Michigan Tech University SAFETY MANUAL ADDENDUM Department of Biological Sciences Jeffrey C. Lewin (ed) 2014 mtu.edu/biological SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS (adapted from the University Safety Manual) MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY AND MIOSHA POLICY: Michigan Technological University will comply with all federal, state, and local safety, health, and environmental regulations. Michigan Technological University follows all safety regulations under MIOSHA rules, along with other applicable local, State and Federal regulations, even if they are not explicitly stated in the Departmental Safety Manual Addendum or University Safety Manual. These manuals are intended to focus on issues that are commonly found at the University and amended to specifically identify rules and regulations and affecting employees in Biological Sciences. If you need more specific information on safety rules or need to refer to rules or regulations that may not be presented here, check with Michigan Tech’s Occupational Safety and Health Services office or the Department’s Safety Liaison. MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY’S UNIVERSITY SAFETY MANUAL Michigan Tech’s mission to “prepare students to create the future” involves the use of a wide variety of hazardous materials and processes that require special training and control measures to protect students, employees, and our environment from harm. The following University safety, health, and environmental policy and the management program outlined in this and other documents form the basis for accomplishing our mission in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY The Safety Policy of Michigan Technological University is based on the firm conviction that accidents which cause personal injury or damage to property or the environment can be prevented. No phase of University business or operation is of greater importance than the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors, and protection of the environment. Michigan Technological University will provide and maintain a safe and healthy environment at all locations and will establish operating practices designed to assure the safety of all. All students, faculty, and staff are responsible for their individual safety performance and for protection of the environment. Each instructor/supervisor also has the responsibility to create a climate of safety and environmental awareness. Safety and environmental protection must be an integral part of every job. It is the responsibility of all to comply with safety rules and to work in such a manner as to prevent injuries to themselves and others, and to prevent damage to the environment. The prevention of accidents and the protection of the environment are in the best interest of all. Only through constant mutual effort and cooperation can we achieve these goals. Dr. Glenn D. Mroz, University President 2 This addendum is intended to expand upon University rules that affect activities in our Department. Rather than repeat the University version, it is intended that you read both the University Safety Manual as well as the Department’s addendum. THE FULL TEXT TO THE UNIVERSITY SAFETY MANUAL CAN BE FOUND AT: http://www.mtu.edu/oshs/safety-programs/required/safety-manual/ In addition you will need to review: The University Emergency Guide The University Hazard Communication Plan The Department Chemical Hygiene Plan For additional information on safety visit: Occupational Safety and Health Service’s home page The Department of Biological Science’s safety page Information on our Safety Data Sheets on-line 3 DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC EMERGENCY ACTION AND FIRE PLAN INFORMATION For ALL campus emergencies requiring police, fire or medical response call 911 from campus phones or cell phones. The Dow Environmental Science and Engineering (Dow), RL Smith Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics (MEEM) and Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) buildings have multiple floors and multiple exits so no one response plan is appropriate for all scenarios so you should review the University Emergency Guide on the general response to fires, building evacuations and when it might be best to shelter in place. As a general rule, when you arrive at a new location take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the layout of the floor, the location of the building exits (there should be two but you may have to travel to find the second one; find it before there is an emergency), how to exit the room you are working in and the location of emergency equipment (fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, safety eyewashes and showers, natural gas emergency shutoffs, electrical disconnect boxes, etc.). Remember that during an emergency evacuation involving a fire or power outage the elevator will not be operating. If you have reduced mobility or difficulty walking up and down stairs, discuss in advance with you supervisor an evacuation and/or shelter in place response. During a power outage or when the general building alarm sounds in the Dow Building, natural gas to all labs is automatically cut off at the service entrance. Once power has been restored or the general alarm is over, the service must be manually reset. Hence, it is very important that all items connected to natural gas, such as Bunsen burners are manually turned off during the above conditions. Furthermore, if natural gas is smelled following one of the above events, report it immediately by dialing 911. During a lab emergency in the Dow Building or Great Lakes Research Center, the natural gas can be turned off in any specific room via the emergency gas shut off near the room door (Dow) or hallway (GLRC). When setting up an experiment, you should have a plan in case of sudden or unexpected interruption of services including, but not limited to, interruption of power, water, room ventilation, fume hood ventilation, biological safety cabinet operation, phone service, compressed air, natural gas or room temperature control. All unattended experimental apparatuses must have emergency shutdown procedures and emergency contact numbers posted next to it or on the lab door. 4 NON-EMERGENCY BUT URGENT FACILITY ISSUES For urgent (but non-emergency) problems such as room power outages, burst pipes, etc.) contact Facilities at: 906.487.0001. For non-urgent or routine facility needs see the Michigan Tech Facilities home page or contact the Departmental office. 