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LIX. Safety Manuals and Handbooks g. Safety Manual, Lederle Loborotories Division, American Cyanamid Compony, Pearl River, N.Y. 10965
FOREWORD
To A11 Pcrsmnel: The safety practices outlined herein are intended to serve as a reference and guide for laboratory personnel. They are cst,ablished in the interest of protecting personnel and propert,y. All employees are asked Lo live up to the spirit as well as the lett,er of these guides in order to safeguard themselves and fellow workers. Robert P . Parkey TABLE O F CONTENTS Personal Protective Measures. . . . . . . . . . . First Aid and Health Safety.. ......... Protective Clothing andEquipment. . . . General Hecommendat,ions.. . . . . . . . . . . Working Alone.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Restricted Areas.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Food Restrictions.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fire or Explosion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Extinguishers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . To Turn in an Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Local Emergencies.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evacuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Material Handling.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Laborat,ory Csre.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safe Techniques. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St,nmre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Flammable Liquids.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Compressed Gas Cylinders. . . . . . . . . . . . Tmnsport,ation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waste 1)ispasal.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unknown Toxicity.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~~~
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PERSONAL PROTECTIVE MEASURES First A i d a n d Health Safety I t is imperative that all injuries, however slight, be reported to and examined by a Plant Physician and/or nurse in the Medical Department. Problems concerning the incident, which arise later, cannot be settled without this report. The Plant Medical Department aims to maintain employee hea1t.h a t the highest passible level. The trained medical staff is an a twenty-four hour basis. The guards have been trained in First Aid ilnd should be called in an emergency. Supervisors are required to submit complete reports on all accidents whether or not an injury was sustained. Standard Practice Instruction (SPI 2K1) explains t,he purpose and use of the Supervisor's Aocident Report. The Health Maintenance Program is under the direction of the Plant Hygienist, a. member of the atah' of the Plant Phyhicim. Anv anestions relating to the health or the w o ~ ~ environmentshould kk~ he referred to him far investigst,ion and advice. The He&h Maintenance Program is designed to safeguard those who, in the course of t,heir work, come in contact with chemical, biolagicd and/or radiological exposures. Also, he should be consulted in mattem pertaining to ve?tilation and air pollution. He may be reached by calling Ext. 739. The Plant Medical Department ha3 established a program of periodic physical examinations which include blood counts, chest X-Rays, and urine analyses for all employees. In addition t.bose exposed t,o special eondit,ions are given special examinations and ~rouhvlaeticimmunizntions
Equipment Hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G1.usware and Glass Apparatus. . . . . . . . Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . StaticEleotricit,y. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacuum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prcssnre. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Autoclaves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gcneral. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cent,rifuges,Ovens, Freezers.. . . . . . . . . . Protective Clothing a n d Equipment Animal Care and Handling.. . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Personal Precautions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Handling Techniques.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Housekeepingin Animd Quarters.. . . . . Animal Sorgery and Body Disposal.. ... Chemical Reagents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chemical Poisons.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chemical Explosives.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radiation Procedures.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radioisotope Committee. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Standard Practice Instruct,ions (SPI 2K4) explains the use of and procurement of personal protective equipment. Laboratory dresscs, coats and coveralls are issued to and are laundered for all laboratory employees, not only to avoid damage to personal clothing but to prevent dissemination of infections or toxic materials oukide t,he laboratory. Such clothing is t,o he worn within the Plant, where permitted or whwe required for activities connected wit,), the laboratory functions
Note
