When the laser is on and the output beam is not being terminated in an experiment or optical system, theemitted lightshouldbeblocked.Usealaserpowermeterorsomeothernon-reflecting,non-flammableobject(i.e.,a specially-designed“beam dump")Alwaysblockthelasersourcewhenmovingopticalcomponentsintooroutofthepathtraversedbyalaserbeam.Inparticular,do notallow reflectiveobjects tobeplaced intotheoptical path as the scattered lightcanbejustas dangerousas theprimarybeam.NEVERLOOKDIRECTLYINTOEITHERTHEMAINLASERBEAMORANYSECONDARY/STRAYBEAMNEVERSIGHTDOWNABEAMINTOITSSOURCE.Do not expose skin to direct laser emission as its intensity can be sufficient to cause severe flesh woundsWhenaligninga chain ofoptical components, it is advisable to reducetheoutputpower ofthe laserto as lowalevel aspossible,therebyminimizingthedangerassociatedwith(accidental)strayreflections orrefractionsIt is required to post warning signs and to limit access to the laser area whenever the laser is in operation.Wheninitiatinglaseremission,be sureto informanyotherindividuals intheroomWhenever possible, wear the appropriate laser safety goggles. There are two hazards that exist when wearingsuch devices while operating lasers.First, the glasses make thelaser beam itself invisible,therebyincreasing thedanger of inadvertent skin burns. Second, laser goggles may not afford sufficient protection if a very powerfullaser beam is viewed directly.Most laser systems combine electricity with therapid flow of cooling water.Although somewhatmundanecompared to optical hazards, the dangers presented by such circumstances must not be ignored or overlooked.Indeed, the high voltages and highcurrents found in most lasers havethepotential to cause fatal electricalshocks (see Section V-B-vi).Therefore, only experienced personnel should be allowed to delve into eitherpower supplies or optical heads.In anyevent, extreme precautions should betaken when undertaking thediagnosis and/orrepairofafaulty laser.VLaboratoryAccidentsA.ChemicalSpills[http://www.yale.edu/oehs/emergpr.htm]A-i.GeneralInformationTry to anticipate the types of spills that can occur in your laboratory and obtain the necessary equipment (spill kits,personal protective equipment, and disinfection materials if biological materials are present in the laboratory) torespond to a spill prior to it happening.You should only clean up minor spills of chemicals with whose clean upprocedure you are familiar.If the spill istoo large,highlytoxic ora reactive chemical,call for assistance immediately.TheOfficeofEnvironmental Health & Safety is equipped to handlemost spills that can occur at the University.If there is theslightest doubt regarding how to proceed, call for assistance. In the case of highly toxic spills, evacuate the room,anddonotallowanyonetoenteruntilassistancearrives.Environmental Health & Safety,5-3555 (8:30A.M.-5:00P.M., Weekdays)University Police 111 or 2-4400 (All Other Times)Thefollowing compoundsareconsideredveryhazardous.Youshouldnotcleanthemupyourself6
6 • When the laser is on and the output beam is not being terminated in an experiment or optical system, the emitted light should be blocked. Use a laser power meter or some other non-reflecting, non-flammable object (i.e., a specially-designed “beam dump”). • Always block the laser source when moving optical components into or out of the path traversed by a laser beam. In particular, do not allow reflective objects to be placed into the optical path as the scattered light can be just as dangerous as the primary beam. • NEVER LOOK DIRECTLY INTO EITHER THE MAIN LASER BEAM OR ANY SECONDARY/STRAY BEAM. NEVER SIGHT DOWN A BEAM INTO ITS SOURCE. • Do not expose skin to direct laser emission as its intensity can be sufficient to cause severe flesh wounds. • When aligning a chain of optical components, it is advisable to reduce the output power of the laser to as low a level as possible, thereby minimizing the danger associated with (accidental) stray reflections or refractions. • It is required to post warning signs and to limit access to the laser area whenever the laser is in operation. When initiating laser emission, be sure to inform any other individuals in the room. • Whenever possible, wear the appropriate laser safety goggles. There are two hazards that exist when wearing such devices while operating lasers. First, the glasses make the laser beam itself invisible, thereby increasing the danger of inadvertent skin burns. Second, laser goggles may not afford sufficient