Health and Safety News For The Princeton Community • Vol. II No. IV, Oct. 2018
Get Your (Safety) Culture on During Biosafety Month
October is Biosafety Month, an initiative of the Association for Biosafety and Security (ABSA).
As part of Biosafety Month, Princeton EHS is highlighting best practices for researchers who work with biological materials: 
  • Working safely in a biosafety cabinet.
  • Check before you ship or import biohazardous materials
  • Dispose of biological wastes properly.
  • Gloves are not enough!
  • Register your research with the IBC.
Thursday, October 11
Celebrate Biosafety Month from 10 a.m. to noon at Lewis Thomas Laboratory. There will be treats, giveaways, games, demonstrations and EHS personnel on hand to answer your safety questions. View Flyer »     
Crossword Challenge
The fall crossword features clues on the theme of biosafety. If you guess them all correctly, let us know using the #EHSCrossword hashtag and we'll give you a shout-out on social media!
Fire Prevention Week

Fire Prevention Week this year runs Oct. 7-13. The campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” works to reduce the likelihood of having a fire—and help people escape safely in the event of one.
PTENS is Now TigerAlert

The PTENS emergency alert system is now TigerAlert. The annual test of the emergency notification system will take place Oct. 19 at 1 pm. To update contact info, faculty and staff should log into the HR Self-Service Website. Students must use the TigerHub database.

Roof Use Policy Reminder
University policy prohibits the use of roofs on campus for personal or social purposes. This is done because of the obvious hazard of falls, as well as the possibility of roof damage. Some roofs may be used for research and teaching with prior approval by contacting Jamie McQuaid of Environmental Health & Safety at extension 8-5106 or via e-mail at jmcquaid@princeton.edu and Chris Machusak of the Maintenance Department at extension 8-6607. 
Violations of this policy are reported as follows: for undergraduate students, to ODUS; for graduate students, to the Dean of the Graduate School; and for all others, to the Chair or Head of the appropriate department. All individuals in violation of this policy are subject to the University’s disciplinary process.

The full text of this policy may be found at:  https://ehs.princeton.edu/roof-safety
X-Ray Producing Equipment Survey
If you have recently acquired or relocated an electron microscope or other X-Ray producing equipment, EHS needs to know in order to survey and register it with the state of New Jersey.

Contact Caitlin Root, Sr. Lab Safety Specialist for Radiation Safety, at croot@princeton.edu or 609-258-7882.  

Learn More about radiation-producing devices on the EHS website.
The EHS Safety Supply Store is the best way to order new safety equipment for the laboratory. Not sure what a needed item is called? Wondering what other options are available? No problem! The EHS Safety Supply Store has photos and descriptions to help you make the best choice for all your lab safety needs. Best of all, its FREE for Princeton researchers (login required).

Healthy Computing Classes

EHS is offering healthy computing classes this fall for any Princeton employee seeking assistance with work station comfort, posture, ergonomic practices and eye health. Sign up for classes through the Employee Learning Center at Princeton.edu/Training. See bottom of this email for times and schedules.
EHS Welcomes Chelsea McDonnell

The EHS office has been benefiting this summer and fall from the technical assistance of Chelsea McDonnell, who can be found delivering spill kits, calibrating meters, doing radiation surveys and otherwise providing first-rate service to labs and workspaces around campus. If you see her, say hello!
Employees 'Caught in the Act' of Being Safe for Safe + Sound Week
Safe + Sound Week, an OSHA initiative raising awareness of the value of workplace safety, took place Aug. 13-19. EHS fanned out around campus handing out "You've Been Caught" cards to employees demonstrating safe work practices. Thirty-three employees got a $5 credit at Frist food gallery and a shout-out on social media during the event. Way to go, everyone! 

Miss the fun during #SafeandSound2018? Be sure to follow Princeton EHS on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook!
Be Vigilant With Peroxides
Keep an eye out for expired peroxide-forming chemicals in your laboratory. If you have or use peroxides, test for reactivity. If you are not comfortable doing this, contact us at ehs@princeton.edu. Remember, NEVER open a container with visual crystal formation or cloudiness. Contact EHS immediately.

Lab Health & Safety Fundamentals
Waste Management

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) coordinates the hazardous waste program on campus. Procedures differ depending on whether you are generating chemical, biological/medical or radioactive waste.

Training Requirements

All faculty, staff, students and visiting researchers working in labs are required to attend Laboratory Safety Training. Researchers attend a general session plus training specific to their laboratory.

Upcoming Trainings Oct. 2018 - Jan. 2019
Bloodborne Pathogens For Researchers
Oct. 18 3-4 p.m. Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Room 222

Intro to Biosafety
Nov. 7 10-11 a.m. Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Room 005

Ergonomics & Healthy Computing
Nov. 8 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Lewis Library, Room 122

Bloodborne Pathogens For Researchers
Nov. 8 3-4 p.m. Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Room 222

Ergonomics & Healthy Computing
Dec. 5 10:30-11:30 a.m. New South 7th Floor Training Room

Intro to Biosafety
Dec. 12 10-11 a.m. Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Room 005

Bloodborne Pathogens For Researchers
Dec. 18 3-4 p.m. Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Room 118

Intro to Biosafety
Jan. 10 10-11 a.m. Lewis Thomas Laboratory, Room 118

To sign up for a training session, go to: https://putrain.learn.com 

Contact the editor with any feedback or story ideas at   js74@princeton.edu

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