To help those who may have responsibilit,y for developing written safety guidelines for a Inboratory, we continue a series of excerpls from some laboralary safety manurrls and handbooks. The series will include examples of de1,niled safet,y practice, basic safety policies, reasonable safet,y regulations, and flexible administrative procedures. Table of cant,ents is listed only to show extent of coverage and vsrialinn between orgmisat,ions. Specific questions or comments ahant, any manual or handbook excerpt should be directed to the cant,act person noted a t the end of t,he article. Whether or nut t,hey can provide copier of their manual will depend an the policy of their organization. In x Inter isme, we plan to have a report of progress on the development of s. comprehensive lahorntory safety mannsl hg the Research and 1)evelopment Seet,ion of the Nntionnl Safety Council, one of three gl.onps active in laboratory safety. Tho American Chemical Society and the National Fire Frotection Association bolh have eommiltees workiuc o n guidelines and slandards (ha1 will he apprrqnintc in a laboratory safely ma~mal. Pul.poses and activities of tho three gt.nups will bc deacrihed here in the near f~ltot.o. only. Do not tocar soiled or possibly infected elothing to the cafitcria, dining rooms, or library. Employees whose duties require special elothing will be supplied them from the Laundry on the request of the supervisor. Gloves suitable for various exposnres are available. Itubber gloves should always he worn when the operator is handling corrosive materials, when he is in doubt about the toxicitv of the material, or when he is
clean place. I t is recommended that all employees wear totally enclosed low heeled shoes. Rubber heels are less slippery than leather heels. In specific areas, particnlarly animal quarters, it is highly desirable t h a t , a pair of shoes he kept a t the laboratory exclusively for laboratory wear. Rubbers, boots, or plast,ic coverings which should be worn on wet and dirty floors are available from the Laundry. Eaoh employee in laboratories, animal quarters, or service areas will be provided with a pair of safety glasses with plain or presxiption lenses. The request for the prescription lenses should be sent to the Accident Prevention Department after sectional approval has been secured. A form will be provided to be completed by (Continued on page A?%)
Volume 47, Number I, b n u o r y 1970
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the employee's eye specialist. The prescription will be filled through the Safety Equipment Office. The glasses will be fitted by the eyespecialist concerned. Each individual is urged to have his glasses with him a t all times. I t is understood that eye glasses represent the minimal eye protection, and that for certain operations full face shields or full goggles are required. Full eye protection is recommended for all of the following operations, among others: (1) Handling corrosive materials. (2) Using any type of vacuum or pressure equipment. (3) Handling glass wool or steel wool. (4) Removing hot bottles from autoolms. (5) Handling infectious organisms. (6) Handling monkeys. (7) Dipping cages in cleaning solutions. ( 8 ) Breaking dry ice. Special precautions should always be observed when working a t or near sources of ult,raviolet light. I n most cases the ultraviolet lights are interlocked with the fluorescent lights so that the UV lights are turned off when the fluorescent lights are on. I n some of the older installations t,he UV lights have to be turned OK a t the fixtures. Great care must be exercised to make sure that B penon does not remain in the room under the UV lights; otherwise apainful eye burn may result. The newer sterile filing cabinets are fitted with magnetic interlocking switches which shut off the UV lights when the cabinet panels are opened. If the magnetic switches fail notify the supervisor a t once and wear UV opaque face shields until such time as the interlocks are repaired. UV light sources should be cleaned by trained personnel a t least once a week. Lights should be metered a t least once every six months to make sure that they are up to strength. Service personnel must wear approved face shields or goggles when doing their work. Stirrineliouids durineirradiationshould .. uln.ay+ IIP dorw hy mrrhnnwal m e n u If a rcnrtiurt ~ i u t u r i,r stirred by hand rhe cmplo)w iluuhl wtnr gl,rve.r to protect his hands against burn. Respirators for protection against dusts, organic vapors, or other atmospheric contaminants are available to employees from the Safety Equipment Office. Respire tors should be worn when i t is not feasible to work under a hood and where the contaminant escapes from the hood. In an emergency situation where the reaction is out of control, or there has been s. bad spill releasing large amounts of gas or vapor into the area, the Scott "AicPak" should be worn. Learn thelocation of the one nearest your ares and learn how to put i t on. The sresinvolved should be cleared immediately of all personnel, who should not be allowed to return until the area has been cletlned up and all contamination has been removed. Large spills and special decontamination work should be done by the special janitor staff under Mr. Gassner (call Ext. 314 or 770). The Industrial Hygienist should be notified (call Ext.
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7201
The Industrial Hygienist (Ext. 739) should be contacted when there is doubt as to the proper respirator to use.