protection if a very powerful laser beam is viewed directly. • Most laser systems combine electricity with the rapid flow of cooling water. Although somewhat mundane compared to optical hazards, the dangers presented by such circumstances must not be ignored or overlooked. Indeed, the high voltages and high currents found in most lasers have the potential to cause fatal electrical shocks (see Section V-B-vi). Therefore, only experienced personnel should be allowed to delve into either power supplies or optical heads. In any event, extreme precautions should be taken when undertaking the diagnosis and/or repair of a faulty laser. V. Laboratory Accidents A. Chemical Spills [http://www.yale.edu/oehs/emergpr.htm] A-i. General Information Try to anticipate the types of spills that can occur in your laboratory and obtain the necessary equipment (spill kits, personal protective equipment, and disinfection materials if biological materials are present in the laboratory) to respond to a spill prior to it happening. You should only clean up minor spills of chemicals with whose clean up procedure you are familiar. If the spill is too large, highly toxic or a reactive chemical, call for assistance immediately. The Office of Environmental Health & Safety is equipped to handle most spills that can occur at the University. If there is the slightest doubt regarding how to proceed, call for assistance. In the case of highly toxic spills, evacuate the room, and do not allow anyone to enter until assistance arrives. Environmental Health & Safety, 5-3555 (8:30 A.M.-5:00 P.M., Weekdays) University Police 111 or 2-4400 (All Other Times) The following compounds are considered very hazardous. You should not clean them up yourself
AromaticaminesHydrazineBromineHexamethylphosphoramide(HMPA)Carbon disulfideOrganicHalidesCyanidesNitrilesEthersandotherIAflammablesolventsNitrocompoundsA-ii.Minor Chemical Spills [http:/www.yale.edu/oehs/chemspil.htm]If you are cleaning up a small spill yourself, alert people in the immediate area of the spill and make sure that youareawareof thehazards associatedwiththematerial spilled.Haveadequateventilation (openwindows,fumehoodson) and proper protective equipment (minimum:gloves, goggles, and lab coat).Neutralize and absorb inorganicacids and basesappropriately.Forother chemicals,usea spillkitwith spill pads orpapertowels.Consider allresidual chemicals and cleanupmaterials(absorbent,gloves,etc.)a hazardouswaste.Placethematerials in sealedcontainers(plasticbags)and storethemin achemical fumehood.ContactEnvironmental Servicesfordisposalandpickup (5-3551).A-il...MajorChemicalSpills[http://www.yale.edu/oehs/chemspil.htm]Attend to injured or contaminated personnel and remove them from exposure.Alert people in the laboratory toevacuate.If the spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources.Place spill pads or paper towels, ifavailable,overthespilltominimizeevaporation.Call theEmergencyResponsenumber(5-3555).Closedoorstotheaffected area.Have a person withknowledge of the incident available when the emergencyteamarrives.Atnightoron weekends, call the UniversityPoliceat 111 (2-4400)A-iv.SpillsofSpecificMaterialsIn case of a MERCURY spill use mechanical means or a portable pipette vacuum, do not use house vacuum or avacuum cleaner.Cover small droplets in inaccessible areas with powdered sulfur.Placetheresidue in a labeledcontainerandcallEnvironmental Services(5-3551)fordisposalandpick-up.TheOfficeofEnvironmental Health&Safety(5-3550)hasavacuumspecificallydesignedtocollectmercury.Contactthem if youhaveamercuryspillinexcessoftheamountfoundinastandardlaboratorythermometerTo cleanup ALKALI METAL spills, smother with anhydrous sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate,powderedgraphite, sand, or "Met-L-X" and call for emergency assistance (5-3555)B.Personal Contamination and InjuryB-i.ResponsibilityShould a laboratory accident occur,it is theresponsibility of uninjured laboratory occupants nearby to initiatefirstaidtreatmenttothevictim if trainedorqualifiedtodo so,andto arrangefor notificationofmedical personnel.Forallbutthemostminorinjuries,thevictimshouldbetransportedbytheYalePolice(emergencytelephone111o2-4400)toYaleHealth Servicesforprofessionalobservationandtreatment.BESURETHATYOUTELLTHEUNIVERSITYPOLICEYOURBUILDINGANDSTREETADDRESS.KLINECHEMISTRYHASBEENCONFUSEDWITHKLINETOWERANDKLINEGEOLOGYVictimswho cannotreadilywalk shouldbetransportedbyambulance.Untilmedical helpcomes,DONOTLEAVETHEVICTIMUNATTENDED.Accidents7
