SAFETY MEETING
LEIGHTON LABORATORY
-Prepared by Archana Sudame
OSHA REQUIREMENTS
 SAFETY TRAINING: You must receive adequate
training in working with hazardous chemicals.
 CHP: You must have access to your laboratory’s
Chemical Hygiene Plan.
 MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheets must be made
available to you.
 CHEMICAL INVENTORY: You must be informed
of hazardous chemicals present in your laboratory
and of operations in which they are involved.
Injury and Illness Prevention
Program (IIPP)
An Injury and Illness Prevention Program
(IIPP) is a department's ongoing program
for preventing work-related injuries and
illnesses and for creating a safe and
healthful work environment
Refer to the Yellow Flip Chart of CHP
IIPP specifies that• there will be initial training for new employees
and when the IIPP was first established
• there will be training upon changes in the
working environment
o with new job assignments
o whenever new substances, processes,
procedures, or equipment are introduced
o whenever the employer is made aware of new
or previously unrecognized hazards
Hazard Communication
Do you know:
• Where to find information concerning the hazards
of the chemicals present in your work area?
•
When to use a laboratory chemical hood?
• How to select appropriate eye protection?
• What about gloves?
• What to do in case you are involved in
a fire or chemical emergency?
CHP
• Cal/OSHA requires that all laboratories have a
written Chemical Hygiene Plan
• It is on the yellow flip chart- that we all are required
to sign as soon as we complete a safety training
• It contains recommended emergency procedures,
information on chemical hazards, a list of
precautions to control exposure to hazards, phone
numbers for emergency contacts, and other legally
required information
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheets
1. Chemical product information: chemical name,
trade name, chemical formula- manufacturers
information/ address etc.
2. Hazardous ingredients: TLV (Threshold limit
value) and PEL (Permissible exposure limit) will
give you highest airborne concentration to which a
person can safely be exposed to during a normal
workday
3. Physical data: Color, appearance, boiling point
vapor density etc.
MSDS continued…
4. Fire and explosion data: Flash point- will tell
you the temperature at which the chemical will
release enough flammable vapor to ignite. This
section also gives chemicals upper and lower
flammability limits, special fire fighting
procedures, any unusual fire or explosion
hazards
5. Health hazard data: Gives acute/ chronic- health
effects associated with overexposure to the
chemical through inhalation, skin contact or
ingestion. Includes emergency first aid
procedures.
MSDS continued…
8. Special protection information: lists special
protection equipment/ clothing (respirator, mask,
gloves, eye protection etc.)
7. Special precautions: discusses special
precautions to be taken during handling and
storage of the chemicals. Any other health and
safety concerns not mentioned elsewhere on the
MSDS
Search for MSDS at:
www.ucop.edu/riskmgt/ohp/msds.html
MSDS continued…
6. Reactivity data: ability to react with and
compatibility with other chemicals, Also
mentions if it has tendency to explode or
release toxic fumes.
7. Spill or leak procedure: Procedure to
follow in case of accidental spill/ release.
Gives protective equipment needed to
contain or clean-up he spill. Information
on proper disposal
Chemical Inventory
• Required by the office of Environmental, Health
and safety (EH&S)
• Gives storage information/ location of chemicalsAfter using chemicals please put the chemicals
back in their appropriate location
• Assists emergency responders
 Regina is working on it- so please bring any new
material/ chemical to her and Katie’s attention,
please do not put it in storage cabinets/ shelf by
yourself (Just put the date as soon as you receive
the chemical)
Chemical storage
Safe storage of chemicals is a necessity in every
laboratory in order to:
 Provide for effective management of chemicals.
 Lessen the risk of fire.
 Prevent accidental mixing of incompatible
chemicals in emergencies.
 Minimize exposure to corrosive and toxic
chemicals.
Container labels
Labels on containers of purchased chemicals include:
The common name of the substance.
An appropriate hazard warning.
Other label information may include procedures for:
Proper handling.
Storage.
Emergency response
NFPA labels
Chemical containers/ entrances to labs / chemical storage areas.
Blue indicates the health hazard.
 Red indicates the fire hazard.
 Yellow indicates the reactivity hazard.
 White gives special information
such as water or oxidizer incompatibility.
Degree of the hazard is rated from 0 to 4
4 being the greatest hazard and 0 indicating no significant hazard.
Transporting Chemicals
• Know the hazards associated i.e. read MSDS
before getting ready to transport chemical.
• Wear protective clothing/ gloves etc.
• Hazardous chemicals must be attended at all times
while being transported.
