Standard Operating Procedure

LOCAL SAFETY OFFICER: Christine Benoit
ROOM: Hoffman 114-120
P.I.: Charles H. Langmuir

DATE: August 11, 2006

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Geochemistry

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING THAT MUST BE USED FOR ALL WORK:

• Safety Glasses - Must be used when chipping rocks to protect eyes from debris.
• Face Shields - Must be worn with apron when cutting rocks on high speed rock saws.
• Rubber Boots - N/A
• Safety Goggles - Must be worn when handling any acid or acidic solution.
• Lab Coat (polyester) or Tyvek Jumpsuit – Must be worn when handling any acid or acidic solution.
• Gloves - Nitrile gloves must be worn when handling any acid or acidic solution. When handling HF, two pairs must be worn. 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 - We do not normally do any research that requires the use of respirators.
• Laser Safety Goggles - Langmuir 266 nm laser is Class 1. No laser safety goggles necessary.
• Other - Asbestos gloves and safety goggles must be worn when handling fusions in the muffle furnace.

GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING RULES:

1. Chemicals should be stored in designated areas when not in use.
2. All lab benches should remain clear unless in active use.

WASTE DISPOSAL RULES:

1. Empty glass acid bottles are to be rinsed 3 times with D.I. water and disposed of in the normal glass recycling bin outside of the Langmuir conference room.
2. Everyone who uses acids in the Langmuir Lab must take the training offered by EH&S pertaining to the hazardous waste disposal. A “refresher” course must be taken yearly, as well.
3. Broken glass must be disposed of in the broken glass box in 115 Chemistry Lab.
4. The satellite accumulation areas for acids are located under the hoods in 115 and 117B.

FUME HOOD USE:

1. All laminar flow hoods and fume hoods must remain clear unless in active use.
2. Laminar flow hoods are certified on a yearly basis.

CHEMICAL STORAGE:

Acids must be stored in designated areas. Flammable liquids must be stored separately, in their designated areas.

SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED:

All lab users working with acids must take the EH&S lab safety training in the use and disposal of chemicals.

CHEMICAL SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES:

1. Small spills are the responsibility of each user. Be sure to clean up spills immediately so that the epoxy floors in 115, 117A and 117B do not turn yellow. The spill kit is located just outside of the gowning room.
2. For large spills, clear the area of personnel and call the University Operations Center (5-5560).

OTHER RELEVANT COMMENTS:

When in doubt, ASK!