Name: Yousef Alnaser Student Number: 210208919

lab safety
1- PPE Equipment
a- Minimum PPE:
There is very little need to enter a laboratory without at least some PPE on. This
includes long trousers, closed-toe shoes, and safety eyewear (described below).
This offers fundamental defense against common dangers in the lab. Long hair
should also be pulled back, and jewelry with dangling should be avoided.

b- Gloves:
The body parts most frequently exposed to dangers in a laboratory are your hands.
As a result, gloves are a crucial component of appropriate PPE. But sometimes it's
not immediately clear which gloves are appropriate for the job at hand. The right
pair of gloves to wear can be determined by evaluating the task's hazards.

c- Face Protection:
Face protection is necessary for protecting the eyes and lungs from a variety of
dangers, such as chemical spills, fumes, and UV radiation. There are several kinds
of protective facewear available, including respirators, gas masks, goggles, glasses,
and face shields. Safety glasses should meet ANSI Standard Z87.1, feature side
shields, be impact-resistant, and shield wearers from flying particles and chemical
splashes as part of the minimal personal protective equipment (PPE) needed in lab
settings.

d- Body:
You should wear aprons and lab coats in the lab to safeguard your body from any
risks. Lab coats have to be well-fitting, buttoned, and constructed of flame-
retardant material. Unbuttoned or excessively loose lab coats run the danger of
snagging on objects in the lab. When more defense is needed, a rubber apron is put
on. Rubber aprons offer superior heat protection and won't absorb spills.

e- Hearing:
If you are exposed to loud noises or continuous noises for extended periods of
time, you should wear ear protection. Earmuffs or earplugs should be used,
depending on the volume of noise.
2- Emergency Eyewash and Shower Stations
a- Eyewash:
Uses: Emergency eyewash stations use water to flush injurious or corrosive
materials from the eyes in the case of an accident

Specifications:
1. The emergency eyewash should be located within 10 seconds walking time
from the location that eye contamination may occur. There should be no
obstacles blocking the path to the eyewash, including but not limited to doors.
The eyewash must also be located on the same floor as the area containing the
hazard.
2. The emergency eyewash station requires potable water as its water source.
3. The temperature of the eyewash water is to be maintained between 60 °F and
100 °F (16 °C - 38 °C).
4. The water should be able to maintain a flow rate of at least 0.4 gallons per
minute for at least 15 minutes, with a flow velocity low enough so as not to
damage the eyes of the user.
5. The eyewash should be able to be opened manually within one second, and
water should be able to remain flowing until it is turned off by the user.
Maintenance:
1. Eyewash stations are to be inspected yearly by an Environment Health and
Safety officer.
2. Lab personnel should inspect the emergency eyewash station weekly, running
water for 3 minutes, to ensure proper working order and eliminate buildup of
sedimentation in the eyewash. A logbook documenting the weekly inspections
should be maintained.
Operation:
1. Go immediately to the eyewash station in the case of harmful chemical
exposure to the eyes. No time should be wasted in getting to the eyewash as the
first few seconds of exposure could cause irreversible damage to the eyes.
2. Push the eyewash lever to start the flow of the water.
3. Hold the contaminated eyes open with fingers and submerge eyes in the water
stream for a minimum of 15 minutes. Roll eyes around to ensure thorough
flushing of the entire eye area.
4. If contacts are worn, do not stop to remove them before flushing the eyes with
water. Instead, remove contacts while the eyes are being flushed with water.
5. Seek medical attention.

