Lab 1033 Safety Plan

Jasper Department of Chemical Engineering

University of Texas at Tyler

Prepared by Shuhao Liu

Safety Contact: Shuhao Liu, 903-566-6332

8/25/2025

(PDF)

 

Table of Contents
Chapter	Title
1	Laboratory locations covered
2	Responsible parties for the laboratory locations covered in this plan
3	Emergency contact information
4	Location of SDSs, Chemical Hygiene Plan, and other laboratory documents
5	Identification of chemical and biological hazards in the laboratory
6	Identification of physical hazards in the laboratory
7	Clean-up procedures in case of a spill
8	Guidance on what to do in case of emergency
9	Specific Notices for Lab 1033

1. Laboratory locations covered

1. Storage	11. Fluidized bed (Lab course)	21. First aid and storage
2. Shower / eyewash	12. Tangent flow filtration	22. Anaerobic reactor (Lab course)
3. Fluidized bed reactor	13. Centrifuge	23. Ion exchange system (Lab course)
4. Secured gas cylinders	14. Microscope	24. Distillation column (Lab course)
5. Gas absorption column (lab course)	15. 3D printer	25. Liquid-liquid extraction (Lab course)
6. Gas Chromograph / Mass Spectrometry	16. Microplate reader	26. Ultralow freezer
7. Batch Reactor	17. ICP-OES	27. Refrigerator
8. PCs	18. HPLC	28. Flammable storage
9. Corrosion Study (Lab course)	19. Gas Chromograph	29. Muffle Furnace
10. Stirred tank reactor (Lab course)	20. Ultrapure water system

TO BE FILLED

2. Responsible parties for the laboratory locations covered in this plan

• Dr. Fernando Resende
• Dr. Shuhao Liu
• Dr. Carla Lacerda
• Dr. Zishu Cao

3. Emergency contact information

University Police 

• Emergency – 911 
• Non-Emergency – 903-566-7300 

Environmental Health and Safety 

• Emergencies (24 hrs/day, 7 days/week) – 903-566-7011 

Facilities

• Poison Control 24/7 – 1-800-222-1222
• Any Time – 903-566-7291

AFTER emergency is reported, contact one of the responsible parties above.

4. Location of SDSs, Chemical Hygiene Plan, and other laboratory documents

Safety Data Sheets	https://uttyler.campusoptics.com/sds
Chemical Inventory	Saved in the Chemical Engineering Shared Folder
Chemical Hygiene Plan	https://www.uttyler.edu/research/office/research-compliance/lab-safety/
Laboratory Safety Manual	https://www.uttyler.edu/research/office/research-compliance/lab-safety/
Waste Pickup Requests	https://uttyler.campusoptics.com/hw/chemical-waste

 

5. Identification of chemical and biological hazards in the laboratory

Hazard	Specific Name	Location	Mitigation	References
Flammability	Acetone, Ethanol, Methanol, Hexane, Propanol, Butanol, Decane, Ethyl Acetate	Flammables cabinet	Use fume hood and PPE; keep away from ignition sources	SDS; spill containment procedures
Acids	Acetic Acid, Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid, Sulfuric Acid	Acid storage locations	Use fume hood and PPE; segregate acids from bases and incompatibles	SDS; chemical compatibility; spill containment procedures
Bases	Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide	Base storage cabinets	Use fume hood and PPE; segregate bases from acids and incompatibles	SDS; chemical compatibility; spill containment procedures
Corrosive	Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfuric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Potassium Hydroxide	Corrosive storage location	Use fume hood and PPE selected by SDS and task	SDS; chemical compatibility; spill containment procedures
Oxidizers	Nitric Acid, Hydrogen Peroxide	Oxidizer/corrosive storage area; segregated from flammables and organic materials	Use fume hood and PPE; keep away from organics, flammables, reducing agents, and incompatible chemicals	SDS; chemical compatibility; spill containment procedures

 

6. Identification of physical hazards in the laboratory

Hazard	Specific Unit	Mitigation	References
Low Temperature	-20 °C cooling circulator	Use appropriate PPE; check tubing and coolant compatibility before operation	User manual
Low Temperature	-80 freezer, lyophilizer	Use appropriate cold-temperature PPE; avoid direct skin contact with cold surfaces/samples	User manual
High Temperature	Hot plates, all reactors, distillation column, heat exchange apparatuses	Use appropriate PPE; verify temperature/pressure limits and emergency shutdown before operation	User manual
Puncture	Needles, broken glass	Use appropriate PPE; dispose of sharps and broken glass in designated containers	User manual
Electrical	All equipment	Use appropriate PPE; inspect cords and grounding; keep liquids away from electrical equipment	User manual
Pressurized systems	Reactors, gas cylinders, distillation/heat exchange systems	Use only after equipment-specific training; verify pressure rating, relief devices, connections, and leak checks	User manual; equipment SOP
Ventilation / fume hood	Chemical fume hood and local exhaust ventilation	Verify hood is operating properly before use; keep sash at appropriate height and do not block airflow	Chemical Hygiene Plan; hood certification label

 

7. Clean-up procedures in case of a spill

To determine whether a spill is simple or complex, you need to know (1) the hazard posed by the spilled chemical and (2) the spill's potential impact. Both these factors are, in large part, determined by the spill's size. The following information will help you determine whether you have a simple spill: 

• the type of chemical(s) spilled, 
• the amount (< 1 L), 
• the hazardous characteristics of the spilled chemical, 
• the location, 
• the proper method for cleaning up the spill, 
• the personal protective equipment available, and 
• the training of the laboratory's personnel. 

