Sediment and Erosion Control Workshop
CommonCents WorkshopAll laboratory users are required to know and abide by these rules
Click here for the online version of Material Safety Data Sheets.
CE FACILITIES AFFECTED BY THESE RULES.
All of the following rooms and areas are in the Engineering Building
0029, 0030, 0031, 0032, 0033, 0041, 0044, 0050, 0051
WHEN DO I HAVE ACCESS TO LABORATORIES?
You may only enter the laboratory when specifically authorized to do so by the Department of Civil Engineering (CE). For CE-sponsored activities, a Civil Engineering professor, Civil Engineering staff member or assigned Civil Engineering laboratory teaching assistant must be present at all times unless relevant training and authorization have been provided by the CE department to the student.
For activities sponsored by other departments, faculty and staff from the respective departments that are authorized to use specific CE lab facilities must directly supervise all students working for their department. These faculty and staff directing the lab activities must insure that all lab safety rules are understood and are responsible for the activities in the lab conducted by their students.
The process for gaining authorization to use CE lab facilities begins by contacting the CE department chair or laboratory specialist. Consideration for granting authorization will be evaluated primarily on the nature of the proposed activity, whether it is an appropriate use for the lab and equipment, and whether the requestor has the experience and knowledge to safely direct the proposed activity.
HOW SHOULD I CONDUCT MYSELF?
When in the presence of powered test machinery or when working with hazardous, heavy or hot materials:
Do not work alone in the lab.
Do not wear bulky, loose or trailing clothes.
Use appropriate protective equipment—gloves, safety glasses, aprons, and face shields. Never wear contacts when working with volatile materials.
Always wear shoes that completely cover your feet and pants that completely cover your legs.
Tie back long hair. Remove metal bracelets or watch straps when working with electricity.
Never lift objects that are heavier than you can safely handle. Always use appropriate mechanical means for lifting, carrying, positioning or adjusting heavy equipment or supplies.
· Place all belongings out of the work area.
· Do not obstruct doorways.
· Do not play in the lab.
· Never eat, drink, or smoke in a lab. Never taste or smell chemicals.
· Always wash your hands before leaving the lab.
· Know the location of and how to use the safety equipment.
· Know the hazards of the chemicals you are using. Use the online version of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or in the yellow notebook provided in the lab or at the Emergency Management and Safety website.
· Dry wet hands and clothing before working with electricity. Mop up all water spilled on the floor.
· Keep the lab clean.
· Treat all equipment with care.
· Be as careful for the safety of others as for yourself. Think before you act.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I CONSIDER?
· Before equipment is made live, the guards for all accessible moving mechanical components must be in place. Beware of the effect of fluorescent lights, which may cause rotating equipment to appear stationary.
· Report faulty equipment to the teaching assistant and the professor immediately. Do not use it until it is inspected and declared safe.
· Pay attention to the chemicals you are using. Read the labels. Use the fume hood if necessary, especially with volatile chemicals and strong acids and bases.
· Do not contaminate reagents. Do not place items in the reagent bottles—pour out an appropriate amount. Do not place a stopper on the bench. Do not return unused chemicals to the reagent bottle.
· Always pour acid into water (AW).
· Never use an open flame when flammable chemicals are present.
· To insert a glass tube or thermometer into a rubber stopper, wet the tube with water, wrap the tube in a cloth, and push it gently into the stopper with a turning motion.
· Place all broken glass in the glass container. Place nonhazardous solid waste in waste baskets. Place all hazardous waste in a properly labeled container in the hazardous waste cabinet in EB0051 and contact Mr. Brent Vaughn (x3533).
· Stop machinery or equipment capable of movement before cleaning or adjusting. Also de-energize or disengage the power source and, if necessary, mechanically block or lock out the moveable parts.
· Use extreme caution when working with electricity under wet conditions. Avoid if at all possible.
· Make sure all electrical circuits, components and equipment are properly grounded BEFORE using them.
· Do not overload circuits. Don't defeat or bypass the overload protection of a circuit. If a circuit breaker or fuse trips or blows, don't just reset or replace, find the reason and correct the problem.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IN AN EMERGENCY?
· IN ALL CASES, have one person immediately call 911 if necessary AND notify Emergency Management and Safety (x3584), and Mr. Brent Vaughn (x3533). If blood is spilled, also contact Building Services (x3191) or Facilities Management (x2999). Telephones are located in the corridor behind the walls in the area of the water fountain and vending machines across from classroom EB0012, on the wall just outside room 0051, and on the wall between room 0033 and the loading dock.
· For a minor cut, thoroughly rinse the cut. For serious injuries, get help.
· If someone is being shocked, DO NOT TOUCH THEM. Use an insulating object, such as a wooden (not metal) chair, an article of clothing or cloth, to pull the person free, or turn the power off.
· If a spill occurs, restrict access to the spill area.
· If chemicals come in contact with skin, immediately wash the area with copious amounts of water.
· If a fire occurs and is small enough to fight, use the fire extinguisher in the lab.
· Pull the pin.
· Aim at the bottom of the flames. Remember to be level with the flames.
· Squeeze the handle.
· Sweep back and forth.
Back away from an extinguished fire. Close the door when leaving.