Eye Protection

Overview

Rarely do you find an experienced laboratory technician, chemist, or science instructor who can not tell you about a "close call" in the laboratory. One never knows when an accident could occur.

The number one safety precaution is Safety Goggles. A simple lab technique like decanting a solvent or measuring out a corrosive liquid can result in a tiny droplet being splashed out of the container. If that droplet were to land in your eye, serious eye damage or even blindness could be the result.

The Chemical Hygiene Plan states that all students, laboratory assistants, instructors, stockroom personnel, and visitors in the science laboratory, chemical storage areas, and laboratory and lecture preparation areas are required to wear safety goggles. Eye protection is necessary every time there is a chance of spraying or splattering a chemical. When working with a dry powder reagent, a dusty situation could allow particulate matter to enter you eyes. Every person entering a laboratory, even visitors and maintenance personnel, must wear appropriate eye protection.

Many individuals try to avoid wearing safety goggles because they are uncomfortable. Or they will put them on for a short time and then lower them to dangle around their necks. Even if you are very careful in your technique in the laboratory, you cannot predict what your neighbor might do. You should never remove your goggles in the laboratory.

Additonal Safety Information

If a reaction is potentially dangerous, (exothermic or gas being released), a face shield should be worn in addition to safety goggles. The face shields provide an additional barrier protecting the face and neck in addition to the eyes. Also in the issue rooms and research labs free standing plastic shields are available. The shield is placed in front of the chemical apparatus and is narrow enough that you can wrap your arms around the shields to make adjustments in the equipment or start the reaction.

For those persons wearing contact lenses, the experts have developed a suitable rule -- Wearing contact lenses in the lab is acceptable and does not create an additional hazard for the wearer. However, appropriate safety goggles must be worn.

Some soft lenses do absorb organic vapors and corrosive vapors like hydrogen chloride or ammonia. So if you are wearing contact lenses and notice any discomfort while working with volatile solvents, or corrosive liquids or gases then the lenses should be taken out.

Where to get Safety Goggles

The Denison University bookstore sells safety goggles that have been selected for their safety and comfort. If you take care of them, they can last the full time you are at Denison University. They meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 requirement for impact resistance and splash protection. Replacement lenses are also available in the bookstore, if necessary.

Skin Protection

Overview

The skin consist of cells and tissues made of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. When hazardous chemicals touch your skin, they may react with these tissues, or be absorbed into one or more layer of the skin. The result could be irritation and rashes, chemical burns, and possibly permanent damage. When absorbed, some hazardous chemicals can enter the bloodstream and collect in and damage organs like the nerves, liver, and kidneys. Some chemicals can harm the red blood cells and other cells of the blood.

A condition in which the one becomes allergic to chemicals can also result from overexposure by absorption. Therefore, wearing gloves and other skin protection is important while handling hazardous chemicals in the laboratory.

The Chemical Hygiene Plan gives specific procedures to protect your skin when working in the laboratory. Before using a hazardous chemical, select a glove that is resistant to that particular chemical. The Resistance to Chemicals of Common Gloves Material Chart will allow you to select a glove before using the solvent. In most labs disposable gloves are available and heavier rubber gloves can be obtained from the stockroom or lab instructor if an strong corrosive will be used.

Glove Safety

It is worth noting that aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons will attack all types of natural and synthetic glove material. Please look at the page linked below for an accurate look into what chemicals effect can glove material:

• Resistance to Chemicals of Common Glove Material

Should glove swelling occur, the user should change to fresh gloves and allow the swollen gloves to dry and return to normal. If using one of these solvents, then whenever you leave the lab, remove the gloves to allow any absorbed solvent to escape.

All gloves wear out after a period of time. Dispose of questionable gloves rather than risk injury. Before using a pair of gloves, check for rips, pinholes and defects by air inflation. However, do not blow into the gloves with your mouth. Use the air lines available in the lab. After working with toxic materials, rinse the gloves before taking them off. While removing the gloves, be careful not to contaminate yourself. The used decontaminated gloves should be disposed of immediately in the trash.

Lab Coat Safety

Another important form of skin protection is the laboratory coat. Most lab coats are made of material that resist water and other liquids to varying degrees. The lab coats can protect your clothing from getting small holes caused by droplet of corrosive liquids. If you will be working with a strong corrosive, ask the stockroom manager for a rubber apron.

A common problem in the educational science laboratory is the wearing of open shoes like sandals or thongs. The feet should be covered completely to protect them from chemicals and broken glass. And under no circumstances should a person enter the laboratory bare-footed.

General Emergency Response

In case of Emergency, dial "Licking County Emergency" at 911 or dial "Emergency" at 6777.

These phone numbers connect you with an operator trained to respond to medical and fire emergencies. Speak calmly, clearly, and directly into the phone and advise the operator of the emergency. The operator can call on proper additional emergency services if necessary.

Fire Alarm

• Two fire alarm boxes are located on each floor of the building. Locate these alarms and be familiar with their proper activation.
• In case of fire or other emergency requiring evacuation of the building, pull down the handle on the fire alarm box to sound the building alarm. This action will also alert Campus Security and Safety and will indicate to them the building in which the emergency is located. Floor plans are posted on the ends of each floor. Be familiar with the evacuation routes of the floor in which you may have a laboratory or be working.

In the event of an alarm:

1. Discontinue working in your area. Render any reaction stable if it can be done quickly.
2. Notify others in your area if they are not aware of the alarm sounding.
3. Leave the room and close all doors to assist in controlling the spread of the fire and fumes.
4. Exit the building by way of the nearest safe exit route. Walk quickly, do not run unless necessary, and do not panic.
5. Wait until an authorized fire or safety official gives an "all-clear" signal before re-entering the building.