b- Lab Shower:
Uses: Emergency shower stations use water to flush injurious or corrosive materials
from the body in the case of an accidental chemical spill.
Specifications:
1. The emergency shower should be located within 10 s walking time from the
location that body contamination occurs. There should be no obstacles blocking
the path to the shower, including but not limited to doors. The shower must also
be located on the same floor as the area containing the potential hazard.
2. The water source of the shower must be potable water.
3. The temperature of the water is to be maintained between 60 °F and 100 °F (16
°C - 38 °C).
4. The water should be able to maintain a flow rate of at least 20 gallons per
minute for at least 15 minutes.
5. The shower should be able to be turned on in a maximum of one second and
remain on until the user turns it off.
6. The height of the shower water column should be between 82 inches and 96
inches.
7. The diameter of the water column should be at least 20 inches at 60 inches
above the floor.
8. An enclosure for the shower should be at least 34 inches in diameter. Enclosures
are not required on laboratory emergency showers.
Maintenance:
1. Shower stations are to be inspected annually by your organization's
Environment Health and Safety officer.
2. Lab personnel should inspect the emergency shower station weekly to ensure
proper working conditions. A logbook documenting the weekly inspections
should be maintained.
Operation:
1. Go immediately to the shower station in the case of harmful chemical exposure
to the body. No time should be wasted in getting to the shower as the first few
seconds of exposure could cause irreversible damage.
2. Remove any contaminated clothing, shoes, or other attire. Do NOT be bashful
about removing clothes. If the primary location of spilled chemicals is to a
clothed portion of the body, they will be saturated with chemicals. Remove
clothes carefully if they will come into contact with unexposed areas of body. In
some cases, it may be more appropriate to cut clothes for prompt, safer removal.
3. Pull the shower lever to start the flow of the water and flush the affected area
with water for at least 15 minutes.
4. Seek medical attention.
3- Electrical Safety
a- Preparation for Electrical Hazards
1. Familiarize yourself with the laboratory electric control panel and emergency
power shutdown procedures. Locate the circuit breaker box and identify the
circuit for electrified equipment, labeling them appropriately to identify the lab
area or associated equipment.
2. In case of an electrical fire, it's crucial to know the type and location of fire
extinguishers, as Class C fires require carbon dioxide-containing extinguishers.
These should be marked overhead or with floor signage with arrows. the 4 key
steps for proper use of an extinguisher are:
a. Pull the pin.
b. Aim the nozzle towards the base of the fire.
c. Squeeze the trigger to control the release of the agent.
d. Sweep from side to side.

3. Regularly inspect laboratory electrical equipment and wires to ensure optimal

working conditions. If the wires are in poor condition, have them repaired or
replaced by a qualified electrician. Group members may be assigned to this
task, with results recorded in a logbook.

b- Avoiding Electric Shock

1. Never touch electronics with wet hands or wet materials.
2. Before turning on the power, make sure that all of the power cords are in good
shape. It is not recommended to use exposed or frayed wires. Hire a licensed
electrician to replace or repair the cord.
3. To prevent the insulation on wires from eroding, keep them away from organic
solvents and corrosive chemicals.
4. To stop additional damage and to stop plugs from being forced into sockets
they don't fit, replace damaged sockets, plugs, and joints right away.
5. Before opening the cover to electrical devices, shut down the power and
unplug the cord, as some capacitors may still be charged even after removing
the cover.
6. Use lab equipment with grounding plugs, such as single-phase with safety
ground, three-phase with safety ground, single-phase center tapped, and three-
phase with neutral with safety ground.
7. Use extension cords for temporary use only, avoid using them for permanent
lab equipment, use surge protectors to protect electrical devices from voltage
spikes, and avoid "daisy chaining."
8. Never take the risk of repairing unknown electrical issues. Ask qualified
electrical workers to inspect or repair any unknown electrical issues.
9. Avoid touching electrically shocked individuals, call 911, ensure safety, shut
down power if possible, or use non-conductive material to pull them away
from the electric contact.
 c- Avoiding Electrical Fire or Explosion
1. Overloading a circuit can lead to a fire if the actual power, current, and voltage
exceed the rated value, and should be checked with a professional.
2. Store flammable and explosive chemicals away from electric devices to prevent
fires or explosions caused by sparks generated by electric devices.
3. Make sure all electric devices are away from hot point sources to prevent
melting and electrical fire.
4. In case of an electrical fire, immediately call 911, use a fire alarm, shut down
the power source, and avoid using water or conductive foam extinguishers.

