Lab Safety

Below are the safety regulations and procedures for the Mechanical Engineering Department. These procedures should be followed to ensure a safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff. Safety in our teaching and research laboratories is a direct responsibility of the faculty, staff, and teaching assistants overseeing these activities. The department encourages everyone to demonstrate good practices and a safety culture that will promote safe, effective and efficient use of our laboratories.

Safety Training Requirements

Laboratory Training Requirements

All individuals working in a laboratory—including students, faculty, and staff—are required to complete:

• Initial Laboratory Research and Safety Training
• Chemical and Hazardous Waste Management Training

Note: Additional equipment-specific training may be required and will be assigned by the Principal Investigator (PI).

Faculty

New faculty members are required to take the Laboratory Research and Safety Training and will receive initial training from the College of Engineering Safety Officer as part of their onboarding process.

Staff and Students

Required to complete training online through the Learning Resource Network (LRN): 

Annual Retraining

Individuals who have completed the initial training must complete annual retraining consisting of a review of the initial training material.

Online refresher training is available at: www.lrn.psu.edu-ehs- refresher-lab-safety

Documentation Requirements

• Maintain a copy of all training materials in your personal files.
• Place a copy in the white safety binder located in each laboratory where you work.
• After completing the online refresher training, print and sign the completion document and file it in the laboratory binder.

For additional information regarding Laboratory Research and Safety Training and Chemical and Hazardous Waste Management, visit ehs.psu.edu/lionsafe

Reporting Work-Related Illness or Injury

Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students

All accidents or work-related illnesses must be reported immediately to your supervisor.

Injury Reporting Procedures

• Complete an accident report through Broadspire 
  • Important: The injured employee may not complete their own injury report.
• Select a Health Care Provider Panel participant for the first 90 days of treatment to ensure University coverage of medical costs.
• In a medical emergency, initial treatment may be obtained at the nearest hospital; however, all follow-up care must be provided by a panel participant.
• Complete a Workers’ Compensation Signature Packet and an Incident Investigation Form.

Undergraduate Students

After providing immediate assistance to an injured or suddenly ill student:

• Submit an incident report documenting the circumstances to the Office of Risk Management.
• Incident report form

General Laboratory Safety Requirements

The following precautions apply to all Mechanical Engineering Department laboratories:

• No individual may work alone on a potentially hazardous task. For example, graduate students and staff are not permitted to operate power tools or similarly dangerous equipment at night unless another person is present.
• Safety glasses or face shields must be worn when operating power tools, working around glass, using compressed gases, working on pressure line connections, or performing any task with potential eye hazards.
• When working around electrical equipment:
  • Avoid grounding any part of your body while working near live (“hot”) lines.
  • Follow the “one hand in the pocket” rule where appropriate.
  • Do not experiment with unfamiliar circuits—consult a qualified specialist.
• Prevent accumulation of fumes from volatile substances such as gasoline. Always use proper ventilation.
• Handle compressed gas cylinders with the respect afforded to potentially explosive materials.
• Chemicals may not be stored in refrigerators unless the refrigerator is clearly marked and approved for chemical storage.

Experimental setups involving potentially dangerous conditions (e.g., explosion hazards, high voltage) must be inspected and approved by the appropriate university safety representative prior to operation.

Safety in Teaching Laboratories

With 250 or more new students each year, the introduction of new laboratory projects and exercises increases the risk of accidents. Faculty members and teaching assistants supervising laboratory work are responsible for:

• Ensuring all laboratory users complete required EHS training and documentation
• Incorporating safety precautions into laboratory design and instruction
• Continuously monitoring students for unsafe practices or unsafe equipment
• Enforcing safety rules in all buildings and laboratories

Shop Safety and Proper Use of Machines

Power tools can cause serious injury if precautions are not taken. All students are expected to follow safe shop practices.

General Shop Rules

• Safety Goggles: Must be worn when using power tools, hammering, or using a punch. Flying chips and fragments present significant hazards.
• Jewelry: Remove rings, bracelets, earrings, and other jewelry before operating machinery.
• Long Hair: Secure long hair using a hairnet or other suitable restraint.
• Professional Conduct: Horseplay is strictly prohibited. Maintain a clean workspace and remove debris after completing work.

