Safety Web Site chemistry.umeche.maine.edu/Safety.html

1. Safety Web Site chemistry.umeche.maine.edu/Safety.html • Includes: • Department Hygiene Plan • Links to sites for MSDS • Link to NRC “Prudent Practices” • Compatibility Tables • Chart for choosing gloves • ACS Academic Lab Safety Guide

2. Who Makes the Rules? • Federal: OSHA, EPA • State: OSHA, DEP • Campus, System: SEM • We have to keep all these people happy….

3. Security Issues • All • Laboratories • Prep Rooms • Storage Rooms • must be kept locked when unoccupied.

4. Building Entrances • Locked after 10 PM weekdays, all day weekends, holidays • DO NOT prop open or unlock • Fire doors • Intended to help contain fire to one section of building • DO NOT prop open • Some doors stick when opened wide: • CLOSE THEM!

5. Every lab must have a copy of the Department chemical hygiene plan readily available It includes the emergency action plan Guidelines for all non-standard procedures should be added at the end of the plan

6. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Goggles must be worn whenever anyone in the lab is working with chemicals • Gloves always used; face shields, blast shields, lab coats or aprons should be used depending on the task • These items must be available in every lab • PPE does not leave the laboratory suite • Sandals, shorts, and bare midriffs are not permitted in labs

7. Face shield Blast shields Tyvek lab coat (flame resistant)

8. Chemical Storage • Chemicals must be segregated by hazard category; color coding helps • Everything, including research samples, must be labeled with a chemical name or structure • Chemical stock bottles may not be left on benches or in hoods when not in use; always return to storage • MSDS must be readily available for all stored chemicals • Liquids greater than one pint require secondary containment

9. Three Core Ideas for Storage • Keep things that would react with each other separate • Prevent accidental selection of dangerous substances by segregated storage • Prevent contamination: keep containers clean

10. Storage Categories • Flammable solvents in fireproof cabinets • Acids and bases separate • Oxidizers and reducers separate • Carcinogens, suspected carcinogens • Other toxic substances • Harmless substances

11. Secondary Containment for Liquids Over One Pint : Issues • Plastic coated bottles: containment still required for waste; optional but preferred for others • Storage cupboards with built-in containment: secondary containment required if more than one substance stored

12. Waste Disposal • Wastes must be placed in secure containers, segregated by hazard category • Amount, identity, and date of addition to container must be recorded • Waste storage location may not be used for anything else • Waste containers must be inspected every business day; the inspector must sign the form • Arrange waste pickup frequently

13. Waste Pickup Email to: Dale.Violette@umit.maine.edu Provide approximate quantity; note special hazards Copy the email to: Harry.Flower@umit.maine.edu Inform Ray Fort if waste is not collected

14. Emergencies • The sounding of the alarm announces an emergency; you must leave the building immediately • Congregate at the “rally point” in front of Wingate Hall; inside Wingate in bad weather • Re-enter Aubert only when given permission • Other situations are emergencies only if you determine them to be beyond your ability to cope

15. Chemical Spills • A spill kit must be kept in every lab • A good spill kit contains: • Kitty litter or other absorbent • Dust pan and brush • Heavy plastic bag • Tape or wire to seal bag • Kit must be labeled clearly and be readily accessible • Bag containing waste must be labeled

16. Housekeeping • Laboratories must be kept neat and organized • Bench top clutter is both unsafe and a violation of OSHA rules • This particularly applies to reagent bottles; return to storage immediately after use • Move dirty glassware immediately to a tub at the washing area; wash up every day

17. Accidents • All accidents (spills, fires, personal injury) must be reported in writing to Ray Fort; email is OK • For spills: What was spilled, approximately how much, cleanup procedure • Injuries: who was injured, how, resolution; in teaching labs, name of TA

18. Fires: Who was responsible, what burned, approximately what quantity, how fire was extinguished • Note: only small solvent fires should be extinguished by lab personnel! • Pull down hood door; let burn out • Smother • Clothing fire: shower or drop and roll • Evacuate and pull alarm for all others.

19. Fatal Accident at UCLA in 2009 • Student severely burned; later died • Working alone, without protective clothing • Syringing tBuLi; accidentally pulled plunger out • Polyester sweater went up in flames • Student ran away from safety shower • University had no records of safety training, and did not enforce rule against working alone

20. The Los Angeles County prosecutor brought criminal charges against the university and the faculty advisor, Patrick Harran The university settled out of court: a $500,000 scholarship in environmental law was established, and a safety training program was put in place across the UCal system Criminal charges are still pending against Harran; he faces 4.5 years in prison if convicted

21. Problems from our last inspection

24. Know the properties of the substances you work with! Use appropriate protective equipment! Keep an accurate, complete notebook!

25. Teaching Laboratories • Teaching assistants are responsible for enforcing safety rules • This includes proper clothing and wearing of gloves and goggles • Do not argue with students who disobey rules; get faculty or staff help