Debre bIrhan UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF chemical engineering

PROCESS STREAM

SAFETY AND INDUSTRIAL MAINTANANCE

COURSE CODE-Cheg 5212

NAME ID NO
1. Melkamu Tesfaye………………………………………………0804/08

SUBMITTED TO: INST. KASSSAHUN

SUBMISSION DATE: 15/04/2013 E.C

LABORATORY SAFETY TRAINING FOR FIRST YEAR CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING STUDENT

INTRODUCTION

A laboratory is a place where scientific research, clinical or diagnostic evaluation and

experiments are conducted under controlled conditions.

Laboratories are used in many scientific disciplines including research and the teaching of
sciences such as chemistry, biology, medicine, physics and others.

New laboratory workers and students are at special risk because they are not yet fully aware of
the dangers and risks related to the use of dangerous products and equipment. But even very
experienced laboratory personnel may be at risk if they become complacent about working with
hazardous substances and their attention wanders.

Laboratory safety involves the prevention of and response to laboratory emergencies. Good
prevention is far better than someone getting hurt. Hazard codes, chemical labels, and material
safety data sheets are the first sources of information that help us prepare to work safely in the
laboratory. The laboratory can be but not necessarily a dangerous place.

A laboratory safety training needs assessment and fundamentals of laboratory safety training
shall be completed. Based on the needs assessment, additional safety training may be needed for
specific hazardous work activities.

The students also perform the laboratory safety rule what they know and learned in the
laboratory properly. Therefore, the result of this research shows that the students’ laboratory
safety rule awareness is improved and changed.

Laboratory safety manual is to provide guidance to students, faculty, and staff with the goal of
preventing human injury and environmental damage from hazardous chemicals, equipment,
procedures, and testing methods used in the University of DBU chemical engineering
laboratories.

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SAFETY STANDARDS AND POLICIES

This manual specifies laboratory safety policies and standards. In addition to this manual, all
personnel handling chemicals and hazardous materials must follow. Hazards can cause injuries,
loss of physical or cognitive functions, or even death. It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain
laboratory safety and report any suspected hazards to the right personnel. Laboratory assistant
should assess the risks and identify hazards periodically. Once assessed and identified, specific
standards and policies must be developed. Students, staff, and faculty using the laboratory must
be trained and learn developed policies and procedures.

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS

 Students must adhere to written safety rules, regulations and standard operating
procedures.
 Follow verbal safety instructions throughout the academic term. Since additional
instructions may be given at the beginning of laboratory sessions, it is important that
students arrive at each session on time.
 Complete mandatory safety training.
 Consult with Technician/Lab Supervisor before using hazardous materials or conducting
high risk experimental procedures and obtain prior approval if required.
 Keep work area safe and uncluttered. Practice good housekeeping and chemical hygiene.
 Use personal protective equipment as required.
 Never work alone in the lab

LABORATORY SAFETY TRAINING MANUAL

GENERAL LAB RULES

 No food or drink allowed in the lab.

 Do not work alone, unless specifically authorized to do so .
 No unsupervised use of unauthorized equipment.
 Follow all requirements of Personal Protective Equipment indicated on the Workplace
Hazardous Information Placard (WHIP) located on or near the door of the lab.

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GENERAL SAFETY

 Be aware of the risks that are present in the particular lab you are working in.
 Know and follow the safety rules and safe work procedures.
 Fire doors must be kept closed at all times.
 Review SDSs, equipment manuals, and procedures instructions before attempting to
operate any machine or instrument.
 Read labels carefully.
 Learn the location of emergency exits, fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, etc.
 If you are unsure of any work to be done, ask the lab supervisor before proceeding.
 Running, horseplay, pranks, and practical jokes are prohibited.
 Report accidents and new misses promptly to the lab supervisor immediately.

HOUSEKEEPING

 Do not use stairways or hallways for storage.

 Never block access to exits, emergency equipment, e.g. fire extinguishers/eye
washes/emergency showers, or electrical panels.
 Keep work area clear of all materials except those needed for your work.
 Extra books, purses, etc. should be kept away from equipment that requires air flow or
ventilation to prevent overheating.
 Equipment and chemicals must be properly stored and labeled.
 Clean up your work area once experiments are completed and before leaving.
 Return all tools to their proper storage places.
 Properly dispose of used materials if any in proper containers.
 Ensure drawers and doors are closed after use so they do not present a bump or trip
hazard.
 Store large, heavy or breakable items on lower and middle shelves.
 Be careful when lifting heaving objects.
 Step stools must be used to access items on high shelves.
 Do not overcrowd storage areas and shelves.

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 FOOD

 Consumption of food, gum and/or drink in research and teaching labs is prohibited.
 Use of lab equipment to store or prepare food is prohibited.
 Wash hands before leaving lab and before eating.

CLOTHING

 No open toe shoes or sandals allowed.

 Restrain loose clothing, long hair and dangling jewelry.
 Wear appropriate clothing for the task, for example: -Long sleeves should be worn to
minimize burn hazards e.g. when using the soldering station -Short sleeves or long
sleeves rolled above elbow should worn around moving parts to minimize entanglement
hazards.
 Personal protective equipment must be used as required and in consideration of the
hazards present in each lab.
 Gloves must be worn to protect hands and arms when necessary e.g. rubber insulated
gloves tested to appropriate voltage or lead-lined rubber, plastic or leather gloves for
radiation.
 Face shields are required over safety glasses when grinding, chipping, brushing and
abrasive metal cutting, to provide protection against flying objects.
 Remove gloves before touching computers or phones, opening doors, etc.

