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Table of Contents

Duke University is committed to providing a safe work environment for learning, teaching and research. The Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) promotes workplace safety through various policies and programs, many of which are outlined in this manual. The following sections are meant to provide general laboratory safety procedures.

Each laboratory is a unique environment, and site-specific hazards must be addressed by each supervisor/principal investigator when establishing proper work practices. It is each laboratory professional’s duty to conduct their work in a responsible manner, and to take all necessary precautions to protect themselves and others in the area from exposures to hazardous materials. Upon request and during laboratory audits, OESO will assist in performing a risk assessment for procedures of moderate to high risk, aid the lab in evaluating the risk, and help with the development of written standard operating procedures (SOP).

If work practices currently being employed in your laboratory do not comply with those in this manual, please make the necessary changes. An OESO representative can be reached for questions by calling 684-8822 or 684-2794.

Section 1: Biological Safety

1. Introduction and Purpose
2. Routes of Exposure
3. Standard  Laboratory Practice and Technique
4. Biohazard Spill Clean-up
5. Laundering of Laboratory Clothing
6. Waste Management
7. Categories of Biological Waste and Acceptable Treatments
8. Biosafety Levels
9. Laboratory Equipment
10. Human Blood, Blood Products, Tissues and Body Fluids
11. Recombinant DNA
12. Select Agents and Toxins
13. Packaging and Shipping Biological Materials
14. References and Appendices

Section 2: Chemical Safety: The Duke Chemical Hygiene Plan

1. Introduction, Purpose, and Definitions
2. Responsibilities
3. Procedures
1. Laboratory-specific Chemical Hygiene Plan
2. Chemical Hazard Information and Training
3. Safe Use of Chemicals
4. Preparing for and Responding to Emergencies
5. Medical Response
4. Exposure Monitoring
5. Appendix – Specific  Requirements for Certain Chemical Groups

Section 3: Fire Safety

1. Introduction and Purpose
2. Safe Handling of Flammable Chemicals
3. Defining Flammable and Combustible Liquids
4. Classes of Fires
5. Fire Extinguishers
6. Fire Drills, Site-specific Fire Plan,  and References

Section 4: Use of Laboratory Animals

1. Introduction and Purpose
2. Employee Occupational Health and Wellness (EOHW) and Animal Handler Placement Reviews
3. Personnel Training
4. Husbandry
5. Injections
6. Animal Restraint
7. Changing Bedding
8. Allergens
9. Carcass Disposal
10. Working With Hazardous Materials
11. Animal Biosafety Levels
12. Safe Use of Anesthetic Gases and References

Section 5: Laboratory Start-up and Closeout

1. Introduction and Purpose
2. Instructions for Principal Investigators
3. Laboratory Closeout and Appendices

Important Phone Numbers

Emergency Response and Incident Reporting Guide