Environmental Health & Safety from the Director's Desk

fire Safety

Holiday Decorating "Do's and Don'ts"

As the holidays approach, EHS wants to remind the University community of some decorating "do's and don'ts:"

Do's

•  Do use UL-listed decorative lights, decorations, and ornaments.
•  Do use artificial holiday trees that are fire-resistant and place indoor trees away from traffic.
•  Do unplug holiday lights when you leave the office for the day.
•  Do remove all decorations, displays, lights, and/or ornaments after the holiday event or prior to the University's annual holiday closure.

•  Do not block doorways or fire safety equipment!
•  Do not use decorative sprays or hang decorative materials (lights, ornaments, etc.) on any fire protection equipment (fire extinguishers, sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, fire alarm pull boxes, etc.), on or near exits or emergency lights.
•  Do not place decorative materials in any manner that could present a fall or trip hazard, or impede egress.
•  Do not bring or burn candles, incense sticks, and/or other related devices/accessories.

IndustrialHygiene

Scented Products and Indoor Air Comfort

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately noticed a strong fragrance? While some people enjoy scented products, others may find them distracting or uncomfortable. The holiday season enhances this feeling, often bringing with its spirit, festive candles, air fresheners, diffusers, perfumes, cleaning products, and other scented items into homes, offices, and shared spaces. While these products can help create a seasonal atmosphere, strong fragrances may also contribute to indoor air quality complaints for some building occupants.

Fragrances and scented products release airborne chemicals that can be noticeable even at relatively low concentrations. Some individuals may be more sensitive to these odors and experience symptoms such as headaches, coughing, eye or throat irritation, or general discomfort. People with asthma, allergies, migraines, or other respiratory sensitivities may be particularly affected.

Although fragrance-related complaints do not necessarily mean that the air is unsafe or unhealthy, persistent or strong odors can affect comfort for some employees, students, or visitors and may make it difficult for them to remain in a space.

During the holiday season, consider these simple ways to help maintain a comfortable shared environment:

•  Limit the use of strongly scented plug in air fresheners, essential oil diffusers, and aerosol sprays in shared work areas
•  Remember that open flame candles are prohibited on campus due to fire safety requirements. Flameless scented products should also be used thoughtfully
•  Be mindful when using perfumes, colognes, and other personal fragrances around others
•  Avoid using large amounts of scented cleaning products in occupied areas
•  Do not use scented products to mask unusual or persistent building odors. Instead, report the odor so the source can be evaluated
•  Remember that scent preferences and sensitivities vary widely. A fragrance that seems mild to one person may be overwhelming to another

Maintaining good indoor environmental quality is not only about temperature and ventilation, it also includes occupant comfort. Being considerate with scented products can help foster a more pleasant and welcoming environment for everyone on campus.

If you notice a persistent or unusual odor, experience recurring indoor air concerns, or have questions about indoor environmental quality in your workspace, contact Noelia Estevez de Rosario and the Industrial Hygiene team at 305-243-2786 or nxe155@miami.edu  for assistance.

biosafety

Time to Submit Your Biological Registrations

The Biological Registration details your lab's biological research projects and materials. This information allows Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to perform individualized risk assessments and provide specific regulatory guidance for your lab's biohazards.

Please note the following requirements to ensure your lab is fully compliant:

•  Keep it current: Amend your registration whenever research plans evolve or new biological materials are added.
•  Submit the full package: A submission is only complete when both the Biological Registration and the Biological Hygiene Plan are turned in together.

EHS Biosafety is currently striving for 100% university-wide compliance. If you have not already done so, please submit your complete registration package as soon as possible.

How to Navigate to the Biological Registration in SciSure BioRAFT

Link: https://umiami.bioraft.com

Step 1: Click on the “Bio” tab along the top row of modules associated with your laboratory.

Action Required: Restore Missing Biomaterials Data in SciSure BioRAFT

Due to recent system upgrades to SciSure BioRAFT, some or all of your previously submitted biomaterials data may be missing. Please review your biological registration as soon as possible to ensure your entries are complete.

