BIO-335BIO-335Health and Safety Health and Safety in Labin Lab

Outline

• Your Responsibilities

• Importance of Pre-Planning

• Assessing Hazards and Risks

• Working with Hazardous Materials

• Working with Equipment

• Emergency Procedures

We all have legal and moral responsibilities in health and safety for the SU community by ensuring sound and safe conditions in all our activities

We all have legal and moral responsibilities in health and safety for the SU community by ensuring sound and safe conditions in all our activities

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

We take all necessary actions to fulfil legal obligations for the protection of the environment, through the appropriate assignment of responsibilities throughout the University, and establishment of directives, procedures and standards.

We take all necessary actions to fulfil legal obligations for the protection of the environment, through the appropriate assignment of responsibilities throughout the University, and establishment of directives, procedures and standards.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT POLICYENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT POLICY

Why Lab Safety?

• Legal Reasons

• Moral Reasons

• Legal Reasons

• Moral Reasons

The person best prepared to choosewill know the likely outcome.The person best prepared to choosewill know the likely outcome.

ChoicesChoices

Research employee injuries

The most common serious injuries: cuts due to careless use of razor blades.

Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Office of Laboratory Safety. All reported injuries are shown, without regard to severity

When Conducting Experiments

• Identify ALL hazards

• Ensure all safety equipment available and operative

• Follow pre-planned work procedures

• No substitution without thorough review (contact supervisor when not sure)

• Develop an Attitude of Safety Awareness

Before Starting any Work,Learn!

• Properties of materials, reagents and their prescribed safety procedures

• Be familiar with operating procedures for ALL equipment used

• Emergency spill procedures (use of adsorbents and disinfectants)

• Escape routes

• Location of fire extinguisher, eye wash, shower, first aid, and spill kits

Takes:One minute to write a safety rule.One month to put it into operation.One life to make a safe worker.

But it takes only:One second to destroy a life.

Assessing Hazards and Risks

• Risk due to hazardous materials

• Physical Hazards

– electrical

– mechanical

– temperature

– electromagnetic fields

• Biohazards

• Hazards from Radioactivity

Risks due to Hazardous Materials

• Compressed Gases

• Flammables and Combustibles

• Oxidizers

• Toxic

• Corrosive

• Reactive

General Rules for Handling Hazardous Materials (1)

• Label all containers, pipes, process vessels and storage areas

• Labels should identify the product and hazards associated with its use

• Read the label at least three times before using the products– when removing from storage– before opening the container– before actual usage

General Rules for Handling Hazardous Materials (2)

• Date containers when opening for the first time

• Maintain up to date inventory

• Regularly dispose surplus materials

• Keep chemicals stored properly

• Keep your workplace neat and organized

Handling Compressed Gases

• Gas cylinders must be properly secured

• When not in use or during transport: shut valves, relieve gas in regulator, remove regulator and re-cap

• Gas cylinders must be labeled like all other containers

Handling Compressed Gases

• Corroded bottles or cylinders should not be stored or used

• Check hoses, tubing and regulators daily

• Empty cylinders should be returned to supplier as soon as possible

• Empty gas cylinders should be marked “EMPTY”

Compression!

Rules for HandlingFlammable Materials

Storage of flammables• Use approved flammable storage

cabinets• Do not store flammables with

oxidizers• Store flammable liquids only in

approved refrigerators• Ensure all containers labelled,

including waste containers

Testing flammable cabinets

Testing flammable cabinets

Testing flammable cabinets

Rules for HandlingFlammable Materials

Precautionary Measures of flammables• Use flammable and combustible liquids

in a fume hood

• Ensure that all sparking equipment, e.g., switches, relays, thermostat, variacs are removed from the fume hood

• Ensure pressure release valve open when heating flasks of flammable liquid

And if not used/stored properly…..

Rules for HandlingCorrosive Materials

Storage• Store in corrosive storage cabinets• Store corrosives on lower shelves • Do not store acids and bases together• Do not store concentrated acids or

bases under sinks• Hydrofluoric acid (HF) must be stored in

plastic containers• Ensure all containers labelled

Storage• Store in corrosive storage cabinets• Store corrosives on lower shelves • Do not store acids and bases together• Do not store concentrated acids or

bases under sinks• Hydrofluoric acid (HF) must be stored in

plastic containers• Ensure all containers labelled

Rules for HandlingCorrosive Materials

Precautionary Measures• Use proper eye, hand and

body protection• Prevent exposure to corrosive

fumes and vapours• Pour Chemicals properly

(always add acid to water, never reverse!)

Precautionary Measures• Use proper eye, hand and

body protection• Prevent exposure to corrosive

fumes and vapours• Pour Chemicals properly

(always add acid to water, never reverse!)

