Laboratory Safety

Materials Science & Engineering Dept.Along with

Environmental Health & SafetyUniversity of Tennessee

Contact Information

For Lab Safety Questions: Pam Koontz pjkoontz@utk.edu James Cantu jcantu@utk.edu

For Hazardous Waste Questions: April Case acase3@utk.edu

Environmental Health & Safety

Environmental Health & Safetyehs.utk.edu974-5084 www.facebook.com/utkehs

Robin Lyn TrundyUTK/UTIA Safety Officer974-1938rtrundy@utk.edu

UTK/UTIA Biosafety Office

Amy KnowlesUTIA Occupational Health Nurse974-5728aknowles@utk.edu

Marsha SmithRadiation Safety OfficerPhone: 974-5580E-mail: mmsmith@utk.edu

UTK Radiation Safety Office

MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SAFETY COMMITTEEDr. Kurt Sickafus, ChairDr. Carl LundinDr. Roberto S. BensonMr. Greg Jones

Reporting An Accident

• For Emergency Call 911• Call your Supervisor• Call Safety Coordinator, Greg Jones• If you can not reach your Supervisor or Greg

contact the MSE main office (Carla)• Call Environmental Health & Safety for help with

spill cleanup, or to report unsafe conditions• Help your Supervisor fill out a “Supervisors

Report of Employee Accident form” ASAP!

If Treatment Is Needed

UT Student Health Center1800 Volunteer Blvd.

UT Medical Center1924 Alcoa Highway

Safety depends on choices

Good choices rely on having good information before the choice has to be made.

Safety is a Choice

Training◦ Initial◦ Periodic◦ As-needed

Resources◦ MSDS/SDS, Labels, Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP),

Emergency Response Plan, Faculty Advisor, Person In Charge (PIC), Lab Placards

Ask Questions!

How Do We Get That Information?

What is the nature of my lab?◦ My work space◦ My neighbor’s work space

What hazards are present?◦ Chemical/Physical/Bio/Rad◦ Do you know how to react?◦ Have you practiced?◦ Have you shared your knowledge?

Is there an Emergency Plan, Chemical Hygiene Plan, SDS?

What Questions Should I ask?

Emergency ResponsePlan, Share, Practice

Make a planWrite it downEnsure everyone understandsReview and practice

In Your Research Group

Identify local emergency numbers Locate medical treatment centers and

trauma centers Procedures for dealing with an emergency

◦ Physical injury◦ Chemical exposure◦ Environmental Exposure

Evacuation and Meetinglocation

Emergency Response Plan

Accidents Spills / Splashes / Accidental Releases Near Misses Fire UT Alert System (http://www.utk.edu/utalert/

)

Types of Emergencies

Emergencies – 911

Chemical spill or release – EHS – 4-5084 (do not leave a voicemail message)

After hours spill or release – UTPD – 4-3111

Who You Gonna Call?

Physical HazardsPlan, Share, Practice

Environmental Hazards◦ Work area conditions◦ Hot/cold, humid/dry, improper lighting

Chemically Produced Physical Hazards◦ Explosives & Reactives

Equipment Hazards◦ Mechanical, Electrical, Vacuum, High pressure,

Cut and Abrasion Hazards, Hot and Cold equipment, Open flames, Noise/Sound

What are Physical Hazards

Number one type of accident is still “Slips, Trips, and Falls”◦ Maintain safe pathways and use good

housekeeping◦ Keep cables and cords in safe paths where they

will not be damaged and they will not contribute to trip hazards.

Environmental hazards

Highly Reactive compounds and incompatibles can cause very powerful energy release in the form of intense light, heat or pressure waves.

Chemically Produced Physical Hazards

Use only the scale of reaction required and approved to achieve your goals.

Use proper PPE and Engineering Controls to prevent exposure to a potential explosion

If the agent/reaction has the possibility of a violent reaction believe that it could happen to you.

Chemically Produced Physical Hazards

MechanicalElectricalVacuum/High pressureCut and Abrasion HazardsHot and Cold equipmentOpen flamesNoise/Sound

Equipment Hazards

Know and train on even the most basic equipment.

Equipment with moving parts can entrap extremities, clothing, and long hair. ◦ Use proper clothing and PPE and tie back long

hair. Ensure guards are in place and in good

condition. Never remove safety devices Moving objects can throw objects Use lockout tagout procedures when

repairing

Mechanical Hazards

Ways to avoid common lab electrical hazards are ensuring cables and cords are not damaged by the lab environment. ◦ Avoid heat/flame damage to insulation◦ mechanical trauma such as the damage a cord

may receive behind a heavy object such as a gas cylinder.

