All persons working in a
laboratory should familiarize themselves with the location and the operations of the
safety shower and eye wash station. Access to the shower station must not be blocked
and a 3 ft. x 3 ft. safety area beneath each safety shower shall be kept clear of equipment
and other obstructions.
Safety showers / eye wash stations will be tested at least once a week by the laboratory supervisor.
Articles of clothing (e.g., coats, jackets, sweaters, etc.) or other objects must not be
hung from safety showers.
Laboratory supervisors should
know the locations of fire extinguishers and should be trained in their proper usage.
Contact the Environmental, Health & Safety Office for information on fire extinguisher
training.
Articles of clothing (coats, jackets, sweaters, etc.) or other objects should never be
hung on or cover a fire extinguisher.
Each use of a fire extinguisher, no matter how brief, should be reported to the
department’s administrative office and to the Environmental, Health & Safety
Office. A Work Order must be submitted to the Physical Plant to replace the
discharged fire extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers will be tested only by qualified personnel.
All laboratory occupants should know the location(s) of the eyewash station and the safety shower as
well as the location(s) of the nearest building exit(s), and should familiarize themselves
with alternative building evacuation routes.
If chemicals should come in contact with the eyes, wash the eyes for 15-20 minutes;
seek medical attention immediately. Permanent eye damage can occur in LESS THAN 15
SECONDS.
In case of a fire or a serious accident, report the emergency to the University Police
Department at extension 2611. Individuals should go to the Student Health Center for
treatment of minor cuts, burns, and minor chemical exposures. UPD can provide
transportation to the Student Health Center upon request. For injuries requiring
off-campus medical attention, UPD will contact the Kingsville Fire Department Ambulance to
provide transportation to the hospital.
Lab instructors are to fill out an incident report for all incidents and file them with the Environmental, Health
& Safety Office.
For the benefit of maintenance and emergency personnel, a sign bearing the names
and telephone numbers of laboratory personnel points of contacts in the event of an emergency
shall be posted outside each laboratory. Also, if the laboratory contains special
equipment or hazardous equipment, emergency shutdown procedures shall also be posted in the
laboratory.
The body reacts differently to chemical exposures. When in contact with an acid, the skin will produce a protective protein layer which resists further penetration of the acid. Nerves will react with the acid causing a painful sensation. Skin contact with an alkali metal hydroxide is more hazardous because the protective protein barrier is not formed and nerves will not react as strongly, therefore, deeper tissue damage occurs because the pain is less and the individual is not aware of the seriousness or degree of exposure. Even a weak solution of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) or Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) can saponify fat and attack skin to a degree that fingerprints disappear. Skin contact with phenol may not be painful, but produces a whitening of the area and a severe burn. |
NOTE 
