1. University of Alaska Fairbanks Environmental Health, Safety, and Risk Management October 2009

2.  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 2

3.  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. 3

4. 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 4

5.  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

6. 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

7. 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) 7

8.  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

9. 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. 9

10.  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. 10

11.  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. 11

12.  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 12

13.  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

14.  Includes (but not limited to):  Compressed gases  Electrical equipment  Lasers  Thermal hazards  Radiation 14

15.  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. 15

16.  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. 16

17.  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. 17

18.  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) 18

19.  Radioisotope use at UAF includes both sealed and unsealed sources.  Sealed: gas chromatographs, scintillation counters  Unsealed: 3 H, 14 C, 32 P, 125 I  Never enter a lab or room containing radioactive materials without authorization from the Lab Supervisor or the UAF Radiation Safety Officer (474- 6771). 19

20.  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. 20

21.  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. 21 Stay away from me!

22.  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. 22

23. 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. 23

24.  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. 24

25.  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 25

26.  Quiz is located at: www.uaf.edu/safetywww.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. 26