This Safety Plan is an integral part of the management and operations of UB’s Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL), applied to all its services.
Since the development of the original “Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) at UB in 1981, safety was and continues through today, at the UB-SEESL equipment site, to be of the highest priority. The combination of large load, high speed testing capabilities, combined with the testing of large specimens to failure, requires special measures and precautions for safety. Through this period, the faculty and staff at UB have acquired over 25 years of experience in the operation of complex and potentially dangerous laboratory equipment and machinery that has translated into a successful record for safety. While the faculty and staff, at the UB-SEESL Site, have extensive experience in laboratory operations and safety practices, they are constantly vigilant and continue to review these practices and modify them, as necessary, to maintain the highest level of laboratory safety. The UB-Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering (CSEE) has a comprehensive safety program in place that encompasses all laboratories within CSEE, including the UB-SEESL facility. This program includes a comprehensive Safety Training Manual that was developed based on applicable OSHA regulations. This safety plan requires safety training of all employees, students, visitors who work or are engaged in activities within any of the laboratories. Moreover, it requires periodic inspection of the laboratories and other spaces, for identification of unsafe conditions and for instituting corrections. This plan covers all the operations of the UB-SEESL facility. The Site Operations Manager (SOM) is the person responsible for implementing the safety plan and for coordinating the training of employees, students and visitors in the UB-SEESL facility.
Employees and students of the University at Buffalo who completed safety training are covered by the university’s global insurance against injuries that may result from work in the UB-SEESL facility. Those from other institutions, companies, and organizations who perform research or industrial work at the UB-SEESL facility, would be covered by insurance provided by their institutions or organizations. UB-SEESL Equipment Site can provide all necessary documentation on safety practices in support to insurance requests.
This document summarizes the safety policies, rules, regulations and practices that have been developed and implemented at the UB-SEESL Site.
Our laboratory is capable of conducting testing of full or large-scale structures using dynamic or static loading. This is enabled by the availability of two shake tables that can easily be relocated in a 125 foot long trench, used in combination with large-scale dynamic and static servocontrolled actuators that have a cumulative capacity to apply forces of up to 7800 tons, a 3,400 square foot strong floor, and a 30x60 foot reaction wall. To achieve the high loading rates required for seismic simulation, the test equipment is supported by a high capacity, high-performance hydraulic supply and distribution system (capable of supplying up to 6000 lpm), and operated by numerous high performance digital control systems. This laboratory is housed in a 13,000 square foot building addition and is serviced by a 40-ton capacity crane.
The two shake tables of the facility are six degrees-of-freedom simulators, which can be rapidly (within 2 days) repositioned, from directly adjacent to one another, or in various positions at 3.05 m c/c, up to 30.5 m apart (center-to-center of the tables). The nominal payload for each of the table is 20 metric-tons, but specimens up to 50 metric-tons can be tested on each table, albeit at reduced levels of shaking (maximum overturning moment capacity is 46 ton-meter). Together the tables can support specimens of up to 100 metric-tons and as long as 36 meters. Table motion excitations can be fully in-phase or totally uncorrelated dynamic excitations.
The platform of each shake table is 3.6 meters x 3.6 meters. The maximum horizontal (2axis) and vertical displacements are ±150 mm, ±150 mm, and ± 75 mm respectively, maximum velocities are 1250 mm/sec, 1250 mm/sec and 500 mm/sec, respectively, and maximum accelerations are ±1.15 g, ±1.15 g and ±1.15 g , respectively, for a 20-ton specimen. The maximum frequency of operation is 50 hertz at the nominal payload, and 100 hertz maximum. The mounting area of the shake table platforms has been increased to 7 meters x 7 meters by the installation of extensions allowing for the testing of larger test specimens with no appreciable change in performance. The extensions can be removed to access the original platforms as required.