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General Recommendations I t is unwise to work done, other than during regular hours, unless one or more of your associates is working on the same floor. Should solitary work be necessary, the guards should he notified of the locsi tion and the duration of the work. Certain areas in the Plant are posted with restricted signs. Such areas should not be entered hy unauthorized personnel unless permission has been granted by the area supervisor. I n restricted aress, Maintenance Department personnel must clear the time for routine maintenanoe work with the ares. supervisor, and must file a Safety Work Permit before doing the work. Only in cases of extreme emergency may personnel enter restricted areas without prior authorization from the area supervisor. These emergency situations are fire, flood, steam breaks or electrical breaks. Thaw worki~gi n posted aren-i should be cspccinlls cnrcftll t o keepdoor, clmed at all times, m d to turn 011 911 unnecessary light. before leaving the rooms. Persons having business t o transact in any of the restricted areas should first make arrangements by phone with the party involved. While working with toxic or infectious material it is wise t o develop the habit of not touching the face or mouth with contaminated hands. When handling infectious materials, care should be exercised not to handle equipment used by noncontaminated personnel. Before leaving the premises both face and hands should he thoroughly washed with soap and water. Storage of food in refrigerators is dangerous. Same areas have been specifically designated as being safe for food storage provided the food is kept in clean, covered boxes. The supervisor should be consulted on "Safe" areas. Food should not be consumed in laboratory areas indiscriminately. This is particularly true in the Virus areas. Risk of contamination of food by infectious organisms or toxic chemicals is too great to chance indiscriminate contact. Use of laboratory glassware to brew coffee or to use as food containers presents too great a risk to be permitted. Smoking in any part of the Plant not specifically allowed by a smoking permit is a direct violation of the New York State Labor Law. The violator subjects himself to a possible fine of $50.00 far the first offense. Obviously there is no room for horseplay in a scientific laboratory or anywhere else in the Plant.
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MATERIAL HANDLING Laboratory Care
It is essential to both safety and convenience that research laboratories be kept clean and orderly, with floors, shelves, and tables free of dirt and general clutter. I t is desirable to work on smooth nonabsorbent surfaces, and on bench and table tops that have rounded corners to facilitate cleaning. Those working with radioactive materi-
als should use trays to contain the appars, tus. I t will avoid contamination of the bench tops, reduce the problem of costly decontamination, and facilitate the salvage of costly material in the event of a major spill. Infrequently used apparatus should be returned to the stock room or to your storage arc;, rt, soon a3 poisible. i\pl,arnt t ~ ill s frequent w e rhould be srt well h c k from the cdge of the bmch and .iwrrrtl in place wherever possible to minimize danger of accidents. Steam pipes and radiators should be kept free of clothing or other flammable materials including accumulations of dust. Window sills and ledges should not be von~idewd~ i t o r arc=. ~c Floort ar.d twrwhcs in hiolopical laboratories .;hould t w dirilrfcc~cdwith n surtntdc germicide as often as deemed necessary by the supervisor, and especially after such operations as plating, pipetting, and hlending. Infectious material should never be allowed to remain on the bench top for more than a few minutes. Spilled material should be flooded immediately with Roccal or Westcodyne and, after a few minutes, washed off with clear water. It becomes the responsibility of each person leaving his particular area in the leboratory to see that windows are closed, lights out, and gas, water and vacuum jets are closed. If it is necessary that a reaction or process continue unattended through all or part of the night, LPR 122 (Notice t o Guards) should be filled out and distrihuted as indicated on t h e form. Since the guards have no technical information, hazardous systems should not be left to them. The supervisor should schedule the work so that suchsystem are attended by trained personnel. For overnight work, steam or electrically heated units should be used in place of Bunsen burners. Rubber connections to condensers left to run overnight should be secured with wire a t all points to prevent floods resulting from a break in the connection from increase in water pressure during the night. This increase in water pressure should be taken into consideration when adjusting the flow before leavine thehbborcttorv. As far as possible; infectious material should he placed in refrigerators, incubsi tors, or other safe storage places a t the end of the work day to protect first fighting personnel against infectious m e t e d should a night emergency arise. Sink and floor drain traps should be kept filled with water a t all times toprevent the escape of sewer gases into the ishoratory. Such gases may he toxic or flammable. They have been ignited by sparks and burner flames.
