BLOSA Guidance

There have been suggestions that additional guidance regarding the content of certain ESH issues would be useful for beamline personnel who provide BLOSA training for users. The following information is provided for consideration and use as needed.

Fire alarms (ringing bells)

Evacuate by nearest safe exit and meet on grass east of the Main Entrance of Bldg. 725.

During the Modulator fire in January 1999, some personnel did not leave by the nearest safe exit when evacuating the building. As a result, they eventually encountered dense smoke and had considerable difficulty in getting out of the smoke. It is very important to emphasize that personnel should respond immediately to any building fire alarm bells by exiting at the nearest safe exit. During BLOSA training, the users must be shown the two nearest exits.

Site alarms:

Continuous Siren — Assemble inside NSLS front lobby or Seminar Room
Intermittent Siren — Evacuate site immediately (apartment residents go to Berkner Hall)

The site alarms are sirens mounted on the exterior of a number of Lab buildings and relate to events in other portions of the Lab site. In the interior of 725, the site sirens will not be readily heard. In the event that the site sirens sound, public address system announcements will be made by NSLS Operations personnel.

Nearest exits and route identification and walk down

It is very important to show newcomers where the two nearest exits are since they are not always obvious in the complicated floor space of the experimental floor.

Fire Extinguisher & Fire Alarm Pull Station locations

Always make sure that phone calls to x2222 and the NSLS Control Room are made if a fire extinguisher is to be used. Do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher if the fire is threatening in any manner. Also keep in mind that the activating a fire alarm pull station will result in the immediate evacuation of the building.

Eye wash/shower station locations

Chemical splashes may require prompt irrigation of the eyes to prevent harm. If chemicals are in use, make sure that the users know where the location of the nearest eye wash station is. Also make sure that they know to promptly call x2222 and the NSLS Control Room for immediate medical response.

Configuration Control

Beamline staff needs to be very clear when speaking with users about beamline and equipment configuration control, i.e. what the beamline staff is permitting the users to do for that experiment and what is off limits. Configuration changes are possible, but no configuration changes should ever be made without the proper authorizations in place. In certain cases, such as shielding changes, authorization must be given by NSLS safety staff. In other cases, such as optical or computer software or electrical changes, authorization must be given by the beamline staff and may involve NSLS staff, too. Note, this guidance does not mean that it is necessary to teach users the complete configuration of the beamline; it is only necessary to give clear instructions as to what the user is allowed to change and not change.

Chemical use, labeling and storage

Note the importance of labeling all containers of chemicals as to content. Emphasize that chemicals must be kept in secondary trays when in storage, particularly around sinks and drains. Report all spills to the Control Room for help in clean-up. All spills greater than 5 gallons, or any quantity to a drain, must be reported to x2222.

Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA)

Show the location of the SAA to be used in this experiment and reiterate the requirements for placement of wastes in this location. Ensure that at least one person in each experiment generating hazardous or industrial wastes has taken BNL computer-based training for RCRA Wastes (Hazardous Waste Generator, HP-RCRIGEN3 at http://training.bnl.gov/demo/courses/courselist.htm).

Beryllium handling and damage cleanup

Point out locations for beryllium enclosures, heat shields, windows, or any other beryllium containing article. If any beryllium articles break or oxidize, first contact the Operations Coordinators or ESH staff. They will provide cleanup and disposal guidance.

Waste Removal

All chemicals that are considered wastes must be labeled as hazardous or industrial waste, kept in a closed container and identified as to content. All hazardous or industrial wastes must be stored in a NSLS designated Satellite Accumulation Area. One user for each experiment generating hazardous waste must complete the BNL computer based training for RCRA wastes. (Hazardous Waste Generator, HP-RCRIGEN3, located at http://training.bnl.gov/demo/courses/courselist.htm).

90-Day Storage Area

Note the location of the NSLS 90-Day Storage Area. Wastes generated during each experiment must be relocated from the Satellite Accumulation Area (SAA) to the 90 Day area at the end of the run by the RCRA Hazardous Waste \ Generator-trained person for the experiment. Hazardous waste forms must be filled out for waste taken to the 90 Day Area. Waste labels and forms are located inside the 90-Day Area. Bring completed forms to John Aloi (office 1-178) and contact John Aloi (x7018) for any assistance.