IS 129: Technical Services
Aviation and Technology

Lab Director: NhanLuu
Phone Number: 408 924-3212
Email:
Office: IS 129

Technician: NhanLuu (see above)

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

408-924-2222 (from cell phone)
911 (from campus phone)

In the event of fire, hazardous chemical spills, or injuries, contact lab director or technician if nearby, or call emergency numbers above immediately. Unsupervised work is not permitted after normal business hours without consent of the lab director.

LAB HAZARDS

Chemicals: various

Flammables: Solvents, fuels, lubricants, paints

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

  • Eye Protection: e.g. Goggles, safety glasses, NA
  • Clothing: e.g. No loose clothing, no unsecured long hair, no jewelry, close toed shoes, lab coats, aprons
  • Additional PPE: e.g. gloves, facemasks, blastshields

Safety Data Sheets (formerly called MSDS) for all chemicals can be found at:

LAB RULES

1. Chemical Storage, Labeling and Inventory

  • Labeling. Chemicals should be, at a minimum, labeled with the chemical name, date, and hazard classification if known (flammable, toxic, reactive, corrosive etc.)
  • 1b. Storage. Chemicals should be stored where possible in their original containers. Liquids must be provided with secondary containment. Containment should be sufficient to hold 110% of the container volume for a single container. For multiple containers secondary containment must hold 150% of the volume of the largest container or 10% of the aggregate volume, whichever is greater.
  • Chemicals should be separated by compatibility. Flammables (such as fuel) should be stored in a suitable cabinet. At a minimum, other incompatible materials cannot share secondary containment. Ideally, incompatible materials will be stored in separate locations.
  • 1c. Inventory. Each laboratory space must maintain a chemical inventory that is updated at each acquisition or disposal.
  • 1d. Safety Data Sheets (formerly known as MSDS).

2. Hazardous Waste

  • Secondary Containment. Secondary containment is required for the storage of all regulated hazardous materials. Secondary containment for a single container will be 110 percent of the primary container. Secondary containment for multiple containers will be 150 percent of the largest container’s volume or 10 percent of the aggregate volumes of all containers, whichever is greater. Secondary containment for all flammables, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, machine oil, etc., must be an OSHA-certified flammable storage locker.
  • Labeling. Hazardous waste must be accumulated in labelled containers segregated by compatibility. Hazardous waste labels must indicate the date accumulation started, the contents of the container and the responsible party. Labels are available from the lab technician.
  • Accumulation. Containers must be closed to the atmosphere, unless hazardous material is currently being added to the container.
  • DO NOT OVERFILL WASTE CONTAINERS
  • Pickup. When waste containers are full, schedule pickup with FD&O, at
  • Required Pickup. Waste containers must be scheduled for pickup at a maximum of 270 days after the start of accumulation
  • Broken Glass. Place broken glass in the appropriate container

2. Compressed Gas

  • Secure all compressed gas tanks in upright position with restraints at 1/3 and 2/3 the height of the tank.
  • Use only the appropriate regulators. Never substitute.
  • When using compressed gas tanks, never open the main valve more than one-half turn.
  • Shut off tanks when not in use.
  • Transport and store tanks properly. Use hand trucks for transportation. Mark empty tanks with “MT.”
  1. Machinery
  • Eye protection is required at all times.
  • Close-toed shoes (leather, if welding) are required. Always secure anything that might get caught in moving machinery, such as long hair, jewelry, ID badges, loose clothing, and neckties.
  • Never use a machine if you are not trained on it.
  • Never remove safety guards. Never bring your hands close to sharp objects.
  • Never work alone – there must always be at least two adults in the lab, and machinery cannot be used outside of supervised lab hours.
  • Never use machinery when impaired or tired. Never start work if you cannot do the job safely.
  • Work area around machine should be neat and orderly - always clean up after yourself. All tools must be returned, the machine cleaned and the floor swept. Do not remove metal chips, turnings, or shavings with your hands. Leave 10-15 minutes for cleanup.
  • Always report broken or damaged tools, or abnormal equipment function to the lab director so that it can get repaired.
  • No eating in the lab.
  1. Batteries
  • Batteries should be disposed of at Central Shops in Room 188.
  • Automotive or solar batteries should be disposed of through FD&O, at
  • Broken or leaking batteries should be treated as a chemical spill.
  1. Lead Solder
  • Lead solder is treated as a chemical, and requires proper labeling, containment and disposal.