Safe Techniques Corrosive liquids, hot s o l u ~ i o nvolatile ~, liquids, poisonous mstcrinlr, biologicnl materials, n!.d r~dionctive~ o l u t i o uare ~ 111 he pipetted only by mechanical means. Never pipet any of theabove bymouth. A primary safety rule is that acid should always be added to water-never water to acid. Heat produced by the addition of acid to water will be dissipated. I n the case of adding water to acid the heat of (Continued a page ASO)
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solution is great enough io cause the water to boil and spatter the acid solution, as well as to break theglass container. Concentrated acids and alkalies will destroy tissue and digest. leather and clot,h. Alkdies will penetrate tissue deeper than acids and, if splashed in the eye, will damage the cornea u,ithin a few seconds. An open flame should never be used for heating flammable liquids. Evaporation of large quantities of flammable salvenh should be done in a hood and/or under reduced pressure when possible. A steam bathis the preferred heat source. Small quantities of flrtmmable liquids (250 ml or less) should be concentrated an the steam bath. Glascol heaters, hot plates, or water baths heated by hot plates should be avoided since flammable vapors are easily ignited by hot metal. Distillations involving flammable liquids should be carried out in the hood. Fla9ks should not be filled to more than one-half capacity. Boiling beads or chips should be added to the liquid before heating is begun. This prevents sudden boiling(or "bumping") of the liquid as ra result of local super-heating. Bumping can be sufficiently violent to break glass flasks. Only spsrk-proof stirrers should be used. When making extracbions and shaking volatile liquids or other solutions in separatory funnels or closed containem, care should be taken to release the pressure frequently; otherwise the stoppers may be forced out and the liquid sprayed on the operator. The sepamtory funnel may explode under pressure. Battles should never be completely filled with s. liquid. An air space of a t least one eight,h the volume of the bottle should be left for expansion. When bottles of solvents are filled outside in the cold and then are brought into the warmer laboratory, they should be filled only to three-quarters capacity. Storage
The nature of the research underway iin these laboratories makes it imperative that d l bottles and containom be carefully labeled with date, name of investigator, identity of material, and any special warning notice. Unlabeled containers should be turned over to the supervisor for destruction. I t is both unsafe and inconvenient to store hewy glass articles on high shelves. Climbing on chairs or bench taps to retrieve such equipment adds to the hazards. Both practices are to be avoided. Wherever practicable, polyethylene bottles should be subtitoted far glass bottles. Large bottles should be stored on floor level. Flammable liquids should be stored a t floor level away from possible sources of heat. Solvents must be kept in safety cans away from radiators or direct sunlight. No more than a pint of any one type flammable liquid should be kept on the laboratory shelf. Ether should be stored only in the original container, and not more than one can of ether should be on the bench top a t any one time.
(Continued on page A%) Circle NO. 151
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lournol o f Chemical Educofion
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It is unwise to store acids near alkalies or o x i d i ~ enear ~ O T C R I I ~ C male"al+ i n the s t d r o o m or lnhmrtory r.hrlvri. C,vanidez-hould he kept awsv In m acids. If necessary td have-metallic sodium, potassium, or lithium and their hydrides in laboratories, the amounts of each should he kept to ttn absolute minimum, preferably to the day's requirements. These should he stored in a fire resistant vault as far away as possible from the exits of the laboratory. Containers should be exsmined frequently for rusting. Compressed gas cylinders should always be chained or secured by other approved means in an upright position, to prevent toppling over or rolling. Wherever possible, lecture bottles of toxic or flammable gases should be used in preference to the larger sizes. They can be secured by means of a special stand. Large and small bottles should be kept from heat or flames. The cylinders should never be used as rollers. If the gas is not to be used for a period oi t,ime, t,he reducing valve assembly should be disconnected and the protective cap replaced. In no case should gas cylinders be kept on hand longer than three months. Empty cylinders should be returned to the stockroom s u p plier without delay. Leaking cylinders should be disposed of in accordance with the Saie Practice Manual SPI 2K7. When size permits they should be placed in the hood and slowly bled out until they are empty. If t,oo large for the hood, they should be taken outdoors and bled out slowly in a safe manner and a t a point far from surrounding buildings. Transportation
Chemicals that require precautions in handling, biological materials, and radioactive compounds must not be carried by the interdepartmental mail service or placed in the mailing envelopes. They must be securely packaged, labeled where necessary, and carried to their destination by a responsible person. For shipment outside the Plant,, they must be packaged and labeled in accordance with ICC Regulat.ions. Radioactive materials cannot be shipped out of the Plant unless the person to receive the shipment has been aut,horized to handle such radioactive materials by the AEC and the Isotope Committee. The name and AEC license number of the consignee must appear on the shipping release. See P R 5-B-3,7-21-61, "Shipment of Radioactive Material." Harmless materials may be sent by special messenger or by truck if securely packaged and accompanied by specific handling instructions. When lifting or arrying heavy flasks or bottles, tilt the container with one hand then slip the other hand underneath to bear the weight. There is no specified limit as to the weight a person may lift. Each person should exercise his own judgement regarding the amount he can lift. I t is considered best if a woman does not liit a weight oi more than 25 lba., nor a man a weight more than 80 Ibs. Objects
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weighing more than the 80 lb. limit or too bulky to be carried by one person should be transported by hand truck or carried bv two men.
