msepostdoc-list MSE Safety & Equipment Newsletter for April/May 2022

[Erk, Kendra A]

To view this newsletter as a PDF, visit https://engineering.purdue.edu/Intranet/Groups/Schools/MSE/Facilities/SafetyNewsletters/April-May-2022.pdf/April-May-2022.pdf

MSE Safety & Equipment Newsletter for April/May 2022

**** Important Upcoming Dates ****

  *   May 2: National Eye-Wash Flushing Day; if your lab space contains an eye wash unit, please observe this important holiday.
  *   May 6: Last day that un-paid student researchers can work in MSE lab spaces, including MSE 499 and MSE Senior Design students.

**** Annual Indemnification Process Update ****
Thank you to everyone who participated in our annual Integrated Safety Plan lab certification with REM, including researchers who completed the self-audit checklist<https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/rem/documents/forms/ispcheck.pdf> and those who helped fix/abate any items of concern.

  *   ARMS & MSEE: During their combined review, REM identified 71 items of concern (issues identified in the self-audits or questions REM had for MSE) and 6 safety deficiencies (safety issues observed in a lab space), all of which were abated by MSE personnel. As a result, the physical spaces maintained by MSE are now recertified until April 2023.
  *   IMI: During their review, REM identified 0 items of concern and 10 safety deficiencies which are currently being addressed by IMI's safety committee.
  *   Kepner: Kepner has turned in their self-audits to REM and is waiting on the mechanical engineering personnel to turn in their self-audits. REM will begin inspecting the building in May/June.
  *   Do you work in another lab space? Check the ISP status of your lab at: https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/rem/isp/ispprograms.html

**** PPE Reminder ****
There has been a recent rise in MSE personnel wearing improper attire while working in our lab spaces. As a reminder, the PPE<https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/rem/laboratory/Personal/PPE/ppe_index%20.html> required for each lab space is listed on the Hazard Assessment door posting. Required lab attire typically includes the following:

  1.  Safety glasses
  2.  Closed-toed shoes
  3.  Long pants
  4.  Hair tied back
  5.  No loose clothing or jewelry
  6.  Lab coat (if working in a CHP lab)
Additional task-specific PPE may also be required (e.g., heat-resistant silver suits when casting molten metal, thick gloves when handling liquid nitrogen). And please remember that eating & drinking in the lab spaces is not permitted (and unsanitary - yuck).

**** Summer Activities ****
Safety isn't something we worry about during the academic year... MSE lab spaces are actively used during the summer months, by our graduate students and postdoc researchers as well as individuals from one of Purdue's many summer research programs like SURF, DURI, SROP, etc. MSE lab courses also take place every summer, including MSE 235 and MSE 367. So when you encounter a new user in the lab space where you most frequently work, please introduce yourself and see if the individual has any questions, etc. While safety is - first and foremost - a personal responsibility, we can all help each other and work together to share best lab practices and improve the school's safety culture. And please, email mse-safety at purdue.edu<mailto:mse-safety at purdue.edu> anytime with questions or concerns.

**** Safety Best Practice: Don't "Sink-It"! ****
Many researchers will often wonder, "what is safe to dispose of down the drain?" The short answer is: Nothing. The long answer is: Any liquid that you intentionally make in lab or that is created as part of your laboratory activities should be disposed of following REM's Hazardous Waste Disposal procedures<https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/rem/waste/hazwaste.html>. This includes liquids that are obviously hazardous, like strong acids and bases and suspensions containing nanoparticles, as well as non-hazardous liquids, like buffers, alcohols, and oil/water emulsions. The reason for this is that Purdue's United States Environmental Protection Agency permit for managing lab waste on campus requires that all waste be collected from labs regardless of the actual chemical content. When you are ready to submit your waste to REM for pick-up, here is the link<https://purdue.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eILaSqsoqODWxOl?_ga=2.56459757.732961866.1633541078-1670550762.1627015591> to the online survey.

**** Equipment Reporting Reminder ****
If you encounter a piece of broken equipment, or have any questions about a specific piece of equipment, you should contact a member of the MSE Technical Staff:

  *   For sample prep (i.e., saws, grinding wheels) equipment: Tim VanMeter<mailto:tcvanmet at purdue.edu>
  *   For mechanical testing equipment and general use equipment checklist suggestions: Jenni Fifer<mailto:fiferj at purdue.edu>
  *   For characterization equipment and iLab: Talukder Alam<mailto:alam18 at purdue.edu>

**** Important Links and Contact Information ****

  *   Protect Purdue<https://protect.purdue.edu/>: COVID-19 resources and reporting
  *   IN Dept. of Health COVID-19 Resources and Stats<https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/>
  *   For general safety questions, concerns, and lab access issues: mse-safety at purdue.edu<mailto:mse-safety at purdue.edu> or speak directly to MSE Safety Officer Jenni Fifer<mailto:fiferj at purdue.edu> (ARMS 2207)
  *   For iLab equipment training and issues: Talukder Alam<mailto:alam18 at purdue.edu> (ARMS 2207)
  *   Equipment/Safety/Consumables Reporting Form<https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7QcGyO9IVMwWRPD?_ga=2.245543812.1817797620.1567020868-632661468.1565031036>
  *   Purdue REM Researcher's Guide<https://www.purdue.edu/ehps/rem/laboratory/researchers.html#cs2>
  *   REM Waste Pick-Up Survey<https://purdue.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eILaSqsoqODWxOl?_ga=2.56459757.732961866.1633541078-1670550762.1627015591>
  *   ARMS general safety information<https://engineering.purdue.edu/Intranet/Groups/Facilities/ArmstrongHall>
  *   Purdue Police Non-Emergency: (765) 494-8221
  *   Purdue Fire Non-Emergency: (765) 494-6919
  *   Purdue REM Non-Emergency: (765) 494-6371
  *   For all emergencies, dial 911.

Thanks for reading everyone!
Good luck on your Final Exams next week!
And congratulations to all who are graduating this spring!

Prof. Erk and the MSE Safety Committee




Kendra A. Erk
Associate Professor of Materials Engineering
Purdue University
soft-material-mechanics.squarespace.com
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