Laboratory & Facilities Equipment
Emergency showers and eyewash stations
Ground fault circuit interrupters
Fire extinguishers and blankets
General Use and Rules:
- Before each use, make sure the hood is working properly.
- Fume hoods should be used when toxic, volatile and offensive chemicals or vapors are used.
- Perform all work six inches inside the hood.
- Never place your head inside the hood.
- Keep the hood sash closed as much as possible at all times to ensure the optimum face velocity and to minimize energy usage.
- Keep lab doors closed to ensure negative room pressure to the corridor and proper air flow into the hood.
- Do not store chemicals in the hood.
- Do not use the hood as a waste disposal mechanism (ex – for evaporation of chemicals.)
- Avoid rapid movements in front of the hood including opening and closing the fume hood sash rapidly and swift arm and body movements in front of or iside the hood. These actions may reduce the effectiveness of fume hood containment.
- Do not override or disable mechanical stops on the sash.
- Tie up loose power cables and run power cables under the airfoil so that the sash can completely close.
Caution:
- Never use a fume hood that is not fully operational.
General Use:
- Laminar flow hoods are used to prevent material contamination by creating a constant flow of clean air over the table top.
Types:
- Horizontal Hoods – clean air flows horizontally over the surface of hood from front to back.
- Vertical Hoods – a layer of air cascades down from the top of the hood to the bottom.
Cautions:
- These hoods are not to be used as a replacement for a chemical flow hood.
- Not to be used with harsh chemicals.
- Do not provide the user with safe breathable air or create a safety barrier between materials and user.
- Any hazardous aerosol that is created will lead to exposure of the operator and the environment.
General Use:
- Localized exhaust hoods are used for non-hazardous removal of heated air or water vapor.
Types:
- Canopy Hoods – Fixed hoods with a limited airflow rate. Are to be placed over instruments
- Elephant Trunks – Moveable hoods that are effective within about two inches of the opening.
Caution:
- Never substitute a localized exhaust system for a fume hood.
General Use:
- Glove boxes are used when a substance needs to be isolated for the protection of the worker.
Types:
- Atmosphere – a glove box
under and controlled environment of inert gas or low moisture.
- Radiation – creates a barrier between the radioactive substance and worker.
General Use:
- Heating devices are used when a reaction or separation cannot take place at room temperature.
Types:
- Bunsen Burners
- Heating Mantles
- Ovens
- Hot Plates
- Water Baths
Cautions:
- Electrical Hazards
- Fire
- Burns user
Emergency Showers and Eyewash Stations
General Uses:
- Emergency shower stations must be used when a hazardous chemical is spilled on clothes or contacts the skin.
- Immediately remove all of the contaminated clothing, shoes, jewelry while using the safety shower. The area must be flushed for at least 15 minutes with 0.4 gallons of water per minute. An emergency shower should also be used when clothes are on fire. If clothing is on fire due to a chemical burn then the worker must follow the chemical spill instructions.
- Emergency eyewash stations must be used when a chemical is splashed into eyes. The eyes must remain open and flushed for at least 15 minutes roll the eyeballs around during that time. The affected laboratory worker may need guidance to the eyewash station as it is very difficult to see when chemicals are in their eyes.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
General Use:
- GFCI's are life saving devices that prevent serious shock by shutting off the circuit once a current is grounded. GFCI's will be found on every electrical outlet within 6 feet of a water source. A GFCI can be located on the oulet themselves or located on the end of the power strip.
Caution:
- A GFCI will not protect against two hot wires or a hot and a neutral wire. It will only protect against ground faults.
General Use:
- Autoclaves are designed to sterilize laboratory equipment by using superheated water vapor. It will not clean chemically contaminated lab equipment.
Types:
- Laboratory – large autoclave that uses are cart to hold equipment
- Bench Top – a smaller autoclave similar to a crock-pot.
Cautions:
- The autoclave is very hot in use. Steam burns may occur if the operator opens the door quickly.
- Gloves must be used to remove equipment.
- Never place chemical waste in an autoclave.