Demo Lab Safe Operating Procedures

Before accepting a job at the UCB College of Chemistry Demo Lab, please:

Read the rest of the document you are now reading (Site Amendments) in its entirety, and
Browse The Official SOP.

If you feel that you are unable to perform as described below and in the SOP, for any reason, please do not accept an offer of employment at the Demo Lab.
If you accept an offer of employment, and later find that you cannot perform as described below and in the SOP, please ask to be reassigned to other work in the College of Chemistry if suitable positions are available. We will try to accomodate you within reason.

Before scheduling an interview, please determine that there are work blocks that match your availability.

See Part Time Student Staff Schedule Index

The "Site Amendments" is not the Official SOP (Safe Operating Procedures), but is an in-progress list of items that are hereby brought to the attention of the Demo Lab student staff. Generally, items mentioned are a response to problematic conditions found that specifically must be corrected. In some cases, failure to perform as described can result in rescheduling, reassignment, or possibly termination of employment. You should be especially careful to understand items highlighted in RED, to protect your safety and the safety of others.

The Official SOP ( College of Chemistry Health and Safety Manual - Chapter 7) is located on the bookshelf above the desk (where the phone is), and staff should become familiar with this document as a priority. The most up-to-date SOP is available on-line at: Section 7 .

PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT -

Z87 EYEWEAR, WITH SIDE SHIELDS - is absolutely required to be worn at all times while inside 17 Pimentel Hall. When experiment materials of any kind are present, eyewear must be worn regardless of location while on duty or visiting. Eyewear not stamped "Z87" or worn in a fashion that does not protect the eyes will not be considered "Z87 eyewear" for purposes of this section.
BLAST SHIELDS, APRONS, FACE SHIELDS, ETC. should be used or worn as needed.
HEARING PROTECTION - Muff-type hearing protection must be worn while working near materials that can explode. If such materials are on-site at all, earplugs (or muff-type hearing protection) must be worn while in the same room as the explosive materials.
GLOVES - While using gloves, be aware that if the gloves you are wearing become contaminated, everything you touch with them will become similarly contaminated, and must be cleaned. Be especially aware of faucet handles, phone, door knobs, and writing implements. Disposable gloves should be disposed after use. Non-disposable gloves should be washed, dried, and turned inside-out after use.

STAGE ROTATION - Do not assist with stage rotation without direct supervision until you feel confident that you can do so safely. If at any time while rotating the stage you observe or feel that injury or damage is impending, release the yellow safety button until the problem is resolved. If you hear or see anything that is unusual, stop the stage rotation by releasing the yellow button. Do not press the red emergency backup button without clearing the stage completely and coordinating with the co-operator. Do not engage in conversation during stage rotation if you are a co-operator. If you are not certain that you can direct your attention, vision, and hearing to this task, please do not accept a job offer or continue a job that includes this task.

Visitors - during the times when we are very busy, refrain from having visitors. At other times, visitors are ok if the visit is brief and not regular. Visitors must be protected or asked to leave as the situation requires.

Sink - normally, nothing should be left in the sink. Brushes should be left where they can dry and, if possible, hung or leaned so that the bristles are not crushed.

Glassware - REMOVE LABELS AND WRITING - glassware should be washed with soapy hot water and brush or abrasive cloth. Rinse off soap with hot or warm industrial water. After the soap is rinsed completely off, rinse three times with distilled/deionized water. Do not leave the deionized water running continuously. When putting away washed glassware, please wear clean latex gloves if needed to avoid contaminating the glassware.

E-MAIL - student staff are not authorized to use the Demo Lab computers for personal purposes. Please read your e-mail elsewhere and not during your Demo Lab work hours.

WEB Browsing - student staff are not authorized to use the Demo Lab computers for personal purposes. Please use web browsing software for work-related investigations only.

Computer System Administration - generally, do not do any system administration or install anything on the Demo Lab computers, or other computers at work, without the knowledge and permission of the supervisor.

Homework - IF you have completed all tasks, know where everything is, have read the entire "Official" SOP, checked all the chemical inventory for completeness and proper alphabetization, cleaned all the glass door fronts on the cabinets, .... THEN you are welcome to study and do homework while at work in the Demo Lab.

Rough and unnecessary handling of equipment - such as, but not limited to, power cords, adapters, connectors, glassware, valves, hoses, clamps, tools, switches, potentiometers, etc. The equipment you will be using varies in its ability to withstand force or repetitive operation. Approach each unfamiliar operation with care and planning with the objective to employ the equipment effectively, safely, and without unnecessary wear and strain.

^*Vacuum Dessicator - Use caution when handling. It is heavy and prone to breaking. Hold the dessicator by the base only, while maintaining support of the lid. Never hold the dessicator by the lid or valve because they can slide off whether or not they have been greased. The dessicator is opened by sliding off the lid - without touching the valve.

The Olde Hotplate - We have a very old hotplate that was made long ago when people thought differently about things. In the case of this hotplate (which is a medium-sized, mostly black colored item), the INDEX FOR THE CONTROLLER IS ON THE HOUSING AT THE SIDE OF THE KNOB. Please take a moment to examine this hotplate and note the difference - it is somewhat unintuitive.

Time Sheets - Time sheets are due according to the schedule in H:\My documents\Student Time Sheets (see desktop workstation shortcut). You should fill out, print, and sign your time sheet by the due date. I do not sign or submit incorrectly filled out time sheets, so please fill out your time sheet properly and on time. We can no longer project time worked between the due date and the end of the month. Be careful not to indicate time worked on holidays and weekends - unless you actually did work on a holiday or weekend. Time worked between due date and end of month are reported on a supplemental time sheet.

Acquiring liquid nitrogen - You must complete the brief class given by the Liquid Air Plant Supervisor and have read the SOP material on the safe handling of cryogenic liquids. You will be instructed in the procedure once you have completed the class.

Acquiring dry ice - You must first be qualified for liquid nitrogen handling. You will then be instructed in the procedure for acquiring dry ice. Two items deserve special attention. 1) You will get the key from the Demo Lab manager. This key must not be anywhere but in your hand, or in your pocket, and MUST be returned to the manager within 10 minutes. 2) When you sign out dry ice, you must enter your last name, and the correct cost center number, which you must memorize. You will be told the cost center number and other details during your training.

Measuring and handling chemicals - In addition to the procedures you already should know, please also inquire and learn of the "anti-avalanche" technique. Do not use chemical bottle caps as an intermediate container while measuring (do not pour chemicals into the bottle cap).

Rev 20070108