UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR STEPAN HALL OF CHEMISTRY & BIOCHEMISTRY AND NIEUWLAND SCIENCE HALL Spring 2013 To all laboratory workers: Dangerous situations in the practice of experimental chemistry and biochemistry cannot be entirely avoided on account of the very nature of these research disciplines. However, reasonable and sensible precautions will minimize injury and property damage. Many laboratory accidents can be attributed to carelessness and a lack of familiarity with accepted safety practices. Fostering a culture of safety is an integral part of the Department s mission and is the responsibility of all Departmental citizens. It is simply not possible to anticipate every possible hazardous situation to which you may be exposed at one time or another. Hence, these Departmental Safety Rules and Regulations are not complete. You are required to read and understand all the available safety procedures and policies that apply to the laboratories in which you will be working. These are available through the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Safety web site (http://chemistry.nd.edu/safety/) or from the Risk Management and Safety (RM&S) Department website (http://riskmanagement.nd.edu/) and include where applicable: (a) The Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) (b) The Biosafety Lab Manual (c) The Laser Safety Manual (d) The Radiation Safety Manual (e) The Blood Borne Pathogens Control Plan (f) The Personal Protective Equipment Manual We call your attention here only to the more dangerous and commonplace laboratory situations. Where no stated rule is applicable use common sense. And, of course, always consult your supervisor before you undertake experiments new to you; inquire about the possibility of hazards; ask for advice concerning safety devices and procedures. Additional safety information may be obtained from RM&S (http:/riskmanagement.nd.edu/, 1-5037.) The responsibility for one s personal safety must ultimately rest with the laboratory worker, not with any faculty member, nor any committee. Chemical and biochemical research involving the new and the unknown can carry the possibility of unexpected and dangerous outcomes. It is obviously prudent to perform new experiments on the smallest possible scale (perhaps several times) to observe beforehand unexpected or dangerous features. Casual regard for routine procedures can also result in damage and injury. Never underestimate risks, even in routine and familiar situations. No reaction or procedure is so critical that one cannot take the time to perform it safely. 1
GENERAL a) All new Department personnel are to attend a General Lab Safety training session or a Biosafety training session administered by RM&S before beginning any laboratory work. Biosafety training (which includes General Lab Safety) is required for personnel who will be working in Biosafety Level 1 or 2 laboratories. It is the responsibility of the worker to register for this training at the RM&S website. b) After attending the initial General Lab Safety training session, it is the responsibility of the worker to complete online lab safety refresher training on an annual basis. All personnel working in a Biosafety Level 1 or 2 lab must also complete annual biosafety refresher training. c) All workers must consult with their faculty supervisor regarding the specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policy of the laboratory. d) Any unpaid individual in the lab (e.g., someone volunteering or observing ) must submit a signed Research Waiver, Release and Indemnification Agreement. If unpaid coworker is a minor ( 17 years old), they must submit a Research Minor Waiver, Release and Indemnification Agreement signed by a parent or guardian. e) Students may not commence a program of laboratory work or engage in, assist, or cooperate with others in any laboratory activities of any kind without the knowledge and consent of the faculty in charge. f) Laboratory work involving potentially hazardous procedures cannot be carried out unless responsible assistance is immediately available nearby in the event of an accident. g) For all major or minor injury/illness or any near misses, the procedures below are to be followed: 2