Rules for HandlingToxic Materials

• Minimize exposure time (pre-planning!)• Use proper eye, face, hand and body protection• Be aware of emergency procedures• Practice good personal hygiene• Inform your supervisor of medications you are

taking if working in a hazardous area• Toxic effects on both female and male

reproduction• Inform supervisor if pregnant (many effects during

1st trimester)• Decontaminate your work space daily

Rules for Handling Reactive Materials

• Purchase only the amount you need• Date when first opened • Do not open a bottle past it’s expiration date• Do not open a peroxide former if crystals or

precipitates are present• Store peroxide forming materials (ethers,

tetrahydrofuran (THF), cyclohexene, p-dioxane, cyclooctene) away from heat and light

Reactive Materials• Monitor containers for signs

of instability (e.g., changes in colour, crystal formation, drying out)

• Store perchloric acid bottles in glass or ceramic trays

• Store water reactives away from sources of water

• Dispose properly• Plan experiments carefully• Ensure proper safety

equipment available and operative

Incompatible Chemicals• Think before you mix chemicals

(hazardous reactions, fires, toxic fumes)

• Level of incompatibility may depend on quantity used, temperature, pressure

• Store incompatible chemicals separately

• Organize experiments, reactions, to avoid mixing, unless under controlled conditions

• Review literature and MSDS prior to experiment

• Do not dispose incompatible wastes in the same container

Health and Safety at WorkplaceHealth and Safety at Workplace

Cryogenic Liquids• Cryogenic liquids: materials with boiling point

<-73°C (e.g., liquid nitrogen, helium, argon, slush mixtures of dry ice with isopropanol)

• Very small amounts of liquids produce large volumes of gas

• Rapid evaporation can lower available oxygen in the immediate area, creating an oxygen deficient atmosphere (e.g. elevators!)

• Skin contact to cryogenic liquids cause cold burns and frostbite

Cryogenic Liquids - Precautions

• Wear insulated gloves, safety glasses/face shields when handling and transferring cryogenic liquids

• Fill containers to indicated maximum level

• Perform operations (pouring) slowly

• Wear insulated gloves, safety glasses/face shields when handling and transferring cryogenic liquids

• Fill containers to indicated maximum level

• Perform operations (pouring) slowly

Electrical Hazards•Do not perform any modification/service of electrical equipments by yourself•Always remember that we have a call center that will solve your electrical/mechanical problems promptly! (#9988)

•Do not perform any modification/service of electrical equipments by yourself•Always remember that we have a call center that will solve your electrical/mechanical problems promptly! (#9988)

Mechanical Hazards

• Mechanical hazards such as this Mechanical hazards such as this open drive belt must be guardedopen drive belt must be guarded

• No loose clothingNo loose clothing• Be more careful if long-hairedBe more careful if long-haired• Tripping and slipping Tripping and slipping

• Mechanical hazards such as this Mechanical hazards such as this open drive belt must be guardedopen drive belt must be guarded

• No loose clothingNo loose clothing• Be more careful if long-hairedBe more careful if long-haired• Tripping and slipping Tripping and slipping

Vacuum Systems - Precautions

• Wear safety glasses when using vacuum systems

• Inspect glass for cracks• Wrap glass (flasks) under vacuum with

tape or vacuum hose• Wrap dewar flasks with tape• Use traps between vacuum sources

and vessels under reduced pressure

Vacuum Pumps• Vacuum pumps

should be placed on a tray to catch oil that inevitably leaks from these units.

• Vacuum equipment should be trapped or filtered as appropriate.

High Pressure Systems

• Wear safety glasses and protective gloves when using high pressure apparatus

• Check systems for leaks and possible defects• Place protective shield between you and the

apparatus• Use fume hoods designed with explosion proof sashes

where possible• Do not work alone using high pressure apparatus• Do not leave high pressure reactions unattended for

extended periods• Be aware of emergency procedures

Centrifuges

•Clean up spills immediately•Ensure load is balanced•Log all usage

Centrifuge Accident at Cornell University,

1998

Safe Use of Autoclaves

• Learn how to use, autoclave bags, proper loading and removing the waste

• Not everything is autoclavable!

• (e.g. phenol, corrosives, flammables, melting plastics)

Glassware

• Inspect glassware for cracks, stars, or stress lines before use

• Repair or discard defective glassware• Wear eye protection when working with glass

apparatus• Wear safety gloves when inserting rubber or plastic

tubing into glass• Do not wash broken glassware with other glassware• Do not mix glassware or broken glass with regular

garbage: dispose in cardboard boxes or designated containers for recycling

Control Measures

• Eye protection• Gloves• Lab coats• Footwear• Fume hoods• Emergency showers• Eyewashes• Fire extinguishers

• Eye protection• Gloves• Lab coats• Footwear• Fume hoods• Emergency showers• Eyewashes• Fire extinguishers

Eye Protection

• Use appropriate safety glasses

• Goggles for liquids• Safety glasses for

explosion risks

• Wear at all times in labs

Gloves• Minimizes contact with

hazardous agent

• Use appropriate gloves (PVC, latex, rubber, nitrile, polypropylene?)

