Research Safety Resources

Everyone in the CNR community is expected to treat their colleagues in the workplace respectfully at all times. By the same token, you are also entitled to respectful behavior on the part of your coworkers. “Harassment” in the workplace is often defined in sexual terms. However, harassment in a broader sense can also take the form of teasing, insults and other hostile or harsh speech, crude gestures or otherwise acting toward another person in an extremely objectionable or humiliating manner, even when that behavior lacks a sexual context.

Prohibited harassment includes not only sexual harassment but also harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, or status as a war veteran. The University of Idaho Faculty and Staff Handbook Policy 3220 defines sexual harassment as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual behaviors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.” Such conduct is deemed especially deplorable when it occurs in a relationship where there is a significant power differential, such as harassment of a student by an instructor, “…creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning environment,” or interfering with a student’s education. Under no circumstances should a graduate student engage in behavior that might be construed as harassment, sexual or otherwise.

If you feel you have been harassed or are aware of a possible violation of the University’s harassment policy, you are required to make a report to The Office of Civil Rights and Investigations (OCRI). If a student is involved you are required to make a report to the Office of the Dean of Students.

To report any concerns of public safety and security contact:PSS.

Reports regarding any aspect of student’s wellbeing can also be me via VandalCare.

To report emergencies, please call 911

Available Resources:

OCRI/Title IX Coord	208-885-4285
Dean of Students	208-885-6757
Women’s Center**	208-885-2777
Student Health*	208-885-6693
ASUI Representative	208-885-6583
Safe Walk	208-885-7233 (SAFE)
Counseling Center*	208-885-6716
Gritman Medical Ctr.*	208-882-4511
Ombuds*	208-885-7668
Moscow Police	208-882-2677
Latah County Sheriff	208-882-2216
Legal Aid Clinic*	208-885-6541
ATVP*	208-883-4357

* Confidential Resource: Confidential reporting locations do not disclose the information shared to the university, the police or anyone else without permission or as required by law (e.g., child abuse, imminent threat of harm).

Please note: Gritman Medical Center will contact police and ATVP but it is your decision if you want to speak with an agency representative.

** Semi‐Confidential Resource: Does not disclose information that does not amount to a “Clery Crime” and did not occur on campus. Identifying information and specific disclosure is not reported, only the crime and where it occurred.

Lab safety is a communal affair but depends upon individual attentiveness and behavior. The following are emphasized:

1. You are responsible for knowing what you are doing, and the potential hazards of your laboratory activity. This means being knowledgeable about chemicals and reagents you are using, the instruments you employ and how they are safely utilized. For all chemicals and reagents there are Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available which list known hazards of chemical and biologically active substances and recommended practices for safe use. At CNR General Analytical Lab, SDS sheets are kept in room 218, the blue notebook adjacent to the information board and main desk. It is incumbent upon everyone working in the lab to be informed.
2. You are responsible for keeping the work environment neat, clean, tidy and minimize the risk to other users. You should always assume all items handled in the laboratory have been contaminated with something. Closely inspect equipment you are about to use and always wash hands prior to leaving the laboratory as minimal precaution.
3. You are responsible for the safety of others who may use the laboratory and its equipment. In addition to working in tidy fashion this also means providing information so others can work safely—any solution, container, package, etc., which is going to inhabit a common place accessible to others in the laboratory must be adequately labeled with date received, date opened and to whom it belongs so others will be able to know its contents and how it should be handled. Working safely in the laboratory is no great feat, it is a common sense—if you don’t know whether something is potentially toxic or dangerous, don’t mess with it until you find out. When working with potentially dangerous materials take appropriate precaution—protective clothing, safety goggles, gloves, and advice are all available, and their use is actively encouraged.

Acids and Bases. Segregate acids from bases and other incompatible materials. These need to be stored in designated locations, and kept separated. Acids and bases will react strongly with one another, and the consequences can be dangerous, hence, they need to be stored and used in a manner that prevents their mixing in the event of a spill. Always store large bottles of acids and bases on low shelves or on trays/basins in their designated cabinets marked “Corrosives”. Always use bottle carriers or cart to transport acids and bases bottles. If possible keep acid and base bottles in a plastic or glass basin to contain any drips or leaks.

In case of spill DO NOT USE BASES to NEUTRALIZE ACIDS and vice versa. Contact the laboratory manager if you have any questions about how to clean up a chemical spill.

Flammables. Always store flammables in a flammable room. Keep away from sources of ignition.

Acrylamide/polyacrylamide. Neurotoxins, effects are cumulative. Avoid skin contact, which means wearing gloves and lab coat when working with these substances.

Ethidium bromide. Carcinogen. Avoid skin contact, which means wearing gloves and lab coat when working with ethidium bromide.

