Laboratory Equipment

Hoods

Hoods should be turned on when volatile compounds are used. Before each use with toxic compounds, the face velocity of the hood shall be examined to ensure that there is an appropriate flow of air. Laboratory personnel may call Environmental Health & Safety to request a flow test at any time. The level to which the sliding window should be drawn to allow good ventilation is marked on the hood (approximately 14 inches). Any hood discovered not to be operating properly, either during use or during periodic inspection, shall be closed down and labeled as such until all problems are corrected. Each department will maintain a maintenance history for each hood to ensure the inspections are made and that necessary maintenance is carried out. If you have questions about your hood not working properly, report this to your Departmental Administrator or Building Safety Officer. Storage of toxic materials inside hoods is not recommended. Hoods are not to be used as storage areas. Store hazardous chemicals in the appropriate cabinet.

Showers

An overhead safety shower is located within or near each laboratory. These are for rapid washing of people who have had substantial spills of toxic, caustic or acid solutions on themselves. Do not pull shower handles unless needed. Showers should be checked annually for proper flow.

Eye Wash

The best thing to do for foreign material in the eyes is to rinse with large amounts of water. Many laboratory sinks are equipped with an eye wash attachment for rapid washing of the eyes when a substance has been spilled, splashed or blown into the eyes. Acquaint yourself with the location of eye wash facilities in the laboratory or hallway and how they are operated before they are needed. Be prepared to help someone else wash their eyes quickly in the event of an accident since they may not be able to find or operate the station. Flush eye wash stations once a week to ensure proper operation when needed.

Autoclaves

Before using the autoclave, make sure that someone in your laboratory shows you how to operate the sterilizer properly. If there is nobody to show you, please contact your Principal Investigator, but do not try to operate it without any instructions.

Here are a few common do's and don'ts:

1. Never try to open the autoclave before the pressure in the chamber comes to zero. Look at the pressure gauges. Hot steam or liquids could cause burns.
   
2. Never try to change the time setting while the autoclave is in operation. This will damage the autoclave control system Autoclave repairs are expensive.
   
3. If you start the autoclave and you hear a high-pitched noise and the steam is coming out, you did not close the door properly. Immediately switch the setting to manual mode and rotate the handles to fast exhaust. Tighten the door, return to automatic mode.
   
4. When autoclaving liquids, open the door about 1/2 inch at the end of the cycle and let it stand for a few minutes before you remove the sterilized liquids into room temperature. Over the past few years, several glass containers containing liquid have "exploded" upon contact with cooler air when the autoclave was opened quickly at the end of a cycle. Be careful.
   
5. Please do not leave the autoclave doors wide open after removing your things from it. The room is air conditioned and does not need added heat from the autoclave.
   
6. If you are using the autoclave and have a steam leak, turn off the machine for 10 seconds and then turn it back on. The autoclave automatically aborts the cycle and evacuates the chamber. Open the door, check to see if the gasket is in place, and start again.
   
7. If a major malfunction occurs, please let the Department Administrator or Building Safety Officer know right away. Do not walk off and let the next person worry about it. That's not fair or responsible.
   
8. Remember, we try to keep all equipment in very good working condition. Most malfunctions are due to incorrect operation or negligence by the user. Please familiarize yourself with the operation of all equipment before you use it.
   

Laser Equipment

If a laser facility exists in the department, ensure that appropriate warning signs are posted and the equipment is operated under the regulations of the Texas Department of Health. Copies of the regulations are available from Environmental Health & Safety. Training in the safe use of the instruments must take place before any student or employee is allowed to use the laser facility. Several common sense points to remember when working with lasers are:

1. Never look directly at the beam or pump source.
   
2. Never view the beam pattern directly; use an image converter or other safe, indirect means. To decrease reflection hazard, do not aim by looking along the beam.
   
3. Do not allow any object which could cause specular reflections to be present in or along the beam. Even spherical buttons and polished screw heads can be dangerous.
   
4. Keep a high general illumination level in areas where lasers are in operation. Low light levels cause dilation of the pupils, thereby increasing the hazard.
   
5. Always wear goggles that offer protection against the specific wavelength of the laser in use. If more than one wavelength is being used, additional goggles, specific for each wavelength will be required. No glasses available protect against all laser wavelengths.

Ultraviolet Radiation Sources

Ultraviolet sources are used in sterilizing areas and in visualization of many compounds. Those used in sterilization (room UV or in hoods) are especially powerful and should not be on when people are working in that space. When using UV light boxes or hand-held UV lights for illumination for visualization of compounds (e.g., DNA detection) or photography, safety precautions must be taken. You must have proper UV glasses (or a UV safety face shield), not just safety glasses, and put it on before turning on the UV lamp. Leave these safety items in the proper place so they will be available for others to use. Mark all rooms to warn Housekeeping and Facilities & Engineering personnel that the light is on and burns to eyes and skin could occur.

Centrifuges

Make sure tubes are balanced and are the correct type for the rotor and that the rotor is compatible with the centrifuge. Check maintenance records, rotors, overspeed disc, drive oil and vacuum before starting an ultracentrifuge run. Be aware of derated rotors and potential equipment problems. Receive instruction on the unit before attempting to use it yourself. If it does not seem to be working properly, shut it off immediately and seek the supervisor responsible for that centrifuge. These are very expensive machines and can cause considerable damage if not used properly.