• Use secondary containment like plastic tubs, bottle
carriers and liquid tight carts having lips in all four
sides. Always use sturdy carts.
• Never put non-compatible chemicals in the same
secondary containers.
• Do not use crowded walkways/ elevators while
transporting hazardous chemicals.
Unwanted Hazardous
Chemicals
EH&S picks up for:
• Reuse
• Recycling
• Disposal
Contact Bill Byrne for disposing chemicals /
chemical-wastes
Drain Disposal
Do not dispose any hazardous material in the
sinks• It interferes with the biological processes of
sewage treatment
• Could be released to San Francisco Bay where
they are toxic to aquatic organisms or where
they accumulate in Bay sediment
Drain disposal of chemicals
• Create hazards of fire, explosion, or local air pollution
or stench
• React with other chemicals to form hazardous gases,
• Corrode lab and building plumbing,
• Leak out of old pipes as liquid to pollute campus
grounds,
• Escape from sewer pipes as air pollutants
• Expose plumbers to contact or inhalation hazards.
Drain Disposal continued…
• In very small quantities certain water soluble
chemicals and organics could be disposed into the
sinks {e.g. Class A-solute only (100 gm/lab/day) and
Class B-solute only (1 gm/lab/day)}
However, do not do so unless you read the document
and check the list of Class A and Class B chemicals
http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/pubs/guidelines/draindispgls.html
Exceptionally Hazardous
Chemicals
1. Mercury
5. Trichloroacetic acid
2. Ether
6. Perchloric acid and
perchlorates
3. Nitric Acid and
Nitrogen oxides
4. Phenol
7. Acrylamide
Personal Safety
• Know the nearest emergency eye-wash and
shower
• Never Pipette by mouth
• Do not use any equipment unless you are familiar
with its working
• If you are leaving a lab unattended turn off all the
burners and lock all the doors
• Working alone in the lab is not recommendedhave a lab-buddy
• Smoking is not allowed inside buildings
Always protect your eyes
Protection against splattering chemicals,
airborne objects and dangerous light
Safety glasses with side eye shields
 Splash goggles
 Full face shields: wear goggles underneath
if you are handling strong corrosive
chemical
Eyewear continued…
The eyewear must meet standards put forth by
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
 Such eyewear has Z87.1 imprinted on the
frame or lens
Most common Hazard to your
Eyes
Splashing liquid droplet while popping open
an Eppendorf/ microfuge tube!!!
1. At the eye-wash station: Forcibly hold
your eye open and rinse the inner part for
15 minutes
2. Obtain medical attention
3. Report to Katie, Archana or Dr. Leighton
Gloves
Know the characteristics of the different glove types
and understand the hazards of the chemicals
involved in each procedure
Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
water:
when changing into fresh gloves
after working with any hazardous substances
before eating or handling food/ coffee mugs
after you finish all your work and are ready to
leave for the day
Choosing the correct gloves
NO GLOVE MATERIAL IS IMPERMEABLE TO ALL
CHEMICALS!!!
Consult the MSDS to choose the right gloves!
Natural rubber/ latex Acetone, Alcohols, Alkalies and
Caustics, Ammonium fluoride, Dimethyl sulphoxide
(DMSO), Phenol, Plating solutions
Neoprene Alcohols, Alkalies and caustics, Cellosolve,
Degreasing solvents, Mineral acids, Oils, Plating
solutions
Nitrile rubber Alcohols, Ammonium fluoride, Freons
Hexane, Hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acid
Perchloric acid Perchloroethylene
Phosphoric acid, Potassium and sodium hydroxide
Gloves continued…
• Always wear gloves for handling media or
liquids containing Se- compounds
• Always remove gloves before Answering telephone
 Walking in the hallway (unless you are carrying
something that requires gloves).
 Touching anything like keyboards, door-knobs etc.
Allergies due to Latex Gloves
Not uncommon- could appear after repeated
use
Rash that appears on hands and stops at wrists
Increased risk to people with a history of
asthama, allergic rhinitis, eczema
Try nitrile gloves or wear cotton glove liners
Dry hands thoroughly after washing and
apply topical medicated ointment/ hand lotion
Protective clothing/ Lab coats
 Consult the MSDS for specific material (choice of
disposable lab-coats):
 Lab coats as essential
• to avoid burning hazard: while working with an
open flame, heating block, autoclave or while
pouring media
• for protection against spills: of toxic/corrosive
chemical and biological cultures
• to avoid entanglement of clothes in machinery:
especially if you are wearing loose clothing
 Do not wear them outside the lab- in public areas!!!
