Safety
Berkeley Lab Training
All fellows and affiliates working onsite at Berkeley Lab must follow Berkeley Lab safety protocols.
You will be assigned a bundle of Safety Training modules which must be completed prior to performing work in the lab.
General Employee Radiological Training (GERT) is mandatory for all fellows and affiliates and must be completed prior to coming onsite.
Training reminders will be emailed to your @lbl.gov email address. Please check that email regularly and complete your trainings in a timely manner. Incomplete training modules drag down our program's safety metrics.
Links:
For training questions, email CyclotronRoad_Admin@lbl.gov
Work Planning & Control (WPC) Activity
In addition to Berkeley Lab-provided Training, Fellows will build their own project-specific "Activity" that covers the work related to their CRADA.
A template will be provided to build the Activity for their project.
The Activity document will ensure your research safety protocols are in line with Berkeley Lab's organizational safety framework and will provide insight into your work's safety hazards.
Updates to the Activity should be made whenever the scope of your lab work changes. For example, if you introduce a new piece of equipment to the workflow then this document should be updated to include the change.
For work in collaborator labs, speak with your PI about their WPC Activity assignments. You may be added to existing Work Activities for that space or special pieces of equipment.
Links:
For WPC Activity questions, email CyclotronRoad_Admin@lbl.gov
Lab Equipment
All equipment or lab instrumentation that is brought into Berkeley Lab must be NRTL-certified before use.
NRTL stands for Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory and is a program overseen by Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA). Learn more here.
When new equipment is brought into the lab, reach out to us before using it. We will survey your equipment and, if it passes, will provide a green sticker.
Do not plug in the equipment if it does not have a green, round NRTL-certified sticker.
If it does not pass, don't worry! We will escalate evaluation to our Electrical Equipment Safety Inspector for further evaluation.
For work in collaborator labs and if you are planning to use your PI's equipment, make sure they are aware of your plans. You may need to complete additional training to use that equipment.
Depending on the size of your equipment and where you plan to place it in the lab, there may be special seismic bracing and/or facility needs. Reach out to us for guidance during the planning phase to mitigate any impediments or blockers.
Link:
For equipment questions, email CyclotronRoad_Admin@lbl.gov
Chemical Management
Chemicals and hazardous gases must be ordered through a Berkeley Lab procurement system such as eBuy or ePro.
Chemicals must be entered into the Chemical Manage System (CMS) along with their corresponding RFID tag. RFID tags help maintain inventory and are provided by EHS at the Central Chemical Receiving Facility (CCRF) before they are delivered to your lab.
You are responsible for managing your own chemical inventory.
To avoid delays when ordering through eBuy or ePRO, remember to select "YES" from the dropdown menu for each line item that is a hazardous chemical or gas.
Do not bring or have delivered externally-procured chemicals or gases without approval. Berkeley lab has a list of Restricted Chemicals (linked below).
Links:
For Chemical Safety questions, email chemsafety@lbl.gov
Hazardous Waste & SAA
Hazardous Waste is accumulated in the lab in a Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA).
Each fellow will have at least one SAA in their lab. The SAA is a pre-designated area flagged with a yellow placard that has the Fellow's contact information. Waste containers are housed in the SAA.
Waste containers (i.e. trash bag, flam can, etc...) need a red hazardous waste label with the accumulation start date and waste contents fully written out.
Waste should not accumulate for more than 6 months.
When you're ready for your waste to be picked up, submit a Hazardous Waste Requisition via the online portal linked below.
Links:
For hazardous waste questions, email Amy Tanouye, Waste Generator Assistant, patanouye@lbl.gov
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Safety eyewear, close-toed shoes, and long pants are required at all times in the lab. When handling chemicals, wear a lab coat and appropriate gloves.
You are expected to procure PPE consumables with your project funds.
The program can provide lab coats and lab coat cleaning services. They are located in a common area of your building.
PPE is not a substitute for appropriate engineering controls.
The Environment, Health and Safety Division (EH&S) can advise on the type of protective equipment required for a task, but it is the Project Lead's responsibility to obtain this equipment for their team and ensure that it is used correctly.
PPE is further addressed in Chapter 19 of Pub 3000, Berkeley Lab's Health and Safety Manual. Electrical PPE must comply with the requirements of NFPA 70E; in addition to electrical safety addressed in Chapter 8.
For PPE questions, email CyclotronRoad_Admin@lbl.gov
Quarterly Safety Walkthroughs
Safety Inspections of lab areas are conducted quarterly. Your lab area will be audited against Berkeley Lab policies and your project's active WPC Activity.
You will receive an email and calendar invite from CyRd Program's Safety Lead to reserve the date and time for your lab's inspection.
Plan to complete the Safety Checklist prior to the inspection and have it available to review during the walkthrough.
Links:
For walkthrough questions, email CyclotronRoad_Admin@lbl.gov
Safety Contacts
Katy Rose de Leon, Cyclotron Road Lab Ops & Safety Lead: Kdeleon2@lbl.gov, 916-995-6153
EHS Chemical Safety Team: chemsafety@lbl.gov
Amy Tanouye, Waste Generator Assistant: patanouye@lbl.gov, 510-610-0856
Ohmar Sowle, Electrical Equipment Safety Inspector: OASowle@lbl.gov, 510-220-2934
Noah Schwartz, Safety Coordinator for Lab Directorate: nischwartz@lbl.gov, 510-847-4395
LBL Health Services Department: Building 26, 510-486-6266
If something poses an immediate threat to life and safety, call 911.
To report an incident, call Berkeley Lab's Site Security at 510-486-6999, which is open 24 hours.