SMOKING

 Smoking is not permitted inside any laboratory or in areas within eight meters of all lab
buildings.

STUDENTS’ DISCIPLINE IN THE LABORATORY

 Students should follow strictly the instructions given by the teacher.

 Students should not enter the laboratory unless a teacher is present.
 Students should not remove anything from the laboratory without permission.
 Students should not rush around or play in the laboratory.
 Experiments under way should not be left unattended.

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  Laboratory reagents and chemicals should be returned to the appropriate places immediately
after use, with their labels facing the front.
 Students should immediately report all accidents and breakages to their teacher.
 Students should not suck fingers or pencils when in the laboratory since these may be
contaminated with chemicals as well as germs.

TYPES OF HAZARDS IN LABORATORIES

As a laboratory worker, student you are exposed to various hazards, depending on the type and
functions of the laboratory. These hazards include:

Physical hazards

Physical hazards are defined in this manual as those with potential risk of injury or death not
associated with chemical exposure. Physical hazards includes electrical hazards, pinch-point
hazards, airborne particulate hazards, trip hazards, noise hazards, and high temperature hazards.

Chemical hazards

Chemical hazards are defined in this manual as being hazardous to humans to the extent that
exposure (limited or prolonged) should be avoided, or that require the use of personal protective
equipment (PPE).

Chemicals in laboratories can present a variety of health and safety hazards. Toxic gases, fumes
or liquids may escape from their container or spill while being handled and cause, for example,
poisoning, cancer, allergies and respiratory problems. Acids and bases may cause irritations and
burns of eyes or skin and respiratory tract. Certain chemicals are known or suspected to harm
fetuses or the reproductive health of adults (e.g. anesthetic gases or lead compounds).

Flammable hazards

Flammable hazards are defined in this manual as those substances that can catch fire easily, such
as petroleum distillates and solvents.

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Biological hazards

Biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites can enter the body by inhalation,
ingestion, skin or eye contact, animal bites and needle stick injuries and cause infections,
allergies and other diseases. Certain biological agents are dangerous to the unborn child, such as
toxoplasmosis or rubella.

Explosive hazards

Uncontrolled or unplanned chemical reactions can cause fires and dangerous explosions.
Experiments carried out in closed systems can cause explosions, as well as high-pressure gas
equipment (pressure vessels) and autoclaves. Vacuum equipment may implode. All pressure
equipment should be tested or inspected regularly.

General hazards

Wet, uneven or damaged floors can cause slips and trips. Glass bottles and glass apparatus are
standard in laboratories. Dropped or burst glassware can cause severe cuts. Entanglement of
clothes, hair or fingers in rotating equipment such as centrifuges and mixers can cause bodily
injury. Noise and vibration produced from equipment such as centrifuges and stirrers can cause
hearing loss and stress.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT FOR THE LABORATORY

Safety and emergency equipment must be provided by departments responsible for laboratories
and be readily available in the laboratories. The protection afforded by this equipment depends
on its proper and consistent use. Laboratory workers should realize that safety devices are
intended to help protect them from injury and should not avoid using such devices when they are
needed.

All laboratories in which chemicals are used should have available fire extinguishers, safety
showers, and eyewash fountains, as well as laboratory hoods and laboratory sinks (which can be
considered part of the safety equipment of the laboratory.

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Laboratory Maintenance Work

When repair and maintenance work is required within the laboratory, Principal investigators and
laboratory supervisors must carry out the following before the work can begin:

 Remove/move and store hazardous materials away from planned work areas.
 Clean and decontaminate work surfaces and areas and/or equipment.
 Move/relocate equipment if required.
 Inform laboratory personnel of the work to be performed.
 Provide information on the hazards and safety precaution of the work area.

STUDENTS MUST DO AFTER FINISHING THE LABORATORY

Proper hand washing techniques include soap, running water and 10-15 seconds of friction or
scrubbing action. Hands should be dried and the paper towel used to turn the faucets off.

Hands are washed:

a. After completion of work and before leaving the laboratory.

b. After removing gloves.
c. Before eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics, changing contact lenses or using
lavatory facilities.
d. Before all other activities which entail hand contact with mucous membranes or breaks
in the skin.
e. Immediately after accidental skin contact with blood or other potentially infectious
materials.
f. Between patient contact and before invasive procedures.

Responsibilities of Laboratory Workers

All laboratory workers are responsible for:

a) following all applicable safety rules and practices as outlined in this manual and by the
supervisor;

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b) using and wearing personal protective equipment according to instructions;
c) reporting all incidents to the laboratory supervisor;
d) reporting all unsafe conditions to the laboratory supervisor;
e) completion of recommended occupational health screening programs when applicable;
and
f) attending all training courses as directed by the supervisor.

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 REFERENCE

- Arditi, D. & Nawakorawit, M., Issues in building maintenance: property managers'

perspective, Journal of Architectural Engineering, vol. 5, pp. 117-132, 1999.
- A Model Chemical Hygiene Plan for Laboratories, Terry Jo Gile, MT(ASCP), MA Ed.
Clinical Laboratory Management Association, Inc. 1990.
- Cholasuke, C., Bharwa, R. & Antony, J., The status of maintenance management in UK
manufacturing organizations: results from a pilot survey, Journal of Quality in
Maintenance Engineering, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 515, 2004.
- EN 50014: 1992, Electrical apparatus for potentially explosive atmospheres - General
requirements
- National Research Council. Prudent Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals in
Laboratories, National Academy Press, 1981.
- [U.S. Department of Labor, final rule part II. Federal Register 29 CFR Part 1910.
Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories, Wednesday, January 31,
1990.

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