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The availability and use of several types of safety equipment is essential to the practice of safe science. Safety equipment should be present in well-marked, highly visible, and easily accessible locations in or near all laboratories that use hazardous materials. For more information regarding safety equipment or specific regulatory requirements, please contact EHRS. Laboratory personnel should contact Facilities Management and/or approved vendor for assistance with equipment malfunction, maintenance, and repairs.
CHEMICAL FUME HOODS
Chemical fume hoods are one of the most important items of equipment used for the protection of workers in the laboratory. A standard fume hood is a chemical and fire-resistant enclosure with a movable window (sash) at the front that allow the user to access the interior. Chemical fume hoods capture, contain, and expel chemical emissions. In addition, chemical fume hoods (with sash down) provide a protective barrier between laboratory personnel and chemicals or chemical processes. The storage of large number of chemical bottles or other items within the hood can dramatically impair this functioning. All filtered or recirculated fume hoods must be approved by EHRS. All fume hoods must eb in good working condition. To ensure fume hoods are operating properly, EHRS conducts annual audits. Facilities Management service and hoods that are not functioning properly immediately.
SAFETY SHOWERS
Safety showers are required in areas where corrosive chemicals are used. Safety showers provide an effective means of initial treatment in the event of chemical contamination of skin or clothing. The safety shower must be readily accessible, clear of obstructions, fully functional, and clearly labeled. All eye wash stations must be plumbed and in compliance with the latest ANSI Standard Z358.1.
Safety Showers are tested annually by Facilities Management to ensure that shower is functioning properly, and that proper water flow is provided. Showers must be activated weekly by laboratory personnel to ensure that they are working properly. Weekly shower testing must be documented by the laboratory. Safety showers are tested annually by Facilities Management to ensure that shower is functioning properly, and that proper water flow is provided. In the event of a chemical contamination of an individual’s body or if an individual’s clothing is on fire, immediately flush the body for 15 minutes under the shower, removal all clothing, and seek medical attention.
- Weekly Eyewash or Shower Form
EYEWASH STATIONS
Eyewash stations are required in areas where corrosive chemicals are used. Eyewashes must be readily accessible, clear of obstructions, fully functional, and clearly labeled. The use of hands must not be required to maintain water flow. All eye wash stations must be plumbed and in compliance with the latest ANSI Standard Z358.1.
Eyewashes are tested annually by Facilities Management to ensure that shower is functioning properly, and that proper water flow is provided. Eyewashes must be activated weekly by laboratory personnel to ensure that they are working properly. Weekly eyewash testing must be documented by the laboratory. In the event of chemical contamination of the eyes or face, immediately flush the eye/face for 15 minutes and seek medical attention.
- Weekly Eyewash or Shower Form
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Laboratory personnel should know the locations of all fire extinguishers in the laboratory, the type of fires they are appropriate, and be trained on how to operate them correctly. Fire extinguishers should be easily accessible, mounted properly on the wall, and unobstructed. The Temple University (TU) Fire Marshal is responsible for the audit of fire extinguishers. The Fire Marshal also conducts fire safety training to TU employees. Used fire extinguishers must be immediately serviced. Contact the Fire Marshal for assistance. Fire extinguishers should be the appropriate type for the expected froe emergency. Extinguishers are classified according to a particular fire type.
- Class A for ordinary combustibles
- Class B for flammable liquids and gases
- Class C for live electrical equipment
- Class D for combustible metals and metal alloys
Most laboratories are equipped with combination Class ABC fire extinguishers. Some also have carbon dioxide Calls B and Class fire extinguishers for flammable liquids, gases, and electrical fires. A bucket of dry sand (marked Class D Fire Extinguisher) or commercial Class D fire extinguishers must be present in laboratories where water reactives and combustible metals are used or stored. The Fire Marshal will provide Class D fire extinguishers upon request.
FLAMMABLE LIQUID STORAGE CABINETS
Flammable liquids in quantities exceeding a total of 10 gallons in a laboratory must be stored in flammable, liquid storage cabinets or safety cans. Flammable storage cabinets must be designed to meet NFPA and applicable Fire Codes and guidelines. Cabinets must be Underwriters’ Laboratories, INC (UL) listed and certified by the manufacturer for such use. Approved cabinets must eb marked in conspicuous lettering “Flammable Keep Fire Away.” Flammable cabinets are not required to be vented (cabinets are generally vented only if flammable liquids generate noxious fumes), but if venting is desired it must meet NFPA and applicable Fire Code requirements (Contact EHRS and Institutional Fire Marshal). Only flammable and combustible material should be stored in flammable storage cabinets.
SAFETY CANS
A safety can is a container of not more than five-gallon capacity, having a spring-closed lid, spout cover, and flame arrestor and so designed that it will safely relive internal pressure. Safety cans must be UL listed and must be compatible with the chemicals that they contain. Safety cans with damages parts such as corroded spark arrestor screen or insufficient springs must be taken out of service and replaced immediately.
LABORATORY-SAFE AND EXPLOSION-PROOF REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT
The use of domestic refrigeration equipment for the storage of flammable liquids presents a significant hazard to the laboratory work area. Refrigerator temperatures are commonly higher that the flash points of the flammable liquids stored within them. In addition, domestic refrigerators contain exposed sources of ignition such as thermostats, lights, and heater strips that can ignite flammable vapors released inside the refrigerator and cause a fire or explosion. Domestic refrigerators can only be used to store non-flammable chemicals and samples. Flammable liquids must only be stored in one of two types of laboratory refrigerators: laboratory-safe and explosion-proof refrigerators. Containers must be tightly closed to minimize the amount of vapor released. Every laboratory refrigerator must be clearly marked to indicate what may (or may not) be stored in the refrigerator. Modification of domestic refrigerators to hold flammable liquid sis not permitted.
LABORATORY-SAFE REFRIGERATORS
Laboratory-safe refrigeration equipment (also called flammable-safe or explosion-safe) is designed to eliminate sources of ignition on the inside of the storage compartment only, even though other safety design features like self-closing doors, magnetic door caskets, and compressors and circuits located at the top of the refrigeration unit have been incorporated. They plug into a three=prong wall outlet int eh laboratory.
EXPLOSION-PROOF REFRIGERTAORS
Explosion-proof refrigeration equipment is designed to protect against ignition of flammable vapors both inside the storage containment and outside the refrigerator. They are intended for use in high-hazard occupancies where an exterior source of ignition must be eliminated. Explosion-proof refrigerators are hardwired using electrical conduit and do not have standard three-prong electrical plug.
FIRST AID KITS
First aid kits should be easily accessible to all laboratory personnel. If a first aid kit is placed in a drawer or cabinet, the drawer or cabinet must be labeled “First Aid Kit.” First Aid kits must be regularly inspected and restocked as necessary. First aid kits can be purchased through any laboratory safety supply vendor.
CHEMICAL SPILL KITS
Refer to Chemical Spill Planning for more information on spill kits.
PORTABLE SAFETYY SHIELDS
When a hood sash cannot provide proper shielding, portable safety shields should be used. Portable safety shields do not provide protection on the sides and back of equipment and should be used with a fume hood. Laboratory equipment/chemical apparatus should be shielded on all sides so that there is no line-of-sight exposure to laboratory personnel.
RESOURCES
Chemical Safety Resources Library