5 DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION ON SPILL MANAGEMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EMERGENCY SPILL CONTROL If spill is large (i.e. of Immediate Danger to Life or Health), follow Michigan Tech’s Campus Safety Manual procedures): 1. Evacuate room, hallway, floor, or building as appropriate. 2. Dial 911 and instruct the operator to inform Public Safety and Police Services of the situation. 3. Wait for further instructions. 4. Be prepared to provide the SDS for the chemical(s) spilled. If spill is small, (i.e. can be safely cleaned without Immediate Danger to Life and Health): 1. Evacuate room. 2. Consult SDS for clean up information. 3. Spill absorbent for most acids (not hydrofluoric), bases, organics, oils and aqueous liquids is next to the eyewash/safety showers in all labs. 4. Specialized absorbent for concentrated acids, corrosives and organics are available in: Dow 516 (autoclave/prep room) Dow 704 (aquatic culture space) MEEM 1102 (general prep room) GLRC 109, 215 and 314 5. Special mercury cleanup kits (for small spills) are available in Dow 219, 516 and 704, 707, 710 and 711 MEEM 1102 and 1104 6. Specialized absorbents for formaldehyde spills are available in DOW 704 and 707 7. Inform your supervisor, Department Chair or the Department’s Chemical Hygiene Officer. 8. Contact the Departmental Lab Supervisor or OSHS for disposal information of spill absorbents. 6 APPLICATIONS AND PAPER WORK REQUIRED FOR SPECIAL ACTIVITIES IN THE LABORATORY Research that involves living vertebrate animals, human subjects, recombinant DNA, biohazards or radioactive isotopes requires approval from the appropriate committee or individual prior to beginning work in the lab. The approval process may be lengthy so researchers are advised to inquire early in the planning or proposal writing stages. See the review board link on our Department’s safety page DEPARTMENTAL EQUIPMENT REQUIRING ORIENTATIONS Personnel must receive a documented orientation session prior to operating the following departmental equipment: Autoclaves/Steam sterilizers (Dow, GLRC, MEEM) Selected centrifuges (those currently found in Dow 515) Power shop tools Boats Agar steamer Contact a Departmental Laboratory Supervisor to arrange for training for the above equipment. DEPARTMENT RULES FOR GENERAL SAFETY Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) It is recommended that, at a minimum, appropriate eye protection should be worn at all times in all laboratories or field activities where chemicals or biohazards are present or when working with hand or power tools. Eye and face protection must be worn as specified in section 5.1.2 of the University Safety Manual or as specified in the appropriate standard operating procedure (SOP). Hand protection must be worn as specified in 5.1.3 or as specified in appropriate SOP’s. As a general reminder there is no one universal glove to use for chemical protection and that a separate hazard analysis to determine glove selection should be done for each new chemical being used. The Department requires workers to wear closed-toed shoes, long pants (or other leg coverings) and covered midriffs in all laboratories. Long hair, scarves, jewelry, ties and other dangling items that might get caught in moving machinery, catch on fire or get contaminated by your work must be tied back, secured or removed. Aprons or lab coats may be specified in standard operating procedures. Pay extra 7 attention to the need for flame resistant clothing if using pyrophoric chemicals or large amount of flammable chemicals. Note that lab gloves, lab coats or other potentially contaminated personal protective equipment should be removed before leaving the laboratory and not be worn in the hallway, bathrooms or other public spaces. The University has a very detailed respirator program. Employees must complete this program prior to using any type of respirator. For additional information on using respirators, contact Occupational Safety and Health Services. Personal items in laboratories and appropriate use of office spaces Food and drink are not allowed in any research or instructional space, lab support space or any space posted with signs prohibiting food and drink. Do not use lab refrigerators, freezers, or microwaves for storing or preparing food for human consumption. Food items that might be tested or used in experiments must clearly be labeled “not for human consumption.” Do not use containers with food labels (for example soda or energy drink bottles) for storing or mixing chemicals. Avoid using personal items such as cell phones, pens, notebooks in the lab if they are normally used outside the lab space. In order to reinforce the separation of lab and office spaces, office areas (desks, etc.) are not to be used as an extension of laboratory space. 