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Physical Biosciences Division                                                                     One Stop

Members of the Physical Biosciences Division should be familiar with the hazards presented by their work; the protections necessary to safeguard themselves, their coworkers and their environment; and the health and safety resources available to them. The Integrated Safety Management Plan (ISM) contains policies and procedures on safe practices, and has been established to assist in ensuring that the Division's ES&H objectives are met. For information on safety training, including web courses, videos and class schedules, see the EH&S training web site.


Learn more about the law here.

Physical Biosciences Integrated Safety Management Plan

Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) Safety Plan:

Advanced Biofuels Process Demonstration Unit (ABPDU) Safety Plan:

Emergency Preparedness Pocket Guide

PBD's EH&S Acronyms

Biosafety
The sites listed here were developed as guides to the Biosafety Management Program at LBNL. EH&S has developed a series of on-line resources to prevent personnel and environmental exposure to potentially hazardous biological materials.

Chemical Hygiene
The Chemical Hygiene Safety Plan was developed as an information management system for researchers, supervisors and employees to provide a process and tools to assess the safety needs and precautions in the planning, initiation, and termination of activities involving chemicals.

Chemical Management System
The Chemical Management System was developed as a hazard management and assessment tool which also satisfies OSHA regulations, and provides for internal management and emergency response.

Computer and Safety Eyewear
Computer and Safety eyeware are provided at no cost to LBNL personnel .  Meet with Prestige Optical opticians and select from various styles to ensure a comfortable and proper fit.  To make an appointment, call:  510-486-6266.

You must bring a current eye glass prescription (written within last two years). If you don't have a current prescription, an exam may be obtained through LBNL Health Services for $40.00.  (Your VSP Vision Care Plan will pay all but a $10 co-payment.) 

Emergency Preparedness
Be prepared at work and at home for emergencies.

Ergonomics
A poorly designed computer workstation can put you at risk for a variety of health problems. The right furniture and equipment in the right arrangement can help prevent injury and discomfort. For help, contact PBD Ergo Advocate: John Scola (486-6331).

Hazardous Material Shipping Process
Transporting hazardous materials by employees in public transportation (such as the shuttle bus) or in private or government vehicles, is not permitted. This is to minimize risk to Lab employees and the public. This also ensures that the federal and state laws regarding packaging, manifesting and placarding hazardous materials are met. Please see the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan webpage for LBNL policy.

Laser Safety
The primary objective of the LBNL laser safety program is to ensure that no laser radiation in excess of the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limit reaches the human eye or skin.

Lessons Learned
The Berkeley Lab Lessons Learned Program is managed by the EH&S Division. It was developed to help the Laboratory community learn from our mistakes (and the mistakes of others) so that we don't repeat them.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
The purpose of the MSDS is to provide vital information on health and physical hazards. The information will help you plan training programs and explain the MSDS to your employees. Some terms on the MSDS are technical; refer to the Glossary of Terms (Appendix Thirteen) for help. How to Read an MSDS (EH&S).

Radiation Safety
The core Radiation Protection Group within the Environment, Health & Safety Division at Berkeley Lab consists of health physicists (HPs), technologists, radiological control technicians (RCTs), and administrative support staff. The program staff implements the following: Radiological Work Authorizations, Radiological Work Permits, Radioactive Material Transportation, Sealed Source Program, NIMMSS Program, Radiation-Producing Machine Program, and Radiation Safety Policy.

For specific questions about safety procedures and policy, contact:

Subcontractor Job Hazards Analysis and Work Authorization (SJHAWA)
All subcontractors, vendors, and guests who plan to work at LBNL are required to understand and meet the EH&S requirements. Below are resources to help clarify the process.

Working Alone Policy
The Physical Biosciences Division follows the Berkeley Lab working alone policy as outlined in PUB-3000, Chapter 5.3 Working Alone.  Working alone restrictions are addressed and implemented through the appropriate formal authorizations (e.g., Activity Hazard Documents). 

This information is also available in the PBD ISM Plan.  Creation and annual renewals trigger the review of the work.  Within the AHD, the working alone information is documented in the Activity Description, under the heading “Working Alone.”  The information identifies the specific task(s) that cannot be performed alone, with any necessary additional instruction.  PBD’s various AHDs have been reviewed with the appropriate SME to determine which applicable authorizations should have additional language specific to working alone in the laboratory. 

Additional Resources

  1. Employee Self Service: to update your home address or enroll in a training class: https://hris.lbl.gov/self_service/login/
  2. RSIGuard software to help you take breaks when using your computer: http://software.lbl.gov/
  3. Website for LBNL's Pub. 3000, "Health and Safety Manual": http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/pub3000/
  4. Website for LBNL's updated EH&S information: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/
  5. MSDSs on the web: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/chsp/html/msds.shtml
  6. Chemical Inventory: https://cms.lbl.gov/jsp/login.jsp
  7. Chemical and other Hazards: https://ehswprod.lbl.gov/hms
  8. Hazardous Waste Pick-up Schedule and Guidelines: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/waste/wm_hazpickup.shtml
  9. Medical Waste Generator Guide: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/waste/wm_pub_3095.shtml
  10. LBNL's updated Chemical Hygiene Plan: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/chsp/index.shtml
  11. Recycling Guide at http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/waste/wmin_recycling_guide.shtml
  12. To enter or change a JHA: https://ehswprod.lbl.gov/ehstraining/jha/login.aspx
  13. LBNL's General Emergency Procedures: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/refs/emergencies.shtml
  14. One Minute for Safety: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/safety_minute/index.shtml
  15. Training Courses online: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/training/courses_online/index.shtml
  16. Ergonomics data base: https://ehswprod.lbl.gov/ergo/login.asp
  17. "Security & You" available at EH&S's webpage: http://www.lbl.gov/ehs/safety_minute/index.shtml
  18. Fire Extinguisher Training available at Potter Street location- Schedule with Andrew Peterson: AFPeterson@lbl.gov
  19. FEMA -- http://www.ready.gov
  20. American Red Cross -- http://www.redcross.org
  21. Collaborating Agencies Responding to DIsasters -- http://cardcanhelp.org