The lab will receive tailored recommendations and resources to enhance its sustainability efforts. Once the lab is ready, a certification assessment will determine the lab’s sustainability rating.

 

**** What To Do With Unwanted/Broken Equipment, Computers and Furniture ****

It’s the season of lab space cleaning and reorganization. So what should you do when you identify equipment, computers, and other items that are broken or no longer wanted? It is tempting to just push it into the hallways and pretend that the items no longer exist… But don’t do this! Cluttered hallways are a fire hazard as well as a personal safety hazard, as many items are too large for one person to safety move. So, here’s what you need to do instead for the following items:


**** Preparing for the Spring ISP Inspection ****
As part of our Integrated Safety Plan (ISP) lab certification with Purdue EHS, each year we conduct a guided “self-audit” of the safety training procedures, hazards, and hygiene of all lab spaces that MSE personnel utilize at Purdue using this Self-Audit Checklist. After our self-audit checklists are submitted, EHS staff will inspect select lab spaces in each building. To prepare for these self-audits and inspections, please be proactive in identifying and abating (fixing) any lingering lab safety and hygiene issues in the lab space where you most frequently work. And, if you are so inclined, you/your lab can complete & submit the Self-Audit Checklist anytime between now and January 31. This could be a fun Finals Week group activity?! The indemnification timeline is as follows:

Please watch for future announcements from Casey about this important process.

*** And let’s not forget about personal health and safety... ***
The end of the semester brings excitement for winter break with the stress of more deadlines (and even more holiday parties). Here is a collection of links which may be helpful:

-          Purdue’s safe walk program (24/7 escorts to/from campus buildings): call 765-494-SAFE (7233)

-          Purdue links to report a safety concern or incident, including “Student of Concern” reporting

-          Office of Graduate Assistance, including Ombuds

-          Purdue’s Mental & Emotional Health services

-          Purdue University Student Health (PUSH) service, including CAPS

**** Equipment & Lab Access Reminders ****
If you encounter a piece of broken equipment, or have any questions about a specific piece of equipment, you should contact a member of the MSE Technical Staff:

**** Important Links and Contact Information ****

Thanks for reading everyone!

Prof. Erk, Casey Peters, and the MSE Safety Committee