LABORATORY
SAFETY
Lab Safety Awareness
This course was developed to establish best
work practices for TSU personnel. In this
course we will discuss:
• General Practices
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Waste Handling
• Hazard Identification/Labels
• Steps to take if you find a hazardous
material spill
• Emergency response contact information
General Practices
When you first walk into a lab you
should always take note of the location
of:
• Safety showers
• Eyewash stations
• Emergency exits
• Fire extinguishers
• Emergency electrical cut-off switch
General Practices
 Always wear gloves
when working in a lab.
 Always assume
everything you touch is
contaminated.
General Practices
 Never touch or move equipment yourself always ask the lab staff to do it.
 Examples of equipment include:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Glassware
Microscopes
Instrumentation
Heating elements
Pumps
Grinders
General Practices
 Never touch a “sharp”!
 A sharp is any object that can be reasonably
anticipated to penetrate the skin or other part of
the body and result in an infectious exposure
incident. Examples include:
o
o
o
o
Needles
Scalpels
Lancets
Broken glass
General Practice
 Don’t remove empty chemical containers
unless they’re marked as “triple rinsed”
 Never take anything out of the lab because
“it’s really cool”
Lab Clean-outs:
 Always check countertops and
cabinets before work
 Call Risk Management
and Safety for advice
before work
Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
Personal Protective
Equipment
• Personal protective equipment is exactly
what is sounds like…equipment to protect
YOU!
• Some of the most important protective
equipment you will use include:
–
–
–
–
Eye Protection
Gloves
Footwear
Protective Clothing
PPE – Eye Protection
• Eye injuries occur at a rate of about
2000/day, with 15% of those resulting in
temporary or permanent vision loss
• 3 out of 5 people who receive sustainable
eye injuries were not wearing eye
protection
What can eye protection do for
you?
This picture
effectively
illustrates the
degree of
protection
provided by
each type of
eye protection.
You should choose your eye protection based on the
degree of hazard you will be working with.
PPE – Eye Protection
You should always use the appropriate
eyewear for the job…
PPE – Eye Protection
• Tips to protect your eyes:
– Wear goggles or a face shield when working around
chemical gases/vapors, acids or caustics
– Turn containers away from face when opening
– Remove protective eyewear only after you have exited
the lab
– Be sure the protective eyewear you have is approved
for the environment in which you are working
– Use of contacts should be avoided in the lab. If
contacts will be worn, protective goggles should also
be worn.
PPE - Gloves
• Always wear the proper gloves when
working or cleaning in and around labs.
• Be sure you remove gloves properly so as
not to contaminate yourself.
• Dispose of gloves properly – do not reuse
disposable gloves.
• Rinse reusable gloves and check for
cracks or holes before reusing.
• Always wash your hands when you take off
gloves.
PPE – Glove Selection
• For concentrated acids, alkalis, and
organic solvents the recommended glove is
natural rubber, neoprene, or nitrile.
• For hot objects, gloves made of heat
resistant material (leather or Nomex™) are
recommended.
• Special insulated gloves should be worn
when handling very cold objects.
Your lab supervisor can help you choose the best glove to
wear for the specific activity you will be performing. Also, the
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) provides a listing of
protective equipment.
PPE – Glove Inspection
Before each use, gloves should be inspected
for:
• Discoloration
• Punctures
• Tears.
Rubber and plastic gloves may be checked
by inflating with air and submersing them in
water to check for air bubbles.
Glove Removal
Any glove used in the lab for handling
chemicals should be considered
contaminated.
The following demonstrates the method for
removing contaminated gloves.
How to Remove Contaminated Gloves
Step 1
Pull one glove near your wrist towards
your finger tips until the glove folds
over.
How to Remove Contaminated Gloves
Step 2
Carefully grab the fold and pull
towards your finger tips. As you pull
you are turning the inside of the glove
outwards.
How to Remove Contaminated Gloves
Step 3
Pull the fold until the glove is almost off.
How to Remove Contaminated Gloves
Step 4
Completely remove your hand from the
glove. Do not let go of the glove.
