Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To save you time we've identified the questions that are most frequently asked about using The Laboratory Safety Institute services.

Q: Help!! What do all these acronyms mean? Is there a guide somewhere?

A: Yes there is a guide here! If you don't find what you're looking for, send email to the Labsafety-L list and ask. If you're not a member of the list and cannot join, send an e-mail to Christina Dillard. See our acronym dictionary and let us know if it's not there. (Because if it's not, we want to add it.)

Q: The administration wants me to coordinate a college-wide safety committee to establish a site safety plan. Where do I begin?!

A.  There are so many areas -- labs, classrooms, grounds, facilities, security, etc. -- that it may be prudent to establish several smaller committees, with an elected representative to participate in a larger committee.  Meeting frequency will be established on the need and work which must be accomplished.  

The larger or executive safety committee must be chaired by an individual of authority, and counseled by an experienced safety professional.  This person needs to be one who can get things done. If this person is not in place, the rest will fall by the way side.

All committees will need to address the following issues (to name a few of the main ones):

• fire safety and evacuation procedures

• the PPE standard - which requires evaluation, training and record keeping

• liability issues

• security issues

• Accident record keeping and analysis

• the Hazard Communication Standard and Laboratory Safety Standard (1910.1200&.1450)

• Safety and environmental inspection frequency of all facilities

All of the above procedures should be formalized in writing, including the formal set up of the Safety Committee structure, their function and purpose.

Q: How many square feet per student is recommended for class/laboratories?

A: The recommendation of NSTA and LSI is to have the lesser of 24 students per lab, and the design capacity of the room, or 55 sq. ft. per student for lecture/lab combo rooms and 45 sq. ft. per student for only lab rooms. The Laboratory Safety Institute has published a report on class sizes and lab accidents. "There's No Safety In Numbers" summarizes the research in this area, state and federal regulations, and successful approaches to dealing with the problem. See the WebStore to order.

Q: Does anyone know flashpoints for various ethanol/water mixtures?

A. This table below was sent by a reader (thank you!) to the list as an answer.  The values are retyped from NFPA 325 and it is essential that you check them for yourself before relying on the information here.

As an aside, there is/was the story of the origin of the term "proof."  Need some help from the readershop on this one probably, but best recollection here says:

If it would burn (what burn, from the top of a shot glass or a cotton rag soaked in it...?), that was PROOF that it was at least 50% alcohol...

Q: What is meant by the expression "high degree of acute toxicity," as in 29CFR 1910.1450 (e)(3)(viii)?

A: Interpretation of Lab Standard language given in 1990 (original web rendering) summarizes "...substances that are considered to have a high degree of acute toxicity are those substances which are highly toxic as defined under the HCS and may be fatal or cause damage to target organs as a result of a single exposure or exposures of short duration."

The HCS (Hazard Communication Standard) definitions are in Appendix A of that standard, and the definitions for highly toxic and toxic (cut and pasted from the Appendix A webpage on 2/9/99) read as follows:

"Toxic." A chemical falling within any of the following categories:

1. A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of more than 50 milligrams per kilogram but not more than 500 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered orally to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.

2. A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of more than 200 milligrams per kilogram but not more than 1,000 milligrams per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between two and three kilograms each.

3. A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC(50)) in air of more than 200 parts per million but not more than 2,000 parts per million by volume of gas or vapor, or more than two milligrams per liter but not more than 20 milligrams per liter of mist, fume, or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.

"Highly toxic:" A chemical falling within any of the following categories:

1. A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of 50 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when administered orally to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.

2. A chemical that has a median lethal dose (LD(50)) of 200 milligrams or less per kilogram of body weight when administered by continuous contact for 24 hours (or less if death occurs within 24 hours) with the bare skin of albino rabbits weighing between two and three kilograms each.

3. A chemical that has a median lethal concentration (LC(50)) in air of 200 parts per million by volume or less of gas or vapor, or 2 milligrams per liter or less of mist, fume, or dust, when administered by continuous inhalation for one hour (or less if death occurs within one hour) to albino rats weighing between 200 and 300 grams each.

