Standard Operating Procedure

LOCAL SAFETY OFFICER: Jieping Fang
ROOM: Lyman 123, 126, 127, 128, 130, 131, 132
P.I.: Isaac F. Silvera

DATE: August 15, 2006

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Ultra high pressure, Ultra high temperature and low temperature physics

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING THAT MUST BE USED FOR ALL WORK:

• Safety Glasses - Must be employed when working with any process that could throw off debris that would break non-safety glass.
• Face Shields - Must be employed when working with highly corrosive acids (e.g. sulfuric acid).
• Rubber Boots - N/A
• Safety Goggles - Must be employed when working with any chemicals that could cause eye damage or when handling significant amount of liquid nitrogen.
• Aprons - Should be worn when working with any chemicals. Must be worn when working with corrosives such as strong acids and bases.
• Gloves - When working with chemicals or other materials that warrant the use of protective gloves (such as work with cryogens) proper glove selection is critical. For specific glove type vs. chemical, see http://www-safety.deas.harvard.edu under "Safety Committee Services." If there is any question, see Lenny Solomon.
• Steel-toed Shoes - Should be worn when moving heavy objects.
• Respirators - N/A
• Laser Safety Goggles - Must be employed when working with open class 3 or 4 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 safety cabinet (see below).
2. Small bottles of acetone and methanol are available in each lab. They must be kept in the secondary containment trays when not actively in use.
3. Avoid cluttering of lab spaces.

WASTE DISPOSAL RULES:

1. Everyone needs to take the training offered by the EH&S pertaining to the disposal of hazardous waste.
2. The satellite accumulation area is located under the fume hood in L-130.

FUME HOOD USE:

Do not obstruct fume hoods or use them for passive storage. All fume hoods are automatically inspected and certified by EH&S once per year. If you notice a fume hood with certification that is more than one year old, let the local safety officer know, he will contact the EH&S to arrange for an inspection.

CHEMICAL STORAGE:

1. Flammable liquids must be stored in the flammable cabinet under fume hood (right), corrosives must be stored in the corrosive cabinet (left).
2. DO NOT store acids and bases in the same secondary containment tray.
3. Hazardous wastes are stored under the fume hood. Incompatible wastes are stored in separate secondary containment trays.

SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED:

1. All personnel in this lab must take the initial (in-person) hazardous waste disposal training offered by the 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.
3. In addition, training is available regarding laser safety, machine shop safety and the safe use of compressed gases. To see a list of training seminars or to register for training, go to the Safety Seminars page at the DEAS/Physics Safety Committee web site: http://www-safety.deas.harvard.edu/services/seminars.html.

CHEMICAL SPILL CLEANUP PROCEDURES:

1. Small spills should be cleaned up by those in the lab.
2. For large spills, clear the area of personnel and call Stuart McNeil (5-2874) and the University Operations Center (5-5560).

OTHER RELEVANT COMMENTS:

1. When a laser warning light is activated, do not enter that area unless you are told by the the laser operator that egress can be done safely.
2. Always "ask first" before attempting to take any action that might be hazardous.