h) All fires, explosions, spillage of dangerous chemicals, release of toxic fumes, etc., must be reported promptly to the faculty member in charge and to all other persons who might be affected by such occurrence. Used fire extinguishers must be reported to the ND Fire Department at 1-6200 (631-6200) after each use. i) Workers must know how to access the laboratory s Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) in either electronic or hard copy formats. j) Each worker must know the location of fire extinguishers, safety showers, eye-wash stations, and first aid kits nearest to the areas in which they work. k) All laboratories must have contact information posted externally and visibly. l) All water, gas, air, electrical and other such service connections must be shut off or properly disconnected overnight unless written notice of the service so used is posted outside of the laboratory entrance. m) All chemical reactions are to be carried out in a fume hood or appropriate apparatus. Hood sashes should be opened only to the minimum extent necessary when work is being conducted in them. n) Avoid working alone in a building; do not work alone in a laboratory if the procedures being conducted are hazardous. o) Minors are prohibited from working alone in any Notre Dame laboratory and must be attended by a senior coworker. p) Reactions in progress that are in any way chemically or mechanically hazardous may not be left unattended. q) Well-documented, small-scale reactions may be left unattended; written notice of such reactions must be posted outside of the laboratory entrance. r) Hose connections from water-cooled condensers to drains must be tightly secured (wired or clamped) to the condenser to prevent accidental detachment if left unattended. s) Broken glass must be promptly collected and placed in appropriate cardboard containers for disposal. Likewise, sharps must also be disposed of in appropriate containers. Both container types are available from the VWR stockroom in Jordan Hall (1-9968). t) Paper, broken glass, stoppers, rubber tubing, etc., are to be kept out of sinks at all times to minimize the possibility of clogged drains. Such items are to be kept away from areas where they might fall into sinks or drains. u) Practical jokes, horseplay, excessive noise (as from radios), etc., are forbidden. v) Common sense should be exercised when listening to ipods/mp3 players with earpieces or headphones. These devices should not be used when one is alone in the lab as it might 3
compromise the wearer s ability to hear fire alarms or alarms associated with hoods and other equipment. w) Gloves worn in the laboratory must be removed before leaving the laboratory. x) Eating, drinking, chewing gum and cosmetic application are not permitted in any laboratory. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in Stepan Hall of Chemistry and Biochemistry (SCH), Nieuwland Science Hall (NSH), Jordan Science Hall (JSH), Raclin-Carmichael Hall (RCH), or Harper Hall. y) Laboratories should be locked if unoccupied. z) Hood sashes must be closed when hoods are not in use. aa) Please be aware of the following evacuation and shelter areas*: Nieuwland evacuation assembly area: LaFortune basement or War Memorial Fountain Nieuwland severe weather assembly area: 124 NSH and hallway outside Stepan evacuation assembly area: Stepan severe weather assembly area: O Shaughnessy Hall or War Memorial Fountain 1 st -floor east-west hallway (outside 146 SCH) * See Nieuwland and Stepan evacuation schematics in the Appendix. PERSONAL PROTECTION a) Safety glasses, suitable goggles, or face shields must be worn in all areas where chemicals are stored or handled or where hazardous procedures are carried out. Ordinary prescription glasses do not have side shields and may not have safety glass; these are not considered suitable eye protection. Individuals who wear eyeglasses must wear safety glasses or goggles over these, or obtain prescription safety glasses from Eyemart Express (215 E. University Dr., Granger, IN) at reduced cost. Contact lenses should not be worn where chemical vapors are present or a chemical splash or chemical dust is possible. If, however, an individual chooses to wear contact lenses in the laboratory, chemical splash goggles must be worn. b) Visitor eye protection should be made available at the entrances to all laboratories. c) In all experiments where explosion, implosion or violent reaction is possible, the operator and neighboring workers must be protected by safety shields. d) It is recognized that for certain laboratory operations (e.g., microscope use), coworkers may be exempted from wearing safety glasses. The immediate area(s) in which the exemptions are permitted must be free of hazardous chemicals and not adjacent to areas where potentially hazardous procedures are being performed. PIs must complete the Request for Eye Protection Exemption form prior to granting the exemption to coworkers. e) When handling hazardous chemicals, the operator must be protected by a lab coat (or apron) and suitable gloves. Consult the Glove Compatibility Chart for proper glove selection. 4
