Technical information

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• Access to a laboratory will not be approved, and UROP proposals will not be signed, until the user
has passed the examination and provided an acknowledgment of the safety briefing that has been
signed by both the user and the Supervisor.
• Workers are to conduct themselves in a safe manner at all times, following the rules outlined in
this Primer and other appropriate sources of information. The primary responsibility for safety
resides with the individual worker.
• Workers must insist that coworkers follow safe procedures as well, and should report persistent
failure to do so to the Laboratory Supervisor, the Departmental Safety Officer, or the Department
Head.
• Workers should notify the Laboratory Supervisor of unsafe procedures in the laboratory, and of
means by which they feel safety could be improved.
• Workers must notify the Laboratory Supervisor of all accidents, and near-misses as well.
Laboratory Supervisor
Although the individual worker is ultimately responsible for his or her own safety, the Laboratory
Supervisor must insure that all laboratory workers have the facilities and training needed to make safe
conditions possible. The Supervisor's duties include the following:
• The information in this Safety Primer and the DMSE Chemical Hygiene Plan must be augmented
to include written procedures specific to the Supervisor's laboratory. Each laboratory should have
an easily located binder containing these "Standard Operating Procedures" and other documents
needed to govern safe operating procedures. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each
material used or stored in the laboratory must be available in this binder.
• Provide instruction and training to all supervised laboratory workers in safe work practice, in the
use of personal protective equipment, and in procedures for dealing with accidents. These
briefings must be provided for each laboratory worker before he or she is allowed to work in the
laboratory.
• Make certain that the worker has passed the required Chemical Hygiene and Safety Examination.
Keys to laboratories or disclosure of lock combinations should not be approved until the worker
has passed the examination and has acknowledged the briefing.
• Each laboratory door must have a Green Safety Notice Card displayed on it. This card must
contain the name(s) of individuals to contact if a laboratory emergency requires their notifications.
The card must be updated whenever new people are assigned to the lab. New cards may be
obtained from Frederick Wilson (13-4078/X3-6866) or from the MIT Safety Office.
• Report all accidents to the MIT Safety Office, and work with the Safety Office to improve
laboratory procedures so that such accidents are not repeated.
• Define the location of work areas where toxic substances and potential carcinogens will be used,
and ensure that the inventory of these substances is properly maintained.
• Define hazardous operations, designate safe practices, and select protective equipment.
• Monitor the safety performance of laboratory workers to ensure that the required safety practices
and techniques are being employed.
• Keep the laboratory clear of clutter (unused and obsolete equipment, etc.). Properly dispose of
unwanted and/or hazardous chemicals and materials.
• Be prepared to undergo both scheduled and surprise laboratory inspections by MIT and other
authorized persons. These may include checks of the physical presence of appropriate safety
equipment, presence of readily accessible safety documentation and written procedures, and safety
awareness of laboratory workers.
The DMSE Safety and Chemical Hygiene Committee
The Departmental Safety and Chemical Hygiene Committee is appointed by the Head of the Department.
The Departmental Safety Officer and the Departmental Administrative Officer are ex-officio members.
Currently, the DMSE Safety and Chemical Hygiene Committee consists of:
• Prof. David Roylance, Departmental Safety and Chemical Hygiene Officer
• Mr. Fredrick Wilson, Departmental Safety Technician
• Mr. Patrick A. Kearney