and eye protection equipment should be worn by personnel. Major spills should be cleaned up immediately and the proper disinfectant used on the spill area when infectious materids are involved.
Waste Disposal Not more than 500 ml of acids or caustics may he discarded by pouring down the drain. They must. be flushed down with large volumes of water. Water immiscible solvents, flammable solvents, cyanides or other solutions which might liberate highly flammable or toxic gases in the sewer system, should be placed in the safety cans provided and form LPR 333 (Disposal of Haeardous Wastes) filled out and sent t,o Yards and Roads. The disposal of wastes either dsngeroos in themselves or in reaction wit,h other materials, is the responsibility of the person concerned. If in doubt,, he should consult with hissupervisor. Cyanidei and other materials cap%bl.bleof evolving poisonous g a e s are not to be sent to the sewer but are to he sent to Yards and Roads under the direct,ion of the area supervisor. Discarded cult,ures and inoculated media. must be sterilized by steaming or chemical means before disposal into the sewage system. Cont,arni~mtedglassware and all other equipment in contact wit,h infectious material must be sterilized before reuse. Tho supervisor should decide which ireatment to give any specific material. It is the ultimate responsibility of the individual to see t,hat no contaminated material is put in the hands of inexperienced penonnel for disposal. Before glassware is sent to other area.? for washing ' and sterilizing, adherent residues mmmt be rinsed out in the labor* tory preparing them, or the container should be discarded. Nitric acid is a poor agent to use for removing tars and other organic materials from glassware. It?use has often caused explosions. Glassware containing corrosive or reactive chemicals must, he thoroughly rinsed out,, and that cont,aining infeet.ious material must be thoroughly decontaminabed before assignment to the glassware washing service. Chipped, cracked, or damaged glassware, must be discarded into a container reserved for that purpose. Sharp or cracked edges of glassware which do not hinder utilit,y should he fire polished if further use of the equipment is contemplabed. Broken glass should be rwept up from the iloor or bench tops with a. broom, never using the bare hands. Glmsware broken by glassware washers is normally discarded by them and not sent back to the lahoratories.
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Unknown Toxicity Any compound under invehgation here represent3 a potential danger to the worker. Any chemical compound or biological prepnratdon is toxic when the safe level is exceeded. The toxic level may be reached without a specific warning. I-lowever, unless and unt,il a material is known to be safe, preoautions similar to t,hose required for handling known toxic or hazardo11.9eornpo~~nds iiho~ddbe ob.~erved. All CL file compounds should be considered t,oxic. Materials of unknown t,oxicity should not be allowed to came in conbact with the skin. Gloves should he used to avoid percutaneons absorption, possible local irritation, or immedi6t.e or delayed reaction of skin. Eye protection is recommended.
ity. Ent,ry of inhaled vapor into the body is rapid, and in toxic concent,ratians i t may cause mernhrene irritation or millor t,o severe nhvsialorieal distnrbances. In. " halation of fungas spares, ant,ibiotic or chemical dusts may result in fievere allergic react.ions. Never under any eircumst,ances taste an unknown material. A meehanicsl pipet should be used for such solutions. Eating o? drinking t~irorn lnboroLort/ glassl~arci s f o r b i d d m Where practicable, t,oxicit,ydata should accompany any chemical or biologicel material when it is transferred from one laborat,ory tin another, or from one worker to another. When thereis need for special precaution a5sociated widh a pnrtieuler chemical, i t should be conspicuously pasted on the label; and in the caTe of chemicals that are eatdogned and classified, the inforrnat,ion should be pointed out to CL file personnel so !hat, dat.a sheets carry the necessary warning.