7 Aromatic amines Hydrazine Bromine Hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) Carbon disulfide Organic Halides Cyanides Nitriles Ethers and other IA flammable solvents Nitro compounds A-ii. Minor Chemical Spills [http://www.yale.edu/oehs/chemspil.htm] If you are cleaning up a small spill yourself, alert people in the immediate area of the spill and make sure that you are aware of the hazards associated with the material spilled. Have adequate ventilation (open windows, fume hoods on) and proper protective equipment (minimum: gloves, goggles, and lab coat). Neutralize and absorb inorganic acids and bases appropriately. For other chemicals, use a spill kit with spill pads or paper towels. Consider all residual chemicals and cleanup materials (absorbent, gloves, etc.) a hazardous waste. Place the materials in sealed containers (plastic bags) and store them in a chemical fume hood. Contact Environmental Services for disposal and pickup (5-3551). A-iii. Major Chemical Spills [http://www.yale.edu/oehs/chemspil.htm] Attend to injured or contaminated personnel and remove them from exposure. Alert people in the laboratory to evacuate. If the spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources. Place spill pads or paper towels, if available, over the spill to minimize evaporation. Call the Emergency Response number (5-3555). Close doors to the affected area. Have a person with knowledge of the incident available when the emergency team arrives. At night or on weekends, call the University Police at 111 (2-4400). A-iv. Spills of Specific Materials In case of a MERCURY spill use mechanical means or a portable pipette vacuum, do not use house vacuum or a vacuum cleaner. Cover small droplets in inaccessible areas with powdered sulfur. Place the residue in a labeled container and call Environmental Services (5-3551) for disposal and pick-up. The Office of Environmental Health & Safety (5-3550) has a vacuum specifically designed to collect mercury. Contact them if you have a mercury spill in excess of the amount found in a standard laboratory thermometer. To cleanup ALKALI METAL spills, smother with anhydrous sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, powdered graphite, sand, or "Met-L-X" and call for emergency assistance (5-3555). B. Personal Contamination and Injury B-i. Responsibility Should a laboratory accident occur, it is the responsibility of uninjured laboratory occupants nearby to initiate first aid treatment to the victim if trained or qualified to do so, and to arrange for notification of medical personnel. For all but the most minor injuries, the victim should be transported by the Yale Police (emergency telephone 111 or 2-4400) to Yale Health Services for professional observation and treatment. BE SURE THAT YOU TELL THE UNIVERSITY POLICE YOUR BUILDING AND STREET ADDRESS. KLINE CHEMISTRY HAS BEEN CONFUSED WITH KLINE TOWER AND KLINE GEOLOGY. Victims who cannot readily walk should be transported by ambulance. Until medical help comes, DO NOT LEAVE THE VICTIM UNATTENDED. Accidents
shouldalsobereportedtothedepartmental safetyofficerandtheOfficeof EnvironmentalHealth&Safety(5-3550)B-ii.EssentialProceduresintheCaseofanAccidentIf an individual is contaminated or exposed to a hazardous material in thelaboratory,do what is necessary toprotecthis/her lifeandhealthas well as yourown.Determinethenatureofthehazardousmaterial.Donotmovean injured person unlesshe/sheisinfurtherdangerfrom inhalationorfurther skinexposure.Keepthevictimwarm andrecumbent.Provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at first suspicion of difficulty in breathing, if trained to do so.If the person is in contact with a live electrical circuit, DO NOT TOUCH HIM/HER.Disconnect the powerfirstbyturning off circuitbreakers orbydislocating the livewire witha non-conducting object.In the case of severe bleeding, don gloves and other PPE as necessary,place a pad or cloth on the cut andapplyfirmpressuretocontrolthebleeding.Getmedical attention andassistanceimmediatelybydialing111(2-4400)UniversityPolice(ambulance)2-0123YaleUniversityHealthServicesB-ili.Burning Clothing and Thermal BurnsIf clothes are on fire, immediately deluge the victim with water under a safety shower and wrap him/her in a blanketto extinguishthe fire completely.Do not use afire extinguisher on aperson whose clothing is burning.Remove theclothingcontaminatedwith chemicals butdonotremoveclothingthat has burnedontotheskin.Immersetheburnedarea