Student Research Safety Guide

Table of Contents

CHEMICALS AND HAZARD COMMUNICATION  

It is important to know about the products and chemicals you are working with so you can protect yourself from overexposure and know procedures to take in the event of an emergency. The Hazard Communication Standard provides methods to identify potential chemical hazards.

Labeling

Read everything on the label - it is there for a reason. Information found on a label may include: chemical components, hazard or toxicity data, including a description of the hazard such as flammable or corrosive, and routes of entry directions for proper use, storage, handling, and disposal directions for treatment /first aid following accidental exposure or misuse spill control procedures recommended protective equipment

With certain exceptions every container in the lab area must be labeled with the manufacture label or for secondary containers with a label giving the product or chemical name and hazard identification.  Hazards should be identified and rated by use of the NFPA diamond which give a numeric rating from 0 (for minimal hazard) to 4 (very hazardous) for fire danger (in red), reactivity potential (in yellow), health or toxicity (in blue), and any special hazard such as radioactivity (noted in the white diamond). Labels on mixtures must have this information for the five most predominant chemicals over 1% by volume. If the container is not properly labeled, notify your instructor.

If you transfer a substance into a container and use it immediately, you are not required to label it. However, any time a container is left unattended, it must be labeled and should be sealed or closed. Certain exceptions are allowed for multiple, small sample containers, which may be placed in a designed, labeled area, these are "batch labeled" containers.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)

Manufacturers are required to submit material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for products sold to the University. MSDSs contain more detailed information than the label does. MSDSs also contain a 24-hour emergency number should additional information be required.

An MSDS must be readily available for every hazardous substance present in the work area. If one is not available, ask your instructor or contact the NMSU office of Environmental Health and Safety at 646-3327.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Diamond

The NFPA Diamond is a symbol system designed for facilities to inform emergency responders of the types and quantities of hazardous materials stored in a facility. Three of the four diamonds provide a rating of the hazards in health (blue), flammability (red), and reactivity (yellow). The rating is from 0 (least hazardous) to 4 (most hazardous). The fourth diamond (white) provides special information such as radioactivity or water reactivity.

LABORATORY SAFETY   

Basic laboratory safety rules are as follows.

1. No running, jumping, or horseplay is permitted in laboratories.
2. Reagents, equipment, and samples should not be stored in chemical fume hoods or biological safety cabinets because such storage can interfere with the effectiveness of the hood as a safety device.
3. All biohazards, hazardous, and radioactive materials must be properly labeled and stored. Use flammable and acid storage cabinets and explosion-proof refrigerators when required.
4. Stairways, hallways, exits, and access to emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, safety showers, and eyewash fountains must be kept clear.
5. No eating, drinking, applying cosmetics, or smoking is allowed in the laboratory.
6. Always thoroughly wash your hands before eating or smoking, on completion of work, and after manipulating radioisotopes.
7. Do not store food or drinks in refrigerators, freezers, or containers designated for chemical, biohazards, or radioactive storage.
8. Compressed gas cylinders must be secured at all times, including during transport and when empty. Cylinder caps must be in place when the cylinder is not in use.
9. Do not work alone in a laboratory if the procedures being conducted are deemed hazardous by the instructor or laboratory supervisor. Assure that at least two people are present at all times if a compound in use is highly toxic or of unknown toxicity.
10. Laboratory coats and other protective clothing worn in the laboratory area are not to be worn outside the laboratory.
11. Sandals, open-toed, or open-heeled shoes should not be worn in the laboratory.
12. Do not pipette by mouth.
13. Never dispose of a hazardous, biohazardous, or radioactive substance down the drain or in the trash unless you have been specifically authorized to do so by Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and/or EH&S.
14. Radioactive material usage areas and animal facilities must have controlled access that is strictly enforced. Laboratory areas should not be left unattended unless the area has been secured.

Report any accidental exposure (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or injection), injury, or spills to your instructor immediately. Additional lab safety guidelines for chemicals are be found in the NMSU Safety Lab Safety Guide  (via the web link or in a printed copy, which should be present in every laboratory).

BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS 

OSHA's Bloodborne Pathogen Regulation covers employees with occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious material.

"Occupational exposure" means reasonably anticipated eye, skin, mucous membrane or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties.

"Potentially infectious material" includes the following.

• any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood 
• all body fluids in situations where it is difficult or impossible to differentiate between body fluids 

    Other

• any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from a human (living or dead)
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-containing cell or tissue cultures human organ culture
• HIV or hepatitis B virus (HBV)-containing culture medium or other solutions
• blood, organs, or other tissues from experimental animals infected with HIV, HBV, or other bloodborne pathogens infectious to man

Precautions

While the regulation does not cover students unless they are employees, students should follow the precautions outlined by the regulation to ensure protection from potentially infectious materials. These precautions include the following.

1. Universal precautions should be observed to prevent contact with human blood or other potentially infectious material. Universal precautions, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicates that all human blood and certain body fluids should be treated as if known to be infectious for HBV, HIV, and other bloodborne pathogens. When the difference between body fluid types is difficult or impossible to determine, all body fluids should be considered as potentially infectious materials.
2. Handwashing should occur immediately or as soon as feasible after removal of gloves, after contamination, and after contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials.
3. Do not recap or remove contaminated needles or other contaminated sharps. If recapping is required, use a one-handed technique or mechanical device.
4. Contaminated sharps should be placed in appropriate containers which are puncture resistant, labeled or color-coded, and leak-proof on the sides and bottom.
5. Eating, drinking, smoking, applying cosmetics or lip balm, and handling contact lenses is prohibited in areas where exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials may occur.
6. Food or drink should not be stored in areas where blood or other potentially infectious materials are present.
7. Procedures should be used which minimize spraying, splashing, spattering, and generation of droplets of infectious material.
8. Do not pipette anything by mouth.
9. Specimens of blood should be placed in a labeled or color-coded container which prevents leakage during collection, storage, transport, or shipping. A secondary container should be used if the primary is contaminated, punctured, or leaking.
10. .All equipment and working surfaces should be decontaminated after contact with blood or potentially infectious material.
11. .Personal protective equipment should be used where the potential for exposure exists as follows:

• Gloves should be worn when it can be reasonably anticipated that there will be hand contact with blood or other potentially infectious material such as during phlebotomies and when handling or touching contaminated items.
• Eye protection such as goggles or face shields and masks should be wore together should be worn whenever splashes of blood or other infectious material may be generated and eye, nose, or mouth contamination can be reasonably expected.
• Gowns, aprons, surgical caps or hoods and/or shoe covers should be worn when gross contamination can be reasonably anticipated.

12. The type and characteristics of this protective clothing will depend on the task and degree of exposure anticipated. 

• All garments should be removed as soon as possible if penetrated by blood or other potentially infectious material. Do not take them home to wash them. Notify your instructor if contamination occurs.
• All personal protective equipment should be removed before leaving the work area and placed in a designated area.

13. .Students who have the potential for exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials are strongly encouraged to receive the hepatitis B vaccination series. Information regarding obtaining vaccinations is available to you through your College.
14. .If an exposure incident occurs, such as a needlestick or splash of blood, immediately flush the wound or area with soap and water; flush mucous membranes with water or normal saline solution. Immediately after washing or flushing, notify your instructor and Student Health Services.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

PPE Use Quick Guide

Eye Protection

Eye protection is mandatory in all areas where there is potential for splash or injury. This applies not only to persons who work continuously in these areas, but also to persons who may be in the area only temporarily.

The type of eye protection required depends on the hazard. For most chemical handling situations, safety glasses with side shields are adequate. Where there is a danger of splashing chemicals, goggles are required. For more hazardous operations, including conducting reactions which have potential for explosion and using or mixing strong caustics or acids, a face shield or a combination of face shield and safety goggles or glasses should be used.

It is recommended that contact lenses not be worn in the laboratory. The reasons for this prohibition are as follows.

• If a corrosive liquid should splash in the eye, the natural reflex to clamp the eyelids shut makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to remove the contact lens before damage is done.
• The plastic used in contact lenses is permeable to some of the vapors found in the laboratory. These vapors can be trapped behind the lenses and cause extensive irritation.
• The lenses can prevent tears from removing the irritant.