f) Appropriate footwear is required in the lab at all times. Shoes that cover the entire foot must be worn. Flip-flops, sandals, open-toed shoes, ballet slippers, and related footwear is not allowed. g) All liquid reagents, acids, bases and solvents of volumes of 500 ml or greater must be transported about the building in approved safety carriers (rubber pail with handle). h) Equipment operated by a motor driven belt (such as a vacuum pump) should be protected by a suitable belt shield or guard. i) Eye protection, lab coat, and cryogenic gloves must be worn when dispensing/transferring L-N 2 and other cryogens. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS a) The number and volume of flammable liquids on hand must be minimal at all times as governed by actual need. b) Flammable liquids are to be stored in ventilated storage cabinets not on bench tops. GASES AND TOXIC FUMES a) All cylinders containing gases under pressures of more than 100 psi, and/or more than 36 inches in height may be handled or transported only while such cylinders are chained to suitable carts. Such cylinders in use or in storage inside a laboratory must be chained or belted in place. b) Cylinders containing poisonous, corrosive, or flammable gases should only be opened after permission and instruction from the faculty member in charge or other proper authority. Furthermore, such cylinders may be opened only when properly connected to apparatus contained in a well-ventilated hood or to an apparatus designed to contain and safely exhaust gases (e.g., a vacuum chamber). Adequate traps must be placed between the cylinder and other apparatus. c) Experiments involving odorous, lachrymatory, vesicant, toxic, corrosive or otherwise obnoxious substances must be carried out in a well-ventilated hood and not on the bench top. ACTIVE METALS AND PYROPHORIC SUBSTANCES a) Metallic sodium, potassium, lithium aluminum hydride, and other pyrophoric substances must be kept out of contact with air and moisture. Store as appropriate (under an inert solvent, in a dry box or desiccator) for the material. b) Sodium scraps and shavings should be disposed of in small amounts as acquired, by solution in cold ethyl alcohol. c) When disposal of significant quantities of active metals or pyrophoric materials is required, consult the faculty member in charge. 5
GLASSWARE a) Do not use cracked or starred glassware. Glassware used for vacuum distillation (especially round-bottom flasks) should be inspected carefully before use. b) When using ground-glassware, disconnect all joints immediately after use to prevent freezing. c) Heavy pieces of glassware should be supported with clamps and also with bottom support using items such as a lab-jack, tripod, or ring. d) Vacuum desiccators and Dewar flasks must be protected by adhesive tape or netting. DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE a) The safe disposal of hazardous waste or discarded materials of all kinds is primarily the responsibility of the person (faculty member or otherwise) who ordered or originally obtained the material. While this responsibility should not be neglected, delayed or left to others, the assistance of RM&S (1-5037) is available at all times. b) Most waste solvents may not be poured down the sink or drain (see p. 55 of the CHP for exceptions), but are to be stored in labeled glass bottles. Such properly labeled bottles are to be stored until picked up by RM&S waste disposal personnel (1-5037). c) Incompatible waste chemicals are never to be placed in the same waste container. See p. 38 of the CHP for a list of incompatibles. d) All biological waste (except sharps and sharps containers, animal carcasses and contaminated bedding) must be rendered innocuous through autoclaving or treatment with bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite solution) prior to being discarded as regular trash. 6
KEEP THIS SHEET FOR FUTURE CONSULTATIONS GENERAL EMERGENCY PROCEDURES POISONING OR INHALATION OF TOXIC FUMES Take victim to Memorial Hospital (the area Poison Control Center is located at Memorial). FIRE OR EXPLOSION Activate the nearest FIRE ALARM and dial Ext. 911 for the Notre Dame Fire Department. ACCIDENTS INVOLVING RADIOACTIVITY Notify Risk Management and Safety at 1-5037. Take exposed individual to the student health center (St. Liam Hall) on campus for Medical Aid and Blood Test. All accidents, no matter how minor, as well as near misses, are to be reported to the immediate supervisor and the department chair using the Injury/Illness/Incident/Near Miss Report Form (copy attached). 7
*War Memorial! Emergency Action Plan * O Shag * War Memorial Stepan Chemistry N Stepan Chemistry * Evacuation Assembly Area (O Shag or War Memorial ) Severe Weather Assembly Area (First Floor Hallway) Evacuation Route to exits For Faculty, Staff, Students and Guests December 2005 8
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