University of Alaska FairbanksEnvironmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management

October 2009

Non-Lab Personnel Guidelines Coordinate with lab personnel Protect yourself Fume hood concerns Consider your actions

Potential Lab Hazards Chemical Hazards Physical Hazards Signs

Responsibilities of Lab Personnel Emergency Response

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Non-laboratory personnel whose job duties include performing work in UAF laboratories must follow these guidelines.

You are also required by law to have Hazard Communication Training (Hazcom). This training is available online through

EHS&RM.

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Coordinate your work with the Lab Supervisor by doing the following:

Explain the work that will be performed, especially any actions that could affect lab operations.

Give advanced warning for the following possibilities: Utility shut-offs, so experiments and sensitive

materials can be protected with alternative power sources

Use of equipment that may generate heat or sparks, so flammable materials can be safely stored away from the work area

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Wait for lab personnel to clear the work area of hazardous materials and contamination before beginning work.

Do not move lab equipment or chemicals without direct assistance or approval from lab personnel.

Contact your supervisor and wait for instructions if there is no one in the lab to assist you when laboratory equipment or chemicals need to be moved. Do not start work until specifically cleared to do

so.5

Protect yourself from hazards in laboratories:

Enter labs only when necessary, preferably when lab personnel are present.

Do not bring food or drink into a lab. Wash your hands after leaving a lab. Wear proper clothing—no shorts. Wear proper shoes—closed-toe, low heels,

no sandals. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)

when necessary.6

PPE for protecting yourself from hazards in laboratories: Gloves

Single-use surgical type nitrile gloves are recommended to protect against potential contamination. Other types of gloves may be required. Check with the Lab Supervisor.

Eye protection (many labs require safety glasses to be worn at all times)

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Do not remove or disturb equipment or materials located in the fume hood.

Wait for laboratory staff to remove equipment and supplies and decontaminate the inside surface if necessary. Before ANY work can be done, check with the Lab

Supervisor, Department Safety Coordinator/Officer or UAF Industrial Hygienist to determine whether the fume hood has been used for work with perchloric acid.

Wear proper gloves for work inside a fume hood. Disposable coveralls are recommended. Immediately wash or dispose of the gloves and

coveralls after use.8

Consider how your actions will affect the building occupants:

Never turn off building alarms without first coordinating with your supervisor and the department.

Notify the department in advance if your work requires turning off a blower, de-energizing an electrical circuit, or disrupting any utilities. Unanticipated interruptions may expose people

to hazardous situations. Avoid using hazardous materials, strong-smelling

materials, or combustion-driven equipment inside the building or near air intakes.

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Do not pour hazardous materials down the drain or dump them anywhere on campus. Dispose of hazardous waste properly. Call EHS&RM

Hazmat Division 474-5617 for assistance. Keep hallways and stairways clear to allow emergency

exit. Do not block extinguishers, fire alarm pull stations,

electrical panels, or emergency eyewashes or showers. Expect extra precautions for work in "clean rooms“. Clean

rooms are special facilities where samples, experiments, and/or equipment are highly susceptible to germs, dust, and dirt. Expect to be asked to wear coveralls, a gown, a mask,

or other protective gear to protect these items from possible contamination.

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Do not put equipment, tools, coats or any other items you brought into the lab on the bench tops. You may be asked to leave certain items

outside the door. If cleaning the laboratory floor, do not put

waste baskets, chairs, etc. on the bench tops.

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Be aware of potential lab hazards and how to protect yourself against them.

If you see a hazardous situation, notify the lab personnel or EHS&RM (474-6771 or 474-5197).

If you have safety questions about any equipment, chemical, or process in the lab, do not hesitate to ask lab personnel for information.

Types of hazards: Chemical hazards Physical hazards

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Chemical hazards fall into 4 main categories Flammables Corrosives Reactives Health hazards

Do not touch any chemicals in a lab. If you need chemicals moved, ask the lab

personnel to move them or call EHS&RM for assistance (474-5617).

If you notice a spill, or a leaking container, notify lab personnel or EHS&RM immediately. The spilled material may be an inhalation

hazard—do not remain in the area.13

Includes (but not limited to): Compressed gases Electrical equipment Lasers Thermal hazards Radiation

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Compressed gas cylinders must be restrained in an upright position in the lab. If you see unrestrained gas cylinders, ask the lab

personnel to secure the tank, or call EHS&RM (474-5617) for assistance.

Be careful when working around tanks—avoid situations where you could accidentally hit the regulator with a tool.

If tanks are in the way, ask lab personnel to move them or arrange for them to be moved.

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Always inspect electrical cords prior to use. Do not use if they are cracked or have exposed wiring.

Never use electrical appliances near water. Make sure hands are dry when

unplugging a cord. Do not overload outlets. Avoid excessive use of extension cords. Never override the safety features on

electrical equipment.

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A laser is a device that emits a pencil-like beam of either visible or invisible electromagnetic radiation (light).

Only authorized personnel are allowed in the vicinity of lasers. Check with the Lab Supervisor before entering.

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Thermal hazards include both hot and cold objects.

Examples include: Hot Plates Bunsen burners Drying ovens Muffle furnaces Autoclaves Ultra-cold freezers Walk-in coolers or

freezers Liquid nitrogen (LN2)

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Radioisotope use at UAF includes both sealed and unsealed sources. Sealed: gas chromatographs,

scintillation counters Unsealed: 3H, 14C, 32P, 125I

Never enter a lab or room containing radioactive materials without authorization from the Lab Supervisor or the UAF Radiation Safety Officer (474-6771). 19

You will see other signs like these on doors, cabinets, trucks, storage tanks, and in various other places around campus

Pay attention to what they say and follow instructions.

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The NFPA developed the diamond shaped numerical hazard rating for health hazard (blue), flammability (red), reactivity (yellow) and special notices (white). The higher the number (from 0-4), the greater the hazard.

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Stay away from me!

Keep access to emergency shower and eye wash clear at all times.

Keep work areas free of clutter. Keep all aisles, stairs, corridors, and

stairwells free of equipment, boxes, chemicals, and debris.

Properly manage and label hazardous waste.

Communicate potential lab hazards and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements to any non-lab personnel with proper signs and tags.

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For all emergencies, dial 911 or 474-7721 Fire

If your clothing catches on fire, drop and roll to put out the flames. Immediately notify lab personnel and your supervisor of the incident.

Chemical spill on clothing Get to the safety shower immediately and

remain there for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing while in the shower. Notify lab personnel and your supervisor of the incident.

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Chemical splashes to the eye Immediately go to the eye wash station and

flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Hold lids open to allow water to reach all surfaces

of the eye and eyelids. Seek medical attention and notify lab personnel

and your supervisor of the incident immediately. Burns

Immerse burned area under cold, running water as soon as possible.

Seek medical attention and notify lab personnel and your supervisor of the incident immediately.

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Contact EHS&RM: 474-5413

General information and assistance, information on training/classes

474-5617 Hazmat disposal or spill response

474-6771 General lab safety Help with PPE selection Radiation safety

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Quiz is located at: www.uaf.edu/safety Training UAF Safety Training PowerPoints

Complete quiz, click the “send quiz to EHS&RM” button.

NOTE: There is no need to contact EHS&RM to let us know you have finished the quiz. fysafety@uaf.edu is checked throughout the day, and your score will be electronically filed for future reference.

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