“Luck runs out, but safety is good for life” – Author Unknown Safety Minutes “Luck runs out, but safety is good for life” – Author Unknown

Cracked Glass Is Broken Glass Always check glassware before starting your experiment! Place broken items in glass waste – not biohazard or regular trash Remember to wear safety glasses anytime you are around glassware Try wrapping pipe cleaners around ring stands to prevent etching and scratches that can lead to cracked glassware

On Point Needle Safety Aim sharps away from yourself and others Avoid recapping the needle If you must recap it, use the SCOOP method shown below Good resource: University of Minnesota website: http://www.dehs.umn.edu/bio_pracprin_su_ss.htm

What happens to the air in the fume hood? Baffle is not blocked Set up is 6 inches inside hood Sash is down or very low Only essential solvents present

Label Your Experiments: “Reaction Underway” Name; Contact; Hazards

Using the UV Light to Sterilize Cell Culture Hood UV-C is a germicide and virucide Sterilizes cell culture hood by disrupting DNA UVC can burn eyes and exposed skin Do not work under UV light if possible Best Practice: Turn UV light on, leave room and close door for 20 minutes For biological sterility, either UV light OR blower fan should always be ON UV-A 320-400 nm UV-B 280-320 nm UV-C 200-280 nm https://www.ghdonline.org/uploads/UVGI061104meechan.pdf

Oil Bath Safety Label Reaction Temperature Probe Do not set the oil-bath temperature set point above acceptable heating range There are. many silicone oils with wide range of operational heating temperature. Make sure you know the range. Make certain the temperature probe is in the bath before turning on heat. Keep stirring until oil reaches room temperature. Use a lab jack to position the oil bath under the reaction. This allows the hot oil to be removed quickly in case of an emergency. Prevent your reaction mixture from spilling into the oil. If your reaction mixture gets into the oil, immediately replace the oil. Do not let the oil baths overflow by submerging an oversized vessel. When retrieving bottles from the oil bath, make sure there is no more oil dripping. Label Reaction Temperature Probe

Frostbite from Cryogens Liquid Nitrogen 77.4 K, -195.6 oC Liquid Argon 87.3 K, -185.7 oC Dry Ice 194.5 K, -78.5 oC Immediately remove clothing that is not frozen to skin Do not rub frozen body parts to warm them Tissue damage may occur if warmed with dry heat, instead use a warm water bath Keep victim in a warm place until medical professionals can arrive http://www.dehs.umn.edu/PDFs/cryogens_guide.pdf

Oxygen Deficiency from Cryogens Both cold N2 and cold Ar are heavier than air Suffocation may occur if the ventilation is not good TEM/SEM/NMR rooms are well ventilated New experiments with cryogens should be conducted in the hood with a focus on venting

Flash Chromatography – Inhalation HAZARD CONTROL Inhalation of silica dust Handle silica in the hood, and pack column in the hood. Wear a dusk mask/respirator when filling small silica containers from the large drum of silica. Inhalation of solvent vapor, either from unsealed containers (like fractions), solvent leaks for the column, or small spills Perform in fume hood (both the column and measuring of mobile phases). Keep fractions and other open solvent/ eluent containers in hood. Check that adaptors fit and are leak free Only measure the amount of mobile phase needed.

Flash Chromatography – Fire and Pressure HAZARD CONTROL Fire risks from flammable solvents Remove potential ignition sources; Do not run a column and high temperature reaction in your hood at the same time. Cap fractions or evaporate them when finished running the column. Glassware under pressure can fail (crack, rupture, etc.) causing cuts or related physical injuries Inspect glassware prior to use for faults and cracks. Securely clamp column. Only use gentle air pressure. Install a pressure relief valve or use a plastic snap joint as “weak” point in your air tubing.

