SAFETY PRINCIPLES

Strict adherence to all safety instructions is mandatory for all laboratory work.
Carefully read the summary of the safety rules and procedures given below. You
may also find it useful to review the ChE 320 safety presentation (also on the
website) and your ChE 320 notes.

1. BEFORE THE EXPERIMENT

Become familiar with the experimental operations and all potential hazards involved
before beginning an experiment. This includes a complete review of the potential
hazards of the chemicals, including both the precautions on the labels and on the
MSDS.
Ensure that the necessary safety equipment is readily available and in useable
condition.
Become familiar with the safety precautions and emergency procedures before
undertaking any laboratory work.
Become thoroughly acquainted with the location and use of safety facilities such as
fire extinguishers, showers, exits, and eye wash fountains.

2. ATTIRE AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Eye protection is required at all times in the laboratory and where chemicals are
stored and handled. Safety glasses are mandatory ordinary spectacles that you
might be wearing for everyday use do not qualify as eye protection.
Keep a pair of clean nitrile or latex gloves in good shape (be sure to determine if you
are allergic to any type of glove material and decide accordingly). Ruptured or torn
gloves should be discarded and replaced. If specialized hand wear is required for
the experiment, your supervisor must supply them.
Appropriate clothing must be worn. Wear your lab coat and fasten its buttons.
Open-toed footwear such as sandals and slippers is not permitted.
Long hair must be fastened and loose jewelry should not be worn.
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3. BEHAVIOR AND PRECAUTIONS

Follow all safety instructions carefully.

Stay alert, be aware of your surroundings and do not distract others.
Do not eat, drink or smoke in the laboratory.
Do not block the exits or access to safety equipment.
No horseplay, running or rushing in the laboratory.
Never perform experimental work when alone in the laboratory.
Keep flammable liquids away from heat or direct sunlight.
Locate portable heaters away from combustible materials.
Do not heat flammable liquids directly over a burner or on an electrical device that
can generate sparks, or that has a surface temperature in excess of that which might
cause auto-ignition.
Do not use mouth suction to fill pipettes, start siphons, or for any other purpose.
No chemicals or equipment may be removed from the laboratory without the explicit
permission and supervision of the instructor.
Do not dispose of organic solvents in sinks or drains. Follow your supervisors
instructions on how to dispose of waste.
Use a flame hood when appreciable quantities of flammable materials are
transferred from one container to another, allowed to stand in open containers, or
heated in open containers.
Only qualified persons should maintain and repair electrical or electronic equipment.
When handling electric wires and cables never use them as supports and never pull
on live wires.
Report any electrical failure or any evidence of undue heating of equipment
immediately to the instructor.
Always wash hands, face and arms with soap and water before leaving the
laboratory.
4. EMERGENCY ACTION - NOTIFICATION

In case of emergency, move to a safe location and notify your supervisor

immediately.

Report the nature and location of the emergency to the appropriate fire or medical
facility, give your name, telephone number, building and floor number.
Inform the emergency call operators where you will meet the emergency vehicle. If
individuals in danger are involved, report how many, whether they are unconscious
or trapped, whether an explosion has occurred and whether there is a chemical or
electrical fire.
Notify others in the area about the nature of the emergency.
Meet the ambulance or fire crews at the place you indicated above. Send someone
else if you cannot go.
Do not make any other telephone calls unless they directly relate to the control of the
emergency.

5. EMERGENCY ACTION WHILE WAITING FOR ASSISTANCE

Do not move injured persons unless they are in further danger. Keep them warm.
Unnecessary movement can severely complicate neck or spinal injuries and
fractures.
If chemicals have been spilled on a person, immediately remove all contaminated
clothing and get the individual under a shower to wash the affected area thoroughly.
If chemicals are in the eyes, irrigate with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
A blanket should be readily available.
If there is a fire and there is little personal risk, use a proper extinguisher to put out
the flames. If the fire is very small, it may be extinguished by smothering it with a
nonflammable material. Fight the fire from a position of escape. Cut off electrical
circuits and gas lines.
Anyone overcome with smoke or fumes should be removed to uncontaminated air
and treated for shock.
 If hazardous chemicals were ingested by a victim, encourage the victim to drink
large amounts of water while en route to medical assistance. However, never give
anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Attempt to learn what substances
were ingested and inform the medical staff.
Do not touch a person in contact with a live electrical circuit.
If you are directed to leave the room, promptly-cease any additions of reagents or
reactants, stop the experiment, and turn off all burners or other energy producing-
consuming devices.
If the injured person is not breathing, provide mouth to mouth resuscitation using the
following procedure:
- Place the person face up.
- Clear the mouth of any obstructions, and loosen tight clothing.
- Lift the neck and tilt the head back, so the chin is pointing upward.
- Insert your thumb in the mouth, grasp the lower jaw, and lift it forcibly upward
and forward.
- Pinch the nose and blow vigorously through the mouth to make the chest
expand.
- Repeat every four to five seconds.
- If the victims chest does not expand, recheck the mouth for any obstruction
and tilt the head back further, and resume blowing into the mouth.
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation often will revive the victims of high voltage
shock.

6. EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ODT HZMETLER MDRL/ METU SERVICES 2703, 2704

ODT SALIK MERKEZ ACL/ METU FIRST AID 4960
YANGIN/FIRE 110
AMBLANS/AMBULANCE 112
POLS/POLICE 155
BAYINDIR TIP MERKEZ/HOSPITAL 287 90 00