Standard Operating Procedure

LOCAL SAFETY OFFICER: Jenny Smythe
ROOM: Cruft 312
P.I.: Federico Capasso

DATE: August 10, 2006

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Precise measurements with MEMS and Infrared Optics

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING:

• Safety Glasses - Must be worn
  • (i) while handling any chemicals,
  • (ii) while working with compressed gases,
  • (iii) while machining objects through processes which could give rise to small parts,
  • (iv) while moving large pieces of glass or fragile material,
  • (v) when soldering with tin,
  • (vi) always while working in the room 312-A (workshop)
• Face Shields – NA
• Rubber Boots – NA
• Safety Goggles – NA
• Aprons – NA
• Gloves - Cryogenic gloves must be worn while transferring liquid nitrogen or liquid helium and while working with objects directly in contact with those liquids. Latex or nitrile gloves should be worn while handling or transferring hazardous chemicals and waste, as well as when soldering and when using epoxy glues. At the Safety Committee web site (http://www-safety.deas.harvard.edu) under "Safety Committee Services" can be found a listing of glove type vs. chemical. If there is any question, see Lenny Solomon.
• Steel-toed Shoes - NA
• Respirators – NA
• Laser Safety Goggles - NA
• Other - NA

GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING RULES:

1. Do not introduce any chemical in the laboratory without consulting the local safety officer.
2. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.
3. Return chemicals to storage area after use.
4. Place tools in their respective areas after use.
5. Be respectful of other people when using shared facilities and clean up after yourself.
6. Clutter should be avoided.
7. If you have any doubt on safety issues, ask the local safety officer or Lenny Solomon.
8. In general, avoid to work alone in the laboratory especially during week-end and night hours.
9. The emergency numbers are affixed to the wall at the entrance of the laboratory.
10. Material Safety Data Sheets are available on line at http://www-safety.deas.harvard.edu

WASTE DISPOSAL RULES:

1. Everyone must have current Hazardous Waste Disposal training which includes the initial "live" training and annual "online" refresher training.
2. The Satellite Accumulation Area is located inside the flammable cabinet.
3. All chemical waste must have a university provided Hazardous Waste Tag on it. The tag should be properly filled out with all of the information except the date when the container first has waste put into it. The date is filled in when the container becomes FULL. Writing on the container itself is not acceptable.
4. When a waste bottle is filled, the Hazardous Waste Tag must be DATED and EH&S must be called at once for waste pick-up.
5. All glass should be disposed in an appropriate Broken Glass Waste Boxes.
6. All razor blades and sharps must be disposed of in the labeled red "biohazard" containers.

FUME HOOD USE:

1. The fume hood is for active use only. Do not leave chemicals or other materials in the fume hoods. All chemicals and materials in fume hoods must be labeled with your name, the date, and the substance. Chemicals should be used only in the HOOD and nowhere else.
2. All fumes hoods must be certified once per year. If you suspect a problem with a fume hood or notice that it is overdue for inspections tell your local safety officer who will call EH&S for an inspection.

CHEMICAL STORAGE:

Chemicals other than solvents are not allowed in the laboratory. Solvents must be stored inside the flammable cabinet.

SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED:

1. All lab personnel who generate Hazardous Waste must have current Hazardous Waste Disposal* training which includes the initial "live" training by Cate Thomas and annual "online" refresher training which is located through http://www.uos.harvard.edu.
2. All persons working with lasers should have Laser Safety* training.
3. All lab personnel who work with compressed gases should take the Compressed Gas Safety* training.
4. All lab personnel who work with cryogenic liquids should take the Cryogenic Liquids Safety* training
   

   *All of the above mentioned training is offered through the DEAS Safety Committee. Contact the local safety officer for more details.

CHEMICAL SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES:

1. For large spills of solvents, clear the area of personnel, call the University Operations Center (5-5560) and do not allow people to enter the room.
2. For spills of blood (even small), clear the area of personnel, call the University Operations Center (5-5560) and do not allow other people to enter the room.

OTHER RELEVANT COMMENTS:

1. Do not attempt to use ANY equipment which you are not trained to use.
2. Basic medical kits are close to the large entrance of the laboratory and in room 312-A.
3. If you have any questions ASK your local safety officer.