SPECIFIC HAZARDS

INGESTION HAZARDS

  • No eating, drinking, or use of cosmetics in the laboratory
  • Never use chemical equipment as containers for food or drink
  • Never use food or drink containers to store chemicals
  • Smoking in the laboratory is prohibited
  • Never taste, or deliberately inhale any chemicals.

CONTACT HAZARDS

  • Use appropriate personal protective equipment. (At a minimum, eye protection, closed shoes, minimum exposed skin)
  • Learn the location of the eyewash fountain and the safety shower. Learn how to use them. In case of serious accidents, where more than one student’s eyes are exposed to chemicals, using a sink filled with water or running water to rinse eyes might be necessary.
  • If chemicals are spilled on the skin immediately wash with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes
  • Do not wear rings or bracelets to the laboratory (These are a potential hazard that could result in a destroyed ring or damaged finger.)

INHALATION HAZARDS

  • Work which generates fumes, vapors or dusts shall be performed in the hoods.
  • Do not inhale fumes.
  • Large objects should not occupy hoods.
  • Hoods should not be used as storage areas.

FLAMMABLE HAZARDS

  • Learn the location of the fire extinguisher and fire blanket. Learn how to use them.
  • Learn what substances are flammable. Never use an open flame to heat a flammable liquid.
  • Store flammable liquids properly, separate oxidizing agents from reactive chemicals.
  • When volatile flammable materials may be present, use only non-sparking electrical equipment.
  • Confine long hair and loose clothing

GLASSWARE

  • Use only boro-silicate (Pyrex, Kimax, etc.) containers for heating solutions.
  • Do not force glass tubing or thermometers into rubber stoppers. Lubricate fire-polished tubing and protect hands with a towel when inserting tubing/thermometers.
  • Vacuum-jacketed glass apparatus should be handled with extreme care to prevent implosions.
  • Hand protection should be used when picking up broken glass.
  • Broken glass should be disposed of in appropriate containers.

OTHER HAZARDS

  • Additional Hazards may be present in your laboratory; ask your research advisor.

GENERAL SAFETY

  • Work with materials only after you have learned about their flammability, reactivity, corrosiveness and toxicity. Colored diamond shaped labels on the reagent bottles can provide some of this information. For additional information you can request Material Safety Data Sheets which are available in the laboratory and online.
  • Although pregnancy is a personal issue, for your health and the health of your child, please inform your instructor if you are pregnant. Consult with your physician! We want to make sure you and your physician are aware of the chemicals that will be used in the lab so that you are able to make an informed decision about continuing with a laboratory course.
  • Know the types of protective equipment available and proper type for each job.
  • Know the location of, and how to use, safety equipment such as fire blankets, eye washes, and safety showers.
  • Know the safety rules and procedures that apply to the work to be done.
  • Be alert to unsafe conditions and actions and call attention to these so the corrections can be made as soon as possible.
  • Be certain that all chemicals are correctly and clearly labeled. Post warning signs when unusual hazards exist.
  • Use equipment only for its designated purpose.
  • Heat solutions in test tubes so that there is no hazard to self or neighbors.
  • Construct and clamp reaction apparatus thoughtfully in order to permit manipulation without the need to move the apparatus until the entire reaction is completed.
  • Use a plastic safety bucket when transporting liquid chemicals, reactive solids, and large amounts of glass equipment within or between buildings
  • No persons other than other research group members are allowed in the laboratory without permission of your research advisor. All visitors are required to wear protective eye wear.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly before leaving the laboratory.
  • Think, act, and encourage safety until it becomes habit.