4- Working with Hot and Cold Sources

a- Bunsen Burner:
Safe handling procedure:
1. The Bunsen burner should always be placed no less than 12 inches away
from any overhead shelving, equipment, or light fixtures.
2. Any combustible substances, such as papers or chemicals, should not be
kept in the area adjacent to the burner.
3. The user should know the location of the fire extinguisher.
4. Proper clothing is necessary. The user should wear a lab coat, safety
glasses, and gloves. Any long hair or jewelry should be tied back. It is
recommended to remove all jewelry worn while working with open
flames.
5. Before lighting the burner, the hose connected to the gas source should be
checked for any leaks or holes.
6. Anyone working in the nearby area should be notified that the burner will
be in use. Appropriate signage should be used that alerts users to the
burner operation.
7. A lighter with an extended nozzle should be used to light the burner.
8. An open flame should never be left unattended. The gas should be shut off
immediately after use.
9. The burner should be allowed to cool down before handling or cleaning, if
necessary, after use.
10. In case of fire or emergency, a call to 911 should be placed immediately.

b- Hot Plates:
Features of hot plates:
1. Most hot plates have a built-in magnetic stirrer, which is used for running
experiments that need to be continuously stirred while being heated.
2. The surfaces of most hot plates are made from aluminum or ceramic. A hot plate
should be selected based on temperature requirements and compatibility of the
surface with the materials being heated.
3. Most hot plates either have a digital read-out or a thermocouple input for
maintaining the desired temperature.
 Safe handling procedure:
1. The user must be familiar with the hot plate's functions, including on-off
switches, temperature controller, stirrer controller, and thermocouple. If
stirring is needed, a suitable temperature bath and stir bar are needed. Ensure
the chosen bath fluid is compatible with the experiment's temperatures.
2. Proper laboratory attire is mandatory. The user should wear a lab coat, safety
glasses, and gloves. Heat-protection gloves should be worn when handling hot
samples.
3. The user should be aware of the fire extinguisher's location and avoid using
liquid nitrogen or water to extinguish fires from heated oil baths on hot plates,
as water is immiscible in oil and nitrogen evaporates quickly, causing oil to
splatter.
4. The glassware used for heating should be heat resistant, such as borosilicate,
and inspected for any damage or cracks before use.
5. The user should be well aware of the physical and chemical properties of the
chemicals being heated. If necessary, condensers or operation within a vented
fume hood should be employed.
6. Any object being heated must be smaller in size than the hot plate.
7. Any flammable or combustible chemicals or materials should be kept away
from hot plates.
8. It is recommended to use hot plates inside a fume hood, especially when
heating volatile or potentially toxic materials.
9. Hot plates should not be used for heating solvents or materials which have a
very low boiling point, such as ether. These substances pose a significant risk
of fire. A water bath should be used for such materials.
10. An open beaker or flask with chemicals or solvents should never be heated on
a hot plate. A condenser should be used to prevent sublimation of chemicals
on heating.
11. If solvents need to be added when the system is already hot, a dropping funnel
should be used instead of a simple funnel. Direct addition of solvents may
create a flash fire.
12. Metal foil or metal containers should never be placed on the hot plate. This
can cause the top to be damaged and may lead to the user getting burned more
easily.
13. No hot plate should be left unattended. After use, when the heating is turned
off, the plate should be marked as hot until it has cooled down completely.

c- Dry Ice
Safe handling procedure
1. Dry ice is extremely cold (-78.5 °C). Protective gloves should be worn
whenever handling it. A brief touch may be harmless, but prolonged contact
can cause skin cells to freeze, causing a burn to the skin.
2. Dry ice should be stored in a polystyrene container in a -80 °C freezer to
minimize its sublimation.
3. A completely airtight container should never be used to store dry ice since its
sublimation to carbon dioxide gas can cause the container to expand or even
explode in extreme cases.
4. The storage area should be properly ventilated. The sublimated carbon dioxide
gas, (which is toxic at higher concentrations) may sink to low areas and
replace oxygenated air. This could cause suffocation if prolonged periods of
time are spent in areas of high CO2 concentration.
5. After use, dry ice should never be disposed of in the sink or trash can. It can
either be allowed to evaporate off inside a fume hood or stored in the freezer.
6. Dry ice sublimates at about 5-10 pounds every 24 h (blocks last longer) in a
typical storage cooler1. Hence, plan to purchase dry ice as close as possible to
the time it is needed.
7. In case of dry ice burns, the area should be immediately washed under cold
water for at least 10 min. A first responder should be contacted who can cover
up the area with sterile dressing or refer the person for medical attention.