EQUIPMENT HAZARDS Glassware and Glass Apparatus Bottles of such reagents as ammonia, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, etc. should be opened with care. Wrap a paper or cloth towel around the stopper if it is necessary to remove the stopper by tapping. When bottles are enccounter8d where the st.apper or lid is more permanently stuck, wrap with s towel and place in *metal container before cutting t,helid. Suggested technique for opening a m p o d r s containing corrosive or volatile materials. Chill the smpoule in a n ice-salt bath or. refrigerator. Wrap with a. towelexposing the t,ip or the neck. Make a scratch mark near the tip with a fine file or glass knife. Rest the mrfaco of the neck onnosite the
&ntainiYlg nonflammable and nonexplo(Continued on page A37)
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sive mat,erials should be resealed using an oxygen-gas flame after they have reached equilibrium in a salt-ice bath. In all ot,her cases t,he contenbs should be transferred to a glass stoppered bottle and sealed wit,h paraffin. When inswting g l a s rods or lubing into a stopper or rubber tubing, i t is suggested that "Tube-On," s. spreader device, be rout,inely used. Carry long glass tubing or appal.atus vertically rather than hol.izontany. Pick up large beakers by grasping them around the outside, not by the rims or lips. Always support filled or partly filled beakers of large capacity on the bottom as well as on thesides. Beakers or flasks of more than 2 1 cappscity should not be heated by direct flame or by direct contact with a hot plate. They can break spontaneously when liquids are heated in them. They should be carefully inspected for defects before being used. The neck of a volumetric flask is very fragile. In stoppering, hold the top of the flask between t,he thumb and forefinger, screwing the cork downward with the other hand. To shake the flask, hold it a t the bot,tom and the neck. A clamp around the neck is not sufficient support for a large flask; bottom support is also necessary.
Electrical Electricity always takes the path of least resistance. Should you inadvertently make yourself a part of t,he circuit you will suffer a t least a mild shock and possible more ~eriousconsequences. Ordinary 110 v house current can be fatal when there is good contact and the victim is grounded. Never touch an electrical switch, outlet plug, 07 other item of electrical equipment when vour hands are wet, when you are standiig in water, or when you are louching waterfaucets or other grounded rnetalfittings. Rubber gloves provide excellent protection for your hands. Standard Practice Manual (SPI 2K5) deals with the use of externion cords. If the extension cords are permitt,ed, examine them before use to make certain t,hat they are not frayed, do not have broken insulation, and have no loose connections. Store properly when not in use to make sure that they do not kink. All repairs to electrical equipment including cords must be done by the Plant electricians. Maintenance personnel must contact the supervisor of the area. involved before undertaking repairs on equipment such as refrigerators, incubaton, etc.
Static Electricity Static electricity presents a common laboratory fire hazard. Static charges are developed whenever poorly conducting liquids are transferred from one container to mother; when compressed gases are rapidly released from a cylinder, or when steam flows from or through a hose. When the st,atic charges become high enough they jump air gaps in the form of
sparks, which can ignite flammable gas or. vapor through which they travel if bhe concentration of flammable material is within the ignition range. Always gvound both container and receiver when transfewing large volumes offEammable l i p i d s or gases. (1) Where metd tubing is used for flammable compressed gases, grounding alone will eliminate the build up of static charges. (2) Where rubber or plastic tubing is used and the rate of gas release is high, static charges will build up. A metal (copper) wire must connect the cylinder and the material in the receptacle. (3) Pipes or nozzles through whichsteam is discharged should be bonded to the e q u i p ment being steamed and the entire system grounded. (4) Rubber or compositi~nsoled shoes often build up static charges. They should not be worn in areas where highly flammable solvents are in use. (5) Particular attention is called to the necessity of wearing conductive-type shoes in the presence of ether and cyclopropane when used for anesthetics.