8 Tobacco products Michigan Tech is a Tobacco-Free Campus. Tobacco products are not to be brought into laboratories. Glassware Use extreme care when inserting glass tubing or thermometers into rubber stoppers and when inserting stoppers into glass. Lubricate when possible and always use hand protection. Only use appropriate rated glassware under positive or negative pressure extremes. Regularly inspect and discard any glassware that is cracked, chipped or otherwise has its integrity compromised. All glassware under pressure requires secondary shielding or special plastic coated glassware to prevent damage from flying glassware. Note that such shielding does not negate the requirement for eye protection. Housekeeping, Maintenance and Inspections Keep work areas clean, free from obstruction and clean up at the end of an operation or at the end of each day. Spills should be cleaned up immediately (see spill cleanup guidelines) and disposed of properly. Clean floors regularly. Do not use stairways and hallways as storage areas for any time period. Access to exits, emergency equipment, and utility controls must always be kept clear. Safety equipment should have regular scheduled inspections based on state or federal laws or more frequent if suggested as “best practice”. Formal housekeeping and chemical hygiene inspections should be held annually (at a minimum) with informal inspections more frequently. Regardless of the inspection schedule, any safety hazards found in the course of day to day operations should be resolved immediately. Distribution of Chemicals to or from the laboratory When hazardous chemicals are hand carried, place the container in a secondary container or acid-carrying bucket to protect against breakage and spillage. If a wheeled cart is used, it should be stable under the load and have wheels that are large enough to handle uneven surfaces without tipping over or stopping suddenly. If small quantities of flammable liquids must be moved, use rugged pressureresistant, non-venting containers, and eliminate potential ignition sources. 9 Liquid Nitrogen Safety and Handling Liquid Nitrogen Properties- See Liquid Nitrogen MSDS for more information Appearance: colorless cryogenic liquid Odor: odorless Boiling Point (1 atm): -195.8°C Melting Point: -209°C Specific Gravity: 0.967 (air=1) Expansion Ratio (liquid to gas): 1 to 696.5 Required Personal Protection Equipment and Precautions Safety glasses  Face shield  Low temperature gloves  Closed toe shoes  Pants  No metal jewelry/watches on the hands or wrists General Precautions Liquid nitrogen can cause severe burns (due to frostbite) even with brief exposure. Cryogenic gloves, safety goggles, a face shield, and closed toed shoes and pants must be worn when dispensing and handling liquid nitrogen. A full length apron or lab coat is also recommended to minimize the chance of a spill going into your shoes.  Do not wear metal jewelry or watches on hands or wrists when handling liquid nitrogen. These items my freeze to your body.  Guard against pressure build-up by using a pressure relief vessel or a venting lid.  Liquid Nitrogen will condense oxygen from the air. An example of this happening is if a person leaves their vacuum pump’s coldfinger in a 10      Dewar of liquid nitrogen overnight. In the morning the coldfinger will contain liquid oxygen up to the level of the nitrogen in the Dewar. Asphyxiation—if sufficient liquid nitrogen is vaporized and reduces atmospheric oxygen below 19.5% (normal is around 21%) you are at risk of oxygen deprivation. Rapid venting can cause near-total displacement of normal air, vent slowly in a well ventilated area. Do not carry liquid nitrogen in a passenger elevator. Only use vessels designed for extreme cold. Not all Dewars are rated for liquid nitrogen. Cryotubes containing samples stored under liquid nitrogen may explode without warning. Liquid nitrogen may enter the tube through small cracks, when the tube thaws the liquid nitrogen may rapidly expand causing the tube to burst. Lower the Dewar buckets slowly into the liquid nitrogen to prevent boiling and splashing. Dispensing To fill, lower the phase separator attached to the end of the transfer hose into the vessel being filled. Slowly open the valve on the dispensing tank until liquid nitrogen begins to flow. Fill tank to desired level. Note: level should remain below the level of stored cryotubes, they should be stored in the vapor phase.  The phase separator separates gas from liquid allowing only liquid nitrogen to fall into the Dewar.  Do not leave tank unattended while filling.  Deliver directly to the tank being filled, do not allow the liquid nitrogen to fall a distance to reach the receiving vessel.  Do not hold the vessel with unprotected hands during filling. First Aid EMERGENCY CONTACT 911 Inhalation: If persons are suffering from lack of oxygen, they should be moved to fresh air. If the victim is not breathing, artificial respiration should be administered. Skin Contact: Remove clothing that may restrict circulation to the frozen area. Do not rub frozen tissue, it may cause tissue damage. Warm affected area in a water bath (do not exceed 105°F), do not use dry heat. Contact a physician as soon as possible. Frozen tissue is painless and appears waxy with a possible yellow color. When thawed, it will become swollen, painful, and prone to infection. Once the frozen area becomes thawed, cover the area with dry sterile dressing and a protective covering pending medical care. 11 Eye Contact: Immediately warm frostbite area with warm water and seek medical attention. References: www.chem.purdue.edu/chemsafety/chem/ln2.htm www.cryostop.com/nitrogen_safety.htm www.ehrs.upenn.edu/resources/docs/labsafety/cryogen.pdf We order liquid nitrogen from Airgas: NI 180LT22 = 180L Liquid nitrogen at 22PSI MVE 9713159 = 4ft Transfer hose MVE 10615869 = Phase separator 12 ABBREVIATION LIST ANSI American National Standards Institute CHO CHP Chemical Hygiene Officer Chemical Hygiene Plan dBA DOT Decibels Department of Transportation ESE Environmental Science and Engineering (Dow building) FM Factory Mutual GHS GLRC Globally Harmonized System Great Lakes Research Center (building) IDLH Immediate Danger to Life or Health LSO Laser Safety Officer MEEM MIOSHA MSDS MTU Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (building) Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (state) Material Safety Data Sheet (see SDS) Michigan Technological University NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration (federal) OSHS Occupational Safety and Health Services (university) PEL PPE ppm PSPS Permissible Exposure Limits Personal Protection Equipment Part Per Million Public Safety and Police Services (university) RSO Radiation Safety Officer SDS SOP Safety Data Sheets (new GHS designation) Standard Operating Procedures TLV Threshold Limit Value UL USDA Underwriters Laboratory United States Department of Agriculture 13 14