1. General Lab Safety
Biotechnology
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2. Objectives
List general safety rules used when working in the laboratory
Define and identify personal protective equipment (PPE).
Explain how to work with chemicals safely
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3. Personal Protective Equipment
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4. Personal protective Equipment (PPE)
Definition: Safety equipment issued to help employees protect themselves from hazards of their work environment.
Examples of PPE:
fire retardant or chemical-proof clothing
gloves,
respirators
safety spectacles
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5. Gloves
Provides a protective barrier between your skin and the contaminate
Many different types that protect against either
Corrosive or toxic chemicals
Biological contaminants
Extreme temperature
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6. Glove Material Characterized by
Degradation rate-tendency of a chemical to physically change the properties of a glove on contact
Permeation rate-tendency of chemical or biological contaminant to penetrate glove material
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7. Why Should You Care? Use of the proper glove can save lives.
Case study: Professor Karen Watterhahn and mercury poisoning
Working in latex gloves
Dropped few drops of dimethylmercury on gloved hand
3 months later began to have neurological symptoms and died
Problem: did not wear the proper gloves; mercury penetrated the latex gloves
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8. Gloves we will commonly use
Latex-
recommended for working with bases alcohols, bloodborne pathogens;
comfortable to wear;
may trigger allergic reaction;
commonly used because of low cost
Nitrile-
has good chemical resistance;
recommended for bloodborne pathogens;
hyperallergenic; more expensive
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9. Latex and Nitrile Gloves do not protect against more caustic chemicals
For Organic solvents or strong acids/bases use chemical resistant rubber gloves
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10. Protective Eyewear
Goggles are always worn in the lab unless the instructor tells you otherwise.
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11. Types of Protective Eyewear
Three general types
Safety glasses-have side protection
protect small splashes and minor hazards
Goggles-sealed around the eyes;
provide good protection against large splashes and working with caustic agents
Full face shields-used when working with materials under a vacuum or UV radiation.
Emphasize that prescription eyeglasses are not considered adquate eye protection because they do not have side shields
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12. Lab Coats
Should be worn at all times in the lab - protect against hazardous materials.
Provide a barrier against harmful experimental agents
Protect experiments from contaminants outside the laboratory carried on clothing.
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13. Chemical Safety
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14. Know the composition and hazards of chemical you are working with
If not sure safety of a chemical, check MSDS sheet
MSDS sheets for every chemical can be found online
A hard copy should be in a notebook in the lab
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15. MSDS Sheet Contains. Name & trade name of the substance
Hazardous ingredient(s) it contains
Physical characteristics of the chemical
Protective equipment to use
What to do if a leak or spill occurs
Other precautions to follow
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16. Use Chemical Flow Hood for Volatile Chemicals
When making volatile chemical solutions (many organic solvents, strong acids) use a chemical flow hood
Basic Instructions
Turn on chemical flow hood
Pull front sash down below chin level
Work at least 6 in within hood
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17. Chemical Disposal – In the drain or designated container?
Why not dispose of all chemicals down the drain? List two possible reasons.
Waste deposal depends on the chemical – if uncertain always ask the instructor
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18. Chemical Waste Categories
Fall under 4 general categories for aqueous liquid waste
Corrosives-ex. acids/bases
Organics- ex. alcohols, acetone
Toxics- ex.. heavy metals
Biological-ex. bacteria culture
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19. Corrosives Typically, acids/bases
Must be neutralized before putting in proper container
Commonly, will be done by the instructor at completion of experiment
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20. Organics
Typically, solvents used in lab other than water are organics (isopropyl alcohol, methanol)
Most are non-halogenated solvents
should be disposed in a non-halogenated solvent container
Never pour organics down the drain
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21. General Lab Safety Rules
Get in groups of 2-3 and complete the “safety first” pogil as a review of general lab safety.
Turn the “safety first” pogil when completed
Have safety contract signed
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