Safety in the Chemistry 2 Laboratories

SAFETY IN THE CHEMISTRY 2 LABORATORIES E) Safety in the Chemistry 2 Laboratories Students are an integral part of accident and injury prevention effort. The laboratory safety rules require the students to follow Safe Laboratory Practices and wear the proper Person Protective Equipment (PPE). Special Medication Condition If you have a special health condition (asthma, pregnancy, etc.) or any personal health concerns, consult your doctor before taking chemistry lab. SAFE LABORATORY PRACTICES Using safe laboratory practices prevents most accidents and injuries from occurring. Remember that you are sharing the same work area with 23 other students. Any unsafe practices on the part of your fellow students may end up injuring you or others. Courteously correct unsafe lab practices you may encounter or report them to your TA. Laboratory safety is a communal effort. Safety Equipment There are many safety types of equipment in the Chemistry 2 laboratory. Learn where they are and how to operate them.  Exits The ability to remove yourself from a dangerous situation is one of the most important safety skills you have. Keep the exits clear. Do not block exits with backpacks, skateboards, bicycles, etc. Keep the doors closed. Do not prop the door open  Fire Extinguisher Learn the location of the fire extinguisher. It is usually placed next to an exit.  Eyewash Learn the location of the eyewash. For chemical spills in your eyes, use the Eyewash fountain. Hold your eyelids open and wash affected area water for 15 minutes with water. Seek medical attention. A-36 SAFETY IN THE CHEMISTRY 2 LABORATORIES  Drench Hose and Safety Shower Learn the location of the drench hose and safety shower. For large spills on your body, use the safety shower. Remove contaminated clothing and wash affected area with water. Seek medical attention immediately. For small chemical spills on your arms and hands, use the drench hose. Wash affected area water for 15 minutes with water and contact you TA. You may also use the tap water faucet if it is adequate for washing the affected area. It is advised that you seek medical attention for even minor burns. When the safety shower is used in the Science Lab building, all other students must evacuate the room. The TA must dial 911 and inform the Fire Department that the safety shower is used.  Fire Alarm Box The fire alarm boxes in the Science Lab building are located in the hallway. Fire Alarm and Evacuation When the Fire Alarm sounds, stop all reactions and turn off all sources of ignition (e.g. hot plates, Bunsen burner). Exit the building calmly according to the evacuation plan and go to the designated area (i.e. the mustering point). Your TA will take roll call to make sure you are safely out of the building. Do not leave the designated area unless instructed by your TA or emergency response personnel. Work Under Supervision Your TA must be present to supervise all experiments. If your TA is incapacitated, contact dispensary staff immediately. Report all accidents and injuries to your TA, no matter how small. Follow Instructions The Chemistry 2 laboratory is designed to minimize the hazard exposure to students. Failure to follow the lab manual instructions may result in accidents and injuries to you and others around you. Always follow the manual unless instructed by the TA or the laboratory staff. Follow all instructions posted in the laboratory. Practice Good Housekeeping  Keep work area organized. Don’t put glassware on edges where they may fall off. A-37 SAFETY IN THE CHEMISTRY 2 LABORATORIES  Cap all bottles and close all drawers as soon as you are done using them.  Clean up all spills and broken glassware immediately. Avoid Chemical Contamination  Do not bring food and drinks into labs.  Do not consume or use food, beverage, medicine, chewing gum, or tobacco, apply makeup or contact lenses in the laboratory.  Take off one glove when leaving the laboratory. Do not touch anything outside the laboratory with your laboratory gloves.  Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the lab. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) Students must come to the laboratory section with the appropriate personal protective equipment. The PPE is the last line of defense against chemical hazards in the laboratory. Failure to don the appropriate PPE will result in your removal from the laboratory. Many students may find it helpful to keep a bag dedicated to chemistry lab courses with the proper clothing and PPE and change into them before class. Dress Code Clothing worn in the laboratory should be able to protect you from small splashes and spills of liquids. For the Chemistry 2 laboratories, students are required to have long sleeve shirt, long pants, and shoes that cover the entirety of the foot.  Long sleeve shirt and long pants: You must wear clothing that covers your arms, legs, wrists and ankles to protect you from small spills. Long skirts, tights or leggings do not quality. Do not wear clothing with holes in them as they will not protect you from spills.  Shoes that cover the entirety of the foot and socks to cover the ankles: You must wear closed-toe, closed-heeled shoes that completely cover your foot. Do not wear sandals, slippers, or shoes that expose the back of your foot. Broken glassware and spilled chemicals are more likely to land on your foot than anywhere else. Also remember to wear socks to cover your ankles. The area between your shoes and pants should not be exposed when you are seated. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is: No skin exposure from the neck down to the feet in the laboratory. A-38 SAFETY IN THE CHEMISTRY 2 LABORATORIES Goggles Lab goggles are designed to protect your eyes. Injury to the eyes is often irreversible and may severely impact your future. Always wear approved goggles when working in the laboratory. Approved Goggles ANSI Z87.1-compliant chemical splash goggles with indirect venting is required for the Chemistry 2 course. Approved lab goggles may be purchased at the MU Bookstore, the Silo Bookstore or the ARC Pro Shop in the Activity and Recreation Center. Goggles Rules  Modified goggles will not be allowed in the lab. Do not modify the goggles by adjusting or removing the indirect venting system.  Goggles strap must be adjusted to fit properly at all times.  Never take off your goggles in the laboratory. If you need to adjust your goggles or if they fog up, leave the laboratory and return when your goggles issues are resolved. Lab Coat  You must provide your own lab coat for all chemistry lab courses. Only wear lab coats during the laboratory. Take off your lab coat immediately after lab. Do not wear lab coat outside the laboratory.  Your lab coat must be made of 100% cotton. Disposable, synthetic lab coats are not acceptable.  Your lab coat must be properly fitted so that it protects your arms and body. The sleeves of your lab coat must fully extent to the wrists. Do not wear a lab coat that that’s too small or too big for you.  Keep your lab coat buttoned at all times. A-39 SAFETY IN THE CHEMISTRY 2 LABORATORIES Gloves You will be provided with disposable nitrile gloves in lab for you protection. Do not bring your own gloves. Wear gloves when handling hazardous chemicals or contacting potentially contaminated surfaces. Never re-use disposable gloves. Remove and replace contaminated nitrile gloves immediately. Allergy  If you are allergic to nitrile gloves, contact your TA and the laboratory staff. You will be provided with hypoallergenic lab gloves. Fit  Make sure you wear the correct sized gloves. Gloves that are too large for your hand greatly increase the likelihood of accidents. A-40