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

2. 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

3. 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:

4. 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

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

6. 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 nm
UV-B nm
UV-C nm

7. 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

8. Frostbite from Cryogens
Liquid Nitrogen
77.4 K, oC
Liquid Argon
87.3 K, oC
Dry Ice
194.5 K, 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

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.
fire-burns-researcher.html

13. 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.

14. 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
( )
and EHS
( )
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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. Types of Fire Extinguishers
COMBUSTIBLE
METALS

20. AED: Training offered at GaTech
CPR/AED/First aid 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

21. 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