Prohibitions
No Food or Drink
When hazardous materials are being handled in the lab, food and drink consumption is prohibited.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses must be worn at all times due to the presence of hazardous materials such as epoxy resins, hardeners, or any other form of chemicals. as well as for protection from flying objects and potential injury.
N95 Mask or Equivalent
An N95 mask or equivalent respiratory protection must be worn while handling hazardous materials such as epoxy resins, hardeners, or any other form of chemicals. This will also be strongly enforced during sanding or cutting of composite laminates as these present respiratory hazards.
Protective Gloves
Nitrile protective gloves must be worn while handling hazardous materials such as epoxy resins, hardeners, or any other form of chemicals.
Lab Coats
In order to protect yourself from hazards related to composites, it will be required to wear proper long sleeve shirts and pants as well as provided lab coats.
Closed Toe Shoes & Pants
Closed toe shoes and long pants must be worn at all times.
Secure Gas Cylinders
All gas cylinders must be installed in a machine, chained to a trolley, or chained to a wall to prevent crush, explosion, or gas release.
Fume Extraction and/or Dust Management Equipment Must be Used
Use of fume extraction equipment is required, refer to SOPs for details.
Hazards
Hot Surfaces
Hot surfaces are present in the lab. This is namely due to the presence of oven cured parts and aluminum sheets.
Poisonous Substances
Many chemicals used in the space are toxic and present a health hazard.
Many chemicals and materials used in the space can cause skin and eye irritation. These are generally due to the nature of chemical reactions as well as dust particles caused by cutting and sanding of reinforcements or matrixes.
Entanglement & Pinching
Rotating machinery in the lab may present entanglement and pinching hazards during operation. This includes operation of power tools.
Combustible & Flammable Materials
Many of the materials frequently utilized in the space present flammability hazards. These include but are not limited to Polyester Resins, Gel Coats, Acetone, Styrene, Styrene Wax and PVA. This is because they have a flash point below 100°F.
Oxidizers
These chemicals, even though they are not frequent, are still present in the lab, namely in the form of MEKP, used with polyester and vinyl ester resins and gel coats. These chemicals facilitate burning or make fires burn hotter and longer and are therefore difficult to extinguish.
Sharp Objects & Cutting Implements
Rotating machinery has a lot of very fine and sharp blades. This hazard is very common during post processing of composite materials with the Foredom or other hand powered tools. Sharp hand tools also carry this hazard.
Respiratory Hazard
The presence of chemicals and chemical reactions, with rapid cutting of fine fibers create a respiratory hazard. Fine particles and fumes are common at every step of the process and must be carefully considered.
Corrosive Substances
Many of the chemicals and materials used in the lab present this danger. This is due to the nature of most catalysts that are meant to engage a chemical reaction.
Overhead Load
Usage of the crane lift presents overhead load hazards.
High Voltage
The high voltage electronics table may present high voltage hazards when in use.
Hazardous Fumes
Welding uses and creates hazardous fumes. Make sure fume hood is in place before beginning to weld.
Pressurized Cylinders
Many of the operations in Hot Works require various gasses in pressurized cylinders.
Link to Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
- This SDS repository may not contain all datasheets, if you identify a missing SDS please alert the lab employees or Center staff
- These datasheets are created by other parties and provided in good faith. We are not responsible for their accuracy
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