JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
HOWARD FAWCETT National Safety Committee, Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity Ezils. Are exits adeouate in number and oleinlv " marked: do doors open outward? If fire escapes are provided, are they kept free of objects and trash? Floors. Are floors smooth without being slippery; are drains adequate; are nonsparking features provided in floors where inflammable solvents are used? Illumination. Are lights adequate; me vapor-proof covers provided in rooms where inflammable solvents are used? Fire Eztinguishers. Are, sufficient numbers of the proper type extinguishers located so as to.be readily available? Are the loostions plainly marked? Do all persons working in the laboratory know how to operate each t y p e Are extinguishers alweys kept filled and regularly inspected? Is dry sand avsilable for smothering fires where water cannot be used? Fire Hoses. Are fire hoses readily accessible? Are hoses drained and dried after use to prevent deterioration of the hose? Safety Shwers and Fire Blankets. Are emergency showers and fire blankets marked, and surrounding areas open at d l times? Are showers regularly tested (daily or weekly)? Are showers located near all places where acids and caustics are handled in quantities over one liter? First Aid Facilities. Are kits available for prompt treatment of minor injuries? How quickly can more seriously injured be given medical aid? Are stretchers avrtilzble for moving persons overcome with fumes or with broken bones? A r e f o ~ m d records kept of all injuries, to aid in accident prevention? Goggles and Masks. Are goggles or masks provided where dangerto eyes occurs from flying chips, splashing of corrosive liquids, failure of glass equipment under vacuum or pressure? Shields qqnd Smeens. Are shields, screens, and barricades provided and used with vacuum and pressure equipment, or where explosion hazards exist? Gas Masks. Are all-purpose masks provided and are all workers instructed in their use? Do all workers realize the serious effects from inhaling even small amounts of the halogens. SOs HCN, H& phosgene, and oxides of nitrogen, etc.? &
Hoods. Are sufficient numbers of hoods with adequate ventilation provided for operation? involving toxic or noxious .. materials? Cylinders.' Are all high-pressure cylinders supported securely (chained or clamped) and all small cylinders placed in cylinder supports? Catch-pans. Are pans of suitable design and sufficient capacity placed beneath stills during every distillstion, or when large glass beakers are heated, to prevent loss of contents in ease of breakage? Inflanammuble Liquids. Are quantities (over one liter) of inflammable liquids kept in approved metal cans provided with flame arrester? Is every laboratory worker aware of the lire hazards of commonly used solvents, such as ether, alcohol, benzene, petroleum ether, hydrocarbons, etc.7 Are all precautions taken to avoid sparks from friction, statit electricity, andpropagation of flames? Corrosive LipuidP. Are all workers aware of the danger to body, eyes, and clothing of splashes from sulfuric, hydrochloric, nitric, hydrafluoric, and other strong acids, ss well as concentrated caustic solutions? Is adequate protective cloth'ing (eye protection, gloves, apron, etc.) used when handling corrosi* liquids in quantity? If glass containers are used, are they adequately protected from breakage a t all times? Pipetling Liquids. Are rubber bulbs or vacuum lines used when sucking any liquid into a pipet? Are all workers aware of the danger of using the mouth for this operation? Glass Handling. Do all workers use proper caution when inserting glass tubing in rubber stoppers? Is broken and chipped glassware promptly repaired or discarded? Is a separate container provided far broken glass only? General Housekeeping. Is a high order of housekeeping maintained at all times? Are spills immediately cleaned up, and benches frequently washed? Are floors kept clean, and nnste containers emptied frequently?