Vacuum Glass vessels under vacuum may collapse violently, either spontaneously or when subjected to sudden shock. Before they are used they should be inspected carefully for any defects. Vessels of capacity greater than 2 1must be enclosed behind a suitable shield before they m e evacuated. The operator must wear gaggles or safety glasses to protect his eyes. The operator must Nevrr evacuate soft glass bottles or evacuate flat bottomed flasks unless they are of heavy glass and are cold. I t is a common misconception that danger of collapse exists only when a vacuum is produced by a pump. The vacuum produced by a. water aspirator or by the house vacuum system will create a. collapsing force equal to a t least 90% of that produoed by the pump. Vacuum distillations should always be shielded. Such systems are potential sources of implosion if any parts are hit hard enough to crack the glass. Do not use Erlenmeyer flasks but only round bottomed distillation flasks as receivers. Do not break vacuum on the distillation until the system has cooled to room temperature. The uacuum should be released from all parts o f the svstem beforedisconnecti n g the ' appakatus.- sudden changes in pressure may cause breakage of the glass. Substances distilled a t high temperatures under vacuum are often potentially explosive and must be allowed to coal before admitting air to the system. When a vacuum is produced by water aspirators, a water trap must be placed in the line between the aspirator and the system to orevent back un of water into the svstem. l w t w e r o p11111p and s).r.fml I h y Ice o r traps are rccommcndrd for lrigh vacuuln systems. Dewar flasks must be placed in wooden boxes or other containers or wrapped with tape to eliminate flying glass in case of collrtpse. They can break by thermal shock or from slight scratches a t the neck. 1)eslocaturs under vacuum should be kept in the safety container and away (Continued on page A88)
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from direct sunlight. Keep the flange free from foreign material. Slide the cover olT-do not pry it off. When working with virulent pathogens interpose a suitable trap between the pathogenic material and the vacuum system. A bubbling bottle filled with a germicidal solution will serve.
Pressure Gas cylinders are potential bombs and shonld be stored in a clean, well-ventilated place protected from the weat,her and from the direct rays of the sun. JVOpart of any cylindw of a gas should be subjected to a temperature higher than 12VP or allowed to come in contact with %directflame. Use care to prevent dropping or banging cvlinders when movine them. Protect the
open or broken valve can cause the cylinder to take off like a rocket and travel many hundreds of yards. Cylinders in storage or in use most he chained or secured in s. special stand to prevent falling. They should be moved on s u i t able hand trucks or cradles-never by dragging or rolling. When moving them, make sure the main v d v e i8 closed and the protecbing eepis in place. All cylinders of flammahle gases shauld be grounded before opening and when in
Autoclaves
quire a re&-&l. or reducing valve in the line. Be sure to use the correct valve for each gas. Make certain that the characteristics for each valve are suitable. Valves m e threaded and fitted far specific purposes to prevent errors in connections. Never try to force or adapt one'which does not fit. Oil or grease should never be used to lubricate oxygen fittings or valves since the grease will ignite spontaneously in the presence of oxygen. Valves used for other gases should never be used for oxygen. Open the cylinder valve slowly, always standing away from the face of the reducing valve. Never hammer or wrench the valve handle in an attempt to open or close i t if it is stuck. Do not attempt to repair leaks in faulty cylinders or valves. Iceport such leakekers to the stockroom promptly or dispose of leakers as outlined under material handling. Only pressure tubing and piping designed to withstand pressure should he used for m y gas under pressure. Plsce a liquid trap between the cylinder and the reaction mixture to prevent back syphonace. - ~
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When no more gas flows, the cylinder should be marked "MT" and recapped for return to storage area. Since there is s. slight residue of gas, the cylinder should he treated as full s t all times.
The person operating an autoclave should be thoroughly familiar with its safe operation. Do not autoclave plastic materials unless you are familiar with the thermal properties of the plastic. Never autoclave solvents. Loosen all stoppered or sealed containers hefore autoclaving. Never place clean materials and contaminated in the same autoclave. Old media, alkali, or other liquids may bail over and contaminate the clean. Keep face well ayay from the door when opening a hot autoclave. Never reach inside except with asbestos gloves until the steam is completely exhausted and the apparrttus is cool. Caution is essential to insure extensive exhaustion of the autoclave siter use.
