ENGR 100W
Make-up Lab Assignment
Dr. Thalia Anagnos
Objectives of Assignment:
 Summarize information drawn from several sources
 Write an organized summary report
Background:
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) requires that all chemicals in the
workplace be labeled properly so that workers handle them safely and avoid exposing
themselves to potential health hazards. All chemicals sold or stored must be accompanied by a
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which provides information about physical properties of a
chemical (specific gravity, melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc.), flammability, health
effects, preventative measures (protective equipment, disposal, storage, etc.), and first aid
(NFPA, 2008).
The NFPA 704 Hazard Identification ratings (also known as
diamond ratings) provide succinct and easy to recognize
information about hazards of a particular material. NFPA 704
signs are optional and may be posted in buildings to alert
workers and the public to potential hazards. According to the
National Fire Protection Association:
The system is characterized by the "diamond shape" that
is actually a "square-on-point" shape. It identifies the
hazards of a material and the degree of severity of the
health, flammability, and instability hazards. Hazard
severity is indicated by a numerical rating that ranges
from zero (0) indicating a minimal hazard, to four (4) indicating a severe hazard. The
hazards are arranged spatially as follows: health at nine o'clock position, flammability at
twelve o'clock position, and instability at three o'clock position. In addition to the spatial
orientation that can be used to distinguish the hazards, they are also color-coded as
follows: blue for health, red for flammability, and yellow for instability.
The six o'clock position on the symbol represents special hazards and has a white
background. The special hazards in use are W, which indicates unusual reactivity with
water and is a caution about the use of water in either fire fighting or spill control
response, and OX, which indicates that the material is an oxidizer. (NFPA, 2008)
A very short description of the rating system is found at www.delta.edu/slime/nfpakey.html.
Assignment:
OSHA will be inspecting the labs at EnvironSJ in June. Your boss, Daniel Detailman, wants to
make sure that all the labs have proper postings for the chemicals so that OSHA does not cite
EnvironSJ for any violations. He wants you to do an inventory of the labs, review the MSDS
sheets for the chemicals, and summarize the contents of the NFPA 704 diamonds that EnvironSJ
should post in each lab.
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ENGR 100W
Make-up Lab Assignment
Dr. Thalia Anagnos
This is what you found:
 Laboratory 122 uses liquid chlorine
(find MSDS at http://www.stoodyind.com/safety/msds/chlorineMSDS.pdf)
 Laboratory 306 uses benzene
(find MSDS at http://www.sciencelab.com/xMSDS-Benzene-9927339)
 Laboratory 150 uses machine lubricant
(find MSDS at http://www.le-inc.com/msds/0300.pdf)
Write a memo to Mr. Detailman summarizing your findings. Your memo should summarize the
chemicals that are used in each lab and the NFPA 704 signs to be posted in each lab. As part of
your memo you MUST include a table summarizing for each lab the chemical used and the
contents of each of the four areas of the diamond sign. You might want to give him a quick
reminder of what the four parts of the diamond represent. Be sure to let Mr. Detailman know
where he can find more information on the NFPA 704 rating system if he needs it.
Guidelines: The assignment must be turned in at the end of this class period and a copy MUST
BE TURNED INTO TURNITIN.COM (if not -5 points). Complete the memo with 12 point
Times Roman font, 1 1/2 line spacing, and 1- inch margins.
Proofread your document before you print it. Submit an electronic copy to Turnitin.com and turn
in the hard copy.
Grading:
Proper introduction and conclusion
Quality of summary of information Mr. Detailman asked for
Complete and well formatted table
Correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, and referencing
Total
3
4
4
4
15 points
References:
NFPA (National Fire Protection Administration) (2008). FAQ NFPA 704. Retrieved December
2, 2008 from the NFPA web site: http://www.nfpa.org/faq.asp?categoryID=928
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