The use of modern testing techniques, such as Pseudo-Dynamic and Real-Time Dynamic Hybrid Testing are possible, along with conventional Dynamic, Quasi-static, and Static Force techniques. Real-Time Dynamic Hybrid Testing is a new form of testing being developed at UB in which shake table and/or dynamic force experiments on substructures are combined in real-time with computer simulations of the remainder of the structure. This provides a more complete picture of how earthquakes would affect large structures, including buildings and bridges, without the need to physically test the entire structure.
The SEESL site was developed by a team of faculty, who will continue to operate as a team. The laboratory director providing the overall leadership, for the team, and is closely supported by the deputy director. The CSEE department faculty serve as technical consultants. The laboratory Technical Services Manager is responsible for the oversight and supervision of the major functions and day-to-day operations within the laboratory. A Mechanical Technician serves as the day to day laboratory floor safety officer and is responsible for administering the mandatory safety training course. These and the other technical members of the laboratory full time staff; Electronics/Instrumentation Specialist, three (3) mechanical technicians, a structural test engineer, and an IT Specialist/Instrumentation Technician are all responsible for laboratory safety and work collectively to ensure that safety policies and procedures are enforced. For a full listing of our staff and department faculty participants, please refer to our Staff and Faculty directories.
The infrastructure of the UB-SEESL laboratory was designed incorporating numerous operational systems and equipment that support the overall safety of the staff and facility. These include:
Safety training at the UB-SEESL site is administered both through formal and informal instruction directly relating to laboratory safety and indirectly through instruction in the proper and safe use of facility equipment, tools, machinery and hardware. This training is administered to faculty, staff, students and visiting researchers working in the laboratory and includes:
Safety is a priority in all laboratory operations and functions staring with project proposals, test planning, test specimen design and construction, installation, testing and removal. The entire SEESL team is responsible for safety as are all faculty, staff, students, and visiting researchers working in the laboratory. The following summarizes the safety practices associated with the laboratory operation:
All safety related training materials, practices, policies and procedures, developed at the UB-SEESL site are documented and archived in hard copy and electronic versions for publication, distribution, posting on the SEESL website and posting in the laboratory (as required). This includes:
All long and short-term visitors who will be working in the laboratory or participating in projects involving the laboratory are provided with all safety and related instructional information via our website. It provides links to the:
Copies of these documents, either physical or digital, can be provided upon request.
Large-scale testing of the size and scope possible at the UB-SEESL laboratory is inherently dangerous. Risk will be managed to the degree possible consistent with policies of the University at Buffalo and the State of New York and the operations and maintenance support provided by SEESL and the University. The table below summarizes the UB plan for risk management
The key strategy for risk mitigation is safety training. The UB-SEESL site will train faculty, staff and students to function safely in the laboratory and will enforce all safety rules promulgated by OSHA, the University, and the State of New York. Further, to protect the investment at the University and its personnel, non-UB personnel will be required to obtain insurance as described in the table below.
| Risk | Consequences | Likelihood | Severity | Mitigation/Management Strategy |
| Major damage to equipment during research by UB faculty | Impact on schedule of current and future work | Low | Critical | In-house review by UB faculty of test specimens and testing protocols per current SEESL practice. Repair or replacement of damaged equipment. |
| Major damage to equipment during research by non-UB faculty | Impact on schedule of current and future work | Moderate¹ | Critical | Repair or replacement if damage related to cumulative use of equipment for projects. Insurance coverage in the amount of $2M will be required of non-UB faculty to repair or replace equipment damaged due to negligence or errors. |
| Major damage to equipment during non-research use by UB faculty | Impact on schedule of current and future work | Low | Critical | Repair or replacement of damaged equipment by University if damage attributed to errors/negligence by UB faculty, staff, or |
| Major damage to equipment during non-research use by non-UB faculty | Impact on schedule of current and future work | Moderate | Critical | Insurance coverage in the amount of $2M will be required of non-UB faculty to repair or replace damaged equipment |
