texas a&m university—corpus christi environmental science lab safety orientation department of...

Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi

Environmental ScienceLab Safety Orientation

Department of Physical, Environmental & Natural Sciences

School of Science and Engineering

Overview• Emergency Phone Number• Emergency Evacuation• Accident Reporting• Lab Attire• Hazard Communication: Chemicals,

Biohazards, & Glassware• Personal Protective Equipment• First Aid

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCELAB SAFETY ORIENTATION

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATION

Campus Emergency: Call University Police Department (UPD) in case of an emergency.

• From any university phone: dial 911 or ext. 4444.

• From your cell phone: dial 361-825-4444.

For a fire, life-threatening incident, or other serious incident, contact UPD

• From any university phone, dial 911 or 4444.

• If an ambulance is needed, inform UPD.



Emergency Call: • If, by mistake, you call 911 using your

cell phone, make sure to also notify UPD at (361) 825-4444 so they can assist in the response. County responders do not know where campus buildings are.


Accident Reporting – Non Life-Threatening

• Report all non life-threatening incidents to your Instructor.

• Use the first aid kit in the lab.• Go to the Health Center if needed. How do

you know if it’s needed? If you do not know, then it’s needed.

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONAt the beginning of the semester:• Become familiar with your building;• Know your fire exits; • Know the shortest route to the nearest

exit;• Be aware of your surroundings; • And…

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONEvacuation Procedures - in case of a fire or other evacuation:

• Exit the building in a calm & orderly manner.

• Use the shortest and safest passage to the exit.

• DO NOT RUN.

• Do not use the elevator.

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONWhy to not use an elevator in a fire:

• Elevators are essentially decorated metal boxes.

• People are a species of animal.

• When one puts an animal in a metal box and applies heat, this is called “roasting”.

• In a fire, an elevator can cook you like a turkey.

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONEvacuation Procedures• Alert people and pull the fire alarm on

your way out if it has not already been pulled.

• Meet your class at the assembly area designated by your Instructor.

• Stay at least 100 feet away from the building (or 35 long steps)—the designated assembly area will be this distance from the building.


Evacuation Procedures

• Do not re-enter the building until the “All Clear” has been announced. It is not possible to see from outside a campus building if it is safe inside the building.

• Regardless of whether it is a real fire alarm, false alarm, or a fire drill, you are required to follow the same procedures above.


Evacuation - Helping a person with a physical disability:

• Accompany him/her to an area of rescue assistance located at the stairwell landing.

• Call or have someone call UPD & give UPD the location.


Helping a person with a physical disability, deux:

• UPD will bring him/her down the stairway using an EvacuTrak.

• Stay with him/her until UPD arrives unless your life may be in danger.

• Do not use the elevator.


Emergency Equipment:

Fire extinguisher or other “emergency equipment” may be available inside the lab. Using them is only on a voluntary basis.

Lives matter more than do equipment or furniture.


Use emergency equipment only if:• You are trained to use them.• Your own safety is not compromised.

Remember: YOUR OWN SAFETY COMES FIRST.


Emergency Phone in your lab.

When the red light is flashing and/or the phone is ringing, there may be an emergency announcement.

PLEASE PICK IT UP IMMEDIATELY!


Lab Safety Behavior• NO FOOD, NO GUM• NO DRINK• NO APPLYING COSMETICS• Nothing in your mouth

except dental work.• Never touch, taste, or smell

any chemicals• Long hair tied back• No horseplay (pushing,

shoving, pranks, etc.)

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONGeneral Electrical Safety • Report all malfunctioning

equipment to your Instructor.

• Do not use frayed, damaged electrical cords.

• Do not overload a circuit with an “electrical octopus.”


Lab Attire: Upon entering the lab, you are required to wear:

• Lab coat

• Long pants

• Sturdy shoes that completely enclose the feet

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONLab Attire • Shoes should cover

your feet as much as possible.

• Leather top & slip-resistant sole are also recommended.

• Without proper attire, you will be required to leave.

Working With Chemicals• Understand your chemical before using

it.• There is a Material Data Safety Sheet

(MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for every chemical in your lab.

• Looking at an MSDS/SDS is recommended to get to know your chemical.

• Ask your Instructor


The NFPA Fire Diamond is a very common way to communicate chemical hazards.

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONSince governments can’t leave well enough alone, OSHA now requires a new method: “GHS”. It uses a whole pile of symbols.

With GHS, hazards are ranked 1–5, where “1” IS THE HIGHEST HAZARD and “5” IS THE LOWEST!

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONWhen it comes to reading a hazard label, be dead certain of which method is on that label, or you could be certainly dead.

0Low

Hazard

4High

Hazard

5Low

Hazard

1High

Hazard

NFPA GHS

Health Hazard Categories of Chemicals

• Poison: Chemicals capable of harming a person in a small amount.