Electrical Hazards

Do not daisy chain extension cords or power strips.

Extension cords are designed for temporary use only.

If electrical work is needed in your lab a qualified electrical worker is required to do the work.

Use GFCI outlets when the risk of shock is higher such as at sinks and water sources. ◦ Note: Grounding and GFCI are not the same.

Electrical Hazards cont’d

Never bypass a grounding prong on an electrical plug.

If your outlets are not “holding” or “gripping” the plug, then notify facilities services as the outlet may be damaged and a fire hazard.

If work is required in your lab please ensure you are aware of what a lockout condition is and how it relates to you as a non-electrical worker.

Electrical Hazards cont’d

Chance of Implosion or Explosion Particularly dangerous with Glassware For pressurized equipment and glassware:

◦ Ensure a blast shield or hood sash is in place.◦ If using a face shield eye protection must be worn

as well

Vacuum and High Pressure

Broken Glassware should be replaced. Use proper technique and PPE when

working. Good housekeeping keeps Glassware from:

◦ Accumulating in the dirty bin◦ Accidentally being knocked over

Don’t forget that when you need to move something large or cumbersome around the lab a pair of sturdy work gloves may be in order.

THINK Safety…

Most lab surfaces that are heated look the same hot and cold: “Hot Glass Looks Like Cold Glass”

Remember to allow proper cooling times on heated elements before work or repair

Use caution with heating mantles and hotplates around combustible and flammable materials

Hot and Cold Equipment

Use Cryo gloves and eye protection when working with Liquid Nitrogen or dry ice. ◦ Flash Freezing works well on samples◦ It also can work well on you

Dispense and Transport Liquid Nitrogen only with approved methods.

Hot and Cold Equipment cont’d

Never leave unattended. Keep away from flammable

and combustible materials including volatile flammable gases

Keep hair tied back and loose clothing away

Open Flames

Hearing protection programs can be required under OSHA.

Thresholds are set for an 8-hour work day EHS can survey a work area on request.

Noise and Sound

Chemical HazardsHazard ClassesStorageUse & Handling

◦ Oxidizer◦ Flammable◦ Explosive◦ Acutely Toxic◦ Corrosive◦ Compressed Gases◦ Health Hazard◦ Environmental Toxin◦ Exclamation Mark

Hazard Classes

Lab Door Placard SDS Chemical labels Chemical Hygiene

Plan SOPs Hazardous

Communication (Right-To-Know)

How do you know?

Oxidizers and flammables

Acids and bases Flammables and

corrosives Corrosives and

metals Know what to do

with strong reactions

Incompatible Chemicals

Segregate incompatibles by storing in different cabinets

Use secondary containment when space is at a premium

Segregation and Storage

Do◦ Segregate by hazard

class first◦ Use proper

containers◦ Use secondary

containment◦ Check expiration

dates◦ Inspect shelving and

shelf clips periodically

Don’t◦ Stack chemicals or store

too high◦ Allow containers to

hang over edge◦ Use food containers◦ Allow excessive bench

top and fume hood storage

◦ Keep chemicals indefinitely or past expiration dates

◦ Store flammables in unapproved refrigerators

Some chemicals are unstable when stored past their expiration dates:Ethyl ether (diethyl ether)Sodium AzidePicric Acid

Lab Specific SOPs Chemical Hygiene

Plan Chemical Inventory

Chemical Use and Handling

Routes of exposure◦ Contact◦ Injection◦ Inhalation◦ Ingestion

Know the hazards Use Proper PPE

How to Reduce the Risk of Exposure

Fume Hoods Shields Storage Cabinets Secondary

Containment ex. Spill Trays

Engineering Controls

Use a cart with secondary containment

Move limited quantities

Use caution going through doorways and public areas

Use freight elevator

Transporting Chemicals

Best practice – order from manufacturer

Must be authorized to ship haz mat

Must give minimum of 72 hours notice

Shipping Chemicals

Deface old labels when reusing containers

Label containers clearly (contents, your name, date)

Labeling

Do not eat or drink in the chemical laboratory.

Provide break area outside the lab

Handling Chemicals Safely

Personal Protective Equipment

ClothingEye ProtectionHand Protection

Long pants Long sleeves Closed-toe, non-absorbent shoes Protect your clothing with a lab coat or

apron

Proper Clothing

The type of eye protection required depends on the work being performed.

Wearing the proper eye protection is required by the Laboratory Standard and Personal Protective Equipment Standards.

Eye Protection

It is the responsibility of the employer to determine the presence of hazards, select and purchase the appropriate safety devices, and train the employees.

The employer is not required to provide prescription safety eyewear.

Eye Protection

Immediately begin flushing the eyes with large amounts of tepid water for a minimum of fifteen minutes.

While the eyes are being flushed, medical help should be summoned

What is the first action for chemicals in the eyes?

It’s not measured by distance, but by time

10 seconds For strong

caustics/acids equipment should be immediately adjacent to the work area

Maximum distance from work station to eye wash/safety shower?

Never neutralize chemicals splashed in the eyes – always flush with water only

Never use an emergency eye wash bottle

You must never work alone in the laboratory

Activate every eyewash at least weekly to verify operation and clear liquid flow

Keep areas around eyewashes clear from clutter to provide quick and easy access in the event of an emergency

Additional Eye Safety Precautions

You can eat with false teeth, you can dance with a wooden leg, you can even hear with a hearing aid, but you can’t see with a glass eye.

So Why Protect My Eyes?

Safety Showers

Choose the right gloves for the job

Disposable vs Reusable

Latex vs other glove materials

For non-chemical work

Hand Protection

Follow manufacturer’s recommendations

Not all gloves are the same

There is no one perfect glove for all chemicals

Gloves to protect you vs. gloves to protect your work

Be aware of what you touch with your gloves

Remove gloves before leaving lab

Never reuse disposable gloves

Contamination not always visible

Glove Selection

85 decibels sustained over 8 hr work day

EHS can monitor noise levels

Hearing Protection

If you need to wear a respirator contact EHS at 4-5084

Respiratory Protection

Compressed Gas Cylinders

Gases stored in steel pressure vessels above atmospheric pressure

A standard cylinder may hold about 300 cubit feet of the gas in excess of 2000psi

About Gas Cylinders

What hazards can be present?◦ They can be very heavy◦ High Pressure◦ Can Conduct Electricity◦ Any chemical hazard

Flammable Asphyxiant Oxidizer Toxic

Gas Cylinder Basics

Properties & safe use before using SOPs, CHP, SDS

Never accept unlabeled cylinders

Know the Hazards

Always store with the valve closed and the cap secured.

Secure the upper third of a cylinder with straps or chains to a:◦ Secure bench◦ Wall mount◦ Approved free standing

Stand Always Store upright

Cylinder Storage – Do’s

Always bond and ground cylinders of flammable gases.

Oxidizer (e.g. Oxygen) cylinder storage must be separated from flammable gas storage areas or combustible materials by at least 20 feet or by a non-combustible wall.

Cylinder Storage – Do’s

Slack chains or straps

Excessive storage Protect from high

temperatures Do not store in

escape paths or near fire exits

Cylinder Storage – Don’ts

Compressed gas cylinders must have hydrostatic testing done every 5-10 years, depending on the gas.

Do not keep cylinders around for longer than this time period because it prevents this testing.

Other Considerations

Never roll, drag or slide cylinders, even for short distances. Cylinders should always be moved by using a suitable hand truck with retaining straps or chains

Never drop cylinders or permit them to strike each other.

Moving & Transport

Always use regulators and pressure relief devices when using cylinders.

Only regulators and plumbing approved for the specific gas should be used.

Never use an adapter to make a regulator “work”

Open the cylinder valve before adjusting pressure on regulator.

Safe Handling of Compressed Gas Cylinders

Never permit oil, grease, or other readily combustible substances to come in contact with oxygen cylinders, valves or regulators.

Safe Handling of Compressed Gas Cylinders

Never use oxygen as a substitute for compressed air.

Do not permit cylinders to come in contact with electrical apparatus or circuits.

Safe Handling of Compressed Gas Cylinders

When returning empty cylinders, close the valve before shipment.

Leave some positive pressure in the cylinder.

Replace any protective caps originally shipped with the cylinder.

Mark the cylinder “EMPTY” and segregate from full cylinders.

Safe Handling of Compressed Gas Cylinders

Gas bottle explosion

What a pressurized container can do when the right amount of heat is applied.

Transportation?

Remember, a plan is only a plan if it’s on paper.

And a paper plan is only as good as the practice put into it.

Plan, Share, Practice

How We Inspect / How You Can Help

What’s in it for you?

What we look for?◦ PPE use◦ Chemical Storage◦ Labeling◦ Emergency Equipment◦ Hazardous Waste◦ Door Placards◦ Infrastructure Problems

Inspections

Plan, Share, Practice Be a good example

How Can You Help?

NO LESSON IS SO IMPORTANT AND NO TASK SO URGENT THAT WE CAN NOT TAKE TIME TO TEACH, LEARN, AND PRACTICE SCIENCE SAFELYThe Laboratory Safety Institutewww.labsafety.org

Thank you for your patience and attention, Please let me know if there is anything I can help you with to make MSE a safer place to be!

Questions?