1. Brought to you by the BME Student Safety Council
BME Safety Moments
Brought to you by the BME Student Safety Council

2. Autoclave if req’d by biosafety protocol
BMS
Preferred
Clean
Also okay
NEVER
Autoclave if req’d by biosafety protocol

3. Clean
NEB
EITHER
OKAY

4. Emergency Alarms
Step 1: Pull off cover from fire alarm. This will cause an alarm to sound ONLY in the surrounding area.
Step 2: Pull the lever of the actual fire alarm. This will sound an alarm through the entire building.
Step 3: Evacuate and call 911.

5. Hazardous Waste Labels1
All hazardous waste containers must follow the new labeling format shown below: 2
“HAZARDOUS WASTE” 3
INDICATION OF WASTE HAZARD
CEHMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Must be complete chemical names
No abbreviations, chemical formulas, or molecular diagrams
CONTACT AND LOCATION
“HAZARDOUS WASTE” labels also required on unused product containers when placed in satellite area for disposal. 4
Request new labels by using the chemical waste pick-up request form or by calling

6. Satellite Accumulation Area
All Hazardous Waste containers must be
marked with "HAZARDOUS WASTE " labels
TIGHTLY SEALED at all times, unless waste is being added to the container
The upper volume limit for a single SAA is 55 gallons of Hazardous Waste, or 1 quart of any P-listed Hazardous Waste.
solid waste materials (gloves, benchtop paper, kim wipes etc) that go into the white bucket or larger 30 gal fiberboard drum should have the toxic waste hazard checked only
BIOHAZARDOUS OR RADIOACTIVE WASTES must be kept separate and segregated from Hazardous Waste and SAAs
Do not mix incompatible waste streams (i.e. acids/bases, flammable liquids/oxidizers) in the same containers
Establish SAAs AT OR NEAR the point at which the Hazardous Waste is being generated
Each lab must designate a LABORATORY WASTE MANAGER

7. Chemical Fume Hoods It is all about air flow!
Operate the hood at the proper sash height
EH&S profile sticker
Do not block the airfoil
Place bulky equipment away from sidewalls and towards the rear of the hood
Do not use the hood as a storage cabinet!
Close sash when finished with hood work OR when leaving experiments or chemicals unattended!
It is all about air flow!
Fume Hood Air Flow

8. Daisy Chain surge Protector
ALWAYS inspect the power rating of the surge protector you used.
Overloaded power strips or surge protectors are can cause serious fire hazard [OSHA 29 CFR (b)(4)]]
Impedance grows with each power-strip to power-strip connection leading to greater voltage drop.

9. Chemical Spill Kits Don proper PPE What type of chemical is it?
Extremely hazardous to surroundings?
 pull emergency alarm
Surround the spill with absorbent vermiculite to keep it from spreading
Neutralize the spill from the outer edge inward
If an acid spill, use a weak base, such as sodium bicarbonate (“soda ash”)
If a base spill, use diluted citric acid
Absorb excess liquid using spill pads or towels
Place all waste in a plastic bag, label as hazardous, and place in a secondary container. Contact EH&S for pickup
Fill out incident report

10. Safely Using Liquid Nitrogen
It’s an inert, colorless, odorless, non-corrosive, non-flammable, and extremely cold
It’s stored in cryogenic liquid cylinder with adequate ventilation
Do NOT have any part of body come in contact with uninsulated pipes or equipment containing liquid nitrogen
Extremely cold metal will cause the flesh to stick fast and tear when attempting to withdraw from it
Containers should be handled and stored in upright position
Do not drop, tip, or roll containers on their sides
Required PPE: Safety glasses, Full face shield, Loose-fitting thermal insulated gloves, Lab coat, Long pants, Closed-toe shoes