November 2020

November 2020

Take Steps to Minimize Lab Fires

1. Minimize volumes of materials
   1. Work with the smallest quantity possible to reduce the fire size if one does occur
   2. If a larger scale is necessary, confirm with the Principal Investigator (PI) that is appropriate and safe to do so
2. Be familiar with chemical hazards and procedures
   1. Review Safety Data Sheet of each reagent
   2. Use approved laboratory procedure(s) if available
   3. Review and get new procedure approved by PI before beginning
3. Train and have a contingency plan in place
   1. A contingency plan is a document that lays out the steps laboratory personnel should take in the wake of an emergency, such as a chemical release, fire or explosion. New students and staff must train on this plan before starting work in the lab, and all laboratory personnel should refresh on it at least annually. If you would like assistance creating a contingency plan, please contact the EHS Hazardous Materials Management department at (765) 494-0121
   2. Be prepared to call 911 in the event of a fire to immediately alert Purdue Fire and Police departments that help is needed. Never attempt to fight a fire unless trained to do so. 

Chemical Laboratory Safety Committee

The Purdue University Chemical Laboratory Safety Committee (CLSC) consists of faculty, staff and students in order to provide a balanced safety perspective. The CLSC promotes safe and proper chemical management, reviews chemical safety policies for research laboratories and approves changes to the Purdue Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP). If you have questions about CLSC or are interested in joining, please contact Eric Butt, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, at embutt@purdue.edu.

Hazardous Waste Disposal Guidelines EHSinder

It is critical to dispose of hazardous waste appropriately. Everyone has a role to play in avoiding dangerous laboratory situations, protecting our environment and maintaining compliant on campus. In order to do so, Purdue maintains . These guidelines are straightforward and informative. Researchers should become familiar with them in order to safely and compliantly manage hazardous waste in their labs. 

HAZMAT Shipping EHSinder

The Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department must handle all hazardous material (HAZMAT) shipments. Proper HAZMAT shipping helps to avoid injury and accidents during transport. HAZMAT includes, but is not limited to, dry ice, chemical samples, biological samples and rechargeable batteries. If you are unsure if your shipment qualifies as HAZMAT, please call EHS Hazardous Materials Management at (765) 494-0121 or email hazmatshipping@purdue.edu. EHS’s process is user-friendly and provides quick service, usually within one day.

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