General Do not drape rubber tubing where it is likely to be pulled from position and fall or upset apparatus to which i t is attached. I t should not be run across aisles from bench to bench or from room to room. Keep tubing that is attached to the gas burners in goad condition and away from the heat of theflames. This tubing should be frequently examined and replaced at the slightest sign of deterioration. Shut off burners when not in use. In biological laboratories, post "HOT" signs to warn against burners which have to be left on for protracted periods. Use flint lighters in perferenee to matches. Turn gas off a t the cock, not a t the burner valve.
Centrifuges I n centrifuges, never use defective tubes when centrifuging pathogens. Check tubes for defects by running them dry a t high speeds for a few minutes before use. Plug or use celluloid caps for highly pathogenic material to prevent aerosol formation, The tendency to put fingers or hands into a moving centrifuge to stop it is dangerous. A p p l y the brake or let it run down by itself.
Ovens Ovens that have sparking-type thermostats must not be used for the evaporation of flammable solvents. Crystals wet with any flammable organic solvent must not be put into an oven. They should be air dried.
Freezers Always wear cotton or asbestos gloves for handling materials in the deep freeze lookers and when handling dry ice. There is alway~ tihe possibility of cuts from broken glass or a skin hum from the cold material. Flames should not be used when opening a. fermentation tank. Fermentation sometimes generates flammable gases such as methane.
Refrigerators and Chill Rooms Samples placed in refrigeratom and chill (Continued on page A401
A38
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Journal of Chemical Education
Safety
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rooms should be stoppered and identified. Frequent checks should he made to eliminate old and unmarked samples. Unidentifiable samples shodd be discarded. Materials which will decompose explosively if the refrigerator warms up should be stored for only very limited periods of time. Liquids with flash points under 409F should not be stored in chill rooms unless kept in approved safety cans. Use extreme care when working inside walk-in refrigerators or wld rooms to guard against the escape of flammable or toxic vapors. Avoid using open systems as much as possible. Have a respirator appropriate far the type of solvent available at all times. Post warning signs indicating special precautions to be observed in individual refrigerators. Explosion proof refrigerators for storage of flammable solvents can be purchased.
Incubators Secure individual flasks securely in the shakers. Lock removable racks or trays securely in the shaker before starting up. Secure portable shakers securely to prevent walking. Wear safety glasses during all shaking operations if attending the shaking. Do
A40 / Journol o f Chemical Education
not touch or handle the shaker while in motion. If shaking highly infectious materials, post warning signs on the door. Have the proper disinfectant solution handy in case of spills. Wear rubber gloves when lyophylizing infectious material. Use a dauhle trap wtton filter to keep vacuum gauge and pump clean. Waring blenders should be of the spark-free type for flammable solvents. The howl should have a tightly fitting cover which should be wiped around the rim before removing from the howl. I t is hest to place a towel soaked with disinfectant solution around the base of the blender while blending. This Safety Manual has been compiled and reviewed annually by the Research AccG dent Prevention Commiitee, Lederle Laboratories Division, American Cyanamid Cornpanv, Pearl River, New Y o ~ k10.966. Interested readers who want additional informationmay contact C. C. Walters, Manager, Accident Prevention, Lederle Laboratories.
New Visual Aid for Instructing in Fire Extinguisher Use A new visual aid for instructing in fire extinguisher use is now available from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Covered in NFPA's "Portable Fire Extinguisher Fact Chart Set" are the kinds of fire, types of portable extinguishers, and methods of fire attack. The set is built around 10 charts, each 25 by 3G inches, printed in red and black and bound in flipehart form. Also included in each kit are a collapsible wooden table easel, a set of fire "class" decals, a suggested presentation script,, and 25 copies of each of two folders.. "A, B, C and D's of Portable Fire Extinguishers" and "You and Emergency Fire Control." Each of the 10 charts includes "instructor reminder side notes" which, when used in combination with the suggested script, help the speaker organize and simplify his presentcttian. The speaker's guide itself is designed for various levels of instruction, from guidance to employees who need only to know how to operate an extinguisher to those who require cansiderable technical knowledge of these devices. Using clear-cut, easy-to-understand language and illustrations, the extinguisher fact chart set is adaptable for instruction by fire departments, industry, military facilities, institutions and every other user of hand extinguishers. An illustrated flyer giving complete information on the "Portable Fire Extinguisher Fact Chart Set" is available from the Public Relations Department, NFPA, 60 Batterymarch Street,, Boston, Mass. 02110.
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