Listed below are the rules and regulations that govern the ALL users of the NJIT Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratories. EVERYONE using the Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratories MUST follow these safety rules. Your privilege of using the laboratories may be revoked for the violation of these safely rules. All students and staff using the Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratories are required to read and understand these regulations, and sign a copy of these regulations, before using the laboratories. This is to be held by the Assistant Director or Director of the Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratory.

All students and staff using these facilities are required to be familiar with NJIT's "Health-Safety Manual of Chemical Hazards" as well as the American Chemical Society's laboratory safety manual prior to working in the laboratories. Copies of these and other laboratory safety manuals are available for in-laboratory use, in the office of the Assistant Director of the Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratory.

If you encounter situations where you feel that a change in these regulations is appropriate, please immediately bring your suggestions to the attention of the Director of the Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratory.

GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY REGULATIONS

1) Do not eat, drink, or smoke in the laboratory.

2) Everyone working in the laboratory is responsible for reading and observing all NJIT regulations and other rules governing the disposal of waste materials in the laboratory, general laboratory safety, and the use of special items such as radioactive materials.

3) If you spill anything, water, chemical, etc., on the floor or benches, clean it up immediately employing the proper cleaning methods and equipment as outlined in the American Chemical Society's laboratory safety manual.

4) Protective eye wear and clothing (including proper footwear) must be worn at all times while working in the laboratory.

5) Many geoenvironmental samples contain pathogens, organisms which cause such diseases in man, such as typhoid, cholera, amebic, dysentary, and hepatitis. The potential for the presence of such organisms is particularly great in samples of domestic wastewater's, wastewater sludges, certain surface waters and sediments. In handling all geoenvironmental samples, be certain to take the precautions necessary to protect yourself, as well as others using the laboratories, against possible infection. Understand the etiology (source) and mode of transmission of disease causing organisms in your samples, the American Pubic Health Association book, Control of Communicable Diseases in Man, is a useful source of information on this topic.

Be certain that you are familiar with proper technique in handling your sample - even if you are not doing microbiological work. Learn what disinfectants are effective against the organisms of viruses expected in the sample. Then, properly disinfect all areas of probable contact or contamination by the sample. Conduct all work in which aerosols are produced, in the fume hood so as not to spread the associated organisms in the laboratory. Keep hands away from all mucus membranes (mouth, nose, eyes, etc.) until proper disinfection (washing with a disinfecting soap and water) can be performed. If gloves or other PPE (Personal protective equipment) is employed, make sure that it is either disinfected with a proper disinfecting agent or disposed of in a proper manner. Properly disinfect glassware that has come in contact with the sample or dilutions of the sample. The discussion in Part V, Section C - Laboratory and Field Safety in US EPA, Micro Biological Methods for Monitoring the Environment - Water and Wastes, (EPA-600/8-78-017) is a good source of general information on this topic. The Safety Check List for Microbiological Water Laboratories found on page 272 - 275 of this document should be followed. A copy of this document is in the office of the Assistant Director in the laboratory.

6) Clean your area of the laboratory completely at least once each month, throwing away old solutions and sponging down bench tops, shelves, drawers, etc., It is important that everyone make an effort to see that the equipment he/she is using, such as balances, spectrophotometers, etc. is in good working order and clean when he/she finishes using it. DO NOT assume that because someone else had left the area a mess that when you found it that you can leave it a mess as well. Anyone who leaves equipment or work areas a mess is subject to dismissal from the lab all lab privileges revoked.

7) Do not leave dirty glassware on benches, in sinks, etc. Each laboratory user is responsible for cleaning up his/her own glassware in a timely manner, and putting the same away in the proper location after drying.

8) If you put glassware in the drying oven, sign the input list, identifying those pieces of glassware that are yours. Do not leave glassware in the drying oven longer that absolutely necessary. Any glassware left in the drying oven for more than two hours will be subject to removal.

9) When you are finished for the day, wipe down your work area and cover any instruments you have been using.

10) Paper toweling does not provide adequate protection of bench tops from acids and caustic materials. Do not put acid bottles directly on benches or on paper covered benches. Plastic bench covers or appropriate protective materials should be placed on bench tops before the start of the experiment.

11) All work with concentrated acids or other materials with harmful fumes should be performed under a properly working fume hood with the fume hood door in the down position to prevent the occurrence of an accident or persons to be harmed.

12) Do not store solutions in volumetric flasks. Transfer all solutions that are to be kept, into a proper reagent storage bottle.

13) Do not put highly alkaline solutions, such as hydroxide or carbonate, in glass bottles. Such solutions should not be used with any container or apparatus that has a ground glass stopper or joint because these solutions cause the joint to freeze.