Having these definitions, go back to the interpretation above and note the separation of its two clauses with the following emphasis added:
"...those substances which are highly toxic or toxic as defined under the HCS AND may be fatal or cause damage to target organs as a result of a single exposure or exposures of short duration."

Note that there is no dose specified in the second clause, which makes the second clause utterly irrelevant.

Short story - pretty wide open and the list is never, never, ever complete.

Q: What is the current thinking on the advisability of contact lenses in labs?

A. The article "Contact lenses and chemicals" in the American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Health and Safety Magazine May/June 1997 issue was surprising and impressive. A number of myths-repeated as fact are debunked, and there seems to be two bottom lines: (1) no one policy is right for every workplace, and (2) non of the horror stories appear to be true.

Also see the position of the American Optometric Association on contact lenses in "industrial" environments.

Q: How do I dispose of mercury waste? My regular waste contractor says they can't take it.

A: LSI recommends that spilled mercury be stored in sealed containers and labeled "Mercury to be Recovered." Companies like D.F. Goldsmith (315-869-7800) in Evanston, Illinois will purchase mercury for recycling.

Q: What is the "respirable fraction of a particulate airborne contaminate?

A:

Q: What goggles should i recommend for my labs?

A:

Q: What is Chemical Inventory Software and Requirements?

A: ChemTrack Description of the software (V3.03)

Chemical Inventory and Organization Data Base for use with Microsoft Excel Copyright 1985-1995 by Roger H. Postley. Written for IBM and MS-DOS and compatible computers. Office, MS-DOS, windows, word and excel trademarks of Microsoft Corporations. This Word V6.0 and Excel V5.0* set of documents and data base was designed to be a high adaptable and useful tool for laboratories and the person in charge of chemical stock room. It contains apporoximately 1200 entries of standard chemicals, usually in serveral grades of purity. The Documentation ("instruct.doc") and chemical entry format ("allchem.xls") ar eon the 31/2' disk. Also, disk has a brief "readme.doc" and "notes.doc" that has last minute updates and changes. As it is unlikely that these chemicals will match your inventory, the data base can be customized. After custoizing the "ALLCHEM.EXL" data base can be separated into smaller files, such as "Inorganics", "Organics", and "Stains/indicators" if you desire.

Minimum System:
The minimum system that will allow this data base to be used an IBM or compatible computer with two megabytes of memory, hard drive, one 31/2' drive, and a printer with multiple font and type size capatabilites. To print stockroom list, it is nice to have bold face or enhanced mode capability on your printer. In addition, you must be using MS-DOS* 3.1 (or newer) and MS-Windows*.

Q: Where do i buy a seminar notebook to use it as a reference?

A: You can order by phone, mail, fax, email, or at our web store. We accept MasterCard, Visa, US Checks, and institutional purchase orders.
LSI's One-day Audio-Seminar ($148.00) has 5.5 hours of recorded training and the seminar notebook. The Two-day Video Short Course ($795.00) has 12-hours of DVD video training on eight, 90-minute dvd's and the notebook. Would you prefer either of these?

Q: What is the new benefit for its organizational members?

A. NACHOs.

The Laboratory Safety Institute has established a new benefit for it's organizational members. LSI is offering a complimentary Lab Safety Program Review. The 60-90 minute teleconference reviews more than thirty lab safety program components. The components are scored on a scale of zero to three. Maximum score is 100.
Participants in the Lab Safety Program Review have found it to be an effective way to evaluate their current program and discover simple, inexpensive, and practical ways to achieve improvement.

Q: Does LSI offer scholarship assistance?

A: There are two ways...

First, LSI has limited resources for scholarship assistance. We've been trying to find a semi-rational and equitable way to make it available and shared by the maximum number of potential participants.
At this point, what we're doing is asking each teacher who inquires to indicate the total cost of his/her attending (travel, meals, hotel, registration fee, substitute teacher, etc.), the amount of assistance being requested from LSI, the amount the school is willing to contribute to support the teacher's participation, and the amount the teacher is willing to personally provide to make it possible to participate.
In the absence of both the school and the teacher being willing to help, it is unlikely that LSI will want to provide assistance.
For starters, if attending will require you to apy for overnight accommodations, we can try to identify another participant who would like to share a room and split that cost.

