User Advisory

Advisory Title:	ALS Chemistry Laboratory: Facilities and Safety Requirements
Advisory Number:	11/Rev. 4
Issue Date:	January 1, 2005
Review Date:	Note: The advisory procedure and all ALS user advisories are undergoing a complete review that will not be completed until early 2008. Until that time, all current advisories and procedures remain in effect.
Current Info:	This Advisory is valid for two years from Issue or Review Date(s), at which time it is reviewed for relevancy and accuracy. Copies of all current user advisories are available at the ALS User Services Office, (510) 486-7745.

Overview

The purpose of this advisory is to orient ALS users to the facilities and safety rules of the Chemistry Laboratory in Building 10, Room 102. When you have read this advisory, please contact Georgeanna Perdue (ext. 7407) to be added to the list of experimenters permitted to use the laboratory.

The information given here should not be considered comprehensive; users must also follow rules for chemical hygiene and safety given in the ALS Safety Handbook (PUB-745), the Laboratory's Health and Safety Manual PUB-3000, and the Laboratory's Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan (PUB-5341). Specialized safety training is required for users who will be doing procedures that result in the creation of hazardous wastes.

Access

A valid ALS proximity (key) card with specific coding for access to the Chemistry Laboratory is required to enter Room 102. Contact Georgeanna Perdue (ext. 7407) to have your key card updated for laboratory access.

Equipment Available

Fume hood-Users wishing to leave equipment unattended in the fume hood should contact the Beamline Coordination Section Leader (ext. 5527).
Cabinets for flammable materials and acids (below fume hood). Additional storage cabinets for liquids are available across the hall in Room 104.
Refrigerator for flammable materials
Deionized high-purity water system
5.7-liter ultrasonic cleaner (useful for cleaning small UHV parts); see page 3.
Mettler balance
Spot welder
Eyewash and shower
Vacuum oven (200 °C)

Safety Rules

All of the usual precautions for work with chemicals apply in the ALS Chemistry Laboratory. Some additional rules are necessary because it is a multi-user laboratory. Keep in mind that, while your own work may not require a given precaution, other users' work may involve hazards not obvious to you.

Personal Safety

Do not eat or drink in the laboratory.
Wear eye protection at all times-other users' work may require it, even if yours does not. Safety glasses are available outside the laboratory door.
As a safety precaution, it is recommended that another person be present in the laboratory if you are performing procedures in which hazardous conditions may occur.

Labeling

Label all equipment that you are responsible for with your name and a phone number at which you can be reached.

Label and date all chemicals that are not in their original containers, giving the names of the chemicals and their physical and health hazards. Preprinted labels for some common chemicals can be found in the laboratory. Blank labels are available for all other chemicals.

A binder containing the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDSs) of some of the most commonly used chemicals is in the laboratory. MSDSs for chemicals not listed in this book can be found on the Berkeley Lab Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan Web pages at http://www-ehs.lbl.gov/html/chemical_safety.htm

Hazardous Materials

When working with hazardous chemicals, use the smallest quantity necessary for your experiment. Transport only the amount you need to the ALS experiment floor.

The Chemistry Laboratory is not equipped for the handling of radioactive materials. If your experiment involves the use of radioisotopes, special arrangements must be made in advance by contacting Georgeanna Perdue (ext. 7407).

Chemical Spills

All spills must be assessed for potential hazards and managed appropriately.

If a spill is considered small and you are familiar with the hazard and have the proper protective equipment, you may clean it up using the spill kits in the laboratory.
If a spill poses a hazard to personnel, equipment, or the environment, call ext. 7911. Do not attempt to clean up a hazardous spill yourself. Warn others of the hazard and isolate the area to prevent anyone from entering. Any spill that results in the creation of hazardous waste (including the absorbent from the spill kit) must be reported to Georgeanna Perdue (ext. 7407) or the Beamline Coordination Section Leader (ext. 5527).

Keep the Chemistry Laboratory clean. Ensure that all glassware and surfaces you have used are clean before you leave the laboratory.

Hazardous Wastes

Any chemical waste that has flammable, corrosive, reactive, explosive, or toxic properties is considered hazardous and must be disposed of properly. Hazardous wastes may not be poured down the drain or put directly into the garbage.

Users generating small or occasional amounts of hazardous waste should contact a Beamline Coordinator (ext. 7908) for help with waste disposal. Users creating significant or recurring amounts of hazardous waste are required to take "Training for Hazardous Waste Generators" (EH&S-601). This course consists of a 30-minute video and a brief test. Contact Georgeanna Perdue (ext. 7407) for more information.

UHV Parts Cleaning

The Chemistry Laboratory is the recommended site for cleaning small UHV parts. A biodegradable cleaning solution (MICRO) and an ultrasonic cleaner are available. Do not place UHV parts and cleaning solution directly into the ultrasound tank; put the parts in a beaker with the cleaning solution and, using the trays provided, suspend the beaker in the ultrasound tank. Do not put any flammable liquids directly into the ultrasound tank.

Approved by	Signed
Georgeanna Perdue, ALS EH&S Program Manager	02/11/2005
Ben Feinberg, Division Deputy for Operations	02/11/2005