General lab safety

• Minors in Laboratories and Other Hazardous Work Areas
  • Minors in Laboratories Parental Consent Form
• Biosafety governing documents
• Chemical safety governing documents (coming soon)
• Radiation safety governing documents 
• Laboratory safety training standard 

Refer to the Occupational Health and safety program for more information

Refer to the chemical safety program for information on lab signage (WHIPs - workplace hazard information placards)

Workers required to wear a respirator for assigned duties must fill out a Respirator User Screening Form (PDF) and submit it for approval by a Health Care Specialist. The screening form will provide information regarding the conditions in which the respirator will be used and vital information which may reveal medical conditions or user accountability. 

Please send completed forms to: 

Environmental Health and Safety, 191 Extended Education Complex – Attention:
Occupational Health Coordinator – Respirator Screening
If you have any questions about the screening form, please contact Occupational Health and Safety at: ohreport@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-6438

Environmental Health and Safety will schedule a fit test appointment once the Respirator User Screening form has been reviewed and approved. Please review Respirator Fit Testing Information prior to your fit test appointment to ensure you are prepared. 

To schedule a fit testing/training session, please contact Fred Reyes at frederick.reyes@umanitoba.ca or 204-474-7970

Respirator fit testing

Respirator fit testing should occur once every two years due to:

• Changes in facial or dental features
• Weight gain or loss
• User discomfort
• Changes in working conditions that may affect respirator usage

One the day of the fit testing appointment, individuals should:

• Be clean shaven (if applicable)
• Refrain from smoking at least 30-minutes prior to the appointment
• Refrain from chewing gum during the appointment 

There are two types of fit tests recognized in the CSA Standard z94.4-11-Selection, Use and Care of Respirators:

• Quantitative fit testing
• Qualitative fit testing 

During quantitative fit testing, the user will wear a respirator connected to a computer program through tubing. The program will take two readings during the fit test: one from inside the user’s respirator face piece and the other from the ambient air. These readings will be measured against each other to determine if the respirator is the right fit. While wearing the respirator, the user will perform several exercises to mimic working conditions to determine if the fit and size of the mask is appropriate.

A particulate generator may be used to create an ambient concentration of particulates. The user will wear a respirator fitted with a P100 High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cartridge.

During each exercise, the operator will monitor for particulate breakthrough on a computer program. If there is a substantial breakthrough, the respirator will be examined to see if it is the proper fit. If there is a problem with the fit, another size may be selected.

In order to pass each of the exercises, the fit factor must be greater than the pre-determined pass level. For half-face air purifying respirators, the fit factor/pass level is set at 100.

Once fit testing is complete, test results and a report indicating the type of respirator fitted will be printed out and provided to the user. The user will forward the fit test report to their supervisor or manager to be kept as a training record. A copy of the fit test report will also be kept with Environmental Health and Safety.

Since quantitative fit testing cannot be conducted in the field, qualitative fit testing will have to be self-administered to ensure the respirator is properly worn.

Prior to wearing the respirator, the user will be exposed to a distinct scent. The user will then put on the respirator (fitted with the appropriate cartridges designed to filter the scent) and perform physical movement exercises. During these exercises, the user is asked whether they can detect the scent. If the user does not detect the scent, the respirator is considered appropriate and the fit test is passed. If the user detects the scent, adjustments may be made or another size selected.

Prior to commencing the desired fit test, the individual will have to perform both negative and positive pressure tests. Performing both of these tests will determine if the respirator has a proper seal.

Negative pressure test:
The individual will place the palms of their hands over the respirator inlet openings or cartridge. A proper seal will indicate when the individual inhales and a slight collapse of the face piece occurs.

Positive pressure test:
The individual will place the palm of their hand over the exhalation outlet and then exhale. If the respirator has a proper seal, the forced air is unable to escape from the bottom or sides of the face piece.

Passing both tests indicates the respirator is worn correctly and the individual can wear the respirator for the fit test.