| Injury of staff member | Injury to staff member; moderate to major impact on work schedule | Low | Moderate | Mandatory safety training and use of OSHA-approved safety equipment per Section E. |
| Injury of student | Injury to student; major impact on work schedule | Low | Moderate | Mandatory safety training and use of OSHA-approved safety equipment per Section E. |
| Injury of faculty | Injury to faculty member | Low | Moderate | Mandatory safety training and use of OSHA-approved safety equipment per Section E. |
| Injury of 3rd party by staff | Injury to third party member | Low | Moderate | Mandatory safety training and use of OSHA-approved safety equipment per Section E. |
| Legal action against University | Legal action against University due to (a) injury/death of students, faculty, and staff and third parties, (b) changes in work schedule | Moderate | Moderate | All non-UB students, faculty, and staff, and third-parties must be insured to cover personal injury, medical expenses, injuries to others and equipment damage. All non-UB students, faculty, and staff, and third-parties must sign a UB-prepared legal agreement to hold the University and all of its employees harmless for all acts, errors, omissions, and negligence related to (a) construction, installation, and removal of test specimens and all testing and (b) specimen instrumentation and testing. |
| Legal action against ES faculty | Legal action against faculty member due to (a) injury or death of students, faculty, and staff and third parties, (b) changes in work schedule | Moderate | Moderate | All non-UB students, faculty, and staff, and third-parties must be insured to cover personal injury, medical expenses, injuries to others and equipment damage. All non-UB students, faculty, and staff, and third-parties must sign a UB-prepared legal agreement to hold the University and all of its employees harmless for all acts, errors, omissions, and negligence related to (a) construction, installation, and removal of test specimens and all testing and (b) specimen instrumentation and testing. |
| Legal action against ES staff member | Legal action against staff member due to (a) injury/death of students, faculty, and staff and third parties, (b) changes in work schedule | Moderate | Moderate | All non-UB students, faculty, and staff, and third-parties must be insured to cover personal injury, medical expenses, injuries to others and equipment damage. All non-UB students, faculty, and staff, and third-parties must sign a UB-prepared legal agreement to hold the University and all of its employees harmless for all acts, errors, omissions, and negligence related to (a) construction, installation, and removal of test specimens and all testing and (b) specimen instrumentation and testing. |
1. A likelihood of Moderate was assigned to non-UB users of the UB-SEESL equipment to recognize that the experience of such users will vary widely, with the likelihood being low for experienced users and substantially higher for novice users.
The UB-SEESL laboratory is subject to both internal and external safety inspections and audits that are performed on a regular basis. This process starts at the “grass roots” with the SEESL safety committee that was described earlier. This committee scrutinizes the day to day laboratory operations and serves as an action committee to immediately rectify any safety violations or even perceived violations of safety. The department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering also has two representatives that serve as liaison to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) safety representative, the representative from the UB office of Environment Health and Safety (EH&S), OSHA and the EPA. These individuals are:
These individuals have had extensive expertise and working knowledge of OSHA’s and the EPA safety regulations and policies and is the prime author of the CSEE “Safety Training Manual”. Mr. Weinreber has extensive experience in laboratory operations and safety and serves as the departmental representative during safety inspections of UB-SEESL.
The office of Environment Health and Safety (EH&S) performs periodic inspections (at less than six months intervals) followed by detailed requirements for correction of deficiencies and for improvements.
By virtue of having these resident experts, regular communications and liaison with OSHA, EPA and EH&S representatives, and the many years of cumulative experience, represented in the faculty and staff, the practices and policies that have been established and practiced in the laboratory, no or minimal safety deficiencies or violations have been identified as a result of the formal inspections. Any reported deficiencies are corrected immediately.
In addition to the external and internal EH&S safety inspections and audits, internal laboratory and equipment safety and maintenance inspections are performed by the floor safety officer on a monthly basis. These comprehensive inspections include all laboratory equipment and hardware, laboratory space, emergency and first aid equipment and resources, intended to assure maximum safety for personnel and equipment.