Laboratory Fire/Explosion

Emergency Response Guide

1. Alert people in your laboratory or immediate area to the fire. Evacuate the laboratory and have someone pull the handle on the nearest fire alarm.
2. Have someone call Emergency (911 or 6777) from a safe place to give more details about the fire.
3. Put out the fire with the appropriate extinguisher if training or experience or common sense tells you that you can. Fight the fire from a position of escape. If the fire is very small, it may be extinguished by smothering it with a nonflammable material such as an inverted beaker or watch glass. Take no risk if the fumes from the burning material are unknown to you.
4. Contain the fire by closing hoods and doors when evacuating area.
5. A person with clothing on fire should be drenched under the safety shower (located at exit of each lab). Afterward, wrap the person in a blanket to protect against shock. Use a fire blanket (located in the red containers in the main halls) only as a last resort, since it may trap heat and increase the severity of a burn.
6. Do not use elevators to leave the building. Leave the building by using the stairs. Keep the lights on in your laboratory.

Laboratory Chemical Spill

Spill Control Kits

Your laboratory should have access to the following chemicals and equipment for cleaning up spills. The spill control kits and broom and dust pans should be on each floor.

1. A neutralizing agent. The spill control kits are clearly labelled as to which type of neutralizing agent should be used.

   The four types of spills are:

   1. Acid
   2. Caustic, or Basic
   3. Solvent
   4. Mercury
2. Gloves, plastic bags, whisk broom, and dust pan are included in each section of the spill control kits.

Procedure

1. Do not attempt to clean up spills of highly toxic or dangerous materials unless you can do so without harming yourself and other people. In case of a spill of a highly toxic or dangerous material, evacuate the laboratory and shut the door. Call Emergency (911 or 6777) for help with dangerous spills that may require self-contained breathing apparatus for cleanup. Inform people in adjacent laboratories and offices of the spill and to stay out of the area of the spill.
2. Wear protective clothing when cleaning up a spill.
3. Spills of acids and bases can be neutralized by the neutralizing agent in the spill control kits. The neutralizing agent should be poured around the perimeter of the spill and then poured inward to dike the spill. Thoroughly mix the slurry with the scoops provided. The acid neutralizer will bubble and turn from red to blue. The caustic neutralizer may also bubble and it turns from yellow to blue. Continue adding neutralizer until color change is complete.
4. Spills of volatile organic solvent should be covered with an adsorbent immediately to prevent fumes form igniting. Turn off room circuit breakers and any flames. Pour the solvent absorbent around the perimeter and inward to dike the spill. Mix the absorbent until it appears as a dry, free-running, non-adhering, granular material.
5. Spills of toxic solids should be swept up and placed in a labelled plastic bag. The person or persons cleaning up the spill should make sure to wear personal protective equipment before attempting to clean up the spill.

6. Once the spill has be neutralized or absorbed use the scoop provided to place the mixture in a plastic bag.

   Label the bag with the following information:

   1. Material spilled
   2. Date and time of the spill
   3. Person or persons who cleaned up the spill
7. Give the labelled plastic bag containing the spill to the lab supervisor or Chemical Hygiene Officer for proper disposal.

Laboratory Gas Leak

Emergency Response Guide

If you enter your laboratory and smell natural gas, or other suspicious gas odor, you should immediately follow the steps listed below:

1. Evacuate the laboratory and call Campus Security (6482) or "Emergency" (6777) immediately. Do not turn on the lights or any other electrical equipment.
2. Notify all persons in the area of the situation and assign persons to prevent entry into the lab.
3. Turn off the circuit breakers to the lab located in the hallway.
4. If a cylinder of toxic compressed gas in your laboratory has a small leak, move it into a hood if possible. If you suspect that the cylinder has a serious leak, evacuate the laboratory and call Campus Security (6482) or "Emergency" (6777) immediately.

Laboratory Power Failure

Emergency Response Guide

Here in Granville, power failures are fairly common and you should be prepared should it happen.

If you are working in the laboratory when the power fails:

1. Turn off any electrical equipment you may have been using. Due to the fact that you do not know how long the failure will last, leaving equipment turned on could result in serious situations if the power returns and you are not present to monitor the equipment.
2. Evacuate the laboratory. The ventilation shuts down during power failures so remaining in the laboratory is unsafe.
3. Do not return the laboratory until power is back on or until a qualified official tells you it is safe to re-enter.

Laboratory Water Flooding

Emergency Response Guide

If you discover water leaking or flooding in the laboratory and there is evidence of a secondary problem (e.g., hot electrical wires, reaction with chemicals, etc.), you should immediately follow the steps outlined below:

1. Do not attempt any remedial action. Instead notify Campus Security (6482).
2. If you feel that no secondary problem exists, turn off the source of water if possible. If the water is intended to cool an electrically powered device or an electrically heated chemical reaction, turn off the electricity also.
3. If the source of the water is not immediately obvious to you, call the Physical Plant (6264) during normal working hours (7:30 am to 4:30 pm), or Campus Security (6482) after hours or on weekends, and describe the situation to the dispatcher. Be specific as to the location and possible source of the leak.
4. Pickup of water -- During business hours, the Building Supervisor will assist or arrange pickup of water. At other times, or perhaps before the Supervisor can get to the scene, you and your colleagues may wish to begin the pickup of the water by using a wet-vac machine or mops. Contact the custodian for assistance.
5. Notification of occupants of affected areas: When necessary, notify at least one of the usual occupants of the affected rooms or the Building Supervisor as soon as appropriate.