Food and Drink Restrictions in Technical Areas

Title:	Food and Drink Restrictions in Technical Areas
Publication date:	1/6/2022
Effective date:	8/29/2013

BRIEF

Policy Summary

Berkeley Lab restricts the consumption and storage of food and drink in technical areas to minimize potential exposure to harmful substances, such as chemicals, biological materials, metal shavings, and other unsanitary materials.

Who Should Read This Policy

Berkeley Lab employees, casual and participating visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors who perform work in technical areas

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

Contact Information

Laboratory Safety SME
EHS Division

Title:	Food and Drink Restrictions in Technical Areas
Publication date:	1/6/2022
Effective date:	8/29/2013

POLICY

A. Purpose

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) restricts the consumption and storage of food and drink in technical areas based on the type of technical area and/or the work performed in the technical area. Consumption and storage of food and drink is prohibited in technical areas where potentially harmful substances are used, such as in chemical laboratories; biological laboratories; radiation work areas; and machine, welding, and craft shops. Other technical areas need to be evaluated by the area safety lead and/or the Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Division to determine if, where, and when consumption and storage of food and drink will be permitted.

B. Persons Affected

Berkeley Lab employees, casual and participating visitors, affiliates, and subcontractors who perform work in technical areas

C. Exceptions

Non-technical areas, such as administrative offices, meeting rooms, break rooms, and kitchens

D. Policy Statement

Berkeley Lab restricts the consumption and storage of food and drink in technical areas to minimize potential exposure to harmful substances, such as chemicals, biological materials, metal shavings, and other unsanitary materials. This policy:

Prohibits the consumption and storage of food and drink in the following locations:
1. Chemical laboratories
2. Biosafety areas, such as biosafety level 1 or 2 laboratories
3. Radiation areas
4. Machine, welding, and craft shops
Restricts the storage and consumption of food and drink in other technical areas by requiring the area safety lead and/or EH&S to evaluate the area to determine which portion(s) may be identified and demarcated as permissible for the storage or consumption of food or drink.

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, supervisors, and employees have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

Role	Responsibility
Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Division	Administers the Food and Drink Restrictions in Technical Areas policy. Provides assistance in reviewing area food and drink requirements
Line management	Assigns the area safety lead Ensures workers comply with area food and drink requirements
Berkeley Lab Employees and affiliates	Follow all area food and drink requirements
Subcontractors	Follow all area food and drink requirements

F. Definitions/Acronyms

Term	Definition
Technical areas	Laboratories where chemicals or biological materials are stored or handled Shops or other process areas where potential eye, face, skin, hand, foot, head, hearing, or respiratory hazards exist
Chemical laboratories	Laboratories where chemicals are handled
Biosafety areas	Areas that are (a) biosafety containment areas or (b) other areas where there is potential exposure to biological materials that may be detrimental to human health (e.g., infectious or blood-borne pathogen materials). Biosafety containment areas include laboratory (e.g., Biosafety Level 1 and Biosafety Level 2), large-scale, plant, and animal containment areas. Areas with potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogen materials include, for example, some health care facility rooms.
Radiation areas	Any accessible area in which radiation levels could result in an individual receiving a deep dose equivalent in excess of 0.005 rem (0.05 millisievert) in one hour, 30 cm from the radiation source or from any surface that the radiation penetrates
Machine Shop	Workshop where materials are cut and shaped (machined)
Welding Shop	Workshops where materials are joined together by heating the surfaces to the point of melting and uniting them (welded)
Craft Shop	Workshop where Facilities maintenance and construction craft/ trades personnel perform work. Examples include but are not limited to the Plumbing Shop, the Electrical Shop, the Carpentry Shop, and the Lockshop.

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

Indicate on the door sign any conditions and locations for which food or drink consumption is permitted in the technical area.

H. Implementing Documents

Document number	Title	Type
07.07.024.001	Personal Protective Equipment	Program
N/A	EHS Procedure 705, Radiological Work Permit Program	Procedure
07.07.021.001	Machine Safeguarding—Shop and Machine Safety	Program
07.07.004.001	Biosafety	Program
07.07.005.001	Chemical Safety Hazards and Controls	Program

I. Contact Information