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Lab Health & Safety Management
The Office of Environmental Health, Safety & Chemical Hygiene offers safety and chemical hygiene training sessions, some in partnership with Campus Safety, for faculty, staff and students.
Chemical Fume Hoods
The chemical fume hood is often the primary control device for protecting laboratory workers when working with flammable and/or toxic chemicals. OSHA’s laboratory standard (29 CFR 1910. 1450) requires that fume hoods be maintained and function properly when used.
BEFORE USING A FUME HOOD:
Make sure that you understand how the hood works.
You should be trained to use it properly.
Know the hazards of the chemical you are working with; refer to the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet if you are unsure.
Ensure that the hood is on.
Make sure that the sash is open to the proper operating level, which is usually indicated by arrows on the frame.
Make sure that the air gauge indicates that the airflow is within the required range.
WHEN USING A FUME HOOD:
Never allow your head to enter the plane of the hood opening.
Use appropriate eye protection.
Be sure that nothing blocks the airflow through the baffles or through the baffle exhaust slots.
Elevate large equipment (e.g., a centrifuge) at least two inches off the base of the hood interior.
Keep all materials inside the hood at least six inches from the sash opening. When not working in the hood, close the sash.
Do not permanently store any chemical inside the hood.
Promptly report any hood that is not functioning properly. The sash should be closed and the hood tagged and taken out of service until repairs can be completed.
When using extremely hazardous chemicals, understand your laboratory’s action plan in case an emergency, such as a power failure occurs.
UV Light Hazards
About UV Light
Ultraviolet light (UV), a form of nonionizing radiation is a small band on the electromagnetic spectrum with sunlight as the largest source of UV light. UV light is widely used in labs research (biological safety cabinets, germicidal lamps) medical and indoor applications. Continuous or short-term use of UV light can result in detrimental health outcomes.
UV is divided into three classes based on wavelength: UV-A with a wavelength of 315 to 400 nm, UV-B with a wavelength from 280 to 314 nm, and UV-C with a wavelength from 180 to 280 nm, such as the germicidal lamps found in biosafety cabinets (BSCs), laminar flow hoods, and HVAC air handlers to kill bacteria and mold.
UV light is also found in spectrophotometer. UV light is invisible with delayed reaction. The level of risk depends on light intensity and length of exposure.
Control
Do not work in a biosafety cabinet with UV lamps on.
CENTRIFUGE SAFETY
The centrifuge is a vital tool in laboratory research. An uneven surface could cause the rotor to be imbalanced. Centrifuges are designed with the assumption that the axis of the rotor will be in line with the direction of gravity. Always confirm rotor is balanced before use.
Remember:
Conduct rotor or safety cup/bucket cleanup in nearest biosafety cabinet or fumehood depending on hazard.
Use tongs or forceps to avoid contact with sharp-edged debris.
Avoid alkaline cleaners for aluminum centrifuge components.
Avoid abrasive wire brushes for cleaning.
If used and/or maintained improperly, all centrifuges (including microcentrifuges) can present various hazards such as:
Physical hazards: Mechanical failure due to mechanical stress, metal fatigue, and corrosion of the rotor over time.
Exposure hazards: Aerosolization of biological or chemical materials.
The following information may be integrated into a lab-specific standard operating procedure (SOP) for centrifuge use.
1. Preventive maintenance
a. Establish a preventive maintenance schedule including regular cleaning of centrifuge interior to prevent damage and avoid costly repairs.
b. Reference centrifuge operator’s manual or contact manufacturer for guidance.
c. Equipment repair and adjustments shall only be conducted by qualified service technicians.
d. Maintain a log book for all high-speed centrifuges and ultracentrifuges include run dates, durations, speeds, total rotor revolutions, and notes on rotor condition.
e. Retire rotors after manufacturer’s recommended life span except where annual stress test demonstrates absence of structural flaws.
2. Planning for use
a. Complete lab-specific training for the centrifuge.
b. Wear appropriate PPE: Including safety eyewear, gloves, a lab coat, and appropriate street clothing (i.e., long pants and closed-toe shoes). Ensure gloves are compatible with hazard(s).
c. Inspect centrifuge:
Ensure tubes are rated for intended use (speed, temperature, and chemical resistance)
Rotor is compatible with centrifuge and seated on drive correctly
Rotor and safety cups/buckets are free of cracks and deformities
Rotor O-ring is not cracked, missing, or worn
Safety cups/buckets are attached correctly and able to move freely
Contact a qualified service technician if inspection identifies centrifuge components requiring repair or replacement.
d. Prepare centrifuge tubes for loading:
Inspect centrifuge tubes before use.
Follow manufacturer’s filling limits for tubes. Do not overfill or underfill tubes.
For biohazardous materials, disinfect outside of tubes prior to removal from biosafety cabinet and loading into rotor.
When centrifuging hazardous materials, use tightly capped tubes and/or sealable safety cups or rotors that can be loaded and unloaded in a fume-hood or biosafety cabinet, depending on hazard.
For high-speed centrifuges and ultracentrifuges, use an in-line filter in the vacuum line to prevent contamination of the vacuum pump and pump oil. Provide secondary containment for vacuum pump.
Balance centrifuge before start running the machine.
Note the following while using the centrifuge:
Do not leave centrifuge until full operating speed is reached and appears to be running safely without incident.
Stop centrifuge immediately if you notice any unusual noises or shaking. Confirm rotor is balanced.
To prevent rotor failure, do not exceed maximum speed and maximum mass limits for the rotor. You must reduce rotor speed if sample density calculations indicate maximum mass limits will be exceeded; contact manufacturer for guidance.
Stop run: Ensure centrifuge comes to complete stop before opening cover. When centrifuging hazardous materials, wait at least 10 minutes after run to allow aerosols to settle before opening centrifuge.
Check for leaks/spills: In samples, rotor, safety cups/buckets, and centrifuge well.
Open sealable tubes/safety cups/rotors: Wear appropriate PPE and open inside fume-hood or biosafety cabinet, depending on hazard.
Turn off centrifuge immediately and unplug power cord if you notice any unusual noises or shaking.
Do not use centrifuge again until inspected by qualified service technician.
Hazardous Material Spill/Exposure:
Turn off centrifuge immediately.
Keep centrifuge cover closed for at least 30 minutes to reduce aerosolization of hazardous material.