How to Remove Contaminated Gloves
Step 5
Slide your finger from the glove free hand
under the remaining glove.
How to Remove Contaminated Gloves
Step 6
Turn your finger 180 degrees and pull the glove out
and towards your finger tips. As you do this, the first
glove will be enclosed in the second glove. The
inside of the second glove will be turned out.
How to Remove Contaminated Gloves
Step 7
Grab the gloves firmly by the clean inside surface. Let
go of the first glove you removed. Pull your second
hand free from its glove. Dispose of the gloves properly
and wash hands thoroughly.
One way to test your skill is to apply ketchup or a similar substance to the outside of the glove,
then try to remove it without getting the ketchup on your skin!
Hand Washing
 When you are working with chemicals
you should wash your hands:
o When you remove your gloves
o If your gloves rip or tear
o Before eating, drinking, smoking or
applying makeup
How do you wash?
• Use water and soap
• Regular soap is ok – antibacterial soap is
not necessary
• Scrub hands for 10 – 15 seconds
• Rinse with water
• Dry hands
PPE - What’s on your feet?
• Do not wear flip-flops
or sandals in labs.
• Wear appropriate
shoes when in the lab!
• If you do not have
appropriate footwear,
booties are available.
PPE – Protective Clothing
• Lab coats should be worn at all times in the
lab area to prevent absorption and
accumulation of chemicals in your clothing.
• Lab coats should never be worn outside the
lab.
• Aprons may be required to
provide additional protection
against chemical exposure.
PPE - Summary
• Remember – PPE is ONLY effective if it is worn
properly and securely
• Always inspect PPE before each use to insure it
is clean and in good working condition. Check
for:
– Cracks, scratches, holes
– Broken or missing parts
– Wear and tear
• If you encounter PPE that is not usable, notify
your supervisor or safety coordinator for proper
disposal and replacement
Waste Handling
Disposal of Empty Containers
• If the container held liquids, it must be emptied so no material can
be drained from the container.
• If the container held solids, no materials can remain that can
feasibly be removed by physical means.
• Under no circumstances may a container
labeled with the radioactive symbol or with
the words “Hazardous Waste” be disposed
of in the regular trash.
NOTE
Remove labels or mark out information that does not represent
the actual contents of the container.
Disposal of Empty Containers
• All containers must be triple
rinsed before disposal.
• Destroy label.
– Use black marker to cover label
or tear off label.
• Mark container “triple rinsed.”
Special Hazardous
Wastes
Universal Wastes
• A category of “less” regulated wastes.
• Universal Waste must be collected and
disposed of separately from other waste.
Examples are:
• Lead-acid, nickel/cadmium, lithium and
mercury batteries (not alkaline)
• Mercury ballasts
• Fluorescent bulbs (contain mercury)
• High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps
Sample Label
Universal Waste Lamps
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY 117794
(631) 632-6410 Date ______
Aerosol Cans
•
•
•
•
Aerosol cans may be considered
Hazardous Waste if one or more
of the following conditions exist:
The can is still pressurized.
The propellant is chlorinated
The propellant is isobutene,
ether or some other flammable
gas.
The material contains lead,
pesticides or another
hazardous constituent.
Used Fluorescent Bulbs
Used fluorescent bulbs may contain:
Mercury
 Pack used bulbs in original box.
 Close the box or container.
 Put universal waste label & date box
when first lamp is placed inside.
 Notify your supervisor when box is full.
Contact your supervisor for disposal of
other universal wastes.
Hazard Identification - Labs
• Entrances to labs and storage areas must
have signs to warn emergency response
staff of unusual or severe hazards, such as:
– unstable chemicals, radioactive materials,
carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, pathogens,
high-pressure reactions, lasers, water reactive
materials, cryogens, compressed gases
– include names and home phone numbers of lab
director
Hazard Identification
Radiation
Radiation
Sign
Sign
Biohazard
Sign
Chemical
Hazard Sign
Hazard Identification Containers
• All chemical containers must be
labeled with the proper name and
precautionary information.
