SAFETY MANUAL ADDENDUM 2014

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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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