MSE Safety & Equipment Newsletter for January 2020

**** Important Upcoming Dates ****

Next Refresher Safety Training: ARMS 1010 3:30 PM
Kepner Safety Training: TBA
**** Online Safety Training and Lab Access Requirements Reminder****
Before requesting lab access, be sure that all safety training modules are completed in Blackboard (MSE Lab Safety Course). To self-enroll in this Blackboard course, click here . Also please read the lab access form thoroughly for lab specific requirements such as “billing information required” or “faculty permission needed.”
**** Safety Updates to ARMS 2136 Sample Prep Lab ****
Earplugs and fingertip protectors are now available for use in the grinding lab (ARMS 2136). These were installed thanks to student input regarding a possible noise hazard during certain machine operations. The earplugs dispenser is installed on the grey cabinet in the back corner of the lab; it is easily visible from the entrance to the lab. The fingertip protectors are in the green bins on top of the middle belt grinder. We encourage you to make use of these items; and we also encourage feedback as to how effective these may or may not be.
**** PPE Reminder ****
Physical and health hazards and the required PPE for each MSE lab space are posted on the lab’s main door. Required PPE typically includes impact-resistant safety glasses, long pants, closed-toed shoes, and, for CHP labs, a lab coat. To encourage PPE use, a “three-strike” infraction policy has been adopted, described below. For example, an infraction could be not wearing safety glasses in a lab space where safety glasses are required.
·         First infraction: warning email with supervisor copied
·         Second infraction: lab access temporarily suspended
·         Third infraction: lab access permanently suspended
**** 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 (and associated checklists): Tim VanMeter, Darren Pauly
·         For mechanical testing equipment: Jenni Fifer
·         For analytical (iLab) equipment: Talukder Alam
**** 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/Safety/Consumables Reporting Form
·         Purdue REM Researcher’s Guide (all new researchers should check this out)
·         ARMS general safety information

****Jan/Dec Accidents, Near Misses, and Concerns ****

Grad student was cleaning the sink when they noticed black stuff and a weird smell in the sink. Grad student asked around and discovered that another researcher was likely pouring a strong acid with a powder down the drain. Per their report, He was filtering out particles ineffectively with a paper towel. They do not know what the substance was and the other researcher refused to answer when asked.
Senior design group was diluting concentrated sulfuric acid and a small amount (<5 mL) was spilled over the graduated cylinder used to measure it in the fume hood. One groupmate stayed behind to watch it while the other went to go find Jenni but could not find me so they found Darren and a grad student to help. They cleaned up by wiping it up with several paper towels and then putting those paper towels in a beaker full of water. This was all disposed of as waste in an appropriately labeled waste bottle.
A grad student was draining nickel alloy waste directly down the drain. Another student approached them saying that they did not believe that it was something that should be put down the drain. The student approached me for my opinion on the matter and we determined that based on the SDS, the waste should be disposed of as hazardous waste.
An undergrad reported a glass tip that appears to have broken on the gas compressor by the window. It was broke from being turned on with too much force all at once and then slipping away and hitting the side of cylinder. A grad student cleaned up the glass and put it in a sharps container.
A grad student became concerned that the surface grinder in ARMS 2136 may be a noise hazard. REM has done a noise hazard assessment for this area and determined that it is a borderline noise hazard. Further assessment will be done at a later date. For now, earplugs have been added to this lab.