Standard Operating Procedure

LOCAL SAFETY OFFICER: Li Han
ROOM: ESL 112, 115, 116, 117, 118
P.I.: Joost Vlassak

DATE:August 10, 2006

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Materials Engineering

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING THAT MUST BE USED FOR ALL WORK:

• Safety Glasses - Must be employed when working with any process that could throw off debris.
• Face Shields - N/A.
• Rubber Boots - N/A.
• Safety Goggles - Must be worn when working with any chemicals that could cause eye damage. Check the MSDS section on protective clothing for each chemical in use.
• Aprons - Should be worn when working with corrosives such as strong acids or bases. Check the MSDS section on protective clothing for each chemical in use.
• Gloves - Must be worn when working with any chemicals or cryogens. Proper glove selection is critical. Check the MSDS for all chemicals in use. 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 or your local safety officer.
• Steel-toed Shoes - Should be worn when moving heavy objects.
• Respirators - We do not normally do any research that requires the use of respirators. If you have any question, see Lenny Solomon.
• Laser Safety Goggles - Must be worn when working with open Class III or IV laser systems.
• Other - N/A.

GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING RULES:

1. Chemicals should be stored on lab benches only when in active use. Otherwise, they should be stored in the appropriate storage cabinet.
2. Any glassware should be cleaned and hung to dry and/or put away in the proper place before leaving the room.
3. Clutter should be avoided

WASTE DISPOSAL RULES:

1. All glass should be disposed in an appropriate Broken Glass Waste Box.
2. ALL sharps (including razor blades) are considered a biohazard and must be disposed of in an appropriate red Sharps Collection container.
3. Everyone must have current Hazardous Waste Disposal training which includes the initial "live" training by Henry Littleboy and annual "on line" refresher training.
4. 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.
5. Satellite Accumulation Areas are located in 417, 502, 510, and 512 McKay. All Hazardous Waste requires secondary containment. Do not store incompatible chemicals (i.e. acids and bases) in the same secondary containment tray.
6. 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. The number to call is on the green SAA sign posted in the area.

FUME HOOD USE:

1. Fume hood in ESL 117 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.
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 inspection tell your local safety officer who will call EH&S for an inspection.

CHEMICAL STORAGE:

• Chemicals should be stored in the appropriate safety cabinet (flammables, acids, bases). No chemical should be left in a fume hood unless actively in use.

SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED:

1. All lab personnel who work with chemicals should have Chemical Safety* training.
2. All lab personnel who generate Hazardous Waste must have current Hazardous Waste Disposal* training which includes the initial "live" training by Henry Littleboy and annual "online" refresher training which is located through http://www.uos.harvard.edu/.
3. All persons working with lasers should have Laser Safety* training.
4. All persons working with x-ray sources should have Radiation Safety* training.
5. All lab personnel who work with compressed gases should take the Compressed Gas Safety* training.
6. All personnel who would like to use the Physics Machine Shop must take the Machine Shop course with Stan Coutreau which includes machine shop safety training.
   
   * All of the above mentioned training is offered annually through the DEAS Safety Committee.

CHEMICAL SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES:

1. Small spills should be cleaned up by those in the lab. There are Spill Kits located in front of ESL 112.
2. For large spills, clear the area of personnel and call the University Operations Center (5-5560).

OTHER RELEVANT COMMENTS:

1. When a laser warning light is activated, do not enter that area unless you're told by the laser operator that egress can be done safely.
2. Do not attempt to use ANY equipment which you are not trained to use.
3. Always "ask first" before attempting to take any action that might be hazardous.
4. If you have any questions ask your local safety officer.