Technical information

19
Conducting experiments
• All injuries, accidents, and "near misses" must be reported to the Laboratory Supervisor. An
Accident Report must be completed as soon as possible after the event by the Laboratory
Supervisor.
• All chemical spills are to be reported to the Laboratory Supervisor, whose directions must be
followed for containment and cleanup. Laboratory workers should follow the prescribed
instructions for cleanup and decontamination of all spill areas.
• Protect your ears. The healthy ear can detect sounds ranging from 15 to 20,000 hertz. Temporary
exposure to high noise levels will produce a temporary hearing loss. Long term exposure to high
noise levels produces permanent hearing loss. There appears to be no hearing hazard (although
there are possible psychological effects) to noise exposures below 80 dB. Exposure above 130 dB
is hazardous and should be avoided. Ear muffs offer the highest noise attenuation and are preferred
for levels above 95 dB. Ear plugs are more comfortable and are applicable in the 80-95 dB range.
If you suspect that a hearing hazard exists, notify Environmental Medical Services and get the
sound level measured.
• Unattended operations that could be hazardous should be avoided. When such operations must be
conducted, the Laboratory Supervisor must approve the experiment, and the following precautions
should be considered: leave lights on; place an appropriate sign on the door that includes the
names(s) and phone number(s) of personnel that can be contacted in an emergency; and provide
for containment of toxic substances in the event of failure of a utility service (such as cooling
water, ventilation, electrical power, etc.).
• Do not work alone when conducting hazardous procedures, so that someone is available to
summon help if the need arises. Some laboratories, especially teaching laboratories, will require
that no work be conducted when alone.
• If you are working alone at times other than normal working hours, you may wish to notify
Campus Patrol (3-1212) of your location and activities so that a patrol officer can check frequently
as to your safety and locate you if an emergency occurs or you should require emergency
assistance.
• "Horseplay" is hazardous and will not be tolerated.
• Long hair and loose items of jewelry or clothing must be secured during work with rotating
machinery.
• Each laboratory worker must be familiar with an approved emergency shutdown procedure before
initiating any experiment.
• No deviation from approved equipment operating procedures is permitted.
• All laboratory aisles and exits must remain clear and unblocked.
• Obsolete and unused equipment and materials must be removed from the laboratory, either to
storage or disposal.
• The instructions on all warning signs must be read and obeyed.
• Good housekeeping must be practiced in the laboratories, shops, and storage areas.
• Only chemicals (no food) may be placed in the laboratory refrigerators, which should be
"laboratory safe." Ice from laboratory ice machines may not be used for human consumption or to
cool any food or drink.
• Avoid eating or drinking in laboratory areas where laboratory chemicals are used or stored; hands
should be washed before conducting these activities.
• Smoking is not permitted in MIT facilities.
• Handle and store laboratory glassware with care to avoid damage; do not use damaged glassware.
Use extra care with Dewar flasks and other evacuated glass apparatus; consider shielding or
wrapping them to contain chemicals and fragments should implosion occur. Use equipment only
for its designed purpose.
• Glassware breakage and malfunctioning instruments or equipment should be reported to the
Laboratory Supervisor. There will be no open flames or heating elements used when volatile
chemicals are exposed to air.