Section 5.6
OSHA COMPLIANCE

This policy applies to:

5.6.4 Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan

The Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan (CHSP) is Berkeley Lab's plan for controlling exposures to hazardous chemicals. Exposures to airborne chemicals are to be kept below the permissible exposure levels set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR 1910.1000) and the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) set forth by the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists. These standards are met with the proper combination of engineering, administrative, and personal protective controls. See Chapter 4, Industrial Hygiene.

5.6.5 Walking-Working Surfaces

5.6.5.1 General Requirements

Each division is responsible for all laboratory space assigned to it. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the divisions' line management to ensure that the requirements of this section apply to all personnel and to all space for which the respective division directors are responsible.

5.6.5.2 Housekeeping

5.6.5.3 Aisles and Passageways

5.6.5.4 Covers and Guardrails

5.6.5.5 Floor Loading Protection

In every building, other structure, or part thereof, the loads approved by the Facilities Department must be marked on plates of approved design. These plates must be securely affixed to the building in a conspicuous place. Such plates will not be removed or defaced.

It is unacceptable to place a load on any floor or roof of a building or other structure that is greater than the load approved by the building official.

5.6.5.6 Ladders

Ladders must be in good condition, made of suitable material, of proper length, and of the correct type for the use intended. Damaged ladders must never be used; they should be tagged "Out of Service" and repaired or destroyed. Ladders used near electrical equipment must be made of a nonconducting material. Stored ladders must be easily accessible for inspection and service, kept out of the weather and away from excessive heat, and well supported when stored horizontally.

A portable ladder must not be used by more than one person at a time. Such ladders must not be placed in front of doors or placed on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases. Ladders must not be used as guys, braces, or skids. The height of a stepladder should be sufficient to reach the work without using the top or next-to-the-top steps. Bracing on the back legs of stepladders must not be used for climbing.

All fixed ladders, along with their appurtenances and fastenings, must be designed to meet the following load requirements:

Design stresses for wood components of ladders must not exceed those specified in 29 CFR 1910.25. All wood parts of fixed ladders must meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.25(b). As described in 29 CFR 1910.25 (c)(3)(ii), single, fixed ladders that consist of wood side rails and wood rungs or cleats are acceptable for pitches in the range 75– 90°, if they are intended for use by no more than one person per section.

All ladders must be maintained in a safe condition and inspected regularly, with the intervals between inspections to be determined by use and exposure.

5.6.5.7 Scaffolds

All scaffolds, whether fabricated on site, purchased, or rented, must conform with the specifications found 29 CFR 1910.28-29 and 29 CFR 1926.450-454.

The footing or anchorage for a scaffold must be sound, rigid, and capable of carrying the maximum intended load without settling or displacement. Unstable objects such as barrels, boxes, loose brick, or concrete blocks must not be used to support scaffolds or planks. No scaffold may be erected, moved, dismantled, or altered unless the operation is supervised by competent persons. Scaffolds and their components must be capable of supporting at least four times the maximum intended load without failure.

Guard rails and toeboards must be installed on all open sides and ends of scaffolds and platforms more than 3 m (10 ft) above the ground or floor. Scaffolds 1.2–3 m (4–10 ft) in height having a minimum horizontal dimension in either direction of less than 1.1 m (45 in.) must have standard railing installed on all open sides and ends of the platform.

5.6.5.8 Work Surfaces

Workroom floors must be clean and dry as much as possible. Drainage mats, platforms, or false floors should be used where wet processes are performed. Floors must be free from protruding nails, splinters, holes, and loose boards or tiles. Permanent aisles or passageways must be marked. Floor holes must be protected by covers that leave no openings more than 2.54 cm (1 in.) wide. Floor openings into which persons can accidentally walk must be guarded by standard railings and toeboards. Open-sided floors, platforms, and runways higher than 1.2 m (4 ft) must be guarded by standard railings. Toeboards must be used wherever people can pass below or when hazardous equipment or materials are below.

5.6.5.9 Elevated Work Stations

When workers are required to work from elevated surfaces that are unprotected by railings, the following procedures and guidelines are to be followed:

5.6.5.10 Exit Corridors

Exit corridors must not be used for storage. The Life Safety Code, NFPA 101, requires that buildings designed for human occupancy must have continuous and unobstructed exits to permit prompt evacuation of the occupants and allow necessary access for responding emergency personnel. The intent of the code is to keep exits free from obstructions and clear of combustible materials. Therefore, attention to housekeeping is very important.

"Temporary" storage of furniture, equipment, supplies, or anything else is not permitted in exit ways. Combustibles, including recyclable waste paper, are not permitted in exit ways.

5.6.6 General Ventilation

Refer to Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan, and PUB-3000, Chapter 4, Industrial Hygiene.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Refer to Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan: Local Exhaust Ventilation (hoods), and PUB-3000, Chapter 4, Industrial Hygiene.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 4, Industrial Hygiene, Noise.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 21, Radiation Safety.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 4, Industrial Hygiene.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 20, Hazardous Waste Disposal.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 19, Personal Protective Equipment.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 3, Health Services.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 3, Health Services.

Policy and planning for fire safety at LBNL takes into account special fire hazards for specific operating areas, protection of high-value property, and the safety of employees. Listed below are the important aspects of the fire protection plan.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 12, Fire Prevention and Protection.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 7, Pressure Safety and Cryogenics.

5.6.15 Compressed Air

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 7, Pressure Safety and Cryogenics.

Handling. Lifting and moving of objects must be done by mechanical devices rather than by manual effort whenever this is practical. Employees must not be required to lift heavy or bulky objects that overtax their physical condition or capability. The equipment used must be appropriate for the lifting or moving task. Lifting and moving devices must be operated only by personnel trained and authorized to operate them.

Manual lifting and handling of material must be done by methods that ensure the safety of both the employee and the material. It is Laboratory policy that employees whose work assignments require heavy lifting be properly trained and physically qualified, by medical examination if deemed necessary.

Storage. All areas controlled by the Laboratory must be kept in an orderly and clean condition and used only for activities or operations for which they have been approved.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 8, Electrical Safety.

Everyone should be aware of potential electrical hazards and safety practices in their work areas. Use only approved and properly maintained equipment such as 3-conductor extension cords. Do not link extension cords together or run them through doorways or windows or across walkways.

Many research activities involve the use of electrical equipment. Recognizing the degree of hazard is paramount for working safely with such energized equipment. If you work on high-voltage electrical equipment, always work in pairs. Above all, always work on equipment that is in a completely de-energized state. Apply shorting, grounding, and lock-and-tag procedures as appropriate.

Signs alert you to the nature and level of the hazard and the protection required (safety glasses, ear protection, etc.) in an area. For example, signs are used to indicate the presence of radioactive materials, high-voltage electricity, lasers, carcinogens, biohazards, or magnetic fields.

Danger indicates the presence of an immediate danger, requiring special precautions to ensure employee safety. For instance, high-voltage electricity requires a Danger sign.

Caution warns against potential hazards or indicates safety practices. These signs indicate a possible hazard for which proper precautions must be taken, for example, the Caution signs in an Eye Hazard Area, where safety glasses must be worn.

Notice is used to provide general instructions or information related to safety. Dosimeter areas for radiation workers are indicated by Notice signs.

Refer to PUB-3000, Chapter 5, Section 5.9, Warning Signs and Devices.