The UB-SEESL Access Policies are posted on our website. These access policies provide prospective visiting researchers with all of the information aiding in the development of proposals and, more importantly, to plan and execute their research and test programs at the UB-SEESL Site. This includes:
This “Safety Plan” documents the safety policies and procedures that have been developed, documented and practiced at the UB-SEESL Site. Key to the successful implementation of any safety plan and program rests with the expertise and constant vigilance of all of the faculty and staff of the laboratory. This plan has evolved over an extended period, based on the 25+ years of experience associated with the operation of the original Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Laboratory and the detailed knowledge of the new facility equipment and the inherent risks associated with large-scale structural testing. This safety plan will continue to evolve as we acquire new knowledge, through operational experience, and as we strive to perfect our safety program.
The UB-SEESL Safety Training Manual can be found at this address: http://buffalo.edu/seesl/policies/safety_plan.html.
The UB-SEESL Safety Plan can be found at this address: http://buffalo.edu/seesl/policies/safety_plan.html.
Following self-training using the web distributed documentation, any user of the laboratory should complete and sign a document indicating the completion of the safety training and willing to follow all the safety requirements. Copies of these documents are kept both in physical and digital format.
All personnel, students, faculty and staff working in the laboratory must pass a safety course consisting of three parts:
The following summarizes the laboratory safety rules which must be obeyed at all times:
In case of an accident or injury, immediately notify a member of the permanent staff, call UB Emergency Personnel at 716-645-2222, or use the emergency phone to notify campus emergency response services.
Failure to follow safety roles is grounds for suspension of laboratory privileges and removal from the laboratory.
| Sign text | Locations |
| "AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY" | At all lab entrances, basement entrances, server room, and control room. |
| "HARD HATS REQUIRED" | At all entrances and strategic locations in the laboratory |
| "SAFETY GLASSES AND EAR PROTECTION REQUIRED IN THIS AREA" | Shop and test preparation areas |
| "SAFETY GLASSES REQUIRED IN THIS AREA" | Shop and test preparation areas |
| "SAFETY SHOES REQUIRED IN THIS AREA" | Test floor |
| "USE HAND RAIL" | At all stair landings |
| "EYE WASH" | At eye wash station |
| "FIRST AID KIT" | At first aid kit locations throughout laboratory |
| "EMERGENCY PHONE" | Near testing floor entrance |
| "REPORT ALL INJURIES AT ONCE" | At strategic locations in laboratory |
| "THINK SAFETY WORK SAFELY" | At strategic locations in the laboratory |
| "VISITOR ENTRANCE" | At main door for visitor access |
| "SHIPPING AND RECEIVING PLEASE RING BELL" | At dock-man door entrances |
| "FLASHING AMBER LIGHTS TEST IN PROGRESS KEEP AWAY" | Shake tables and test floor |
| "ALL VISITORS *RING BELL AND WAIT FOR ESCORT *HARD HATS REQUIRED" | At visitor entrance |
| "THINK SAFETY FIRST" | At strategic locations in the laboratory |
| AED | Single location, near Emergency Phone |
Please request for further information.
The UB-SEESL Site Access can be found at this address: http://buffalo.edu/seesl/policies/site_access_policies.html.
The UB-SEESL Safety Plan can be found at this address: http://buffalo.edu/seesl/policies/safety_plan.html.
Name of Facility: University at Buffalo
Person Responding: Scot Weinreber
Telephone Number: (716) 645-2180
Date: May 4, 2009
The purpose of this Hazard Inventory is to help Risk Consultants, Inc. understand the hazards that may exist at your facility. Please answer the following questions YES or NO. If the answer is YES, or you believe further explanation is necessary, please give a brief (one or two sentence) explanation.
