Standard Operating Procedure

DATE: December 13, 2006

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Cell and tissue 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 and when entering rooms with UV lights turned on.
• Face Shields - Must be employed when working with any potentially violent reactions or when working with glassware that is under pressure or vacuum. Should also be worn when etching with Hydrofluoric Acid. Check MSDS section on protective clothing for each chemical in use.
• Rubber Boots - Generally not applicable in this lab.
• 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 - Generally not applicable in this lab. If there is any question, ask your local safety officer.
• Laser Safety Goggles - Generally not applicable in this lab.

1. Be respectful of other people when using shared facilities and clean up after yourself.
2. Returned borrowed tools ASAP to the tool chest from which they came.
3. Any glassware not in current use should be cleaned and hung to dry and/or put away in the Chem Lab.
4. Clutter should be avoided.

WASTE DISPOSAL RULES:

1. ALL sharps (including razor blades) are considered a biohazard and must be disposed of in an appropriate red Sharps Collection container.
2. Everyone must have current Hazardous Waste Disposal training which includes the initial "live" Lab Safety Training by EH&S and annual "on line" refresher training.
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. 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.
5. Satellite Accumulation Areas are located in the fume hood area in room 405. 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 hoods are 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.

• 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. 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 lab personnel who work with chemicals should have Lab Safety Training. *
2. All lab personnel who generate Hazardous Waste must have current Hazardous Waste Disposal* training which includes the initial "live" Lab Safety Training by EH&S and annual "on line" refresher training which is located through http://www.uos.harvard.edu.
3. All persons working with lasers should have Laser Safety* training.
4. All lab personnel who work with compressed gases should take the Compressed Gas Safety* training.
5. 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 through the DEAS Safety Committee or EH&S.

CHEMICAL SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES:

1. Small spills should be cleaned up by those in the lab. There are Spill Kits located on the 3rd floor of 40 Oxford St, next to the printing station (‘vlad’).
2. 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.