If the laboratory chooses to allow contact lenses to be worn, they must be protected by goggles designed specifically for use with contact lenses. (The protective goggles for use with contact lenses should fit loosely around the eyes and have no vents for access by vapors.)

If chemical vapors contact the eyes while wearing contact lenses, these steps should be followed.

• Immediately remove the lenses.
• Continuously flush the eyes for at least 15 minutes.
• Seek medical attention.

Although safety glasses are adequate protection for the majority of laboratory operations, they are not sufficient for certain specific operations where there is danger from splashes of corrosive liquid or flying particles. Examples are: washing glassware in chromic acid solution, grinding materials, or laboratory operations using glassware where there is a significant hazard of explosion or breakage (i.e., in reduced or excess pressure or temperature). In such cases, goggles or face shields must be worn if there is need for protection of the entire face and throat.

If a splash of a hazardous material in the eye occurs, the person should be assisted and taken to the nearest eyewash fountain and the eyes should be flushed with water for at least 15 minutes. The laboratory supervisor or instructor should be notified and arrangements should be made to provide medical assistance." Someone knowledgeable about the incident should accompany the injured person to the medical facility and a copy of any appropriate MSDS(s) should accompany the victim if hazardous materials are involved.

After use, eye protection equipment should be cleaned prior to reuse.

Clothing

Unless the researcher is wearing a laboratory coat, loose or torn clothing should be avoided due to the potential for ignitability, absorption, and entanglement in machinery. Dangling jewelry and excessively long hair pose the same type of safety hazard. Finger rings or other tight jewelry which cannot be easily removed should be avoided because of the danger of corrosive or irritating liquids producing skin irritation.

Laboratory coats should be worn at all times in the laboratory area when infectious or chemical hazards are present. Laboratory coats and other protective clothing worn in the laboratory area must not be worn outside the laboratory. (This is to prevent blood, radiation, or toxic chemicals contamination outside the controlled laboratory areas.)

Shoes must be worn at all times in the laboratory. Sandals, open-toed shoes, and perforated shoes should not be worn because of the danger of spillage of corrosive or irritating chemicals.

Gloves

Many hazardous materials can be absorbed through the skin. Others, such as organic solvents can dissolve the natural protective oils on the skin, leading to chapped and cracked skin and the possibility of infection. Therefore, protective gloves must be worn when a potential skin exposure exists or where there is a potential for accidental spills or contamination.

Gloves must be selected for the task at hand. There is no glove currently available that will protect against all chemicals. Read the label, MSDS, or literature provided by the glove manufacturer to ensure that the proper glove has been chosen. General recommendations are as follows.

• For concentrated acids and alkalis or organic solvents, natural rubber, neoprene, or nitrile gloves are recommended.
• For handling hot objects, gloves made of heat-resistant materials should be available and kept near the vicinity of ovens or muffle furnaces. A hot object should never be picked up with rubber, plastic, or asbestos gloves.
• Special insulated gloves should be worn when handling very cold objects such as liquid Nitrogen (LN2), oxygen (LOX) or carbon dioxide.

Before each use, gloves should be inspected for discoloration, punctures, and tears. Before removal, non-disposable gloves should be thoroughly washed, either with tap water or soap and water.

If the gloves become contaminated they should be removed and discarded as soon as possible. Always wash your hands immediately after removing the contaminated gloves. Always remove gloves before leaving the immediate work site to prevent contamination of door knobs, light switches, telephones, etc.

Rubber and Plastic Aprons

Some operations in the laboratory, such as washing glassware, require the handling of relatively large quantities of corrosive liquids in open containers. To protect clothing in such operations, plastic or rubber aprons are to be supplied and used.

