7. Procedures:
Working Alone
7.1. Working alone, especially after hours, should be avoided whenever possible.
7.2. Conduct a Hazard Assessment of the work being performed and the risks and emergency requirements for working alone or after hours.
7.4. Working alone and working after normal building hours requires supervisor/PI approval.
7.5. PI approval for working alone or after hours must consider:
=E2=80=A2 Tasks and hazards involved in the work.
=E2=80=A2 Consequences resulting from a worst=E2=80=90case scenario.
=E2=80=A2 The possibility of an accident or incident that would prevent the laboratory personnel from calling for help.
=E2=80=A2 The laboratory personnel=E2=80™s training and experience.
=E2=80=A2 Time the work is to be conducted (during normal business hours versus at night or on weekends/holidays).See Appendix for Laboratory Specific Working Alone Protocol Approval form.
7.6. Have a cell phone on person with University Policy Department phone number programmed in (631-632-3333). If no cell phone is available or there is no cell service, know where the campus phone is located and have the emergency number posted nearby.
7.7. Each lab must develop a safety protocol for working alone (or use the recommended form in this policy). This protocol must clearly state what hazardous materials (chemical, biological and/or radiological), equipment, and/or procedures must not be performed when working alone. Example requirements are:
The policy in this laboratory is:
The following chemicals will not be used while working alone:
=E2=80=A2 Pyrophoric Chemicals
=E2=80=A2 Water Reactive Chemicals
=E2=80=A2 Potentially Explosive Chemicals or Compounds
=E2=80=A2 Explosive Salts
=E2=80=A2 Acutely Toxic Chemicals or Gases
=E2=80=A2 Peroxide Forming Chemicals
=E2=80=A2 Strong Corrosives
=E2=80=A2 Strong Oxidizing Agents
=E2=80=A2 Strong Reducing Agents
=E2=80=A2 Regulated Carcinogens
The following biological material will not be used while working alone:
=E2=80=A2 Select Agents (ex. Botulinum neurotoxins, Tetrodotoxin, Yersinia pestis)
The following procedures will not be conducted with only one person present:
=E2=80=A2 Procedures involving high-pressure equipment [identify specific equipment]
=E2=80=A2 Transferring large quantities [e.g., 10 liters or more] of hazardous materials
=E2=80=A2 Handling animals that could cause serious injury
=E2=80=A2 Other safety considerations for working alone in the laboratory:
Emergency requirements including, but not limited to:
=E2=80=A2 The person's ability to self-rescue
=E2=80=A2 "Check in" with someone (identify person and confirm they are available before beginning work)
=E2=80=A2 Door has a viewing window or other means of indicating someone is inside
=E2=80=A2 Use SB Guardian
=E2=80=A2 Turns your cell phone into a "personal blue light phone" in your pocket and can function in "Panic Call Mode" or "Precautionary Timer Mode".
=E2=80=A2 A recorded message for those individuals working alone in laboratories should include the following:
=E2=80=A2 Name
=E2=80=A2 Building name/number, floor number, room/lab number
=E2=80=A2 Any highly hazardous processes/chemicals being used
Situations where working alone may occur include:
=E2=80=A2 Periodic attendance to check laboratory equipment/experiments
=E2=80=A2 Cleaning and maintenance activities in laboratories
=E2=80=A2 Working with analytical equipment
=E2=80=A2 Working in storage areas and temperature-controlled rooms
=E2=80=A2 Working in offices, libraries and at computer workstations