Second, there is an additional way. LSI will refund 20% of your registration fee for each additional participant you recruit who attends the short courses this Fall (any location).

Q: How do i make sure my membership is still current?

A: You should receive a renewal notice. You may wish to also consider having your school become and organizational member. The school can designate five representatives.
One of the new benefits for organizational members is a complimentary lab safety program review. The 60-90 minute teleconference reviews more than thirty lab safety program components. The components are scored on a scale of zero to three. Maximum score is 100. The discussion will help you and your district identify simple, inexpensive way sto improve the districts EHS and lab safety programs.

Q: Where can you take the CHO exam?

A: Pick a date/location or purchase a certificate good for any of these future 24-hour short courses.

The topics covered include: introduction, scope of the problem, accidents, legal aspects, emergency planning, chemical storage and disposal, biological and animal hazards, eye and face protection, disposal of chemicals, electrical safety, fire control, handling glassware, recordkeeping, bloodborne pathogens, lab standard, employee involvement, needs assessment, lab inspection, compressed gases, radiation, safety equipment, and effective safety programs.

Also included is LSI's 250-page three-ring lab safety notebook, lunches and refreshments.  The notebook is filled with the seminar transparency miniatures, as well as, other valuable safety and health information.  There are many forms and checklists to enhance your lab safety program.   You'll be filled with great ideas!

Register more people (all at once) and save more. 
2-4 registrants (list $525), you pay $420 each
5-9 registrants (list $425), you pay $340 each
10-14 registrants (list $375), you pay $300 each
15 or more registrants $325, you pay $260 each

The special price will be good for one week and may not be combined with any other discount.   LSI accepts VISA, MasterCard, Purchase Orders (by phone until we figure out how to do it at the online store), and Personal Checks.

You can place your order by phone (508-647-1900), fax (508-647-0062), email
(lsiadams@labsafety.org).  Be sure to mention this email message.  

If you would like to suggest a lab safety book, publication, media, product or LSI service that you would like LSI to offer with a one-week special reduced price, please send me your suggestions (sales@labsafety.org).

Remember, in addition to training programs, LSI conducts audits, inspections, program reviews, and provides regulatory compliance assistance.   For more information, please contact me directly (Info@labsafety.org)

Q: My child's high school AP Biology teacher is talking about doing blood group testing in the HS laboratory (includes the pricking of fingers and blood drops on slides). At the university we no longer use any blook or body fluids in the lab. I'm sure this must be the same guideline for high schools. Besides how would they dispose of the sharps and other waste without an autoclave. Help--I need to go to the teacher with some published guidelines. Thanks.

A: Blood typing can be done safely and have significant educational benefit when conducted with proper care and precautions. If you would like to receive a copy of the National Biology Teachers Association Policy Statement on this subject, I will be happy to fax or mail it to you. NABT supports these activities with proper precautions. Our organization agrees with NABT. Would you like a copy? (info@labsafety.org)

Q: I work in the chemistry department at Normandale Community College. Each term we have students sign a chemistry laboratory safety agreement. Do these safety agreements hold up in court if a student is injured due to failure to follow the agreement? Also, within our department, there is a debate over whether or not we can enforce the dress code we put in the student contract. The issue is of most concern in the summer, when students often come to lab in shorts, sandals, and tank tops or halter tops. What can you advise on this problem?

A: LSI calls them rules agreements and not contracts. The agreements are a great way to emphasize the importance of safety; they speak for themselves as a piece of evidence in a court case; and they provide a fair basis for imposing sanctions.

They have to be enforced. Don't put anything in it you are not prepared to enforce.

I feel strongly that you not only can enforce the dress code, but you must. Otherwise, you don't have a dress code, you have lip service. Students are more likely to be hurt and you are more likely to lose the law suit that might follow.

Q: I was wondering if I could get a copy of your "101 Ways to Convince Poeple That Safety Is Important." I am always looking for good advice on employee relations and safety.

A. 101 Ways to Convince People.

Q: How do we make suggestion of a Lab Safety book, publication media or product?

A: Please send Dr. James Kaufman your suggestions at info@labsafety.org.