Particulate Safety
MISSOURI S&T PARTICULATE HAZARD CONTROL PROTOCOL
Table of Contents
Particulate Control Procedures
The Particulate Hazard Control Program was established to document the detailed procedures used for the management of harmful or potentially harmful particulates in Missouri S&T Facilities. This program applies to all areas where hazardous materials are stored and used.
Note that the cleaning procedures do not apply to public areas of Missouri S&T facilities which are maintained by Missouri S&T Custodial Services.
Potentially Harmful Material - Materials containing constituents capable of causing adverse health effects in humans at some exposure level.
Particulate – Dusts, mists and fumes.
High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter - A filter capable of filtering out mono dispersive particles of 0.3 microns or greater diameter from a body of air at 99.97 percent efficiency or greater.
Occupied Space – Areas of the facility typically occupied by facility personnel.
Inaccessible Space - Areas of the facility not typically occupied by personnel. Inaccessible spaces include but are not limited to the following: ceiling plenums, storage closets, mechanical spaces, as well as room areas above 8 feet.
Operator – The personnel having control of operations in the laboratory or work areas.
Environmental Health & Safety Responsibilities
Environmental Health & Safety Responsibilities
Particulate Control Procedures
Maintenance Cleaning Procedures
For their own protection, personnel working in areas where potentially hazardous materials are stored and used need to observe the following precautions:
Maintenance Cleaning Procedures
Cleaning equipment and other items: Items which display visible dust are to be removed from the rooms where hazardous materials are stored and used, they must be wet wiped as follows:
1. Use plain water and cloth or paper towels
2. Spray surface to be cleaned with water to moisten and settle the dust
3. Wipe dust from all surfaces of item
4. Collect used towels for disposal by EHS
Cleaning of work area: Personnel shall clean surface of laboratories and other work areas where hazardous materials are stored and used to minimize the accumulation of dust and dirt.
1. Use HEPA filtered vacuum to remove heavy dust and debris
2. Use plain water and cloth or paper towels
3. Spray surface to be cleaned with water to moisten and settle the dust
4. Wipe dust from all surfaces of item
5. Collect used towels for disposal by EHS
Annual Cleaning of Inaccessible Areas: Personnel shall clean surfaces in inaccessible areas of laboratories and other areas where hazardous materials are stored and used on an annual basis to remove accumulated dust and dirt. Surfaces to be cleaned include tops of shelving, hoods, ductwork, piping, etc.
1. Ladders, scaffolding or other equipment may be required to access areas to be cleaned.
2. HEPA vacuum all surfaces to remove most or all visible dust.
3. Wet wash the surfaces as described for Work Area Cleaning above.
a. A verbal discussion of excursions from policy shall be done as a first step
b. If compliance does not result within three (3) workdays, a verbal warning shall be issued as a second step
c. Written warning shall be issued if corrective measures are not implemented within 14 days of verbal warning
d. If corrective action is not implemented within 14 days of issuance of a written warning, the senior official responsible for laboratory or work area shall be requested to shut down operations pending completion of corrective measures.
Last Revised: May 23, 2008