Chris Brown/Jason Dzurisin March 7, 2007 Hellmann Lab Safety Chris Brown/Jason Dzurisin March 7, 2007
Roles and Responsibilities Lab Manager’s Responsibilities: Ensure lab members know and follow chemical hygiene rules. Monitor procurement, use and disposal of chemicals used in the lab. Provide Risk Management and Safety with an annual inventory of hazardous materials. Lab Members Responsibilities To plan and conduct all operations in accordance with the chemical hygiene procedures. Develop good personal chemical hygiene habits. Obtain information pertinent to equipment and material safety Use personal protective equipment provided.
Hellmann Lab Chemical Hazards Flammables Ethanol Isopropanol Chloroform Phenol Isoamyl Alcohol Acid/Base Acids 37% Hydrochloric acid Acetic Acid EDTA Bases Sodium hydroxide pellets Potassium hydroxide
Other chemicals Ethidium bromide Water Mutagenic Suspect carcinogen and teratogen Teratogenic = causes possible genetic birth defects Water Poses electrical hazard Poses physical hazard (slipping, etc.)
Safety Considerations Wear gloves at all times when doing bench work Good general practice Prevents absorption of chemicals through skin Prevents contamination of samples Wear lab coat when appropriate Chloroform/Phenol
Safety Considerations Spill Response Stairway A, 1st floor Acid, Base, Solvent kits Procedures: Inform Lab Manager Close off and mark spill area Lab Manager will treat spill Contact Risk Management Fire Extinguisher: In lab, near exit Pull alarm (outside lab) Use extinguisher Only if fire is ‘manageable’ If larger, evacuate the building
Safety Considerations Cuts/Scrapes First Aid kit in lab Next to office Inform Lab Manager Eye contamination Eye wash in lab Tested every month Squeeze handle Keep eyes open Body Contamination Safety showers In bathrooms just outside of lab Pull handle…area will not drain Take off contaminated clothing
GLP Guidelines MSDS Forms Label all handmade solutions with: Contents Initials/Name Date Bare minimum requirements under GLP rules Unknown solutions will have to be discarded MSDS Forms Updated MSDS paper database in file cabinet Better to know what you’re working with than not “Right to know”
GLP Guidelines Keep hood as clean/organized as possible Cluttered hood leads to reduced air flow Uncapped or open chemicals can mix dangerously Use certain chemicals in the hood Chloroform/Phenol mixtures Ethidium Bromide BME: beta-mercaptoethanol
Other considerations Keep gel boxes closed to avoid evaporation of buffer into workspace (health concern) Keep all equipment off if not in use When leaving: Clean and organize workspace Double-check all equipment is off Make sure hood shade is down and light is off Wash hands “Check out” with remaining personnel If last to leave, turn off all lights and ensure door is locked Does the audience have any comments or requests?