Standard Operating Procedure

LOCAL SAFETY OFFICER: Eric Brandin, Mary Hughes
ROOM: McKay 113 (Lab)
P.I.: Jene A. Golovchenko

DATE: August 15, 2006

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Materials Science

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 (using a lathe or milling machine is a clear example).
• Face Shields - Must be employed when working with any potentially violent reactions such as the synthesis of certain chemicals. Should also be used when working with glassware that is under pressure or vacuum.
• Rubber Boots - N/A
• Safety Goggles - Must be employed when working with any chemicals that could cause eye damage.
• Aprons - Should be worn when working with any chemicals. Must be worn when working with corrosives such as strong acids or 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. 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. If you have any questions, see Lenny Solomon.
• Laser Safety Goggles - Laser safety goggles must be worn 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 storage cabinet.
2. In general, clutter should be avoided.

WASTE DISPOSAL RULES:

1. All glass should be disposed in the appropriate container; either in the broken glass box or in the contaminated glass box.
2. Everyone needs to take the training offered by EH&S pertaining to the disposal of hazardous waste.
3. The satellite accumulation area is located under the hood.

FUME HOOD USE:

Do not obstruct fume hoods or use them for passive storage. All fume hoods must be certified once per year.

CHEMICAL STORAGE:

DO NOT store acids and bases in the same secondary containment tray.

SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED:

All lab personnel who work with chemicals must take training in the use and disposal of chemicals. In addition, training is available in laser safety, machine shop safety, and safety when using compressed gases.

CHEMICAL SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES:

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

OTHER RELEVANT COMMENTS:

Always "ask first" before attempting to take any action that might be hazardous.