| # | Hazard Item | Response |
| 1 | CHEMICALS, INDUSTRIAL – Does your facility store or use hazardous industrial chemicals (i.e. solvents, adhesives, coatings and other chemicals) for which a Material Safety Data Sheet is required? | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. These items include paints, paint solvents, degreasers, etc. and are stored in OSHA approved locked cabinets. |
| 2 | CHEMICALS, LABORATORY – Do you store or use chemicals that would normally be referred to as laboratory chemicals? If so, is a chemical inventory available? (Do not send the inventory at this time.) | No |
| 3 | CONFINED SPACES – Does your staff ever have occasion to enter confined spaces? ["Confined space" means a space that: (1) Is large enough and so configured that an employee can bodily enter and perform assigned work; and (2) Has limited or restricted means for entry or exit (for example, tanks, vessels, silos, storage bins, hoppers, vaults, and pits are spaces that may have limited means of entry.); and (3) Is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.] | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. |
| 4 | DROWNING – Does your facility have water pools or similar structures that might pose a drowning risk to staff? | No |
| 5 | ELEVATED WORK – Do your employees ever work on surfaces more than 4’ above ground/floor level? (Examples: elevated platforms, ladders, fixed or temporary scaffolding, elevated walkways, scissors lifts, etc.) | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website at: http://buffalo.edu/seesl/policies/safety_training_manual.html which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. The site employs two-scissors lifts and an articulated arm boom lift. Personnel working at elevation employ OSHA approved safety harnesses as required. |
| 6 | ENVIRONMENTAL – Does your facility generate hazardous waste (as defined by the US EPA or your state EPA agency)? | No |
| 7 | EXCAVATION – Does the staff at your facility ever work in trenches or excavations 4 feet (1.22 m) or more in depth? | No |
| 8 | EXPLOSIVES – Does your facility store or use commercial explosives or blasting caps? | No |
| 9 | FLAMMABLES STORAGE – Does your facility store or use flammable liquids? | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. All flammables such as: gasoline, solvents, thinners, cleaners, adhesives and paints are stored in compliance with OSHA CFR 1910.106 |
| 10 | FORKLIFTS – Does your facility have forklifts or other powered industrial trucks? (If YES, please specify fuel) | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. A single forklift is used employing propane fuel, see above re-storage. |
| 11 | HEAVY EQUIPMENT – Does your facility own, rent or use mobile heavy equipment (such as dozers, earthmovers, backhoes, scrapers, truck cranes, “cherry pickers”)? | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. |
| 12 | LANGUAGE BARRIER – Does your facility have staff members who are not fluent in English? | No |
| 13 | LIFTING, MANUAL – Does your staff manually move or lift items that weigh in excess of 50#? | No |
| 14 | LIFTING, MECHANICAL – Does your facility have cranes, hoists or other equipment for lifting heavy materials? | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. The site employs a 40-ton overhead crane. Only trained-certified staff use the crane. The crane undergoes routine-regular safety and mechanical inspections under university-manufacturer contract. |
| 15 | MACHINERY GUARDING – Does your facility have machinery or other equipment with moving or rotating parts? | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. Only trained staff utilize lathe, mill, etc… which are located in a protected/fenced area requiring key access by staff. All machinery, including table saws, band saws, etc., are equipped with the required guards and safety attachments per OSHA CFR 29 general requirements 1910.212. Standard safety glasses/face shields, etc… are worn by staff operating these machines. These are inspected monthly by the SEESL safety officer and are subject to the university EH&S inspections as well. |
| 16 | NOISE EXPOSURE – Is any of the staff at your facility exposed to noise in excess of the OSHA-mandated “action level” (8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or higher)? | No |
| 17 | POWER TOOLS, FIXED – Does your facility have or use fixed tools (such as bench or radial arm saws, lathes, milling machines, cut-off saws, power presses, etc.)? | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. These tools are used in compliance with OSHA CFR 29 general requirements 1910.212. These tools are maintained and checked by the professional staff and employ OEM switches and guards as appropriate. They are used only by trained staff and students (table saw, radial arm saw, chop saw.) wearing required safety glasses, clothing, etc. |