Half-face respirators should be stored in a sealed contained away from any source or contamination. Filters should be taped and covered when not in use. 

Respirators should be cleaned after each use with non-alcohol wipes. If wipes aren’t available, soap and water can also be used. 

Fume hoods are intended to control ones exposure to chemical hazards, and should be used for all chemical processes. When used properly, chemicals vapours and gases are contained in the fumehood and vented outside of the occupied space. They can also be used to protect users from chemical splashes and spills.

Fume hoods should not be used for the storage of chemical materials, glassware, and other instruments to ensure optimal air flow.

Please refer to the Fume Hood User Standards and Guidelines on how to properly operate your fume hood.

If you require your fumehood to be serviced, please see the Fumehood Repair and Servicing Form.

The first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure to a hazardous substance are critical. Delaying treatment, even for a few seconds, may cause serious injury. Emergency Shower/Eyewash stations should be no more than 10 seconds away or 15-30 meters (50 to 100 feet) on an unobstructed path.

Flush for at least 15 minutes! Water does not neutralize the contaminant; it only dilutes and washes away. If irritation persists, repeat flushing.

Eyewash Stations

The eyewash station should deliver fluid to both eyes simultaneously and the volume should not be at a velocity, which may injure the eyes. The user should be able to keep their eyes open and the eyewash remains operational without a hand on the lever. You may find though that you have to hold your eyelids open with your fingers to allow proper flushing. The wearing of contact lenses can be dangerous because chemicals can become trapped under a lens (how much time does it take to remove a contact lens?) Seek medical attention immediately.

Emergency Showers

The shower should deliver a pattern of water that will come into contact with the entire body. The shower should remain operational without the user’s hand on the lever. Equipment and clothing should be removed under the shower once it has been activated. If necessary, a fellow employee may help remove contaminated clothing. Modesty has no place in emergency situations! However, a fellow employee may also assist by using an article as a shield to provide privacy. Safety showers should not however be used to flush eyes due to the high pressure of the water flow. Seek medical attention.

Maintenance and Testing

Caretaking staff are instructed to inspect and flush eyewashes in public areas weekly. Eyewash stations situated in a lab are to be inspected and flushed by lab personnel weekly. To inspect your eyewash station, run for at least three minutes. Please see eyewash station checklist on next page. Physical Plant inspects all Emergency showers annually. NOTE: Non-plumbed self-contained eyewash stations that are serviced by an external contractor do not require weekly testing. Contact Physical Plant 204-474-6281 immediately if these need maintenance or flushing solution refill.

• Emergency Shower and Eyewash Inspection Checklist

Normally flammable materials in the laboratories do not require refrigeration.  In situations when flammable materials must be refrigerated, they should be stored in either (a) Explosion-Proof or (b) Laboratory-Safe (Flammable Material Storage) Refrigerators/Freezers.

The explosion-proof unit is designed to be operated in a hazardous atmosphere and all sources of ignition, both internal and external, are eliminated.  The compressor, relays, thermostat and other electrical connections and devices are sealed; the power is supplied to the unit in a sealed metal conduit that is gas tight, and the power connection is hard-wired and sealed.  These units are designed for use in rooms where the atmosphere could have a build-up of explosive gases/vapours.  This degree of protection is not necessary for most academic laboratories.

The Laboratory- Safe (Flammable Material Storage) refrigerator differs from the Explosion-Proof type in that it does not have necessary modifications to operate in a potentially explosive atmosphere but all ignition sources (e.g., light, door switch, thermostat etc.) have been removed from the chamber.  Like the Explosion-Proof type, these units have a magnetic door catch instead of a mechanical latch to eliminate a source of spark.  These units are connected to a power source in the normal way and have the compressor and its circuits and controls at the top of the unit.   This type of unit is considerably cheaper than the Explosion-Proof type.

Refer to the biosafety program's webpage and manual for more information on biological safety cabinets

For information on radiation devices, dosimetry, survey meters/contamination monitoring or X-ray/laser devices, refer to the radiation safety program for more information.