General Lab Safety

1. General Lab Safety ece445 Spring 2013 Dane Sievers

2. Why a lecture on safety? Engineers make things. To make things, engineers use tools, chemicals, and electricity. Tools, chemicals, and electricity can hurt. Or kill. Getting hurt, well… hurts! (And dying is even worse) Hurt (or dead) engineers can’t make things. And…

3. Why a lecture on safety? These things engineers make are used by people. These things can hurt people. Or kill people. Hurting (or killing) people is bad. Even worse than bad. So…

4. Why a lecture on safety? Safety must be engineered into the making and use of things.

5. Safety in Practice Ummm… I hate to say it… It’s so clichéd… But I have to say it… Safety is No Accident!

6. Safety in Practice In order to be safe, you must knowthe dangers present. To knowthe dangers means you must learnabout the equipment, chemicals, and technology you will be using. Learningmeans you must study. To studymeans you must read.

7. Safety in Practice - LIST Before beginning work on your chosen project, identifyand list: Equipment needed • Tools • Chemicals • Electrical components • Fabrication techniques

8. Safety in Practice – COMPILE From this list find and compile the appropriate documentation. • User manuals • Data sheets • MSDSs • Accepted SOPs (standard operating procedures) Put these documents into a folder or binder for future reference. Pretty clever name, huh? Label your folder/binder “SAFETY MANUAL”.

9. Safety in Practice – READ A folder full of documents is of no value unless you read them. SO READ THEM!

10. Safety in Practice – IDENTIFY As you read through the documents, identifythe hazards associated with use of the product. Create a brief ‘cheat sheet’ list of the hazards and put it in the front of your SAFETYMANUAL.

11. Safety in Practice – PLAN For each hazard found, prepare a planto control the hazard. Control measures may include (but not limited to): • Proper PPEs (personal protective equipment) required • Containment (fume hoods, fume extractors, respirators) • Proper safety guards/physical barriers • Other engineering controls needed to minimize hazards Put this planinto the SAFETY MANUAL.

12. Safety in Practice – THINK Now is the time to review the information in your SAFETY MANUAL. ‘Why?’ you ask? Note: Audience participation required on next item… Everyone say “Tell us about Emil!”

13. Safety in Practice – IMPLEMENT Now that you have a document covering the safety aspects of your project… PUT IT TO USE! This exercise wasn’t designed to just take up your time. It was designed so that you, others around you, and the end user will survive your project without getting hurt!

14. Resources If you are unsure about something you are doing, don’t do it! Just ask… • TA • Professor • Lab engineer • Electronics Shop • Safety Professionals on campus • DRS (Division of Research Safety) – www.drs.illinois.edu

15. Safety – Electricity and People Department Policy Highlights • Undergraduate students must work at least in pairs in our labs. • When full ac wall potential is in use, a faculty member or TA must be present. At least two people must be present. • No food or drink at lab benches.

16. Safety – Electricity and People If a problem occurs or is suspected • Shut off power • If an accident or emergency occurs, dial 911 • Locate the trouble and fix before restoring power • The Electronics Shop can help if necessary • 265 EL • 333-2173

17. Safety – Electricity and People Personnel Safety Issues • Shock hazards exist in the labs • Most common problems are from • Spilled Drinks • Careless wiring • Loose clothing, neckties, and jewelry are dangerous when working with rotating machinery • Burns: it only takes a watt to make small parts hot

18. Safety – Electricity and People Effects of electrical shock (60 Hz ac, 1s duration Extracted from http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/construction/electrical_incidents/eleccurrent.html

19. Safety – Electricity and People Some good advice: • Turn power off when changing circuits • While working on a circuit use the ‘one-hand’ rule – keep one hand in pocket or behind back to minimize risk of shock across the heart • Keep a tight, neat setup • Safer than the “rat’s nest” technique • Easier to debug and usually works better! • When in doubt, shut off the power • If it doesn’t work, it probably isn’t the instrument…

20. Safety – Electricity and Instruments Equipment damage is one of the biggest safety issues. Potential Issues • Grounding • Grounded probes (oscilloscopes) • Sources • Ratings • Do instrument ratings match the signal?

21. Safety – Chemicals Electrical engineers are not chemists – but they do use chemicals. Chemicals commonly used include • Solder • Flux and flux remover • Solvents • PCB substrates

22. Safety – Chemicals The most important rules when using chemicals: • Do not put chemical waste in the trash • Do not pour chemical waste down the sink • No food or drink in a lab with chemicals. • Read the MSDS for a chemical before using • Label containers • Transport chemicals safely • Keep incompatibles apart • acids/bases • flammables/oxidizers

23. Safety – Chemicals Personal Protective Equipment • Use appropriate PPEs when handling chemicals PPEs may include: • Safety glasses/goggles (if potential for splashing liquids) • Appropriate gloves (compatible with chemical(s) used) • Respirators (for fumes/vapors) • Protective clothing (apron, lab coats, coveralls)

24. Safety – Chemicals Engineering Controls “The basic concept behind engineering controls is that, to the extent feasible, the work environment and the job itself should be designed to eliminate hazards or reduce exposure to hazards.” (OSHA) Engineering Controls may include: • Fume hoods (when dangerous vapors could be released) • Fume extractors (e.g. extract solder fumes)

25. Safety – Chemicals Chemical Spills If a chemical is spilled and you don’t know how to clean it up safely, call 911

26. Safety – Wrap Up When it comes to safety: If you are unsure, don’t do it!