There are many unique hazards associated with any waste that originates from a laboratory. Please follow Laboratory waste disposal guideline provided by EHS. Disposal of laboratory wastes is important for the health and safety of everyone in the CNR community and beyond. The following are basic guidelines;

Solid waste. This waste is not regulated for special disposal, therefore can be placed in a standard dumpster for disposal. Most of solid waste is removed from the laboratory by custodian. Examples of solid wastes include;

1. Office waste — paper, plastics, and other non-contaminated trash.
2. Glass waste — non contaminated broken or whole glass, glass or plastic pipettes, pipette tips. Glass waste should be placed in a sturdy, cardboard box with top, lined with a plastic bag. The box should be clearly marked “Broken Glass”. Once the box is full, cover it and secure with tapes to ensure no leakage. Take it to the dumpster.
3. Sharps — all needles, syringes, razor blades and other metal sharps, regardless of whether they are contaminated with biohazardous materials. Sharps waste must be placed in leak proof, clearly labeled containers. Please refer to EHS sharps disposal guideline.

Chemical wastes. Most chemical waste is regulated as hazardous waste. Collect all chemical waste close to the place of waste production using an appropriate container for the type of waste produced. The container must be clearly labeled with chemical name or constituents and percentage of each chemical in the container. The following should be adhered:

1. The waste container should be closed when not in use.
2. Each time when adding waste in a container, make sure you update the label.
3. When ready for waste pickup, submit a chemical waste collection request. In case of problem call safety at 885-5969

Note: If you don’t know/not sure what to do with the wastes you have generated, don’t pour it down the drain! Contact Laboratory Manager or Call EHS.

Biological wastes. To comply with university regulations regarding proper safe disposal of biological wastes;

1. We freeze and retain carcasses and all fish or invertebrate body parts in bags. This waste is collected in the large chest freezer-labelled mort storage at CNR Wet Lab (located in CNR114). Contact Lab manager for properly dispose of this waste.
2. Biological wastes produced in the laboratory that do not need to be destroyed (e.g., incineration) must be disinfected prior to disposal. Please follow these procedures;
3. Collect this waste into biohazard bags that has been placed into biohazardous waste containers.
4. You must autoclave this waste before placing it into regular trash. This waste must have some indication on the bag that it has been autoclaved or sterilized.
5. You are responsible for ensuring no leaking from this waste and it is required to take this waste to the dumpster located outside the building.

Only University of Idaho employees, students or persons authorized by a research/project supervisor, and those whose work requires them to be in the Laboratory (e.g. maintenance and safety personnel, custodians). Non-U of I affiliated individuals need to sign a volunteer form before starting work in the Lab. Visitors may be permitted when accompanied by the laboratory manager/supervisor.

Prior to starting work in any CNR lab:

• Complete the NetLearning Lab safety, Normal Fire Extinguisher Use and Hazard Communication courses - the New GHS Standards at NetLearning@uidaho.edu.
• Contact your department administrative assistant to register and provide evidence of completion.
• Read and understand Laboratory Safety rules. Obtain a copy from Dorah Mtui at CNR 217.
• Tour the lab with the CNR lab manager/supervisor and become familiar with safety practices and procedures, use of personal protective equipment, location of all emergency equipment and how to use them.
• Sign that you have read and understand all rules and regulations, the CNR lab manager will keep a copy and you will receive a copy for your record.
• Obtain a lab key at CNR 201.

CNR General Laboratory Rules:

1. Wear  appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, eyewear and cover arms/legs with a lab coat.
2. No eating, drinking, chewing, or applying cosmetics in the lab.
3. Do not store food or drink in laboratory refrigerators.
4. No open-toe shoes.
5. Always keep emergency equipment, aisles and doors clear and unobstructed.
6. Become familiar with the location and use of emergency equipment and facilities, such as eyewash and safety showers, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire alarm pull stations, emergency exits and chemical spill kit.
7. You should not use chemicals or equipment if you have not been trained to do so.
8. Read and become familiar with the Chemical Hygiene Plan and any Standard Operating Procedures developed specifically for the kind of experiment you are working on.
9. Familiarize yourself with Safety and Data Sheet (SDS) accompanying the chemical you are going to work with. Know where SDS sheets are located.
10. Chemical containers should be closed unless actively in use. Clearly label all chemical containers with date opened, owner name and content.
11. Always follow proper guidelines for laboratory waste management.

• Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research Plan National Science Foundation (NSF) Requirement
• Risk Assessment Guide
• NOLS Wilderness Medicine Courses
• NOLS Wilderness Medicine Course (McCall, ID)
• Wilderness First Responder Courses (Moscow, ID)