URI offers new laboratory safety course
Open to the public at no charge
KINGSTON, R.I. -- September 22, 2000 -- The University of Rhode Island
is offering a new laboratory safety course this semester that is open to
anyone working in a laboratory, studio, or facility where chemicals of any
kind are involved. There is no charge.
The course provides an overview of prudent laboratory practices and
consists of seminar-style lectures given by practicing experts from industry,
academia, and government. No prerequisites are required to attend.
"The University of Rhode Island is opening this course to the public
because we feel the seminars offer important and valuable information on
safety issues that affect a variety of professions, including chemists,
nurses, laboratory technicians, artists, researchers, and others,"
says Dr. Raymond Panzica, chair of URI's Chemistry Department. "People
should feel free to drop in on any seminar that interests them."
The seminars are held Wednesdays from 4 to 5 p.m. in Pastore Hall, Room
234, on the Kingston campus. The course, which is also being given for both
graduate and undergraduate credit, began September 6. The following is the
remaining seminar schedule:
September 27
Principles of Ventilation -- Mystic Air Quality Consultants.
Indoor air quality laboratory fume hoods. local ventilation
October 4
Principles of Industrial Hygiene Stefan Wawzyniecki, Uconn.
Monitoring of airborne chemicals, chemical exposure limits, chemical
routes of entry into the human body, ergonomics, engineering controls
October 11
Compressed Gas Cylinders including cryogenics Med-Tech Gases,
Inc.
How to safely handle and move gas cylinders, laboratory gas regulators
(including various CGA designations), proper line connections, gas cylinder
storage, internal and external gas cylinder construction for various common
laboratory gases.
October 18
Laboratory Spill Prevention and Mitigation (when and how to clean
up and when to call for help) Catherine Cull, Pfizer, Inc.
What type and size of a laboratory spill can be cleaned up safely, When
and how to call for help, Types and compatibility of spill cleanup products,
Factors to consider when planning for spill emergencies and during actual
emergencies.
October 25
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, hazardous waste, waste minimization
Mike Rottas, Pfizer, Inc
November 1
Clean Water Regulations -- Peter Bates, South Kingstown Wastewater
Treatment Facility and Taylor Ellis, Narragansett Bay Commission.
Includes why chemicals should not be disposed of "down the sink,"
the general operation of a wastewater treatment plant, the effects of certain
chemicals on the plant and effluent compliance including environmental effects.
November 8
Ionizing Radiation (sealed sources, nuclides and x-ray machines)
Hank Bicehouse, URI Radiation Safety Officer and assistant director for
Radiation and Reactor Safety.
November 15
Safe Usage of Lasers Hank Bicehouse, URI Radiation Safety
Officer and assistant director for Radiation and Reactor Safety.
November 22
Biological and Animal Hazards - Dr. Jay Sperry, URI microbiologist
Toxicology, epidemology and the safe design of experiments using infectious
agents (BLS 1-4).
November 29
Blood Borne Pathogens - Doris Sword, supervisor of URI Nursing
Facilities, Health Services Safety and the OSHA Blood Borne Pathogen Regulation.
December 6
Electrical Safety Tim Wasco, URI Chemistry Department.
Electrical systems, proper grounding technique, safety devices, "lock
out tag out" procedures, standard power wiring of instruments, EMF
, EMC.
December 13
Fire Safety Don Deshaies, URI Safety & Risk Management
Department Extinguishers, fire prevention, emergency medical.
For Information: Dr. Raymond Panzica, 401-874-5026,
Jan Sawyer, 401-874-2116
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