Safety Issues In Upper- Level Biology Labs

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1 Safety Issues In Upper- Level Biology Labs You have already participated in several of our core laboratory courses, so you are already familiar with most general safety issues. This section is just a refresher of some key safety principles that you should continue to keep in mind. Most of the information you will have seen in previous courses. As before, you must sign a safety agreement stating that you will abide by federal, state, and local requirements while you attend this lab. YOU CANNOT PAR- TICIPATE IN THE LABORATORY UNTIL YOU SIGN THE AGREEMENT. The Hazards Communication Act According to this federal law, you have the legal right to know the properties and hazards of ANY chemical to which you could potentially be exposed while you are working in one of our teaching or research laboratories. The most important information is collected into documents called MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS). An MSDS for every chemical used in the Department of Biology is available for you to review at any time. An alphabetized, complete printed set of them is available in the Chemical Safety Office, Rm. 005 Winston Hall. The departmental secretary, or any graduate student or faculty member can let you in. You can also access parts of the MSDSs online, using the Online Chemical Inventory. This shared database lists all chemicals used in the Departments of Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Art. The URL is: Use your WFU username and password to log on, then choose Search MSDS to find the chemical for which you need information. As a reminder, the MSDS for any chemical will include: Standard and commonly used alternative names Physical properties (melting point, ignition point, etc.) Hazards it may pose to your health Reactivity & flammability of the chemical Procedures to follow if the chemical is spilled Special protection or procedures needed to handle the chemical BASIC SAFETY 1

2 General Safety Reminders The Hazards Communication Act does not take the place of personal responsibility. We still expect you to work in a way that does not endanger yourself or others. Your instructor will inform you of any specific hazards associated with your particular course. However, there are some good general practices that apply to every lab course. 1. Locate the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash station, fire blanket, and phone, so that you can use them quickly in the case of an emergency. 2. DO NOT EAT, DRINK, OR SMOKE IN THE LAB. Do not store food in refrigerators located in laboratory rooms, or eat ice from the laboratory ice machines. 3. Wear safety glasses and protective gloves when working with corrosive chemicals, biohazardous substances, or any UV light source. 4. If you get hazardous chemicals in your eyes or on your skin, RINSE THE AREA IMMEDI- ATELY WITH RUNNING WATER FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. If available, wash the affected skin with a dilute solution of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda; 1teaspoon per liter or quart of water) or body flush solution (located at the red wall stations in each lab). 5. NEVER mouth pipet chemical reagents or biological samples. 6. Label ALL containers to identify their contents. Label wash bottles as water or acetone or ethyl alcohol, etc., not with abbreviations. When possible, label biological specimens. 7. Broken glassware, microscope slides, coverslips, pipets, etc., go in waste containers labeled Broken Glassware Only. Place ONLY glass in these containers. 8. Federal law requires that we document all lab-related injuries. PLEASE REPORT THEM IMMEDIATELY, NO MATTER HOW SMALL THE INJURY. In Case of a Lab Fire 1. Bunsen burners and other open flames can only be used if the lab is free from solvent vapors, liquid organic solvents, and anything else that might ignite. Clear the bench space around a burner before you light it. Don t walk away even momentarily while a Bunsen burner or alcohol lamp is lit. 2 BIOLOGY LABORATORY COURSES

3 2. Each laboratory in Winston Hall is equipped with a fire extinguisher. Please review IN ADVANCE how you should use it. To extinguish fires, use the following mnemonic device: PASS. PULL the retaining pin out of the extinguisher handle by TWISTING THE PIN LATERALLY TO BREAK THE PLASTIC TIE and then pulling out the pin, away from the cylinder. AIM at the base of the fire, not at the flame, if the burning material is solid. For liquids, like organic solvent fires, aim just above the surface of the liquid. You will only spread a liquid based fire if you spray directly on the liquid. SQUEEZE the trigger. SWEEP the nozzle back and forth over the burning material. Don't spray yourself into a corner.; stand between the fire and exit escape route. 3. Once a fire extinguisher has been discharged, alert your instructor so they can have it recharged immediately. 4. The fire blankets are used to smother clothing that is on fire. They are located on the wall outside each lab, in a tall red metal container. To use them, grasp the rope loop on the right side and revolve your body to the left (counter-clockwise) until you are tightly wrapped. Emergency Phone Numbers If you need to call Campus Police, Winston Salem Fire Department, or the Spill Response Team, emergency phones are posted next to each phone in the building. The numbers are also listed below: CAMPUS POLICE, EMTS: X 911, OR X 5911 CITY FIRE, POLICE, EMS X 9911 SAFETY RESPONSE TEAM X 4313 BASIC SAFETY 3

4 Who s In Charge of What? Other Contacts If you have additional questions or concerns about safety or other lab related issues, there are several individuals who would be happy to talk with you. CHEMICAL HYGIENE OFFICER, DEPT. OF BIOLOGY: Ms. Mary Tietjen, The CHO is responsible for daily operations and oversight of our safety program. CORE COORDINATOR: Dr. Dan Johnson, The coordinator can respond to your questions quickly, and should be your next contact. This individual supervises the graduate instructors. Call the Coordinator if you have a concern that you would rather not discuss with your regular instructor, such as a concern that proper lab safety procedures are not being followed, or that additional precautions are needed. ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES SAFETY: Ms. Sissy Hastings, If the departmental contacts are not available, the Assistant Director can address general safety questions and concerns. However, this individual supervises the entire campus (not just our labs), and so may need to consult with the CHO or Core Coordinator to get more details before they can answer your specific question. 4 BIOLOGY LABORATORY COURSES

5 Safety Agreement By signing my name below, I agree to abide by the safety regulations outlined in the preceding sections. Furthermore, I agree to abide by any additional safety regulations announced by my instructor. I understand that if I fail to abide by these regulations, or if the instructor determines that I am acting in a manner that jeopardizes my own safety or that of others, I can be dismissed from the laboratory. Signed: Date: Name (printed): Student ID# Course Name: Instructor s Name: WHEN COMPLETED, GIVE THIS PAGE TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR. BASIC SAFETY 5

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