The safety rules for use of the laboratory must be read, understood, and practiced at all times. These rules have evolved from experience and are there to protect labusers and equipments. Failure to follow them will result in expulsion from the lab. If you have any questions, feel free to ask a staff member. Remember, there is no excuse for not following these safety procedures.
General
- EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER IN ALL CASES : 115
- Please report any safety problems you encounter. Your input and observations will be appreciated.
- Safety glasses or medical glasses will be worn at all times. Safety glasses will be provided for all users. Avoid contact lenses in the cleanroom.
Chemical Safety
Be informed and protected:
- Various chemicals exist in the lab and users are supposed to read and understand the corresponding Safety Data Sheets (SDS) before using them. If you have any questions regarding a given chemical, consult the lab staff BEFORE using it. Handling chemicals requires common sense.
- Before you start working with chemicals, make sure you are properly protected. If it is an acid or otherwise corrosive chemical or solvent, you must wear gloves with arm guards, disposable apron, a face shield, and be in a properly ventilated area. These are the Wet Process Stations (sinks). Remember that the gloves you put on when you enter the lab are to protect the lab surfaces and equipment, and are NOT of sufficient strength to protect against chemical burns. If these gloves or the face shields aren’t at your location, contact the office and they will be provided for you. See Safety Rules to use Wet-Benches of CMi documentation for more details.
Chemicals handling rules :
- Never pour chemicals back into a reagent bottle. This can contaminate a bottle and damage the next user’s devices.
- When you are through, clean up completely. Dispose of your solutions properly according to the specific equipment manual.
- When mixing acids with water, remember to ADD ACID TO WATER and NEVER water to acid! Use appropriate containers.
- NEVER MIX ACID OR PIRANHA WASTE WITH SOLVENTS. Explosion and fire can result.
Compressed Gas Safety
- Gas cylinders are stored in a gas room outside the cleanroom. The access to the gas room is restricted to the staff. Gas is provided automatically to the equipment.
- The gas leak detection system is able to detect minimal concentrations of all dangerous gases. The detection threshold value is set large under minimal legal exposure level. In case of alarm, combined sound horn and red flashing lights will be turned on. Evacuate immediately the cleanroom by respecting the CMi evacuation procedure.
Fire Hazards
- In the cleanroom there is a fair amount of smoke detectors. Smoke detection is followed by a combined sound horn and red flashing lights will be turned on.
- Evacuate immediately the cleanroom by respecting the CMi evacuation procedure.
- Fires in the lab can result from the ignition of flammable gases, fires from solvents, and combustion of materials. A major cause of lab fires is ignition of chemical solutions on hot plates.
- In case of fire, give the alarm before you do anything else. Dial 115, and give your location, the nature of the fire and your name.
Electrical Safety
- All electrical wiring is to be done by staff only.
- In case of electrocution of someone in the lab, DO NOT GRAB THEM. Disable the power immediately. Call 115