To view this newsletter as a PDF, visit https://engineering.purdue.edu/Intranet/Groups/Schools/MSE/Facilities/SafetyNewsletters/December-2021.pdf

MSE Safety & Equipment Newsletter for December 2021

*** Important Upcoming Dates

• December 17: Last day for MSE 499 students to work in the MSE lab spaces until the start of spring semester on January 10.
• December 23 to January 2: University is officially closed for winter recess.
  
  

*** Winter Recess: December 23, 2021 to January 2, 2022

While paid MSE research personnel are allowed to work in MSE lab spaces during winter recess, please be aware that MSE technical staff and REM safety staff will not be available during that time to assist with your research activities or provide help in the case of an emergency. If assistance is required during the recess, the Purdue Police non-emergency phone number is (765) 494-8221 or for emergencies, dial 911. Contact your research advisor or lab supervisor for additional guidance.

*** Annual Indemnification Process Begins in January for ARMS, MSEE, and IMI

As part of our Integrated Safety Plan lab certification with REM, each year we conduct a guided “self-audit” of the safety training procedures, hazards, and hygiene of all lab spaces that MSE personnel utilize at Purdue. Self-audit guidance will be distributed to lab supervisors in January. To prepare, as our fall semester draws to a close, MSE personnel may wish to review the self-audit checklist now and identify/abate any lingering lab safety and hygiene issues in the lab space where they most frequently work. (Note: This self-audit process has already begun for MSE lab spaces in Kepner and FLEX.)

*** Chemical Handling Procedures in ARMS 2132

Following a thorough review by REM staff, users of the MSE Polishing Lab (ARMS 2132) can resume the use of chemical activities but new restrictions are in place to ensure lab user safety:

1. Due to repeated issues, any users who wish to etch with Nital must use a commercially available, pre-mixed solution (that is, users are now prohibited from making their own Nital solutions from concentrated chemicals for the safety of REM staff and MSE researchers).
2. The use of all acids, oxidizers, and Nital is now restricted in ARMS 2132 to only users who have an approved single-task Hazard Assessment (HA) form with the relevant SDS and SOP.  Documents should be submitted to Jenni Fifer and please note that no new HAs will be approved between Dec. 17 to Jan. 2.
3. Acids, oxidizers, and Nital usage is prohibited in ARMS 2132 during winter recess.

These policy changes are due to an increasing number of safety incidents and near misses in ARMS 2132 from self-pressurizing waste containers. Email mse-safety@purdue.edu for more information.

*** Equipment Reporting Reminder

If you encounter a piece of broken equipment, or have any questions about a specific piece of equipment, you should contact a member of the MSE Technical Staff:

• For sample prep (i.e., saws, grinding wheels) equipment: Tim VanMeter
• For mechanical testing equipment and general use equipment checklist suggestions: Jenni Fifer
• For characterization equipment and iLab: Talukder Alam

*** Important Links and Contact Information

• Protect Purdue: COVID-19 resources and reporting
• IN Dept. of Health COVID-19 Resources and Stats
• For general safety questions, concerns, and lab access issues: mse-safety@purdue.edu or speak directly to MSE Safety Officer Jenni Fifer (ARMS 2207)
• For iLab equipment training and issues: Talukder Alam (ARMS 2207)
• Equipment/Safety/Consumables Reporting Form
• Purdue REM Researcher’s Guide
• ARMS general safety information
• Purdue Police Non-Emergency: (765) 494-8221
• Purdue Fire Non-Emergency: (765) 494-6919
• Purdue REM Non-Emergency: (765) 494-6371
• For all emergencies, dial 911.

Thanks for reading everyone!
Have a great winter break and stay safe!

~ Prof. Erk and the MSE Safety Committee

Kendra A. Erk

Associate Professor of Materials Engineering

Purdue University

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