• This is part of your Right-to-Know
training.
Container Labels
Do you know what these mean?
• You need to understand the hazard
symbols and the protection symbols:
This product is TOXIC
(POISON). Example:
Crew Bathroom Cleaner
You need to wear these items to
protect yourself:
This product is
CORROSIVE (BURNS).
Example: Pro Strip
You need to wear these items to
protect yourself:
See the Material Safety Data Sheets for more information!
Material Safety Data Sheets
Where do I get an MSDS?
• Ask your Supervisor
• Contact RMS (9842, 9237)
• RMS Website:
www.tarleton.edu/FINADMINWEB/safety/index.html
• Contact Manufacturer
Material Safety Data Sheets
What information can I find on an MSDS?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Chemical identification (chemical make-up)
Hazardous ingredients (is it hazardous?)
Physical data (boiling point, density color)
Fire/explosion data (reaction to fire)
Health hazard data (how humans react to the chemical)
Reactivity data (reaction to other chemicals/air/water)
Spill/leak procedures (how to clean up)
Special protection data (PPE required)
Special precautions (anything else you may need to know)
Biological Material
• Biohazardous Material
– Human blood
– Tissue
– OPIM
(other potentially infectious material)
• Infectious Material
– Lab material contaminated with biohazardous
material
Some Other Hazards
 Chemical and biological
hazards are not the only
lab safety problem!
 Lab staff create same
“everyday” hazards that
other departments do.
•
•
•
•
•
Who’s watching the shop?
Fire Safety
Electrical Safety
Compressed Gases
Improper Storage
Fume Hoods
Fume hoods should only be cleaned
by authorized lab personnel.
Environmental Services personnel
should only clean lab benches and
empty drawers.
Response to Hazardous
Materials Spills
Hazardous Material Spills
Even with all of the appropriate controls and
attention to the process in place a spill may occur.
Those incidents are usually easy to contain or
mitigate.
Most spills however, are usually a result of improper
processes, control, or attention, including
unattended operations.
Who’s Watching the Shop?
Unattended Operations
• A laboratory procedure or operations at which
there is no person present who is knowledgeable
regarding the operations and emergency
shutdown procedures.
– Absence for lunch, telephone calls, etc., without
coverage by a knowledgeable person, constitutes an
unattended laboratory operation.
Sometimes this can have devastating
results.
No one was home……
Response to Spills
• You are our “First Responders”!
• You need to be aware of:
– what hazardous substances are in a lab setting.
– what can happen in an
emergency when
hazardous substances
are present.
Spills, Thrills and Chills
Hazardous chemical, biological or radiological spills:
• Close door to area.
• Find someone from the lab or department & let them know.
• Contact your Supervisor if no one from the lab is around.
• Call Control Center at 9265 or RMS at 9842 or 9237.
• Keep non-lab people from entering the lab.
Emergencies
You need to be able to:
–Recognize the presence of hazardous substances in
an emergency.
• Leaks? Smoke? Unusual smells?
–Identify the hazardous substances, if possible.
• Door or container labels?
–Realize the need for outside help, and to make
immediate calls with accurate information.
• Always call Control Center: 9265
–Help in preventing unauthorized entry into the
emergency area.
• Keep other custodians and visitors out until lab or dept.
staff or RMS, HAZMAT/Fire Marshals come!
Fire Emergency
• If someone’s clothes are on
fire:
– STOP, DROP & ROLL
– Cover the face!
– Use fire blanket if available
Emergency Contact
Information
•
Emergency (fire, police, medical)
– 911
•
Poison Control Center
– (800) 222-1222
•
UPD (non-emergency)
– (254) 968-9002
•
Control Center
– (254) 968-9625
•
RMS (8-5, Monday – Friday)
– (254) 968-9842 / 9898 / 9237 / 9429
•
E-mail
–
•
hcdavis@tarleton.edu, wkstyron@tarleton.edu, cjordan@tarleton.edu, mparham@tarleton.edu
Facilities Maintenance
– (254) 968-9065