Shoes
Shoes should be worn at all times
Not mandatory by recommended:
Sandals, open-toed shoes, and shoes with
woven uppers, increase the risk of
exposure due to the danger of spillage of
corrosive or irritating chemicals.
Respiratory protection/
Safety Masks
• While working with hazardous chemicals always
choose the fume hood
• To avoid irritating (non-toxic) dust/powder from
getting into your respiratory system choose the
blue dust masks
• Wear the mask first and then the gloves.
• Always remove the gloves first, then wash your
hand and then remove the mask
• Consult the MSDS to check if you require special
kind of masks with specific filters etc.
General lab safety
• Keep aisles clear in the lab
• Maintain unobstructed access to all exits,
emergency showers, eyewashes, fire extinguishers
and electrical panels
• Bottle, burners, equipment, heating blocks etc
should be kept away from edges of counters
• Never leave gas burners and hot plates unattended
Summary: Practicing safe science
• Know your protocol, execute procedures
meticulously
• Know about all the chemicals involved- read MSDS
• Use smaller quantities or choose safer chemicals if
possible
• Avoid splash hazards- do not flick open eppendorfs
• Wear safety clothing, gloves, glasses
• Use chemical hood to protect from fumes or for
handling large quantities of hazardous chemicals
• Be alert and maintain concentration
Using Chemical / Fume Hood
Chemical Hood
Using laboratory chemical
hoods
• Plan your experiment: assess the risks of your
experiment and place everything you need in the
hood before starting.
• Lower the sash. Always make sure the sash is
pulled down to the marked level. The best
protection is provided when the sash is brought to
the lowest level for convenient operation.
• Watch your activity. Use slow and deliberate
motions. Place supplies so that they do not
obstruct the airflow at the airfoil sill or the exhaust
slots at the back of the hood. Do not work within
four inches of the airfoil sill.
Performance of
Chemical Hoods
The performance of a chemical hood can get
compromised due to:
• Room air drafts/ open doors/ open windows
• rapid hand movements into and out of the hood,
• obstructions at the airfoil sill can affect.
• someone closing a door / walking by can create drafts
that cause vapor to escape from the hood.
Suggestion:
When planning to do a hazardous experiment, you should ask
your colleagues to reduce activities such as walking past the
hood or opening and closing the lab doors while you are
working.
Emergencies
• Always be prepared!
• Emergency response: Know the locations of
Eyewash fountains and emergency showers.
 Fire Extinguishers
 Emergency telephone numbers.
 Emergency exits and evacuation routes.
 Spill kits.
Fires
Fire is the most potentially devastating
emergency in the modern biology
laboratory. It is imperative that you know
how to prevent fires and be prepared to
respond should a fire occur.
Preventing fires
Use of flammable solvents is a primary cause of lab
fires
• Use the smallest quantities of flammable solvents
practicable.
• Store stock quantities in flammables storage
cabinets
• Separate flammable solvents from sources of
ignition: never use a Bunsen burner in any area
where flammable solvents are handled.
Fighting small fires
• Always pull the fire alarm first
• Turn of any electrical equipments/ burners in the
area and stay on the exit side of the room (near a
door)
• Most of the extinguishers are labeled BC or ABCdirect the extinguisher at the base of the fire
• If you are unable to put of the fire try to confine it
• If you are able to put of the fire stay around to talk
to UCPD and to make report
Types of fire extinguishers
• Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in
ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper.
• Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires
involving flammable liquids, such as grease,
gasoline, oil, etc.
• Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on
electrically energized fires.
• Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on
flammable metals and are often specific for the
type of metal in question.
Clothing Fire
Your co-worker spilled ethanol and his/ her
clothing caught fire:
1. Put out the fire: Use Blanket or make
him/her roll on the floor to smother fire
2. Chill the burns with ice water
3. Seek medical attention (Tang or Alta
Bates) and report the incident to your
supervisor
Emergency procedures:
Major lab fire
1. Alert people to evacuate the area
2. Activate nearest fire alarm or call for emergency
response.
3. Close lab doors to confine fire.
4. Have a person who is knowledgeable about the
lab and the incident ready to assist emergency
personnel.
Emergency procedures:
Evacuation after a Fire Alarm
• Leave immediately if you hear fire alarm.
