LABORATORY SAFETY A general overview
INTRODUCTION Environmental protection, Occupational Safety and Health are the Responsibility of all staff, students and collaborators working at ETH.
OBJECTIVES General safety specifications and requirements Primary information for various safety issues (Radiation Safety, Dr. Th. Nauser, Biosafety, Prof. D. Neri) Awareness on safety
AUTHORIZATION OF LAB USE Every person in a supervisory position is responsible to his/her line. Compulsory for all staff/students to attend safety briefing or read the Safety Manual before working in ETH Lab. Read and sign the agreement to abide to Rules and Regulations instructions. Orientate on the emergency escape, safety facilities and emergency contact number. Institute Representative from the HCI safety commission help you as a consultant.
EMERGENCY PRODEDURES FIRE & AMBULANCE : 888 intern or 0-118 (fire) or 0-144 (ambulance) 0-145 (Tox center) 7 x 24 HRS FAULT REPORTING CENTRE : 888 intern REMEMBER!! Try to be calm & clear when you speak. State your location clearly
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN AWARENESS of: Emergency Evacuation Procedures Location of the designated Assembly Area (HPM Building) during Evacuation Escape Routes in offices/labs; Fire Fighting Equipment & Fire Alarm
WHEN DO WE EVACUATE? REAL EMERGENCY such as: FIRE (Unexpected or uncontrolled fires) EXPLOSION HAZARDOUS GAS LEAKAGE MAJOR CHEMICAL SPILLAGE BIOLOGICAL THREAT
WHAT DO YOU DO IN CASE OF FIRE? Fire protection training is compulsory for ALL lab staff. For information contact: 044 632 30 30 or immobilien.ethz.ch/sgu
EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES Don t panic stay calm! Stop all activities (shutdown equipment, remove all heating/electrical processes, stop gas supply, etc if safe to do so) Leave the building in orderly manner via the nearest EXIT/ staircases Proceed to designated Assembly Site (HPM Building) DO NOT use lifts. Use staircases. DO NOT re-enter the building unless authorized.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Dress properly - your clothing helps to protect you. No open-toed shoes - No shorts Hair and loose clothing should be secured, to avoid becoming part of the experiment. Always wear safety glasses in the laboratory. Wearing contact lenses in the lab is discouraged. Wear a lab coat IN the lab not outside.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Wear gloves only if unavoidable. Gloves are dangerous (degradation, permeation, exposure..) Remove them when leave the bench to avoid spreading contamination (before handling telephones, pens, etc.) Use the correct gloves for the job.
HOUSEKEEPING Clean up after experiment completed Label all sample bottles and keep in designated location Proper disposal of chemical waste Broken glass to be dispose to Glass waste Hoods are NOT for storage
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Sort out items and discard the unnecessary Arrange a place for everything, everything in its place Cleaning is a duty of everyone in the organisation Continually maintaining your organisation, neatness & cleaning Train self-discipline
COMPRESSED GAS SAFETY Secure Gas Cylinders always Leave valve protection cap in place until cylinder is ready to use Ensure regulator and valve fittings are compatible Transport Gas Cylinder using gas trolley NEVER use oil or grease on the gas regulator
CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS Causes cool burns Wear Cryo-Gloves and Eye Protection Ensure adequate ventilation to avoid suffocation
MECHANICAL / ELECTRICAL SAFETY Potential Hazards: Cuts & Crushed fingers Protection: - Dangerous movable parts must be provided with interlock/safeguard. - Concentrate while working - Regular maintenance NEVER use force, call workshop for help
CHEMICAL SAFETY Chemical Hazards - Health, Fire & Explosion Read MSDS & understand the hazardness before handling
CHEMICAL STORAGE Store by compatibility. Segregate high hazard chemicals Minimize stock, especially solvents Use just-in-time delivery whenever possible
LABELS & SIGNS Every container which is not under your immediate control at all times must be labeled. Use original containers with original labels whenever possible. Minimum information should be: - Identity of Chemical - Signal Word - Owners Name - Date
GENERAL RULES FOR HANDLING CHEMICALS SAFELY First understand hazards and disposal process. A bench is NOT a storage place. Did you REALLY take the proper reagent from the cupboard? Check! Wear proper eye protection. Maintain and use required safety equipment. Food and beverages are forbidden in chemical use areas. Prepare adequate personal decontamination equipment. Develop an attitude of safety awareness. Your neighbor is a safety hazard too.
RULES FOR HANDLING TOXIC CHEMICAL SAFELY First understand hazards and disposal process. A bench is NOT a storage place. Did you REALLY take the proper reagent from the cupboard? Check! Wear proper eye protection. Maintain and use required safety equipment. Food, beverages, and tobacco are forbidden in chemical use areas. Prepare adequate personal decontamination equipment. Develop an attitude of safety awareness. Your neighbor is a safety hazard too. Wash your hands after handling chemicals. Careful handling, clean work. Use proper eye, face, hand, and body protection as needed.
RULES FOR HANDLING FLAMMABLE CHEMICAL SAFELY Minimize quantity of flammable chemicals in work area. Keep away from heat, sparks, and sources of ignition. Keep containers closed. Ground all metal drums and transfer vessels. Maintain adequate ventilation. (hood) Use labeled and proper safety cans and cabinets. Protect solvents with inert gas.
RULES FOR HANDLING CORROSIVE CHEMICALS SAFELY Wear adequate eye and face protection. Maintain and use proper eye, face, hand, and body protection. Prevent exposure to corrosive chemical fumes and vapors. Provide adequate ventilation. (hood) Prepare adequate personal decontamination equipment. Transport corrosive chemicals in secondary containment. Pour chemicals properly.
RULES FOR HANDLING REACTIVE CHEMICALS SAFELY Isolate reactive chemicals from all other materials. Maintain and use proper safety equipment. Do not mix reactives. Provide secondary containment for all containers, piping, and reactive vessels. Avoid contact with combustible materials. Test all peroxide formers for peroxide prior to distillation. Be certain that equipment is compatible with the reactive chemical.
PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT Be aware of possible environmental threats. Recycle all materials acceptable to the company recycle program. Dispose of chemicals and chemical containers in the proper manner. Report spills and releases promptly. Follow all policies with respect to environmental protection. Close all chemical containers securely.