14) Do not use low actenic (red) bottles or brown bottles for storage of miscellaneous solutions. These containers should be reserved for those solutions requiring the special properties of these types of glass.

15) Do not use plastic, numbered bottles for any purpose other than sample collection and sample storage.

16) Do not mark on the plastic, numbered bottles. If any additional labeling is necessary for special applications, such notations should be made on removable labeling tape (masking tape or other tape that is not removable, is not acceptable).

17) Be especially careful with special glassware and glass apparatus (such as graduated cylinders and pipettes). All equipment damaged or broken will be replaced at the expense of the user.

18) When using general laboratory glassware, do not assume that it has been cleaned in a manner that is suitable for your use.

19) Place your name on every item that you put in a cold room, refrigerator, freezer, oven, furnace, etc. Log in all samples, solutions, etc., on the sheet provided by the instrument you are putting your equipment in. Every sample bottle or other container must be readily identifiable and traceable back to the person who placed it there. Do not leave items in the storage areas longer that necessary.

20) All gas cylinders must be clamped to a table or wall. When empty, they should be marked "empty" and returned immediately.

21) Do not leave items on the floor unless absolutely necessary. If so, place these items against a wall or in a place where an individual is least likely to trip over them.

22) Do not use a vacuum pump unless it has a suitable trap in the vacuum line.

23) Use old (rather than new) tygon tubing if it is available and acceptable for your use. If possible, use the less expensive rubber tubing. Use the heavy, vacuum line with the vacuum pump only.

24) Do not use chemicals that belong to another research project or the department without prior permission of the student or staff member responsible for the project. You cannot assume that any chemicals that you borrow from another person is not contaminated for your purposes. Be careful not to contaminate any chemicals that you use. To avoid contamination problems, never dip directly into a bottle of chemical or pipet directly out of a stock solution of reagent. Always transfer a suitable amount to another container and do your precise measurement from that aliquot; discard the unused portion on a proper manner for the chemical - DO NOT REUTRN IT TO ORIGINAL CONTAINER. Keep the cover on the bottles of reagents and solutions at all times except when actually transferring chemical from the bottle. Parafilm is not meant to be a permanent covering material; find an appropriate cover for the containers being used.

25) Each research assistant, employee, or other individual doing work in the laboratory is to maintain his/her own supply of beakers, common apparatus, glassware, chemicals, etc. for the project or exercise. Do not borrow items from your fellow students or staff without permission; return them promptly.

26) The distilled water system in the laboratory is prone to problems which results in impure water being produced. The conductivity of the water is monitored and recorded by the Assistant Director. Before you use the distilled water, you should check it to determine if it meets the quality requirements for your particular use. Never assume that it is of adequate quality.

27) Be certain that you do not deplete the supply of distilled water. When the reservoir is reduced to about 1/4 of the total capacity, see to it that the system is started again to fill the reservoir. If you are unfamiliar with the operation of the still or other water treatment system, ask the Assistant Director to demonstrate the systems to you so you can understand and become familiar with how to operate them. Do not leave the still running unattended.

28) When placing an order for laboratory items, be certain that the correct item is being requested. Vendors frequently charge penalties for items that are returned because of errors in ordering.

29) Do not use your mouth to pipet any solutions or water. Always use an aspirator bulb.

30) All electrical equipment must be grounded. Avoid the use of electrical equipment while you are standing on a wet floor. If the use of an extension cord is unavoidable, be certain that use one with the proper voltage and amperage rating, that is properly grounded, and that it is secure and out of the way (e.g., not lying through a sink or on a hot plate, etc.).

31) Never connect a gas cylinder regulator that has been used for any gas other than O2 , to an O2 cylinder. Do not purchase gas cylinder valve adapters which could be used to fit an oil-pumped gas regulator, such as the regulator for nitrogen or air cylinders, to a cylinder of explosive or oxidizing gas such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, or hydrogen . Adapters of this type are not allowed in the Geoenvironmental Engineering Laboratory.

32) Anything poured down the sink should be accompanied by adequate volumes of water from the sink. All laboratory users MUST follow the NJIT procedures for the disposal of solid and liquid wastes. These are outlined in the August 27, 1984 memorandum from the Department Safety Committee which is posted in the laboratory. If you have any questions about the proper disposal of a particular material, consult the Assistant Director.

33) Report all accidents in writing as soon as possible to the Civil and Environmental Engineering office.

34) Behavior judged to be inappropriate by anyone in charge of laboratory supervision is grounds for dismissal from the laboratory.

