Control Measures & Safety Equipment

Laboratory Design: Each chemical laboratory should have

1. an appropriate general ventilation system with air intakes and exhausts
2. adequate, well-ventilated storage areas;
3. laboratory fume hoods and sinks; and
4. safety equipment, including eyewash fountains, safety showers, readily accessible fire extinguishers, respiratory protection (in case of emergency), a readily accessible fire alarm and telephone for emergency use.

Laboratory Ventilation: Laboratory ventilation should

1. provide a source of air for breathing and for input to local ventilation devices;
2. not be relied on for protection from toxic substances released into the laboratory; and
3. provide four to twelve room air exchanges per hour.

Laboratory Fume Hoods: Laboratory fume hoods should

1. be used for work with hazardous chemicals, especially toxic chemicals that have low air concentration limits, or that have high vapor pressures;
2. provide 2.5 linear feet of space per person for every 2 workers who spend most of their time working directly with hazardous chemicals;
3. provide a face velocity-with sash fully open-of 80 to 100 feet per minute (fpm)-100 to 120 fpm for substances of very high toxicity or where outside influences adversely affect hood performance;
4. not be used as storage areas for chemicals, apparatus or other materials; and
5. not be used to evaporate solvents (except small quantities of volatile materials).
   
   Also pertaining to fume hoods:
   • Work inside the hood should be conducted at least six inches from the front edge of the hood.
   • Hood sashes should be lowered at all times except when necessary to raise them to adjust apparatus inside the hood.
   • The hood fan should be kept "on" whenever a chemical is inside the hood, whether or not any work is being done in the hood.
   • Solid objects must not be allowed to enter the exhaust duct of the hood.
   • Hood ducts and fans should be inspected (1) every three months by the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Officer, to be sure the ducts are clean and clear of obstructions and the fans are operational, and that hood performance is maintained, or (2) whenever the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Officer is informed that a change in local ventilation devices is made. Any hood with inadequate performance should be repaired immediately.

Safety Equipment:

Most laboratories are equipped with, or have readily accessible,

• an eyewash fountain
• a safety shower
• protective apparel compatible with the required degree of protection for substances being handled
• a fire extinguisher
• a fire blanket
• a first-aid kit
• a portable safety shield, for certain chemical manipulations
• spill control kits, if appropriate

These safety apparatus should be located so that they can be reached readily from any point in the laboratory, and access to them must not be restricted or blocked in any way. In addition, respiratory protection, fire alarm and telephone for emergency use should be available nearby.

Eyewash fountains and safety showers should be tested by the Chemical Hygiene and Safety Officer routinely every six months and flushed once a month to see that they are functioning properly. The water flow for each eyewash should be 6 - 9 gallons/minute. Any eyewash that does not meet the water flow requirements should be repaired promptly.

Fire extinguishers will be type tri-class ABC, and will be inspected routinely every 6 months.

Respiratory protection will be available when needed for carrying out an experimental procedure, for dispensing or handling certain hazardous chemicals, for responding to a chemical spill or release in cleanup decontamination, or for hazardous waste handling. Under OSHA regulations, only equipment listed and approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) will be used in ISAT laboratories for respiratory protection. Also, to comply with OSHA regulations, a respirator program (training and medical certification), in compliance with OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134), will be implemented.