Standard Operating Procedure

LOCAL SAFETY OFFICER: Jenny Smythe
ROOM: McKay 121
P.I.: Federico Capasso

DATE: August 17, 2006

TYPE OF RESEARCH: Precise measurements with MEMS and Optics

HAZARDS: Hydrofluoric Acid

PROTECTIVE CLOTHING:

• Safety Glasses - Must be worn
  • (i) while working with compressed gases,
  • (ii) while machining objects through processes which could give rise to small parts,
  • (iii) while moving large pieces of glass or fragile material,
  • (iv) when soldering with tin.
• Face Shields – Must be worn while using Hydrofluoric Acid or any other chemicals that requires face protection (see Material Safety Data Sheets)
• Safety Boots – Must be worn while using Hydrofluoric Acid or any other chemicals that requires feet protection (see Material Safety Data Sheets)
• Safety Goggles – Must be worn while using chemicals
• Aprons – Must be worn while using Hydrofluoric Acid or any other chemicals that requires body protection (see Material Safety Data Sheets)
• Gloves - Cryogenic gloves must be worn while transferring liquid nitrogen or liquid helium and while working with objects directly in contact with those liquids. Proper high temperature gloves must be worn while moving with hands objects from hot plates. Latex or nitrile gloves should be worn while handling or transferring hazardous chemicals and waste, as well as when soldering and when using epoxy glues. 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 - NA
• Respirators – NA
• Laser Safety Goggles - NA
• Other - NA

GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING RULES:

1. Do not introduce any chemical in the laboratory without consulting the local safety officer.
2. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.
3. Return chemicals to storage area after use.
4. Place tools in their respective areas after use.
5. All syringes must be kept inside locked drawers and must be registered with the Purchasing Office (see Ralph Generazzo).
6. Be respectful of other people when using shared facilities and clean up after yourself.
7. Clutter should be avoided.
8. If you have any doubt on safety issues, ask the local safety officer or Lenny Solomon.
9. In general, avoid to work alone in the laboratory especially during week-end and night hours.
10. The emergency numbers are affixed to the wall at the large entrance of the laboratory and in the close to the door of room 121 A.
11. Material Safety Data Sheets are available on line at http://www-safety.deas.harvard.edu

WASTE DISPOSAL RULES:

1. Everyone must have current Hazardous Waste Disposal training which includes the initial "live" training by Cathy Thomas and annual "online" refresher training.
2. There are two Satellite Accumulation Areas. One is for acids, and is located underneath the “white” chemical hood in room 121 A. The other one is for solvents, and is located underneath the “metallic” chemical bench in room 121 A.
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. 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.
5. All glass should be disposed in an appropriate Broken Glass Waste Boxes.
6. All razor blades and sharps must be disposed of in the labeled red "biohazard" containers.

FUME HOOD USE:

1. The fume hood and the chemical bench in room 121 A are for active use only. Do not leave chemicals or other materials in the fume hood or in the chemical bench. All chemicals and materials in the fume hood or in the chemical bench must be labeled with your name, the date, and the substance. Chemicals should be used only in the HOOD and nowhere else.
2. All fumes hoods and chemical benches must be certified once per year. If you suspect a problem with the fume hood or the chemical bench, or notice that they are overdue for inspections tell your local safety officer who will call EH&S for an inspection.

CHEMICAL STORAGE:

Chemicals must be stored in the appropriate safety cabinet (cabinet under the “metallic” chemical bench for flammables, cabinet under the “white” fume hood for acids). No chemical should be left in a fume hood unless actively in use.

SPECIAL TRAINING REQUIRED:

1. All lab personnel who generate Hazardous Waste must have current Hazardous Waste Disposal* training which includes the initial "live" training by Cate Thomas and annual "online" refresher training which is located through http://www.uos.harvard.edu.
2. All persons working with lasers should have Laser Safety* training.
3. All lab personnel who work with compressed gases should take the Compressed Gas Safety* training.
4. All lab personnel who work with cryogenic liquids should take the Cryogenic Liquids Safety* training
   

   *All of the above mentioned training is offered through the DEAS Safety Committee. Contact the local safety officer for more details.

CHEMICAL SPILL CLEAN-UP PROCEDURES:

1. For large spills of solvents, clear the area of personnel, call the University Operations Center (5-5560) and do not allow people to enter the room.
2. For spills of acid, clear the area of personnel, call the University Operations Center (5-5560) and do not allow other people to enter the room.
3. For spills of blood (even small), clear the area of personnel, call the University Operations Center (5-5560) and do not allow other people to enter the room.

OTHER RELEVANT COMMENTS:

1. Do not attempt to use ANY equipment which you are not trained to use.
2. Basic medical kits are close to the large entrance of the laboratory and in room 121 B.
3. If you have any questions ASK your local safety officer.