Incident: Ethanol Fire Burns Researcher A researcher was plating bacteria onto a petri dish using ethanol and a Bunsen burner as part of a standard sterile transfer on a lab bench. Somehow, the jar of ethanol spilled on the lab bench and onto the researcher's bare arms and t-shirt, and caught fire. http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/129-lessons-learned-at-uc-berkeley/289-ethanol- fire-burns-researcher.html

The Basics of Using a Base Bath Keep in secondary containment tray that is not adjacent to acid cleaning baths. Label both the lid and bucket. Rinse glassware to remove residues. Wear arm-length neoprene gloves, safety goggles, a lab coat, and shoes that cover the top of the foot. Add and remove glassware carefully to prevent splashes. When finished, rinse the gloves and water faucet, and replace the lid. Dispose of base bath if it is biphasic or discolored (deep orange). Periodically replace the bucket as it can become weaken by the basic solution.

Who should clean up the spill? “Simple” spill Can be cleaned up promptly by researcher Chemical Hazards Do I know what it is? Quantity Can I handle a spill of this size? Impacts Can this spill be contained? Training and Equipment Can I safely clean up the spill with the available PPE and equipment? Yes No “Complex” spill GET HELP! Call GTPD (404-894-2500) and EHS (404-216-5237) Evacuate if needed. Container label is legible SDS is available Hazards: reactive, flammable, volatile Risks: health, physical property, or environment Training and experience Available PPE Available spill control materials Hazardous vapors/ dust Liquids can encounter ignition sources or incompatible materials Nearby classrooms or offices Available spill control materials to confine and absorb Physical layout of the spill

Compatible Absorbents Chemical Neutralizer, Absorbent, or Spill Containment Acids Sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, or calcium carbonate Acid Chlorides Dry sand or other inert absorbent - DO NOT use water or sodium bicarbonate Alkali Metals (Li, Na, Mg, K) Dry sand or contents from a Class "D" fire extinguisher - DO NOT use water Bases Sodium bisulfate Bromine 5% solution of sodium thiosulfate or other inert material Flammables Activated charcoal, sand or non-combustible absorbent pads Hydrofluoric Acid Neutralize with soda ash or lime (or absorb with special HF spill pillow - standard spill pads will NOT work) Mercury Mercury amalgamate powder, such as Merc-sorb Oil Granular absorbent or oil-specific absorbent pads (oil-specific absorbents will only absorb oil) Oxidizers non-combustible absorbent pads – not paper towels Solvents (organic) Inert absorbent material Thiols/Mercaptans The odor of thiols and mercaptans may be removed with activated charcoal White or Yellow Phosphorus Cover with wet sand or wet absorbent

Stick to This Four Step Spill Procedure Evacuate and Aid Leave spill area and assist others in leaving Remove victims to fresh air; remove contaminated clothing/flush any exposed areas with excess water Confine Without endangering yourself, close doors, isolate the spill area, and prevent entrance Report Call EHS during working hours or 911 after hours State your name, phone, and location; describe the emergency, contents of the spill, injuries, etc. EHS will advise you what to do Secure and Clean Block off entrances, lock doors, put up warning tape/signs on all entrances Follow instructions from EHS on how to clean the spill

Can you PASS Fire Extinguisher Training? Pull the pin Aim at the base Squeeze the handle Sweep from side to side

First Aid Care for Burns For minor burns, soak in cold water (not ice water) until the pain stops (5 min+) If the burn covers a large area of the body, apply cool wet dressings to that area Do not break any blisters Once the pain is subdued, apply antibiotic ointment or first aid gel to the area and bandage Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment. However, if a second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter OR if a minor burn is located on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, treat the burn as a major or severe burn For severe burns seek medical attention immediately and do not attempt to remove charred clothing

Types of Fire Extinguishers COMBUSTIBLE METALS

AED: Training offered at GaTech CPR/AED/First aid training (https://www.ehs.gatech.edu/fire/training) Turn on AED power Follow voice prompts Expose person’s chest Remove jewelry and other metal sources Place sticky pads Press ‘analyze’ button If prompted, push ‘shock’ button Continue CPR if possible

Basic Eyewash Safety Begin washing as quickly as possible The first 10 seconds are critical Call out for help!! Avoid working in lab alone Use hands to hold eyelids open Try to breathe steadily and relax eyelids Rinse for full 15 min Avoid rinsing into the other eye Rinse from inside eye corner to outside Prevention is the first line of eye protection