Date of Award
8-2024
Degree Type
Report
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biological Engineering
Committee Chair(s)
Ronald Sims (Committee Chair)
Committee
Ronald Sims
Committee
Erika Espinosa-Ortiz
Committee
Luguang Wang
Abstract
Laboratory accidents are common in teaching and research labs; these accidents can be injurious or even fatal. The consequences of each type of laboratory accident are different based on the activities performed and the hazardous materials used in each facility. However, the most common issue related to laboratory accidents is the lack of proper safety measures (e.g., poor handling of hazardous materials, not reporting incidents immediately, etc.). This project aimed to establish and strengthen best practices and procedures to ensure laboratory safety at the Utah State University Sustainable Waste-to-Bioproducts Engineering Center. To achieve this goal, different practices and measures were taken such as writing standard operating procedures for different biosafety-level organisms, organizing monthly laboratory cleanings, and implementing yearly laboratory inspections. A biosafety binder was created to summarize these actions and help guide future student researchers. The biosafety binder includes information about safety training, standard operating procedures, injury reporting, emergency contact information, proper waste disposal, a chemical hygiene plan, and laboratory self-inspection forms. The implementation of holding regular laboratory cleanings, maintaining an updated chemical inventory, and completing a laboratory self-inspection have provided valuable insights into identifying the main safety issues and how to make the laboratory a safer space to work. The results of these actions showed that the main issues in the laboratory were unlabeled solutions, uncapped sharps, unlabeled gas tanks, and unsafe fume hood conditions. These findings were presented to the Sustainable Waste-to-Bioproducts Engineering Center laboratory staff to show them actions they could take to improve these conditions. The contents of the biosafety binder were also discussed, so the staff would be able to access information needed to handle hazardous materials, biosafety measures, and laboratory accidents. By emphasizing the importance of laboratory safety and increasing accessibility to safety resources, this facility can minimize the risk of laboratory injuries and fatalities.
Recommended Citation
Mock, Claudine, "Sustainable Waste-to-Bioproducts Engineering Center Laboratory Safety Project" (2024). All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present. 45.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports2023/45
Included in
Biological Engineering Commons, Laboratory and Basic Science Research Commons, Quality Improvement Commons
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