• Asphyxiant: Chemicals capable of depriving the body of oxygen.

• Sensitizer: Chemicals capable of causing an allergic reaction upon repeated exposures


(no standard symbol)

Even More Health Hazard Categories of Chemicals

• Irritant: Chemicals capable of causing inflammation, redness or itching upon exposure.

• Corrosive: Chemicals capable of destroying or causing irreversible damage to the skin, respiratory system, eyes.


A single chemical can be any combination of the above, plus more.

Yet Even More Health Hazard Categories of Chemicals

This presentation only highlights acute effects from a single exposure. Chemicals can also have long-term effects from a single exposure, chronic exposure effects, cumulative effects, and combinations, to wit:• Cancer• Birth Defects in Your Children• Neurodegenerative Disorders


Pleasant dreams...

Physical Hazard Categories of Chemicals

• Flammable: Chemicals capable of causing fire or explosion (all by themselves).

• Oxidizer: Chemicals capable

of providing oxygen to feed a fire or explosion.


A single chemical can be both—just saying...As an added bonus, health hazards can also have these hazards.

Routes of Entry: Paths that chemicals can get into your body.

• Inhalation: Chemicals enter the body through the lungs EVEN IF YOU DO NOT SMELL ANYTHING.

• Absorption: Chemicals enter the body through unbroken skin or eyes EVEN IF YOU DO NOT FEEL ANYTHING


More Routes of Entry:

• Ingestion: Chemicals enter the body through the digestive system, yes, even if you TASTE NOTHING.

• Injection: Chemicals enter the body through a contaminated sharp object that breaks through skin—AND NOT JUST VIA NEEDLES.


Hazard Communication

• Learn about the chemicals before using them

• DO NOT use any chemicals without your Instructor’s supervision or approval.

• Wear all personal protective equipment as required.

• When in doubt, ASK.



Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• You will be required to wear PPE when

working with certain chemicals.

• Follow your Instructor’s direction.

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONEye Protection:

• Goggles are required while you work with chemicals.

• Put them on properly and keep them on while working with chemicals. Goggles on your forehead WILL NOT protect your eyes.

• Impact resistant goggles will not be adequate. They must be chemical protection goggles.

LAB SAFETY ORIENTATIONHand Protection:

• Gloves are required while you work with chemical or biological agents in the lab.

• Use the gloves provided to you in the lab. They are compatible with materials you will use.

Chemicals in the eyes:

• Flush eyes out for at least 15 minutes.

• HOLD your eyes open while flushing.

• Seek medical assistance if required.


Chemicals on the skin:

• Flush the affected area for at least 15 minutes. DO NOT SCRUB.




Chemicals in the mouth:

• Rinse your mouth out immediately.• Seek medical care.• Do not induce vomiting unless directed to

do so by the appropriate professional health care provider.


Chemical Inhalation:

• Get out into fresh air.



Chemical Disposal• When you are done using chemicals,

safely dispose of them as specifically instructed by your Instructor.

Broken glassware Disposal• Dispose of broken glassware in

appropriate box.• Do not place broken glassware

in the trash.

Glassware Incident• If you get cut by broken glassware, clean

out the wound prior to bandaging it. Do not “clean” in such a way as to increase tissue damage.

• Seek medical assistance if needed.• If there is blood on the surface,

have everyone stay away and call the Instructor IMMEDIATELY. (If the instructor does not notify the laboratory coordinator, the instructor will be drawn and quartered at dawn.)


Handling Sharps

• Sharps such as scalpels, needles, etc. are common laboratory hazards.

• When using any bladed implement, slow down, do not use it to “saw” unless it is a saw, and do not put too much pressure on it.


Handling Sharps

• Never recap needles.

• Dispose of used sharps in a “SHARPS” disposal container.


Biohazard/Pathogen Safety

• Biohazards include: bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, or any body fluids.

• Pathogens: agents that cause disease.

• Bloodborne Pathogens: microorganisms that may be transmitted through direct contact with contaminated blood, bodily fluids, or tissues.


Biohazardous Material Disposal

• Dispose of all biohazardous materials as directed by your instructor.

• Do not dispose of them in the trash.


Biohazard Precaution

• Treat all human blood & bodily fluids as if they are infected.

• Use gloves and other PPE as instructed.

• Avoid touching your face with your gloves.


Biohazard Precaution

• Place all used sharp objects – both contaminated & non-contaminated (needles, scalpel blades, etc.) in a “SHARPS” container.

• Never recap needles.• Never recap needles.• Never recap needles.



Leaving the lab - when the lab session is over:

• Clean your workstation.• Put all tools and equipment back to their

proper place.• Remove gloves and other PPE.• Wash your hands thoroughly before

leaving the lab.

Safety is not an outcome.Safety is not a goal.

SAFETY IS A BEHAVIOR

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