For PDF of this newsletter: https://engineering.purdue.edu/Intranet/Groups/Schools/MSE/Facilities/SafetyNewsletters

MSE Safety & Equipment Newsletter for August 2019

**** Important upcoming dates ****

• Sept. 9th: special safety training session in MSE 430 (Senior Design) at 8:30 AM with Jenni Fifer.
• Sept. 13th: general safety training session in ARMS 1010 at 3:45 PM (MSE 690) with Jenni Fifer. Please note that all Purdue researchers are required to attend ONE in-person safety training session each calendar year.
• Sept. 15th: OSHA laboratory inspections in ARMS and MSEE. Before this date, all researchers and lab supervisors are encouraged to self-audit/walk-through their lab spaces and correct any safety or lab hygiene issues.

**** New Blackboard course for “MSE Lab Safety” ****

Students, you will now see this course listed in your Blackboard. All safety training and lab access instructions are contained in “Course Content” as well as links for hazardous waste pick-up. In the future, most specific training modules will be available, and you will also be able to report accidents & near-misses through this site. Thanks to MSE Safety Officer Jenni Fifer for creating this site!

**** New MSE safety bulletin board ****

There is now a safety-themed bulletin board by the ARMS second-floor restrooms across from ARMS 2130. It contains all the relevant points of contact and helpful safety information, including new MSE safety policies and procedures. Thanks to Purdue Univ. Material Advantage (PUMA) for creating this board! Contact PUMA Safety Chair Brandon Keuneke with questions/feedback.

**** New guidelines for REM waste pickup ****

When it is time to have REM pickup your filled waste containers, please do the following:

1. Go to the “MSE Lab Safety” Blackboard course and click on the relevant link.
2. Complete and adhere an orange waste disposal tag to your waste container. See an example of a properly completed orange tag on the safety bulletin board.
3. Complete the online (or hardcopy) request form for REM.
4. (NEW) Upload a copy of your completed form to the Blackboard site for MSE records.
5. Place your hazardous waste container in a satellite hazardous waste pickup zone.

**** Lab coat policy for CHP lab spaces ****

All Purdue researchers and students are required to wear a lab coat in lab spaces designated under Purdue’s Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP), which includes the following: ARMS 2103, 2109, 2132 (Polishing Lab), 2138, B146, B160 (Synthesis Lab), B175, B214, B206, and MSEE 396 (Turner Lab). It is up to the discretion of each lab space supervisor, course instructor, and/or research advisor to determine whether or not a supply of shared-use lab coats will be made available for use in a given lab space. Individuals with primary research appointments (including graduate students, undergrad 499s, and postdocs) may wish to purchase their own lab coat. Lab coats can be purchased online or at local bookstores - $30-40 at Folletts. Link to full policy and details

**** New operational checklists available for your use ****

Darren Pauly has created a number of helpful checklists for use with equipment in various ARMS lab spaces, including equipment in ARMS 2136 (cutting/grinding and mounting specimens), ARMS 2132 (polishing wheels), and ARMS 2130 (microscopes and hardness testers). These checklists contain all the steps required to properly and safely operate the equipment as well as cleaning procedures and important hazards. Contact Darren directly (ARMS 2200-1) if you have any questions regarding the checklists.

**** 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 general equipment: Tim VanMeter, Darren Pauly
• For mechanical testing equipment: Jenni Fifer
• For analytical (iLab) equipment: Talukder Alam

**** Equipment instructions and SOPs now available online ****

Darren Pauly has uploaded instruction manuals and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for various equipment in ARMS, including equipment in:

• ARMS 2130: microscopes and cameras, hardness testers
• ARMS 2132: polishing wheels
• ARMS 2136: saws, grinders, mounting presses
• ARMS 2160: various furnaces

**** New / Refurbished Equipment! ****

• ARMS 2130: Refurbished optical microscopes (Spring ’19)
• ARMS 2132: Refurbished all 6 grinding/polishing wheels (Spring - Fall ’19)
• ARMS 2136: 2x new slow-speed cutoff saws; large high-speed saw refurbished
• ARMS 2170: new 1287C-capable programmable furnace for ceramics installed (Summer ’19)
• ARMS 2160: new 1400C-capable 6x6x6” programmable furnace for metals to be installed (Fall ’19)

**** Cameras in ARMS 2136 and 2132 ****

Due to a number of safety violations, equipment misuse, and unauthorized activities in the grinding (2136) and polishing (2132) labs, cameras have been installed to monitor and record activities in these spaces.

**** Important links and contact information ****

• 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 Reporting Form
• Purdue REM Researcher’s Guide (all new researchers should check this out...)
• ARMS general safety information

Thanks for reading everyone and have a GREAT start to the school year!

Prof. Erk and the MSE Safety Committee