Lab Safety: Motivation•Employer concern about your health and safety (altruism)•Avoidance of fines by regulatory agencies•In industry and academia in most states, safety is taken very seriously. •Your lack of knowledge in this area will make you less competitive for jobs there.•Matt’s battle scars

–Scar on nose–Acid scar on finger–Night wasted in hospital getting eye irrigated

Safety• Emergency phone numbers

– Campus Police dispatch: 5-COPS/5-2677– 911 (On campus: 9-911)– Radiological Health: 1-6141

• Radiation spills– Environmental Health: 1-6590

• Chemical spills• Workplace hazards

• Workplace injury requires form 122, available on the Web at http://www.hr.utah.edu/forms/lib/E1.pdf.

• Vehicle accident requires http://web.utah.edu/risk_management/forms/index.htm and click on “Vehicle accident form”

Safety: general

• All halls are to be kept clear of clutter including ladders, tables, packing boxes, liquid helium Dewars, etc.

• All hall doors are to be kept closed. If the fire alarm sounds, remove all door props as you pass them on your way out!

• All labs are to be kept clear of unnecessary clutter. The National Electric Code requires an unobstructed space 30 inches wide and 3 feet deep in front of all electrical panels.

Safety: general

• All high pressure gas cylinders must be secured with a chain.

• Cylinders must not be moved unless the protective valve bonnet is in place.

• Always use a pressure-reducing regulator when withdrawing high pressure gases.

• Ceiling tiles contain asbestos: do not molest!

• No smoking in any building nor within 25 feet of any building entrance or air intake.

Safety: general

• Do not eat or drink anything in labs where chemicals or radioactive materials are used or stored.

• All belt driven devices, specifically including vacuum pumps, must have belt guards installed.

• Vacuum pumps must be vented into the building exhaust system or filtered.

• All electrical equipment requiring electrical grounding must be properly grounded.

• Horseplay ("practical jokes", playing tricks on other employees or students...) will not be tolerated in labs or around equipment.

• Wear eye protection when handling chemicals, using glassware, in the machine shops, etc.

• Wear rubber gloves and a rubber apron when handling corrosives.

Safety: general

• Handle volatile corrosives only in a fume hood that is clearly labeled for volatile corrosive use, such as those in the OptoElectronic Materials Laboratories, Room 326 or 328 JFB.

• Bare feet, thongs, and sandals are not permitted in the shops and labs. The use of roller blades, roller skates, skate boards, bicycles etc. is not allowed within any of the Physics facilities.

• Treat serious burns at the University of Utah Hospital Burn Center. Minor burns respond to the sap of aloe vera located at the east end of the third floor of JFB.

• Never use Tygon® tubing for plumbing liquids under pressure.

Safety: general• Know locations of emergency equipment

– First aid kits– Eyewash stations– Showers– Fire extinguishers

• Use ergonomic considerations when lifting

• Use ladders (and chairs!) only as intended– Don’t use aluminum ladders for electrical work

Safety: general

• Never dispose of hazardous chemicals by flushing them down the sink drain

• Never dispose of pyrophoric materials by throwing them in the wastebasket

• Avoid working alone in labs

• Have an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) for all lab operations and equipment

Driving University Vehicles

• Includes– “Corporate limo” (Departmental truck)– Cars rented on University business

• Valid driver’s license• Completion of “Defensive driving course”

– Watch video– Complete test– Video available from Risk Management, 110

Park Bldg.

• Repeat certification every three years

Environmental Health and Safety Website

• http://www.ehs.utah.edu/

• Information for – Faculty and staff

• Emergency response guide• Reporting hazards and incidents• Ergonomics

– Students• Event approval• Food handling guide

– Visitors and alumni

• Lots more!