Safety Posters

• Biohazard bag not overfilled (<3/4 full)
• Seal Loosely
• Proper placement of indicator tape
• Secondary containment
• Bag is upright

Text:  Exposures and spills of materials containing biohazards, including recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, must be reported to EHS.

Reporting incidents to EHS within 24 hours. biosafety@unl.edu or 402.472.4925

• Animal Bite - Transgenic or pathogen-infected
• Needle Stick - Biohazard contaminated
• Biohazard Spill - R/SNA or human pathogen

Text:  What's in your freezer?

• Clean out your freezer while updating your inventory
• Contact EHS at (402) 472-4925 for assistance with disposal of unwanted or abandoned biological materials

IN

• Bag loosely closed
• Autoclave tape used in "X" pattern
• Place in tub
• Use Proper autoclave cycle

OUT

• Carefully remove from autoclave with heat resistant gloves
• Look for color change on autoclave tape
• Allow to cool
• Clean up any spills

DONE

• Place autoclaved bag in BLACK trash bag*
• Dispose in dumpster

*Black trash bags are provided by user

Text:  IF IT GLOWS, WE SHOULD KNOW...

Any work with GFP or other fluorescent molecules introduced into microorganisms needs to be registered with the biosafety committee

• You Cannot See Germs/Other Contamination
• Avoid Cell Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices in the Laboratory
• Remove Gloves, Wash Hands, Then Use Device

Text:  EXCELLENCE HAPPENS SAFELY

• Know the hazards of your work
• Plan to mitigate the risks
• Wear appropriate lab attire
• Observe good housekeeping
• Promote safe behaviors in others

• Keep benches free of clutter and hazardous residues.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Pick up lab debris and trash on the floor.* Maintain safe exit routs.
• Keep emergency eyewashes and showers accessible.
• Keep biohazard and RAM waste separate from regular trash.

* Custodial Services DOES NOT clean up unidentified spills in labs and WILL NOT sweep up lab debris (e.g., pipette tips, paper, tubes, etc.) on the floor.  

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP YOUR LAB CLEAN AND SAFE!

• 11 steps - Steps 2-7 should take at least 20 seconds
• Clean hands keep you healthy

Text:  Be considerate of others

Never wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in public spaces (hallways, restrooms, offices, etc.)

• "Beak Method" - 6 steps
• Always wash your hands during glove removal

• Safety needles
• Needle recapping device
• One-handed recapping technique

Text:  SAFER SCIENCE TODAY BEGINS WITH YOU

• Restrain long hair
• ANSI Z87 approved eye protection
• Flame-resistant (FR) lab coat
• ANSI approved hand protection
• Long pants
• Fully enclosed shoes

Text:  WORKING ALONE? NEVER A GOOD IDEA...

• Do you have permission to be alone in the lab?
• Does someone know where you are & when you will return?
• How would you handle an emergency?
• Please avoid working alone with dangerous chemicals, equipment, processes or energies--especially at night, when tired or under stress.

• Wipe your shoes on mats
• Watch for melted snow and ice
• Remove traction cleats when entering a building

• Maintain three points of contact when stepping out of higher vehicles (trucks, SUVs, etc.)
• Use the vehicle for support
• Do not grab objects as you are exiting - Exit vehicle then retrieve items

• Wear proper footwear
• Maintain your center of balance
• Take steps slowly
• Use hand rails
• Avoid talking on cell phones

• ACCLIMATE. Increase exposure and workload gradually.
• APPROPRIATE CLOTHING.  Light, loose clothing.
• HYDRATION.  Drink 6-8 ounces water before working in heat and 8 ounces every 20 minutes.  
• ADEQUATE REST PERIODS.  Work at a steady pace.  Take breaks in a cooler or shady area if possible.  
• JOB ROTATION.  When possible, rotate tasks between two or more employees.
• EDUCATION.  Know how heat stress manifests and proper actions to take for each.

Water is Essential!