If you are missing data, you can still restore it by completing and submitting the Biomaterials Transfer forms emailed to you earlier this fall.

Important Guidelines:

• Already submitted? If you have already turned in your form, no further action is needed unless you notice your BioRAFT registration is still missing entries.
• Can't find your form? If you are missing data and cannot locate your original file, please contact Biosafety immediately at biosafety@miami.edu 
• Limited Timeline: This data recovery window is temporary. Please submit your materials as soon as possible to prevent permanent data loss.

Step 1: Find your lab biomaterials Excel, download a copy, and open to edit.

Step 2: Lab must complete missing data for (1) new columns in green AND (2) columns with asterisks across each biomaterial sheet (11 total).

Step 3: Save a copy when complete and email new version to IT at: carolina.pelaez@miami.edu.

hazardouswaste

Empty Containers

Disposing of containers that have not been adequately prepared for disposal can lead to service disruptions and compliance issues.

Most empty containers may be disposed of as regular waste, so long as they meet the conditions below:

1.  Ensure that the container is empty by pouring, pumping, or aspirating so that less than 1 inch or 3% by weight of the capacity remains.
2.  Remove or deface the labels with a marker.
3.  Write “empty” on the container.
4.  Remove the caps, leaving the container open.
5.  Place the container in or near the garbage for removal.

Please note that the empty container rule does not apply to any container that previously held an EPA P-Listed (acutely toxic) chemical. To dispose of these containers, please coordinate with EHS to collect the container by submitting a waste disposal request on BioRAFT.

If you have any questions or would like a consultation with the Hazmat team, feel free to reach out to Brian Cumbie.

chemical safety

Chemical safety is a shared responsibility that supports the University of Miami's mission of excellence in research, teaching, and innovation. Every day, faculty, staff, students, and researchers work with chemicals that may present physical, health, or environmental hazards. Maintaining a safe laboratory environment requires more than regulatory compliance; it requires a proactive approach that integrates safety into daily research activities.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) recommends the RAMP framework as a practical method for managing laboratory hazards. RAMP stands for Recognize hazards, Assess risks, Minimize risks, and Prepare for emergencies. This approach helps researchers make informed decisions and reduce the likelihood of accidents before work begins.

Recognize Hazards

The first step is identifying potential hazards associated with chemicals, equipment, and laboratory procedures. Researchers should review chemical labels, Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), and standard operating procedures to understand hazards such as flammability, toxicity, corrosivity, reactivity, and compressed gas risks. Physical hazards, including high temperatures, electrical equipment, and pressurized systems, should also be considered. Recognizing hazards early allows researchers to plan their work safely.

Assess Risks

After hazards are identified, the next step is evaluating the risk. Risk depends on both the severity of a hazard and the likelihood of exposure or an incident occurring. Factors such as chemical quantity, concentration, storage conditions, equipment used, and personnel experience should be considered. Conducting a risk assessment before beginning new experiments helps laboratories identify potential problems and implement appropriate safeguards.

Minimize Risks

Once risks have been assessed, controls should be implemented to reduce them. Effective controls may include using chemical fume hoods, maintaining proper ventilation, segregating incompatible chemicals, following written procedures, completing required safety training, and using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Good housekeeping practices and accurate chemical inventories also contribute to a safer work environment.

Prepare for Emergencies

Even the best-planned experiments can experience unexpected events. Laboratories should be prepared to respond to chemical spills, fires, exposures, equipment failures, and medical emergencies. Personnel should know the locations of emergency eyewashes, safety showers, spill kits, exits, and emergency contact information. Regular training and emergency preparedness exercises help ensure a rapid and effective response when needed.

Building a Strong Safety Culture

Safety is an essential part of successful research. By applying RAMP principles every day, the UM research community can continue advancing discovery while maintaining the highest standards of laboratory safety.

If you have any questions or would like a consultation, please contact Adrian Hernandez Ferrer.

Need more information or have any questions?

Contact the EHS team!