Simple spills do not include pyrophoric, highly reactive, unknown, pressurized-gas, large-volume, or high-toxicity releases. For these situations, evacuate the area, close the door if safe to do so, call 911 or UT Tyler Dispatch, and contact EH&S.

For simple spills, emergency responders do not need to be notified. However, you should contact the environmental health and safety office or other responsible person within your facility. Most importantly, before cleaning up a simple spill, be sure that you can do so safely. You must have the right personal protective equipment, including, at a minimum, appropriate eye protection, protective gloves, and a lab coat. Additional protective equipment may be required for spills that present special hazards (such as corrosive or reactive spills or spills that have a splash potential). The following steps should be taken during spill cleanup:

1. Prevent the spread of dusts and vapors.
   • If the substance is volatile or can produce airborne dusts, close the laboratory door and increase ventilation (through fume hoods, for example) to prevent the spread of dusts and vapors to other areas.
2. Neutralize acids and bases, if possible.
   • Spills of most liquid acids or bases, once neutralized, can be mopped up and rinsed down the drain (to the sanitary sewer). However, be careful because the neutralization process is often vigorous, causing splashes and yielding large amounts of heat. Neutralize acids with soda ash or sodium bicarbonate. Bases can be neutralized with citric acid or ascorbic acid. Use pH paper to determine when acid or base spills have been neutralized.  Do not dispose of spill residues down the drain unless the SDS and EH&S guidance specifically allow it.
3. Control the spread of the liquid.
   • Contain the spill with the spill kit materials located under the lab sink. Make a dike around the outside edges of the spill. Use absorbent materials such as vermiculite, cat litter, or spill pillows.
4. Absorb the liquid.
   • Add absorbents to the spill, working from the spill's outer edges toward the center. Absorbent materials, such as cat litter or vermiculite, are relatively inexpensive and work well, although they are messy. Spill pillows are not as messy as other absorbents, but they are more expensive. Note that special absorbents are required for chemicals such as hydrofluoric and concentrated sulfuric acids.
5. Collect and contain the cleanup residues.
   • The neutralized spill residue or the absorbent should be scooped, swept, or otherwise placed into a plastic bucket or other container. For dry powders or liquids absorbed to dryness, double bag the residue using plastic bags. Additional packaging may be required before the wastes can be transported from your laboratory. For spills of powders or solid materials, you may need to add a dust suppressant. Be sure to place descriptive labels on each container.
6. Dispose of the wastes.
   • Keep cleanup materials separate from normal trash. Contact your environmental health and safety officer for guidance in packaging and labeling cleanup residues. Promptly place cleanup wastes in an appropriate hazardous waste receptacle.
7. Decontaminate the area and affected equipment.
   • Ventilating the spill area may be necessary. Open windows or use a fan unless the area is under negative pressure. In some instances, your environmental health and safety officer can test the air to ensure that hazardous vapors are gone. For most spills, conventional cleaning products, applied with a mop or sponge, will provide adequate decontamination. If you have any question about the suitability of a decontaminating agent, seek expert advice. 

8. Guidance on what to do in case of emergency

FIRE EMERGENCY GUIDANCE

• If there is immediate danger to you, leave the laboratory immediately and call 911.
• In this laboratory, a small, incipient fire may require the use of the lab fire extinguisher (see map for location), if you are trained and it is safe to do so. For silane or gas-cylinder fires, follow the SDS and emergency procedures; do not extinguish a leaking gas fire unless the leak can be stopped safely.
• If the building fire alarm sounds, follow emergency shutdown procedures for all running equipment and leave the building through the nearest exit.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY GUIDANCE

• Know the first aid treatment for the potential hazards of your equipment that may cause bodily injury or chemical exposure. For example, some liquids when exposed to the skin should be washed with water and some should not. KNOW THE HAZARDS YOU ARE DEALING WITH BEFORE AN EMERGENCY.
• For minor physical injuries, the first aid kit is located in the sink area cabinet (see map).
• If exposed to liquid chemicals, follow the directions on the SDS. If you experience any acute symptoms, call 911.
• If exposed to vapors, leave the area and go outside for fresh air. If you experience any acute symptoms, call 911.
• If you are uncertain what to do after exposure to a particular substance, call the EH&S emergency number: 903-566-7011 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

SEVERE WEATHER EMERGENCY GUIDANCE

• During severe weather, stop work if safe to do so, secure hazardous materials, and move to the designated shelter area for RBN, such as the basement restrooms or another university-designated shelter location. Avoid laboratories and chemical storage areas during sheltering unless directed otherwise by emergency personnel.

9. Specific Notices for Lab 1033

All personnel in the laboratory areas must be familiar with each instrument operation before use. This includes on-the-job training on each instrument and review of the equipment-specific SOP or user manual. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO USE any lab instrument without proper training and approval by CHEN faculty. PPE must be selected based on the SDS, equipment hazards, and task-specific risk. High-risk work, including work with oxidizers, pressurized systems, pyrophoric/compressed gases, high temperature equipment, or unfamiliar procedures, requires faculty approval before starting.

Acknowledgment and Review

This lab safety plan must be reviewed with laboratory personnel before independent work in RBN 1033. Personnel must complete required university and lab-specific training before using chemicals or equipment.