• Check resistance chart!

• Do not wear gloves in halls or elevators

Lab Coats• Protects clothing

• Protects body

• Should have snaps

• Non-flammable fabric (i.e. not polyester!)

• Do not wash with regular clothing

• Protects clothing

• Protects body

• Should have snaps

• Non-flammable fabric (i.e. not polyester!)

• Do not wash with regular clothing

Footwear

• Closed-toed shoes must be worn in labs at all times (i.e. no sandals!)

• Shoes must cover the foot• Steel toed boots must be

worn in mechanical areas

• Closed-toed shoes must be worn in labs at all times (i.e. no sandals!)

• Shoes must cover the foot• Steel toed boots must be

worn in mechanical areas

Fume Hoods

• Chemical hoods• Biosafety hoods• Radioisotope hoods• Exhaust canopies• Recirculating hoods• Perchloric acid hoods• Hydrofluoric acid hoods

• Chemical hoods• Biosafety hoods• Radioisotope hoods• Exhaust canopies• Recirculating hoods• Perchloric acid hoods• Hydrofluoric acid hoods

Fume Hood Safety

• Never put your head into a fume hood• Minimize storage of chemicals &

equipment in a fume hood• Work with sash at indicated operating level• Raise large pieces of equipment at least 3-

5 cm above the floor of the fume hood• Do not obstruct back slots• Keep sash closed when not working in

fume hood

Emergency Showers/ Eyewashes

•Do not obstruct the access to Emergency Showers/Eyewashes (or any other safety equipment)

Emergency Showers/ Eyewashes

• Know location of emergency showers and eyewash stations

• Become familiar with operation• Wash for minimum of 15 minutes with

running water• Remove all contaminated clothing• Wait for medical assistance• Report incident

Fire Extinguishers

• Attend a fire training• Extinguish fire only

if feel comfortable• Pull fire alarm

• Attend a fire training• Extinguish fire only

if feel comfortable• Pull fire alarm

Emergency Procedures

• Fires• Explosions• Spills• Emissions• First aid• Injuries

• Fires• Explosions• Spills• Emissions• First aid• Injuries

• Report incidents, accidents, property damage

• Report incidents, accidents, property damage

Fire Extinguishers and emergency exits

• Sabancı University is equipped with a water spray system with heat/smoke sensors

• Learn the location of fire alarm buttons, fire extinguishers/cabinets and emergency exits nearest to your lab

• In case of a fire first start the alarm before trying to operate the extinguisher

Waste Disposal

• Label all wastes• Sharps containers• Solvents waste containers• Broken glass boxes• Batteries recycling

Waste Disposal - General Guidelines

• Use the dedicated containers for disposal

• Label all hazardous waste containers with hazardous waste label

• Do not mix incompatible wastes• Do not overfill waste containers• Contact lab specialist for disposal

An overnight incident

• Thermometer melted from heat

• Mercury vaporized• Rubber supports

melted• Fire burnt itself out

Weekly Lab Checks

• Purge Eyewash station

• Fire extinguisher

• First Aid Kit

• Fume Hood

• Tubings, pressurized connections

• Chemical storage

• Cap Sinks, floor drains

Find the potentials…

What’s Wrong?What’s Wrong?

#1#1

Find the potentials…

What’s Wrong?What’s Wrong?

#2#2

Find the potentials…What’s Wrong? #3

Find the potentials…

What’s

Wrong?

#4

What’s

Wrong?

#5

Find the potentials…

Accident waiting to happen!

Did this person attend to

“BIO-335 Health and Safety in Lab”

course???

Each MAT and BIO Lab has one or two Lab Responsibles.

Each instrument in the labs has responsible grad students.

All the names and contact info of responsible people are written on the doors or up the

instruments.

Before Leaving the Lab…!• Turn off

GasWaterPower linesOther non-necessary equipment

• Clean your work area• Fill in the logbooks!!!• Report any kind of abnormality in the

lab/equipments • Return ALL chemicals to storage• Lower fume hood sash • Wash your hands

Working Alone or After Hours

• Never work alone in the labs!

• Use buddy system

• Have a friend contact lab at regular intervals

Memorize Important Telephone Numbers

Health emergency

6666

Security

5555

Call center

9988