Lab Safety Talk
August 4, 2010.
by
Wing Kee LEE
Where to Find this Document
Department Web Page
 Programs
 Postgraduate
 Lab Safety

Part I Teaching Lab
Background
 How much does life of a person cost?

More...
Walk don’t Run
 UV from Hg Lamp
 Lasers -- properly blocked, warn students
 High-voltage-- check with technician
 No food or drink in Labs

More...
Press for fabricating high Tc materials
 Emergency numbers on the lab doors
 In case of an emergency, watch for your
own safety, then call security

Phone 7999

Materials Science
 Polishing
machine--hair, clothing, etc.
 Acids for etching (HF)
 Tube furnace (Hot)
 Instron (Broken fragments could be
very dangerous)
Liquid N2

Insulating gloves
recommended
*** Never Tight Seal ***
(could result in explosion!!!)
Gas Tanks
 Chained
to wall, upright.
 Flashback Arrests
if fuel gas &
oxygen are used
Part II Research Labs
is everybody’s
responsibility
 It
 Prevention
 Emergency

For Details, please read:
 Lab
Safety Guidelines
(Web page of University Safety &
Environment Office USEO)
Consultation or Seek
Advice/Help
 Supervisor
 LEE, Chung Kay, Rm 224
 Department Safety Coordinator
(Prof K Y WONG, Rm 345)
 USEO
Basic Safety Facilities
Suitable fire extinguisher
 First-aid kit
 Fume hood
 Appropriate chemical cabinets
 File of material safety data sheets

More...
 Warning
signs on door
 Emergency phone Nos on door
 Emergency phone in Labs
 Shower and Eye Wash (will
install more if needed)

More...
 Waste
chemical containers
and log book
Lab Safety (General)
 No
food, drink, smoking
 Applying cosmetics, handling
contact lens
 Suitable clothing and/or hair style
 Plan your experiment (especially
if it is dangerous)
More...
 Understand
the possible
hazards in labs
 Keep
door/path ways clear
Working Outside Office Hours
 Should
not work alone when
working with dangerous
chemicals/equipment
 After
Hours Access Log-Book
Safety in Machine Shop
Training
(Arranged by the Department
for those have needs )
Machine Shop Training
 If
you need training soon,
please let Prof Wong know
If you have working experiences
in machine shop, please inform
Prof Wong
Chemicals

Look up Chemwatch when you have doubt
 Toxic?
 Flammable?
 Measures
 Disposal
when spill
-- special containers available
WARNING!
Never
pour chemicals in
sink, toilets, drainage.
HF Commonly used for etching
 Use
protective plastic glove
 Calcium Gluconate Gel must be
available when using HF
*** Its Life Time is Limited ***
Notes
on commonly used
equipment, materials, etc.
Chemicals
 Clearly
label chemicals,
especially those on work bench
or in fume hood.
Electricity
 Never
put extension outlets
on the floor, Reason:…
 Don’t overload socket or
extension
 High Tension
Radiations

X-ray --Proper Protection
Lasers, UV, IR
Lasers – used in many labs
UV- Xenon Lamp
IR- High Temp Furnace
Wear Goggles
RF Sources
 Microwave,
RF heater, RF
sputtering
 Avoid exposure
Ultra Sound
 Ultrasonic
Cleaners
 Avoid immersing body parts
Lifting Heavy Loads
 Always
keep your back straight
 Seek help (Lab attendants,
technicians)
Emergency
Remember
Ext. 7999
Chemical Spill
 Open



windows
Sound Fire Alarm
Run to safety
Call 7999
Questions