UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

Civil Engineering Department

GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING 1 LABORATORY

Name ISLA, WHERLYNE LYKA N. Date ______06/26/2020________

Group No. _________ Course/Year ____BSCE 2______

Research Work No. 1

Laboratory Policies and Safety Procedures

1. DIFFERENT HAZARDS THAT MIGHT BE ENCOUNTERED WHILE CONDUCTING EXPERIMENTS IN

A SOIL MECHANICS LABORATORY

 Heavy equipment and supplies:

There are numerous heavy objects used in the lab including buckets and bags of soil, compaction hammers,
weights for testing machines. If improperly handled these could injure persons either by falling on persons or
causing back injuries through improper lifting techniques.

 Hot surfaces:
There are several ovens in the labs including bench ovens and microwave ovens. Interior surfaces of these
ovens and materials being removed from the ovens can burn unprotected skin.

 Slippery floors & tripping hazards:

There are number potential tripping and slipping hazards including low drawers and cabinet doors, wet
floors, and loose soil on floors.

 Cutting devices:
Cutting and scraping devices such as hacksaws, utility knives, wire saws and soil scrapers are used in the lab.
Improper use can cause cuts and scrapes.

 Chemical usage:
Chemical usage is limited in the lab, but some potentially hazardous chemicals are used including sodium
hexametaphosphate, isopropyl alcohol, and lubricants.

 Ladder:
Some work in the lab requires use of a ladder. Improper usage could lead to falls.

 Pinching Hazards:
Many test machines and tools have potential pinch points, including vice, sample ejector, and proctor molds.
Unsafe usage of these machines or tools can cause cuts, bruises or blisters on hands and fingers.
 2. DIFFERENT RULES OR POLICIES THAT SHOULD BE OBSERVED WHILE PERFORMIMG
LABORATORY WORKS

 No food or drink is allowed in the lab at any time.

 No open toed shoes, sandals, or flip-flops may be worn in the lab at any time.

 Students will work in groups of 2 or more in the lab at all times (exception: a single student is permitted in
the lab for the purposes of weighing samples or reading gauges so long as no equipment is operated).

 All injuries, equipment damage, and hazardous conditions will be reported immediately to the instructor or
lab technician.

 The lab will be kept clean and orderly at all times. Spilled soils, materials, or liquids will be cleaned up
immediately. At the end of each session the lab will be tidied up and the floors swept.

 Machines must be turned off and locked unless specifically approved and directed by the instructor.

 Before operating equipment, check your surroundings for any debris and/or individual that may harm you and
others around you.

 Never attempt to repair machines yourself; shut off the machine and call the lab instructor or technician.

 Approved ladders will be used to reach elevated locations; no climbing or standing on stools, chairs or
furniture. The top two steps of stepladder will not be used as a step.

 Tools and equipment will be in keep in good condition and ready for use.

 Report all lab related accidents and injuries to the professor.

 Aisles shall be kept clear at all time, including any debris on the ground and closing any open cabinet doors
and drawers.

 Proper lifting techniques will be used when handling heavy items—keeping the back straight and lifting with
the legs.

3. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS (PPEs) THAT MUST BE WORN WHEN PERFORMING

EXPERIMENTS:

 Closed toed shoes:

Must be worn at all times, no sandals, or flip-flops allowed. The following PPE will be maintained in the lab
in good working order and used when required.

 Oven Mitts:
 Must be keep near bench ovens and used when handling hot items in ovens.

 Safety glasses:
Must be worn where there is a danger of flying particles.

 Chemical Splash Goggles:

Must be worn when handling chemicals.

 Protective gloves:
Must be worn to guard against cuts and burns.

 Hearing Protection:
May be worn when operating the sieve machine.

 Dust Masks:
May be worn when working with dry soils that create dust.

4. THE 5S.

5S TERM DEFINITION SLOGAN

1 Sort Remove all unnecessary items When in doubt, move it out!
(Seiri) from the workplace.
2 Set in order Create a specific location for A place for everything and
(Seiton) everything that remains. everything in its place!
3 Shine Clean and inspect the workplace. Clean and inspect!
(Seiso)
4 Standardize Standardize best practices. Make the rules and follow them!
(Seiketsu)
5 Sustain Make 5S part of daily work Don't slip back into old habits!
(Shitsuke) culture. Audit regularly to
maintain standards.

REFERENCES:

o Geotech Lab Safe Practices – Cal Poly Pomona. (n.d.). StuDocu. https://www.studocu.com/en-
us/document/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona/geotechnical-engineering-
laboratory/coursework/geotech-lab-safe-practices/1665095/view
o Mettler-Toledo International Inc. all rights reserved. (2020, June 25). 5s Audit Checklist – Requirements to Sustain
a Lean Laboratory. https://www.mt.com/ph/en/home/library/guides/laboratory-weighing/5S-audit.html