Safety and organization In enmat labs Valeria Poliakova 26.9.2014

Control methods

Hazards control Elimination (including substitution): remove the hazard from the workplace. Engineering Controls: includes designs or modifications to plants, equipment, ventilation systems, and processes that reduce the source of exposure. Administrative Controls: controls that alter the way the work is done, including timing of work, policies and other rules, and work practices such as standards and operating procedures (including training, housekeeping, and equipmentmaintenance, and personal hygiene practices). Personal Protective Equipment: equipment worn by individuals to reduce exposure such as contact with chemicals or exposure to noise.

1. Substitution Identifying hazards and assessing risks Identifying alternatives Think about what could happen if you use the alternatives Comparing alternatives Decide whether to substitute Introducing the substitute Assessing the change

2. Engineering controls Process control Enclosure and/or isolation of emission source Ventilation, filtration Warning alarms on emission

3. Administrative controls Rules Work practices Education and training Good housekeeping Emergency preparedness Personal Hygiene

Threshold Limit Values Threshold Limit Value (TLV) by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Recommended Exposure Value (REL) by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) by Occupational Health and Safety Agency (OSHA)

Other notations TWA = time-weighted average TEL = threshold exposure limit STEL = short-term exposure limit

Labs’ rules

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Types of PPE used When it is necessary to use PPE How to use PPE Disposal

Types of PPE relevant for enmat labs Respiratory protection Eye and face protection Skin and body protection Hearing protection

Respiratory protection When is necessary Types Filters How to use How to maintain and dispose

Types of respiratory protection Air-purifying devices: Dust mask Quarter mask Half mask Full-face mask Gas mask Mouthpiece respirator Atmosphere-supplying respirators: Air line respirator Hose mask Self-contained breathing apparatus

Respiratory protection: types Dust mask Disposable Protects from nuisance particles as well as some dusts and mists Even best-fitting models have appr. 20 % leakage

Respiratory protection: types Half-mask Reusable Used for protection against a wide variety of respiratory hazards Can’t be used in O2-defficient atmosphere, limited by type of filter used, protection factor is small, facial hair limitation

Respiratory protection: types Full face masks Reusable Can be used with variety of contaminants, protection factor is high Expensive, can’t be used in O2-defficient atmosphere, limited by type of filter used

Respiratory protection: types Air line respirator Powered by batteries, creates positive pressure inside the mask Easy to breath, facial fit is not cruicial Expensive. Limited by battery life.

Filter to use: When dust is a hazard P3 filter (with Profile 2 mask) Provide 30*PEL protection To be changed, once one experience difficulties with breathing When styrene or bensene, ethanol, etc is a hazard A filter (with full face mask) Brown Effective time depends on ppm of contaminant, breathing load and ability of the filter to absorb contaminants

Filter to use: When acetaldehyde, acetone, chloroform, methanol, etc is a hazard AX (with full face mask) Brown Effective time depends on ppm of contaminant, breathing load and ability of the filter to absorb contaminants When a comination of gases and particles is a hazards Combined filter Combination of colours

Eye and face protecion When necessary Types

Eye protection is necessary When handling chemicals When working with UV- and IR-radiation When cutting, grinding, polishing, sanding… When handling molten plastic When welding When doing precision work

Eye and face protection Safety glasses Protect against impact, dust Usually made from PC and have UV-filter Do not protect from chemical splashes, mists, vapours

Eye and face protection Safety goggles Protect against impact, dust, chemicals, mists and vapours More expensive

Eye and face protection Welding shields Protect from IR or intence radiant light Protect both eyes and face from flying sparks and slag chips Might be hand-held or band-fitting

Eye and face protection Face shield Protects eyes and face from impact, dust, chemical splashes and spray hazards NOTE! To be used with safety glasses

Skin and body protection is necessary… When handling chemicals When working in a contaminated environment When welding When handling hot metals

Skin protection Neoprene gloves Synthetic rubber High density and tear resistance Offer good protection agains chloroform, alcohols, epoxy, nitric acid Should not be used for benzene and styrene-containing chemicals

Skin protection Latex gloves Natural rubber Outstanding tensile strength and elasticity Allergens Offer good protection against acetone, alcohols, epoxy, strong bases (KOH, NaOH) Not good for styrene, benzene and chloroform containing chemicals

Skin protection Nitrile glove Most common Offer good protection against oils, greases, acids, bases and alcohols Are not recommended for use with acetone and peroxides

Body protection White coveralls One-time use Protect against dust and splashes To be disposed in a separate bag after heavy use NOTE! By cleaning them with pressurized air you inhale all contaminants!

Body protection Blue coveralls Resable duck coveralls Protect against cuts and impact To be washed, if heavily contaminated

Hearing protection Should be if noise level is above 85 dB or whenever it feels discomfort is experienced Available in the labs as earplugs (easy and invisible) and earmuffs (better attenuation properties)