CCEE Instructional Lab Safety Guidelines

1. Introduction

Safety is of paramount importance in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering (CCCE) Undergraduate Laboratories. This document is a guide to keep participants mindful of laboratory safety and is intended to protect students, equipment and resources belonging to the university. Individuals in a laboratory are expected to behave in a mature manner and follow proper operating procedures as well as instruction from the professor and teaching assistants (TAs). If you have any safety concerns or questions, inform the instructor immediately.

2. Laboratory Dress – Proper Attire Must Be Worn at All Times

In this course, laboratory sessions typically involve working with a variety of materials and equipment that present certain hazards to your person and your personal effects. When attending laboratory sessions, you must wear proper attire bearing this in mind. There are changing rooms in SERC [1036 and 1038] that can be used to change clothes on laboratory days.

A brief guideline is given below to aid in your decision-making process. The instructors and TAs will dismiss persons not following these guidelines from laboratory sessions. Keep in mind that participation is a component of your laboratory grade and dismissal will be reflected in your grade.

• Wear sensible closed-toed shoes/boots with no openings that allow exposed skin and have no raised heel. Open-toed shoes, sandals, or bare feet are not acceptable laboratory attire.
• Wear long, sturdy pants (i.e., denim or canvas) that go beyond the ankle. Shorts and skirts are not acceptable laboratory attire.
• Wear a shirt that covers the stomach and lower back as well as the upper arms (e.g., a t-shirt).
• Do not wear items of clothing, jewelry or rings that may become caught in laboratory equipment.
• Put long hair in a ponytail or contain properly.
• Wear safety glasses meeting ANSI Z87 at all times while in lab spaces or outside performing laboratory activities. Wear the provided ear plugs (when needed), as directed (NRR ³25dB).
• Wear gloves, dust masks (when needed) and other appropriate clothing depending on the nature of activities for that particular laboratory.

3. Laboratory Testing Procedures

Do not operate any laboratory equipment unless authorized by the TA and/or the instructor. Instruction for the equipment used in the laboratory sessions will be given by the TAs and/or the instructor. The standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all equipment are located at the safety station in each laboratory. If there are any doubts or questions as to how to properly operate a piece of laboratory equipment, please ask the TAs or instructor for proper guidance.

4. Laboratory Conduct

You are expected to conduct yourself in a mature manner and to follow basic rules of conduct while in laboratory. These basic rules will be followed:

• Never operate any unfamiliar equipment without proper training and approval from the instructor or TAs.
• Check all wiring and electrical connections and assure that cables are clean and properly attached to appropriate equipment.
• Electrical cables should not lie in water or oil, dangle in the sink, obstruct walkways, or be cut.
• When operating large equipment (e.g., compression testing machines, concrete mixer, etc.), ensure that at least two people are present at all times.
• Keep fingers clear of large machinery, particularly moving parts on concrete mixers, mechanical sieve shakers and compression testing machines.
• Clean up after performing the laboratory activity. Cleaning up is an essential part of proper use of a laboratory and will ensure that the next laboratory section receives equipment in good, clean condition.
• Place all equipment and tools in the proper storage areas after use.
• No smoking, vaping, food or beverages are allowed in the laboratory.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Conduct yourself in a professional manner at all times.

5. Incidents

• In the event of a life-threatening injury or fire, call 911 or The University of Alabama Police at 205-348-5454.
• If a personal accident happens and someone is hurt, seek help immediately and inform the instructor or TAs promptly for reporting purposes (https://riskmanagement.ua.edu).
• First aid kits are available in all CCEE instructional labs.
• Fire extinguishers are located in the hallways outside of all CCEE instructional labs.
• If equipment is damaged or you break something during lab, please inform the instructor or TAs. This will ensure that a repair or replacement is made quickly.

6. Additional Information

You must complete the safety training curriculum required for your lab through your course Blackboard site. Lab specific training is also required for each course. You can find information about any material you may be required to work with in each laboratory safety station binder and online at this MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) website: chemicalsafety.com/sds-search

If you need immediate assistance, contact the College of Engineering at 205-348-2228. Contact Engineering Support (support@eng.ua.edu) if you have any questions or concerns.