The following notes on laboratory safety and security rules and procedures are included because most graduate students study or do research in one of the many laboratories in the department. Over the years the University has developed guidelines to be observed within the laboratories. These guidelines, in part, are given below. For the most part, the guidelines are common sense. The reasoning behind a specific one may not be immediately evident. However, often a rule arose because of a serious injury, a near accident or the theft of equipment. These rules are not and probably cannot be all inclusive, but they do establish an awareness and a guide to a course of action. It is essential that we remain alert and use good judgment in our laboratories.

General Laboratory Guidelines General Laboratory Safety
  1. In case of any emergency dial the University Police, extension 6/911. Use any available campus phone. There is one on the wall outside Room D-134 in the main bay area of D-123. Also, report the incident to the Department Office, Room B-235, extension 5-2248.
  2. Emergency exits, alarms, fire extinguishers, safety showers and also blankets for wrapping are strategically located in or near our laboratories. Some of these are marked on the attached floor plan. Their location should be noted. In particular, there are two emergency exits at the rear of the main bay area by the roll-up doors in D123. Emergency doors are also located in D119 and in D124. The doors located in D-119 and D-124 are connected to an alarm and should only be used in the event of emergency.
  3. Fire regulations require that an aisle, at least 30 inches wide, be clear of any obstructions near all exits, safety equipment and power shutoff controls.
  4. Smoking is never permitted in this building.
  5. Know the potential hazards of the material, facilities and equipment with which you will be working.
  6. Small quantities, 5 gallons or less in approved containers, of inflammable liquids may be stored in the laboratories. Glass containers should not be used for that purpose. Fire regulations prohibit storing them in closed cabinets or in refrigerators. Larger amounts are to be stored in the outside hazardous storage shed on the south side of D wing. Both Bill Vasiliou and the Department office have a key to the storage shed.
  7. State regulations require a label on each container of any substance, liquid or otherwise. The label should indicate the chemical generic name and, if hazardous, the chemical formula. Also, if the substance is hazardous, the nature of the hazard, i.e., toxic, inflammable, etc., must be indicated. The laboratory technician has state-issued regulation labels which are to be added to each container of hazardous material. These labels identify the substance to be hazardous.
  8. Your research director is required to maintain an inventory of such hazardous substances indicated above and needs your cooperation in keeping informed of inventory changes. The Laboratory Director is required to maintain an inventory of such hazardous substances that are not acquired for research.
  9. The university arranges for periodic waste disposal of unwanted hazardous substances. Arrangements for all such disposals should be made through the Laboratory Director. Waste should not be accumulated. The State requires that containers of waste material be labeled with special waste disposal labels. These labels are obtained from the laboratory mechanic. The Laboratory Director cannot accept your chemicals for disposal without proper labeling.
  10. Alterations to any of the laboratory utilities (water, gas, air, electric, sewer, etc.), require specific approval from the Laboratory Director. Mr. Vasiliou will supervise or do all such work after permission is given if the university physical plant personnel do not do the work.
  11. Do not leave loose material in the laboratory trenches and do not construct any obstructions to water flow there. There are 110/220/440 volt electric service lines mounted on the trench walls.

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