Respirators

Respirator use for chemical exposures is usually not required in the lab if adequate precautions are taken. Where possible, engineering controls such as the use of fume hoods should be utilized to minimize exposure. Please contact the Safety at 646-3327 if you are asked to wear a respirator for chemical use, so we may determine the actual need for respirators and, if so, assure compliance with all applicable regulations.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Fire Safety Quick Guide

Fire Extinguishers

There are four different types of fires:

• Type A - ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and many plastics
• Type B - flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil-based paint, lacquer, and flammable gas
• Type C - energized electrical equipment, including wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery and appliances
• Type D - combustible metals such as magnesium and potassium

Most of the fire extinguishers on our campus are ABC, which can be used on any of the above types of fires except Type D. Be sure to not use a water fire extinguisher on a Type C (electrical) fire.

Do not prop fire doors or fire exits open. In the event of a fire, fire doors will automatically close or open depending on their purpose.

In the event of a fire, immediately call NMSU Police at 911.

Use stairwells not elevators to exit buildings.

If you choose to use a fire extinguisher, remember

Safety Showers   

Safety showers are designed to flood the entire body in the event of a clothing fire or a major spill of hazardous liquid. In either case, the victim should stand under the shower and activate the shower by pulling on the handle. Flood the area of chemical contact for at least 15 minutes to be sure there is no residue of the chemical.

In the case of a hazardous liquid spill, remove that portion of the clothing affected to reduce potential contact while under the shower. To stop the flow of water, push the handle back up. After using the safety shower, notify your instructor or laboratory supervisor as soon as possible and obtain medical care immediately. Do not test safety showers without drains, unless provisions such as buckets are provided.

Safety Eyewashes

If a individual receives a chemical splash in the eyes, use the nearest eyewash for immediate and thorough washing of the eyes. Push the handle down or use the foot pedal, then use your hands to open the eyelids to ensure thorough flushing. Always flood the eyes for at least 15 minutes to be sure there is no residue of the chemical. To stop the flow of water, pull the handle back or pull the foot pedal up. After thorough washing, notify your instructor or laboratory supervisor and obtain medical care immediately, even if there appears to be no damage.

If a drain is provided, eyewashes should be flushed frequently (before using chemicals, at least weekly) to eliminate rust and other contamination and to ensure that the equipment is in working order.

CHEMICAL SPILLS 

General Lab Spill Guide

Spills must be reported to your instructor and cleaned immediately. Never assume gases or vapors do not exist or are harmless because of lack of smell.

Minor Chemical Spills

Minor spills are defined as small chemical leaks that are detected early and present no immediate danger to personnel or the environment. As a general rule, spills of 4 liters or less is considered a minor spill, depending on the chemical(s) involved. For highly toxic, reactive, or flammable materials, a spill of 1 liter or less may generally be considered a minor spill. These spills can be safely corrected with the advice of knowledgeable laboratory personnel.

General procedures are as follows.

• Know the locations of the emergency shower and eyewash ahead of time.
• If the spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources.
• Notify nearby persons and evacuate as necessary. Protect yourself, then remove injured person(s) to a safe place, if safe to do so.
• Close doors to the affected area.
• If personnel are contaminated, remove contaminated clothing. Flush skin/eyes with water at least 15 minutes. Forcibly hold eyelids open to ensure effective wash under eyelids. Make sure chemicals have not accumulated in shoes. Obtain medical attention for the victim. See the section entitled, Medical Facilities.
• Identify or characterize the substance(s) involved. Refer to the MSDS for spill clean-up procedures.  Do not flush the spilled chemical to the floor or sink drains. 
• Once the spill is identified, if clean-up procedures can be handled safely by departmental personnel, proceed with spill clean-up procedures and clean-up kits designated on the MSDS or in departmental standard operating procedures.
• Contain the spill by slowly sprinkling absorbent, starting at the edges, surrounding the spilled material, and move toward the center of the spill.
• Collect residue, place in container, and call EH&S at 646-3327 for disposal.
• Clean the spill area with soap and water.

Major Chemical Spills

Major chemical spills are defined as accidental chemical discharges that present an immediate danger to personnel and/or the environment. In general, spills of greater than 4 liters or spills of highly toxic, reactive, or flammable materials greater than 1 liter should be considered a major spill. Under these circumstances, leave the spill site immediately and call for help (call 911 and report it as an emergency chemical spill). Management of these spills is the responsibility of specially trained and equipped personnel.

