Environmental Engineering Lab Safety Fall 2010

Proper Lab Attire  Safety glasses must be worn at all times No contact lenses – can retain and trap chemicals  Gloves – latex or nitrile  Shoes must be closed-toe and enclose the heel – no sandals or clogs  Tie back long hair, no loose fitting clothing

Proper Lab Behavior  No eating or drinking  No smoking or chewing gum  Don’t bring drink or food containers into lab  Keep your workspace and all common areas clean and orderly  Don’t place glassware near edge of lab bench  Don’t let water drip onto power strips  No horse play

Handling Glassware  Glass breakage – most common cause of injury in labs (e.g. when inserting pipette into pipette bulb)  Discard all broken, chipped, starred or badly scratched glassware  Do not attempt to catch glassware if dropped or knocked over  Do not pressurize conventional glassware

Fume Hoods  Serve as a physical and chemical barrier for chemical exposure  Keep head outside of hood  Keep sash closed if not in use  Keep sash opening at a minimum when in use  Keep clutter inside hood to a minimum  Don’t use for chemical storage

Preparation of Solutions  Always add concentrated chemical (e.g. acid or base) to water – NOT water to concentrated chemical

Labels  Clearly identify contents – do not abbreviate  Date  Your name and contact information

Waste Disposal  Do not throw lab wastes into the trash or pour down the drain  Waste must be disposed of in an appropriate container with secondary containment  Waste containers have to be labeled with date and contents  Keep waste segregated by type: organic vs. inorganic, etc.

Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) 1. Identification 2. Composition 3. Physical Data 4. Fire Fighting Measures 5. Hazards Identification 6. Stability & Reactivity 6. Handling & Storage 7. Exposure Controls 8. Spill Control & Clean-up

How do I get an MSDS? o Folder in lab for compounds used in lab o Use EHSC Web Home Page

In Case of Spills or Accidents…  Know location and how to use it First aid kit Safety shower Eyewash station Sand bucket – for non-hazardous liquid spills

Locations of Safety Equipment

In Case of Emergencies…  Know campus emergency number 911  Know exit locations  Know location of fire alarms  Know location of fire extinguisher  Evacuate area when alarm sounds  Know evacuation assembly location In parking lot across the street from the building

Evacuation Plan/Fire Alarms Room 109 Building Exit Building Exit Building Exit Fire Extinguisher Fire Alarm Switch N Figure 2: Floor Plan Mann Hall Basement