Standard Operating Procedure

LOCAL SAFETY OFFICER: Kristen A. Bearce
ROOM: ESL 203, 301
P.I.: Ralph Mitchell

DATE: February 20, 2007

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Microbial Ecology

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING THAT MUST BE USED FOR ALL WORK:

• Safety Glasses - Must be employed when working with any process that could throw off debris and when entering rooms with UV lights turned on.
• Face Shields - UV blocking face shield must be worn when using transilluminator.
• Rubber Boots - N/A
• Safety Goggles - Must be worn when working with any process that could create an aerosol microbial population or create a splash of harmful solvents. Check the MSDS section on protective clothing for each chemical in use.
• Aprons - Should be worn when working with harmful solvents. Check the MSDS section on protective clothing for each chemical in use.
• Gloves - Latex or Nitrile gloves should be worn for all aseptic handling of microbes. When working with chemicals or other materials that warrant the use of protective gloves (such as work with cryogens), proper glove selection is critical. 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 - Should be worn when moving heavy objects.
• Respirators - N/A
• Laser Safety Goggles - N/A
• 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 safety cabinet.
2. In general, clutter should be avoided.
3. Be respectful of other people when using shared facilities and clean up after yourself.
4. Any glassware not in current use should be cleaned and hung to dry and/or put away.
5. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.

WASTE DISPOSAL RULES:

1. All glass should be disposed in the appropriate container; either in the broken glass box or in the biohazard box.
2. All biohazard waste must be disposed of in special biohazard containers which are double bagged. The bags are tied and the containers sealed when 2/3 full. Biohazard waste is picked up separately from hazardous waste
3. All sharps (including razor blades and syringes) are considered a biohazard and must be disposed of in an appropriate Sharps Collection container.
4. Satellite Accumulation Area is located in the fume hood area in room 301. All Hazardous Waste requires secondary containment.
5. 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. Do not obstruct fume hoods or use them for passive storage.
2. All fume hoods must be certified once per year.

CHEMICAL STORAGE:

1. Flammable liquids must be stored in the flammable cabinet.
2. DO NOT store acids and bases in the same secondary containment tray.
3. No chemical should be left in a fume hood unless actively in use. The exception is Hazardous Waste which may be stored in a fume hood designated for this purpose (with a green SAA sign).

SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED:

1. All personnel in this lab must take the initial (in-person) hazardous waste disposal training offered by EH&S. The schedule for the Hazardous Waste Classroom Training can be found at http://www-safety.deas.harvard.edu/services/seminars.html.
2. All personnel in this lab must take the on-line hazardous waste refresher training every year. The Hazardous Waste Training Module can be found at http://www.uos.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/ehs/page_1.pl.

CHEMICAL SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES:

1. Small spills should be cleaned up in the lab.
2. The location of our spill kit is in 301.
3. For large spills, clear the area of personnel and call the University Operations Center (5-5560).

OTHER RELEVANT COMMENTS:

1. Do not attempt to use ANY equipment which you are not trained to use.
2. Know the locations of the emergency shower and eye wash stations, which are located by the front door of the lab and clearly labeled. 
3. If you have any questions ask your local safety officer.