General procedures for major spills are as follows.

• Leave the spill site immediately and call NMSU Police at 911. They will contact the Fire section,  Safety and other appropriate persons/departments.
• If the spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources if safe to do so.
• Close doors to the affected area.
• Know the locations of the emergency shower and eye wash ahead of time.
• Remove injured persons, if safe to do so. Remove contaminated clothing. Flush skin/eyes with water at least 15 minutes. Forcibly hold eyelids open to ensure effective wash under eyelids. Make sure chemicals have not accumulated in shoes. Obtain medical attention for the victim.
• Isolate the area. Do not allow re-entry.
• Assist response personnel by providing requested information, including identification and quantification of material spilled.

Mercury Spills 

Mercury vapors are odorless, colorless, and tasteless. A quantity as small as 1 milliliter can evaporate over time and potentially raise levels in excess of allowable limits. Mercury is also absorbed through the skin readily. Mercury poisoning from long-term exposure can cause health effects such as emotional disturbances, unsteadiness, inflammation of the mouth and gums, general fatigue, memory loss, and headaches. Therefore, mercury spills should be addressed immediately. Contact EH&S at 646-3327 for clean up and disposal of mercury.

Mercury and mercury compounds are not allowed to enter the sanitary sewer or wastewater discharge. It is not permitted in sinks or floor drains.  Special spill kits are commercially available to clean up small mercury spills. However in most cases the laboratory will not have such a spill kit, so EH&S should be contacted at 646-3327.

If mercury has been spilled on the floor, take extra precaution to not step in the area. Mercury can absorb into leather readily and be a potential source of long-term exposure to the wearer.   Any exposure should be addressed by a medical facility.

HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL

Under no circumstance is any person to dispose of a hazardous substance down the drain or in the trash without prior approval from EH&S.

Waste chemicals should be collected in separate containers by categories segregated such that spills or leaks would remain isolated from other containers of wastes or chemicals. These categories include but are not necessarily limited to:

• acids
• bases
• halogenated solvents
• non-halogenated solvents
• mercury wastes
• reactive chemicals wastes with high heavy metal contamination

If your laboratory does not have a chemical waste disposal system in place, notify your instructor or contact Safety at 646-3327.   Disposal of hazardous waste is provided, contact EH&S for information on disposal procedures and pickup requirements.

The disposal of containers that have been used for chemicals, pesticides or radioactive materials is also limited under NMSU policy. Contact EH&S for more information.

BIOLOGICAL AND BIOHAZARD WASTE 

All sharps intended for disposal, whether contaminated or not, must be enclosed in a sharps container. Never clip or recap needles before putting them in the sharps container. The sharps container should be puncture-resistant, leak-proof on the sides and bottom, and color-coded or labeled with the biohazard symbol. Untreated biomedical waste must be collected in a red bag or other container labeled with the biohazard symbol.

Untreated biomedical waste must not be disposed of in the regular trash. All biomedical waste, including sharps and syringes must be treated by incineration, steam sterilization, or chemical disinfection before disposal in the municipal waste stream.

After disinfection, but before disposal in the municipal waste stream, all treated biomedical wastes should be enclosed in an unmarked outer bag that is not red or labeled with the biohazard symbol.

DISPOSAL OF BROKEN GLASSWARE

All broken glass requires special handling and disposal procedures to prevent injury to personnel. Inspect all glassware before use. Do not use broken, chipped, starred or badly scratched glassware. If it cannot be repaired, broken glass should be discarded.

Disposal Procedures   

There are potentially five types of broken glass that may be disposed in the NMSU waste stream. All broken glass should be disposed of in a manner that will significantly reduce the potential for injury.