Equipment-Specific Safety Procedures

Drill Press

• Secure materials using a drill vise or proper clamping device.
• Always wear safety goggles.
• Exercise caution when drilling sheet metal or thin materials, as drill bits may “grab” and spin the workpiece suddenly.

Band Saw

• Equipped with a multi-purpose blade for wood, plastic, and metal.
• Avoid cutting sheet metal.
• Adjust the blade guide to just above the workpiece to maintain alignment and prevent blade displacement.

Grinder

• Always wear goggles.
• Do not stand directly in front of the wheel during operation.
• Never grind wood, aluminum, soft metals, or plastics.
• Do not grind on the side of the wheel.
• Clogged or unbalanced wheels may shatter or explode.

Laser Safety

• Lasers are utilized in various research programs within the department. The following guidelines apply:
• Do not operate any laser without proper training and understanding of its hazards.
• Use wavelength- and power-specific laser safety goggles where required.
• Never override safety interlocks.
• Block reflects beams from optical components such as lenses and prisms.
• Never look directly into a laser beam.

Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety

Improper handling of compressed gas cylinders can result in serious injury. The following procedures must be observed.

General Use

• Use a cylinder cart for transport and return it after use.
• Secure cylinders with chains in approved storage areas.
• Keep protective caps in place when not in use.
• Do not drop or strike cylinders.
• Use regulators appropriate for the specific gas and pressure rating.
• Never force mismatched connections or tamper with safety devices.
• Open cylinder valves slowly.
• Close valves and release pressure before removing regulators.
• Store full and empty cylinders separately and label empty cylinders.
• Protect cylinders from extreme temperature changes.
• Never mix gases in a cylinder.

Oxygen Use

• Keep oil and grease away from oxygen cylinders and fittings.
• Do not handle oxygen equipment with oily hands or gloves.
• Always use a proper pressure-reducing regulator.
• Open valves slowly and avoid sudden pressurization.
• Avoid sparks or flames near oxygen cylinders.
• Do not exchange oxygen equipment with equipment used for other gases.
• Do not store oxygen cylinders near flammable materials or combustible gas cylinders.
• Never use oxygen as a substitute for compressed air.
• Fully open the cylinder valve when in use.

Acetylene Use

• Store and use acetylene cylinders in an upright position.
• Never exceed 15 psi operating pressure.
• Keep sparks and flames away.
• Use an appropriate regulator attached to the cylinder valve.
• Do not transfer acetylene between cylinders.
• Never refill an acetylene cylinder.
• Test for leaks using soapy water—never an open flame
• Store separately from oxygen cylinders.

Combustible Gases

(Common gases include acetylene, butane, ethylene, methane, hydrogen, propylene, and propane.)

• Keep sparks and flames away.
• Never use an open flame to detect leaks.
• Use appropriate regulators and open valves slowly.
• Store in well-ventilated areas.
• Store separately from oxygen cylinders.
• Do not interchange regulators or fittings with other gases.

Department of Labor Guidelines (Summary)

• Inspect cylinders upon receipt for damage or leakage.
• Store in fire-resistant, well-ventilated areas free of combustibles.
• Secure cylinders upright using chains or cables.
• Keep protective caps in place when not in use.
• Transport using appropriate hand trucks or lifting devices.
• Clearly label full and empty cylinders.
• Never mix gases in a cylinder.

Chemical Safety

Personnel must be knowledgeable about the properties and hazards of all chemicals used.

• Review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) prior to use.
• Wear safety glasses and appropriate protective equipment.

General Chemical Safety Rules

• Store and dispense flammable liquids in approved safety containers away from heat and flames.
• Store chemicals in appropriate cabinets.
• Transport acids and bases in approved bottle carriers.
• Smoking is prohibited in the building and in chemical storage areas.
• Maintain clean and organized storage areas and hoods.
• Clearly label all containers, including waste.
• Dispose of chemicals properly in consultation with the University Safety Department.
• Food and drink are prohibited in chemical laboratories and storage areas.
• Report spills or leaks immediately to affected personnel.

Electrical Safety

• Only qualified personnel may work on electrical equipment or energized lines.
• If sparks or smoke are observed, turn off power immediately and report the condition.
• Do not operate electrical equipment in wet areas.
• Do not use equipment with frayed or cracked cords.
• Remove rings and jewelry when working on electrical equipment.

Compliance

Failure to comply with these laboratory safety regulations may result in suspension of laboratory privileges and/or disciplinary action in accordance with university policy.