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Center for NanoFabrication

 

Syntheses

 

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Safety

 

Cleaning procedures

 

Safety Rules of the NCS

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 users 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.

I. General

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS IN ALL CASES : 192 POLICE, 193 FIRE, 194 MEDICAL
NEVER WORK ALONE.

Rules require that you never work alone. Find out if anyone else is present in the lab. Locate that person and tell him/her where you will be working. You should periodically check up on each other. If no one else is present you may not work until you can find another lab user. Remember, plan ahead if you want to work in the lab. No one is permitted to work alone.

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.

II. Chemical Safety

  • Safety rules for wet benches are available here
  • Various chemicals exist in the lab and users are supposed to read and understand the corresponding Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) 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. They are also soluble in some solvents, so put the special gloves provided for chemical handling over them. If these gloves or the face shields aren't at your location, contact the office and they will be provided for you.
  • Never pour chemicals back into a reagent bottle. This can contaminate a bottle and damage the next user's devices.
  • If you are exposed to chemicals, flush the area with large volumes of water. Use the emergency shower and eyewashes if necessary. Know where they are located. Contact a staff member as soon as possible.
  • HF burns can be particularly hazardous. An insidious aspect of HF burns is that there may not be any discomfort until long after exposure. These burns are extremely serious and result in massive tissue damage. If you contact HF, flush the area well 5 - 15 minutes with cool water and be sure to scrub under and around your finger nails. This is the classic area people receive burns, having washed off the HF and not realizing it wicked under their nails. Remove contaminated clothes - under shower in large exposures. Call emergency number to get appropriate medical assistance. Remember, it doesn't produce any burning sensation until after it has already done damage. Any HF burns should be treated by a physician.
  • In the event of chemical spillage you should immediately notify a staff member who will activate the Emergency Response Team or call emergency number.
  • When mixing acids with water, remember to ADD ACID TO WATER and NEVER water to acid! Use appropriate containers.
  • When you are through, clean up completely. Dispose of your solutions properly according to the specific equipment manual.
  • NEVER MIX ACID OR PIRANHA WASTE WITH SOLVENTS. Explosion and fire can result.

III. 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. You will leave immediately the cleanroom (see escape way), dressed as you are, without paying attention to equipment and material under processing. You will reach the gathering point and wait at this point until safety officers call your name and release you.

IV. 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. You will leave immediately the cleanroom (see escape way), dressed as you are, without paying attention to equipment and material under processing. You will reach the gathering point and wait at this point until safety officers call your name and release you.
  • 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.

V. 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 emergency.

VI. NCS Evacuation Procedure

When the combined sound horn and/or red flashing lights will turn on:

  1. Exit the laboratory through the nearest exit door located at the end of each corridor. Do not stop to remove your clean room garments.
  2. Go to the nearest stair tower located at the north and south of the building and exit to the ground floor. If the stair tower is involved or obstructed, select another route.
  3. DO NOT USE THE ELEVATORS.
  4. Proceed immediately to gathering point and assemble there. If you cannot account for everyone and suspect that someone may still be inside, notify a member of the Fire Department or NCS emergency response team
  5. 5. Do not re-enter the laboratory until authorization is given by the emergency response team