• Food and Beverage Glassware - Recycle or dispose in a rigid, puncture-resistant acceptable container as described below.
• Radioactive Glassware - Contact EH&S at 646-3327 for appropriate procedures.
• Sharps with Biological Contamination - Biologically contaminated needles, syringes, broken glass, glass with sharp corners, and glass that has the potential to break such as microscope slides, pipettes, test tubes or thin-walled vials must be placed in a closeable, puncture resistant, leak-proof container that is red or labeled with a biohazard symbol. Untreated sharps must be disposed of through EH&S.  
• Glassware with Chemical Contamination - Contact Safety for assistance with the disposal of the residue and debris from the cleanup of a spill of a chemical substance. If chipped or broken edges pose a significant hazard to the employee, then the glassware and chemical may have to be disposed as a special hazardous waste.
• Uncontaminated or Disinfected Glassware - Dispose of in a rigid, puncture-proof containers as described below.

Broken glassware that may be contaminated with chemicals, blood, or other potentially infectious materials should not be picked up directly with the hands. It should be removed using mechanical means, such as a brush and a dust pan, tongs, or forceps.

Acceptable Containers   

All containers used for broken glass disposal should be puncture-resistant containers. A metal or thick plastic can or bucket with a sealing lid is ideal. If glassware is dry, a cardboard box may be used if all seams and edges are sealed or taped. Wet broken glassware should be dried, if possible, before disposal. If broken glass is wet, the cardboard boxes must be lined with one or more puncture-resistant plastic bags and the edges should be taped.

Clearly mark the container in large letters with the words "CLEAN BROKEN GLASS" before discarding in the solid waste stream. Limit quantities to approximately 5 to 10 pounds so that lifting of the box will not create a situation that could cause back injury.

FIRST AID

Universal precautions should be used when responding to emergencies which provide potential exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials. See the section entitled, "Bloodborne Pathogens."

The use of personal protective equipment (i.e., gloves, masks, and protective clothing) will provide a barrier between the responder and the exposure source. For most situations in which first aid is given, the following guidelines should be adequate.

• For bleeding control with minimal bleeding, disposable gloves alone should be sufficient.
• For bleeding control with spurting blood, disposable gloves, a gown, a mask, and protective eye wear are recommended.
• For measuring temperature or measuring blood pressure, no protection is required.

After emergency care has been administered, hands and other skin surfaces should be washed immediately and thoroughly with warm water and soap. Hands should always be washed after gloves are removed, even if the gloves appear to be intact.

If blood is splashed onto the unprotected skin or mucous membranes of persons other than the victim, wash the area with soap and water or flush the mucous membranes thoroughly. Immediately after washing or flushing, notify your instructor and obtain medical assistance.

If you receive any first aid, a nurse or physician should provide further examination and treatment. This is to ensure that infection or other unseen injuries are addressed and treated.

After an emergency that involves blood is over, clean-up of blood may be required. Cleaning of blood spills should be limited to those persons who are trained for the task. Do not assume that Housekeeping personnel will clean up the spill. Notify NMSU Police or EH&S to report the situation and they will assess the response needed.

ANIMAL BITES

Procedures to follow in the event of an animal bite are as follows.

• Carefully massage the wound and apply gentle pressure to encourage bleeding.
• Rinse the wound under warm running water for 12 minutes and continue massaging the site.
• Wash the wound and surrounding area with providone-iodine swabstick for 5 minutes; continue to rinse periodically.
• Pat the injury dry using sterile gauze pads.
• Cover the wound with a pad and secure it with gauze and tape.
• Seek medical attention.

Additional safety guidance on first aid in the lab are be found in the Safety Lab Safety Guide.

Note that all animal use for research or teaching must be approved by the IACUC committee.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

If a major injury occurs, medical assistance may be obtained by calling NMSU Police at 911. They will contact the appropriate response parties.

Students with minor injuries, including needlestick exposures, can be treated between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. through the NMSU Student Health Center. Notify the staff of the injury or needlestick and your student status. Care will be administered through Student Health Center.

After hours, students may receive treatment at the nearest Emergency Room or students may choose to see a private physician, but should be advised that these services may not be covered by Student Health Services.

If you have any questions or comments on the above, please feel free to contact EH&S.

Environmental Health and Safety

Acknowledgement

The following may be required to indicate your compliance with the above guide.

By signing below I indicate that I have read and understood the safety information, rules and requirements in the above student laboratory safety guide.

Signed _________________________

Printed Name __________________

Date ___________