• Always close your door, electrical
equipments, burners
• Do not use elevators
• Go to the designated meeting areas
• Do not re-enter unless the fire department
declares that it is safe to do so
Emergency procedures:
Earthquake
• Duck under nearest sturdy object until shaking
stops
• If you are in a doorway- brace yourself against
the frame
• Avoid tall book cases/ shelves
• Exit when shaking stops- always use staircases
• Do not operate electrical appliances/ burnersdue to possible gas leaks
Emergency procedures:
Bomb Threat
• Report any Bomb Threat ASAP to Carol or
UCPD
• Be calm and evacuate immediately as
directed by emergency personnel- Take your
belongings with yourself
• Check work area for unfamiliar items as
you leave
Hazardous Chemical spills
Do not attempt to clean the spill
• If you lack the knowledge to do it safely
• You do not have the appropriate material
required for clean-up
• The spill is larger than 1 liter
• You feel physical symptoms: eye irritation,
breathing difficulty, dizziness, nausea etc.
Emergency procedures:
Hazardous Chemical spills
• Isolate the spill area
• If the spill is very large- notify the people in
labs directly below your lab
• Refer to the yellow Flip chart
• Call EH&S or 9-911 after Hours/ holidays
• Be ready with the MSDS information for
that material
Emergency procedures:
Medical
•
•
•
•
Remain calm.
Initiate lifesaving measures if required.
Call for emergency response.
Do not move the person unless there is
danger of further harm.
• Keep the injured person warm.
Emergency Response:
Eye Exposure
• First aid: Flush at the eye-wash station for
minimum 5 to 15 minutes maximum by
forcing the eye(s) open
• Minor injuries- Tang Center
• Major Injuries- Alta Bates: Have someone
who knows about the incident accompany
the victim
Report to Dr. Leighton / Katie/ Carol
Emergency Response:
Skin Exposure
• First Aid: Wash exposed area (use Shower if
required) for minimum 5 to 15 minutes maximum.
Get help if possible.
• Remove contaminated clothing to protect skin
from further exposure
• Wrap the person in a dry blanket after the shower
• Tang center / Alta bates
• Report the incident to Dr. Leighton/ Katie/ Carol
Emergency Response:
Respiratory Exposure
• Bring the victim to fresh air
• Life-threatining injuries to be reported to 911 or 9911
• Non-life-threatening to Tang Center/ Alta bates
• Inform the medical responder about the nature of
the air-borne hazards so they may take
precautions during resuscition procedures
Ethidium Bromide
• EB is a potent mutagen: absorbed through
skin, nose, eyes and mouth (Read MSDS)
• Pure EB should only be handled in a fume hood:
with the user wearing protective equipment that
includes a lab coat, closed-toe shoes, chemically
resistant gloves, and chemical safety goggles (not
just safety glasses)
• Nitrile is an effective barrier to short-term
exposure to EB. Use 100% nitrile gloves!
• Wash hands after removing their gloves, even if
the gloves are not punctured
Substitutes for Ethidium
Bromide?
New fluorescent dyes have been developed
that manufacturers, such as Molecular
Probes Inc. and FMC Bioproducts, claim
are less toxic and can detect nucleic acid
components at lower concentrations than
EB.
Exposure to Ethidium Bromide
• Eyes: immediately go to the emergency eyewash
flush eyes by forrcing them open for at least 15
• Skin contact: immediately wash the affected area
with soap and cold or cool water for 15 minues.
• inhalation of EB dust: move him to an area where
he can breathe fresh air.
• In all three cases the affected person should
immediately seek a medical evaluation from Tang
Center or from Alta Bates Hospital if the exposure
occurs while Tang Center is closed
Laboratory Injuries and
Physical hazards to Research
workers
Avoiding Physical injuries
1. Good laboratory practice and common sense:
Staying alert- take a break and relax if you are tired.
Thinking about where the hazards are.
Keep floors dry and uncluttered to prevent slips,
trips, and falls
Whenever possible, open flames should be replaced
by electrical heating
Minor Cuts and Injuries
.
• First aid: Vigorously wash with soap and water
for several minutes
• Apply first aid antibiotic/ ointment
• Obtain medical attention- ever if there is no
exposure to hazardous substance
• Report to Dr Leighton/ Katie/ Carol
Muscle and Bone Injuries
• The second most common serious
injuries: strains and fractures due to falls
and improper lifting of heavy objects
Specific Hazards
• Autoclave Hazards
• Centrifugation Hazards
• High Voltage equipment hazards
Autoclave Hazards
Physical hazard due to steam, heat and pressure
• Make sure seals on containers of liquids are loose
so vapor expanding during heating will not cause
an explosion
• Never autoclave any flammable or volatile liquids
because they could explode ( never autoclave
anything that has bleach on it)
• Never autoclave anything that says nonautoclavable or if you are not sure
• For specific instructions: Contact Katie
Using autoclaves
• Use loading racks: Never place any item directly on
the bottom or floor of the autoclave
• Starting the sterilization cycle: close the door of the
autoclave fully choose correct cycle before starting the
sterilization
• Unloading the autoclave:
 wear heat-resistant gloves
 wait for the “complete” sign
 First, slightly crack open the door -wait a full five for
autoclave loads with just glassware and ten minutes
before unloading liquids.
 let the glassware stay outside for 15 minutes before
handling the individual pieces.