in very cold or ice water until pain not only is relieved but also doesnotreturn when the burned area is removedfrom the water. If the burn cannot be immersed, apply ice cold compressesWhen there are extensive burns, beware of shock.Keep patient quiet (with sufficient blankets to keep him/her warm,not hot).Be careful not to contaminate theburned area.Cover the burned area with sterilegauzeor a sheet.DONOT apply ointments, lotions or cleanser to the burned area. Contact Yale Police (dial: 11l)and request immediatemedical attention.B-iv.Chemical Spills on the BodyRemove the victim from contact with the chemical as promptly as possible.If clothing has been contaminated,immediatelyremoveall contaminatedclothingwhilethevictimisundera shower.(Donot overlook shoes!)Affected areas of the skin should be thoroughly flushed with water (at least 15 minutes) by shower.Do not applyneutralizing or buffering agents.During flushing,goggles should be left on the victim until his head and face havebeenwashed.Contact the Yale Police (dial:111 or 2-4400) to transfer the victim to the Yale Health Services or the EmergencyRoom.Call theHealth Service(2-0123)andtheOfficeof Environmental Healthand Safety(5-3555)sothatinformation on the appropriate treatment can be identified and made available to the injured person when theyarrive.If you have information on appropriate treatments (chemical antidotes, etc.),relay this information.8
8 should also be reported to the departmental safety officer and the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (5- 3550). B-ii. Essential Procedures in the Case of an Accident • If an individual is contaminated or exposed to a hazardous material in the laboratory, do what is necessary to protect his/her life and health as well as your own. Determine the nature of the hazardous material. • Do not move an injured person unless he/she is in further danger from inhalation or further skin exposure. Keep the victim warm and recumbent. • Provide mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at first suspicion of difficulty in breathing, if trained to do so. • If the person is in contact with a live electrical circuit, DO NOT TOUCH HIM/HER. Disconnect the power first by turning off circuit breakers or by dislocating the live wire with a non-conducting object. • In the case of severe bleeding, don gloves and other PPE as necessary, place a pad or cloth on the cut and apply firm pressure to control the bleeding. • Get medical attention and assistance immediately by dialing: University Police (ambulance) 111 (2-4400) Yale University Health Services 2-0123 B-iii. Burning Clothing and Thermal Burns If clothes are on fire, immediately deluge the victim with water under a safety shower and wrap him/her in a blanket to extinguish the fire completely. Do not use a fire extinguisher on a person whose clothing is burning. Remove the clothing contaminated with chemicals but do not remove clothing that has burned onto the skin. Immerse the burned area in very cold or ice water until pain not only is relieved but also does not return when the burned area is removed from the water. If the burn cannot be immersed, apply ice cold compresses. When there are extensive burns, beware of shock. Keep patient quiet (with sufficient blankets to keep him/her warm, not hot). Be careful not to contaminate the burned area. Cover the burned area with sterile gauze or a sheet. DO NOT apply ointments, lotions or cleanser to the burned area. Contact Yale Police (dial: 111) and request immediate medical attention. B-iv. Chemical Spills on the Body Remove the victim from contact with the chemical as promptly as possible. If clothing has been contaminated, immediately remove all contaminated clothing while the victim is under a shower. (Do not overlook shoes!) Affected areas of the skin should be thoroughly flushed with water (at least 15 minutes) by shower. Do not apply neutralizing or buffering agents. During flushing, goggles should be left on the victim until his head and face have been washed. Contact the Yale Police (dial: 111 or 2-4400) to transfer the victim to the Yale Health Services or the Emergency Room. Call the Health Service (2-0123) and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (5-3555) so that information on the appropriate treatment can be identified and made available to the injured person when they arrive. If you have information on appropriate treatments (chemical antidotes, etc.), relay this information