| 18 | POWER TOOLS, PORTABLE – Does your facility have or make use of portable power tools (such as circular saws, drills, sanders, right-angle grinders, etc.)? | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. These tools are used in compliance with OSHA CFR 29 general requirements 1910.242 and specifically 1910.243; Sanders, drills, grinders, etc. are maintained by the professional staff and employ OEM switches and guards as appropriate. They are used only by staff and trained students and employ safety glasses etc. |
| 19 | RADIATION – Does your facility make use of X-rays or radioactive materials? | No |
| 20 | REMOTE OPERATIONS – Does your facility have field operations or research activities that are remote from your main facility? | No |
| 21 | RESPIRATORS – Is the staff in your facility exposed to hazardous air-borne materials (chemical vapors, cement dust, asbestos, nuisance dusts, etc)? | NOTE: We do use “concrete mixes” on occasion UB-SEESL monitors ambient particulate concentrations and sizes and employs OSHA approved masks as required. This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. |
| 22 | SCAFFOLDING – Does your facility make use of temporary scaffolding (i.e., built for specific jobs or tasks and then dismantled)? | No |
| 23 | TEMPERATURE STRESS – Is the staff in your facility ever exposed to high temperatures, high humidity, or low temperatures. (i.e. working outdoors or in a building that is not heated or air conditioned.) | No |
| 24 | VEHICLE EXPOSURE – Do any staff members ever drive or ride in facility owned vehicles and/or drive their personal vehicles on facility business? | Yes-Training Courses and local vendor business: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. If Staff required to drive their personal vehicle within the scope, conduct or performance of their job associated with laboratory business and operations, such as acquiring locally available supplies, visiting fabricators to monitor status and progress, etc…they are advised: 1) The university does not provide vehicles with the exception of special cases and they are allowed to use their personal vehicles: 2) Their personal insurance would be primary coverage and the SUNY Research Foundation's insurance would be secondary. The campus is responsible for the deductibles in all instances and it would be at the campuses discretion if they chose to pay the personal auto deductible for the individual. |
| 25 | WELDING – Does the staff at your facility do any welding? (If YES, please specify electric or gas welding) | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. All mechanical staff are fully trained and certified in mig/tig, stainless steel and stick welding. |
| 26 | WELDING, FUEL STORAGE – Does your facility store compressed acetylene and/or oxygen cylinders for welding? i.e. compressed gases. | Yes: This and all of the items noted as yes are addressed in the UB-SEESL Safety Plan directly by reference to Appendix A: The “Comprehensive Safety Training Manual” and also on the UB-SEESL website which is required of all staff, faculty, students and visiting researchers or contractors that work in the laboratory to read and pass a safety exam. Welding gases and propane, stored outdoors in OSHA approved locked cabinets with proper signage. Fuel and oxidizer gases are stored separately. All cylinders are secured with the original caps and valve protectors when not in use. When employed indoors, cylinders are secured per OSHA requirements and chained to welding carts. Welding and all compressed gas cylinders are delivered by the original vendor and picked up by the vendor when empty. The laboratory does not transport these materials. |
The operations and practices of the UB-SEESL site are monitored by a formal “Safety Committee”, chaired by the deputy director of UB-SEESL with committee members including; the laboratory-floor safety officer, the laboratory Technical Services Manager, the department of Civil Engineering’s safety officer, and the UBSEESL Site Operations Manager. All faculty, staff and visiting researchers that work within the laboratory receive a formal training session based on the UB-SEESL Safety Plan and the referenced “Safety Training Manual”. All faculty and staff associated with the laboratory are aware that the facility is subject to regular campus EH&S inspections and the possibility of unannounced OSHA inspections. All laboratory faculty and staff and visiting researchers, who have undergone the training session, are aware that, in the event of an unannounced OSHA inspection, they will bring it to the attention of one of the members of the UB-SEESL safety committee. This member, and/or other members, as available, will openly escort the inspector through the laboratory and provide access to any safety related documentation as requested. NOTE: no visitors unannounced or otherwise are permitted in the laboratory without escort. Signage on all entrances denote authorized personnel only, with no entrance allowed other than by the designated visitor entrance.
This document is available upon request.