35). Necessary paperwork such as filling in forms, log books, signup sheets, as directed by the Director and/or the Assistant Director of the Laboratory has to be taken care of.

1) Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, fire blanket, safety shower, and eye wash.

2) When you use a chemical, become familiar with its hazards, toxicity and antidote. BE CERTAIN that the antidote is readily available. For toxicity information, consult Elkins', The Chemistry of Industrial Toxicology, the Chemical Rubber Company's (CRC), Handbook of Laboratory Safety, the ACS Laboratory Safety Handbook, or Cristensen's, Toxic Substances published by HEW.

3) If you are using radioactive compounds:

a) Read and follow all pertinent NJIT Regulations

b) Wear film badges

c) Do not pipet any radioactive solution by mouth

d) Keep a record of the amount of radioactive material disposed of.

4) If you are working with exceptionally hazardous materials (e.g., parathion), be certain that someone else is in the area and that he/she knows what to do in an emergency. Do not work alone, at night, or on weekends with this type of chemical.

5) Leave laboratory hoods on at all times to provide ventilation in the laboratory.

6) Avoid skin contact and breathing the fumes from organic solvents. Many organic solvents are more toxic than the MSDS tells us.

7) Mercury metal should only be used in a well-ventilated area. Its vapor pressure is such that it can easily exceed maximum permissible concentration. If you are using mercury, have readily available a mercury spill clean-up kit or be ready to spread sulfur on all areas contaminated with a mercury spill.

8) When distilling explosive mixtures, or compounds at reduced pressure, use the safety shield in the down position.

9) Be especially careful when using perchloric acid, chlorine gas, and ethers. Boiling mixtures of concentrated perchloric acids and traces of organic matter can lead to violent explosions. Chlorine is especially poisonous. Check all ethers for peroxides, as peroxides cause ethers to explode spontaneously or ignite.

INSTRUMENTATION

1) In order to avoid conflict on the use of an instrument, a sign-up notebook is provided for each instrument. Please sign up several days in advance for the particular instrument you wish to use. Priority for use is given to those students who have signed up first. Include your time reservation, all time needed for instrument preparation, warm-up, time to run the experiment and clean-up after the experiment has concluded. Maintenance charges will be shared in proportion to the use made of the equipment.

2) Instruments can be damaged by improper use. Do not use an instrument unless you have read and understand the instruction manual thoroughly. These manuals can be found in the laboratory office. If possible, have a student who is familiar with the use of the instrument, or ask the Assistant Director to demonstrate its use to you after you have read the manual. You will need to make arrangements in advance for having the Assistant Director provide a demonstration. The user will be charged for damage to the instruments.

3) If you are responsible for adding a new piece of equipment to the laboratory, you should prepare a maintenance schedule for it according to its instruction manual. This schedule should set the frequency of such operations as oiling motors, replacing batteries, cleaning, etc. A maintenance card is to be prepared from this list and provided to the Assistant Laboratory Director. As long as there is a Assistant Director, he/she will take charge of having the required maintenance performed. Otherwise, it is the users' responsibility and the maintenance card and instructions should be left at the instrument. In addition, the student or staff member using the instrument should compile a list of items that should be on hand for emergency repairs or that tend to go out. Items such as extra fuses, batteries, gaskets, electrodes, lamps, bulbs and belts should be on hand; as one is used, another should be ordered immediately.

4) If the apparatus requires the use of running water, and the water must be left running, the user will be responsible for any damage that may be incurred because of water leakage. Leave the name and telephone number of an individual who may be contacted in the event of problems with the functioning of the apparatus when it is left unattended.

5) After using an instrument, be sure to clean up both the instrument and the area around the instrument. Do not leave any glassware or other items on the bench around the instrument. The user is responsible for the cleaning of any and all glassware, etc. that he/she uses, and putting away of all aforementioned equipment in its proper location. Always be certain to turn off the instrument and/or apparatus before leaving at night.

6) Any instrument malfunction should be reported immediately to either the Assistant Director or the Director.

7) Some equipment in the laboratory has been designated as dedicated equipment. These equipment are to be operated by designated technicians only. Student, using these equipment, must contact the director of the laboratory for obtaining the policy for use of this equipment.

8) A policy has been developed for making financial arrangements for using equipment has been developed. All users should adhere to this policy. The document containing this policy is available with the Director and the Assistant Director of the Laboratory.

Student Name : ___________________________________________________________

Course/research_______________ Date_____________

Advisor _______________

I have received a copy of these laboratory rules, have read them, and understand them. I understand that my failure to follow these rules can result in my permanent dismissal from the laboratory.

Signed:

Date:

Lab Official: