Materials Science & Engineering Dept. Safety Committee. University of Tennessee Lab Safety Committee. Environmental Health & Safety group.

Laboratory Safety

• Materials Science & Engineering Dept. Safety Committee.

• University of Tennessee Lab Safety Committee.• Environmental Health & Safety group.

Contact Information

Posted on the MSE website under Health & Safety Door Placards

For Lab Safety Questions: Pam Koontz [email protected] James Cantu [email protected]

For Hazardous Waste Questions: April Case [email protected]

Environmental Health & Safety

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

Robin Lyn TrundyUTK/UTIA Safety [email protected]

UTK/UTIA Biosafety Office

Amy KnowlesUTIA Occupational Health [email protected]

Marsha SmithRadiation Safety OfficerPhone: 974-5580E-mail: [email protected]

UTK Radiation Safety Office

MSE Expert Staff:

Frank Holiway, 308 Dougherty, 4-5264 Purchasing Group

Doug Fielden, 106 Dougherty, 4-5297 Facilities Machine Shop

Stephen Stiner, 334 Ferris, 4-6839 Facilities Electronic Shop

MATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

SAFETY COMMITTEEDr. Veerle Keppens, Dept. HeadDr. Carl LundinDr. Roberto S. BensonDr. Malik PatelChris WettelandGreg Jones, Safety Officer

Procedure to Gain Access to a MSE Research Lab:

Undergraduate Students – Lab access is gained through your Professor and TA’s…Unless you are doing research work with a Professor.

Graduate and above:1. Fill out a MSE SAFETY – LAB ACCESS FORM.2. Contact Greg Jones for a Safety Meeting (Bring the

completed Access Form). Research Groups are good.3. Take a copy to Carla in the MSE Office for Key or Card

swipe access.

Procedure For Reporting An Incident

• For Emergency Call 911• Go to Door Placard outside of lab and call ALL

numbers listed:• Call P.I. of the lab. (Primary Investigator Faculty)• Call Safety Coordinators in this order until you talk to

one: Greg Jones (865-368-3259) Dr. Malik Patel (865-296-8085) Dr. Roberto Benson (865-384-3148)

• Call your Supervisor• 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 In Charge (P.I.) Door 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, MSDS in your lab?

What Questions Should I ask?

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

)

Types of Emergencies

Physical HazardsKnow your work environment

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

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 parts can throw objects Use lockout tag-out procedures when

repairing or machine is not safe to operate.

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 such as

with hotplates or ◦ 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.

Electrical Hazards cont’d

KNOW YOUR PRESSURE LIMITS!◦ Working pressure vs. Rupture pressure.◦ Pressure regulator, Pop-off valve, Flow restriction.

Chance of Implosion or Explosion◦ Where do all the parts go?

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.

Good housekeeping keeps your lab both looking better and safer.

PI’s look around your lab and ask…Do we have the PPD we need?Does the lab look clean & safe?

THINK Safety…

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

Chemical HazardsHazard ClassesStorageUse & Handling

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

Hazard Classes

Oxidizers and flammables

Acids and bases Flammables and

corrosives Corrosives and

metals

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

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:

Have these chemicals been stored too long?

Lab Specific SOPs Chemical Hygiene

Plan Chemical Inventory Use chemical

hoods

Chemical Use and Handling

Use a cart with secondary containment

Move limited quantities

Use caution going through doorways and public areas

Use freight elevator

Transporting Chemicals

Label containers clearly

Use full Chemical Name

Your name Contact # Date

Labeling

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

ClothingEye ProtectionHand Protection

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

apron What are you taking home on your shoes?

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

Anticipate the presence of hazards, select and use the appropriate safety devices.

Eye Protection

Immediately begin flushing the eyes with large amounts of 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

Safety Showers

Choose the right gloves for the job

Disposable vs Reusable

Latex vs other glove materials

For non-chemical work

Hand Protection

Compressed Gas Cylinders

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

Slack chains or straps

Excessive storage**

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.

Open the cylinder valve before adjusting pressure on regulator.

Safe Handling of Compressed Gas Cylinders

When returning empty cylinders, close the valve before shipment.

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

How We Inspect / How You Can Help

What’s in it for you?

What they look for?◦ PPE use◦ Chemical Storage◦ Labeling◦ Emergency Equipment◦ Hazardous Waste◦ Door Placards◦ Active PI’s

EHS Inspections

Identify local emergency services◦ Eye Wash, safety shower, fire alarm…

Have procedures for dealing with an emergency◦ Physical injury◦ Chemical exposure◦ Call list

Emergency Response Plan

SERF Upper, 4th Floor exit

SERF Lower, 2nd Floor exit

Tandec and Senter Hall

Evacuation and Meeting Locations

Dougherty Upper, 4th Floor exit – SERF Loading dock.

Dougherty Lower, 1st Floor exit – sidewalk across the street from the MSE Mechanical shop.

Ferris Upper, 4th Floor exit Ferris Lower, 1st & 2nd Floor

Evacuation and Meeting Location

Active Shooter On Campus

1. Evade – escape in the opposite direction. Don’t be in groups.

2. Barricade – lock and block doors with desks or anything.

3. Fight – This should be your last resort.

Short list to remember:

1. Always have a lab partner when doing an experiment.

2. Always have a SOP and follow it.3. Always take time to us proper PPE.4. Always ask questions when you don’t

know.5. Always know what your going to do and

who your going to call BEFORE the accident happens.