Safety Flashcards
The majority of centrifuge-related failures are due to what type of problem?
User error
What are the most common user errors when using a centrifuge?
Failure to secure the rotor to the drive, to put the lid on top of the rotor, and to secure the lid
Why is it important to use the correct rotors and containers in a centrifuge?
Effectiveness and safety
What should you do before you insert the rotor?
Drive spindle is clean and bowl should be dry
What can eventually cause any rotor to fail?
Corrosion and fatigue of the material
Why is balancing samples in the rotor so important?
Imbalance could cause breakage of samples and damage to centrifuge
What problems should you look for during regular visual inspects of a rotor?
Rough spots, pitting, discoloration, white power deposits
Why should centrifuge containers/tubes not be overfilled?
Centrifugal force will bring the samples to overflow
Why is it important to keep careful logs of rotor usage?
- To determine the age of the rotor
- Gives idea of lifetime of rotor
- Determines when it is time to replace it
What is a good source of information concerning a chemicals safety hazards?
Material safety data sheet (MSDS)
What three items should always be worn when working with hazardous chemicals?
Lab coat, gloves, safety glasses
Why might putting a warm jar or bottle on a cold surface be hazardous?
Glass could crack and could allow fluid to escape
Why is a secondary container useful?
In case the primary container cracks, no spills will occur
Why is it useful to perform a “dry run” of a protocol using hazardous chemicals?
To identify possible hazards
How can you reduce risks inherent with using large stock containers?
By preparing several small stock tubes
Can all solid and liquid chemicals be stored together?
No
What are properties of essentially all organic liquids?
Combustible
Flammable
What are compatibility tables used for?
To see if one chemical is compatible to store safely with what other chemicals
Why is it a good idea to store liquids on lower shelves and cabinets?
In case of a spill, they are below eye level and will not drip on other shelves
What is the most important reason for proper chemical storage?
- to lessen the risk of fire
- to prevent accidental mixing in emergencies
- to minimize exposure to corrosive and toxic chemicals
- to provide for effective management of chemicals
Why should oxidizers be stored separately?
They are highly reactive
What are properties of most oxidizing acids that require consideration in their storage?
Corrosive
Highly reactive
On what type(s) of fire is an ABC or dry chemical fire extinguisher properly used?
On all three classes
A - paper wood
B - chemicals
C - electrical fire
How do you handle a biological spill?
1 to 10 dilution of bleach for 20 mins
Spray with detergent disinfectant and wipe with alcohol
How do you take care of a spill of an airborne pathogen?
- hold breath and exit room
- remove protective clothing in other room
- call for professional to clean it
- put sign on door to warn others
How do you handle a radiation spill?
- personal safety
- radioactive waste goes in proper container
- solution containing high phosphate concentration aides clean up
- identify spill area
- process repeated until there is no detection of radiation
What immediate action should lab personnel take after a major spill?
- attend to injured person and remove them
- call emergency number
- alert others
- assist personnel to clean up spill
- avoid tracking spill
If there is a major fire in the lab, what actions should be taken by any and all lab personnel?
Inform coworkers Pull fire alarm Take stairs Evacuate to safe area Attend to injured person Close doors
How do you clean up a chemical spill?
- washing with detergents
- chemical spill clean up kit should be used. Contains absorbance pads, reactants, and instructions
- label the disposal bag
- seal disposal bag
- call for experienced personnel
How do you deal with solvent fires (on a person) in the lab?
Smothering (stop, drop, and roll)
Don’t touch with hands
What is meant by “being your brothers keeper” in a safe lab setting?
Pay attention to others. Advise them of possible errors
What is done when you or someone else is injured?
Tell personnel
Immediate rinsing
Removal of clothing
Careful finding and vigorous with soap
What is the risk of HBV infection for lab workers relative to the general population?
2 to 7 times as high
What are the hazards of using acrylamide (used in making electrophoretic gels)?
All are hazards
- neurological effects
- carcinogenic potential
- potential reproductive and developmental effects
- rapidly absorbed through skin
- easily spread with air current
What is the most effective practice in using protective gloves?
Changing gloves when contaminated
Phenol poisoning can occur through which routes of exposure?
Inhalation
Through skin absorption
When working with hazardous powders, what are the main risks? How can the risks be minimized?
Measuring and mixing are high risk procedures
Working under the hood can reduce the risk
Why are fume hoods potentially hazardous?
An air disturbance can cause the vapor to escape
What are some good lab practices to reduce safety hazards, especially if using human blood?
- washing hands thoroughly
- dispose all contaminated material appropriately
- decontaminating before washing
- disposing of sharps
How can simply heating a closed bottle or jar in a microwave be hazardous?
The jar could explode, blowing the microwave door off
When are wearing safety glasses, goggles and face shields appropriate?
Safety glasses when you work with small quantities
Goggles when you work with quantities of more than 1 liter
Face shield is for working with very large quantities
What should be the first action in response to a phenol spill or splash on the skin?
Flush with water
Which lab accidents involving blood-borne pathogens can cause infections?
Needle puncture
Splash in the eye
Why should wearing a lab coat be a standard safety precaution?
Because it prevents spills from reaching the skin
At 100 V, what current level is sufficient to deliver a lethal shock?
25 mA
How might failure to report a spill or contamination be detrimental to others?
Bad for work environment
Bad for trust between workers
Puts everyone at risk
Which of these common procedures of using ethidium bromide offer a significant exposure hazard?
Preparation of stock solution and the use in CsCl gradients