Centrifugation Hazards
• Personal injury is infrequent and usually
associated with improper lifting techniques
to move heavy rotors
• 90 % of the problems occur due to user
errors
• Carelessness can result in sample loss or
damaged equipment
• It require careful use, maintenance and
careful bookkeeping
High Voltage Equipment
Electrophoresis equipment
• Read all the instructions carefully- right next
to the electrophoresis equipment
or at EH&S website:
http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/pubs/helpsheets/04electro.html
Electrophoresis Equipment
General safety with electrophoresis equipments:
• Switch power off before making any connection
• Handle power leads one at a time and with one
hand only- make sure your hands are dry
• Beware of loose connections- they lead to sparks
• Keep equipment away from sink or wet area
• If you feel a tingle when you touch the unit- stop
using it or wait until it is repaired
Working with microbes
• In our labs in Mulford hall (303/307 and 330) we
work strictly with non- pathogens
• Any known or suspected pathogens, their DNA’s,
amplicons etc. should be handled in LL45 in
Koshland hall. This is a designated area with
limited access and all people using this area
should read “Leighton Laboratory Bio-safety
Manual” and discuss specific issues with Dr.
Leighton or Archana
Pipetting technique
• Never pipette by mouth!!!
• Discharge pipettes against the flask or tube wall to avoid
splashes.
• Use disposable pipettes only for microbial cultures and
procedure (use glass pipettes for organic chemicals and
corrosive agents)
• Pipettes used for any microbial cultures should be
treated with 10 % bleach solution before discarding
them as biohazard waste
• Leave them in brown box separately for trash pick-up
(Ask Bill if you do not know the location of this box)
• Dispose glass pipettes and broken glass in “Broken glass
containers”
BIOHAZARDS
• Stay away from designated refrigerators,
freezers and room marked with this sign
unless you are authorized to work in such
areas (you are working with known/
suspected pathogens!)
Non- medical sharp waste
• Sharps such as blades, needles, scalpels
should be handled as “Biohazard sharp
wastes”
• Placed in puncture-resistant containers
labeled “ Sharps waste” or “Biohazard”
• Do not over fill these containers
• Tape them close and call EH&S for a
pick-up!
Autoclaving Biotechnology wastes
(non pathogenic plates only)
• Dispose in white designated bins lined with white
autoclavable bags labeled non-medical wastes
• Fill only to 2/3 rd for proper sterilization
• Double-bag and make 2 small slits in the inner
bag- close both bags without making them airtight
• Autoclave for 35 minutes on liquids after 5:00 p.m
on a weekday ( weekend: anytime)
• Dispose in regular trash in the dumpsters on the
North side of the building
Drain Disposal of NonPathogenic wastes
• Liquid cultures and stocks of non-pathogenic
bacteria could be treated with 10% bleach for 30
minutes before disposing in the drain.
• Never dispose cultures or stocks of pathogenicbacteria (even after treating with bleach)
• Never put bleach-containing solution in autoclave
this could cause explosion!!!
Disposing Biohazard Wastes
• Sharps: are contained in leakproof, rigid,
puncture-resistant, durable plastic containers.
These containers are red in color and equipped
with a tight-fitting lid. EH&S to be notified for
pick-up.
• Free flowing liquid waste: is treated with chlorine
bleach (10% final concentration) and contained in
leakproof, rigid durable containers for EH&S
pick-up
• Solid biohazardous waste is collected in plastic
waste bags (red or white) to be placed into the
autoclave. White is disposed with trash and red
should be disposed in designated bins for EH&S
pick-up.
Important Contacts
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Dr. Leighton
Carol Wehr
Katie Wheeler
Archana Sudame
EH&S
UCPD (emergency)
UCPD (non-emergency)
References
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http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/
http://www.practicingsafescience.org (Yale)
http://rehs.rutgers.edu/ (Rutgers)
http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/index.htm (Oklahoma State)