MEMORANDUM

College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Safety Office

DATE:                    August 17, 2001                          

 

TO:                         ALL LABORATORY INSTRUCTORS

 

FROM:                   Jeff Mellon

CNSM Safety Office

 

SUBJECT:            LABORATORY EYE PROTECTION

                                                                                                                                                  

Please ensure that you and your students comply with the CNSM goggle policy throughout the semester.  Safety Office personnel are available to help explain the rules as needed.   REMEMBER:

 

1.  All persons in a lab are required to wear fully enclosed CHEMICAL SPLASH GOGGLES (with "indirect vents"; see other side) whenever: 

 

·                       Opening or otherwise handling open containers of liquids or solids that are capable of injuring the eyes, or the body via the eyes (acids, caustics, poisons, carcinogens, mutagens, solvents, organic peroxides, boiling water, reactive chemicals, etc.).

 

·                       Occupying or traversing the "splash zone" of someone working with the above chemicals. In CNSM labs, this typically means that one individual handling injurious chemicals in a laboratory necessitates the use of chemical splash goggles by all lab occupants.

 

2.  Safety glasses or prescription type eyeglasses are inadequate protection for all types of chemical eye hazards.  They may never be employed in lieu of proper protective eyewear!   

 

3.  In addition to chemical splash hazards, the eyes must be adequately protected from other hazards as appropriate -- including, but not limited to, flying particles, hazardous light (U.V., laser, electric arc, etc.).

 

4.  Eyewash/deluge shower units are inspected regularly by Plant Operations.  If found to be defective, the unit is clearly marked as OUT OF ORDER.  Hazardous chemicals may not be used in the laboratory when the eyewash is out of service!!

 

ANYONE (students, faculty, service personnel etc.) UNABLE TO COMPLY with the eye protection requirements MAY NOT REMAIN in the laboratory!

 

THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS AT ANY TIME!

attachment:  see other side                              cc:   G. Nagel,  Department Chairs,  Science Instructional Support Technicians

 

 

CHEMICAL SPLASH GOGGLES CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE STUDENT AFFILIATES OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY (SAACS); THEIR TABLE IS SET UP OUTSIDE THE CHEMISTRY ISSUE ROOM.  SEE POSTED NOTE AT THAT SITE INDICATING THEIR VENDING HOURS.  GOGGLES ARE ALSO SOLD IN OUR UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE.