Metabolic Profiling Safety

General

  • In case of Emergency call the following number 08-934-2999

  • Make sure you are familiar with general WIS emergency procedures (Safety Unit web page )
  • Understand the hazards and toxicity of the materials you work with. Conduct all operations that involve hazardous chemicals inside a hood. Make sure that the biological samples provided for analysis are safe.
  • Keep the solvents for analyses in closed containers, minimizing evaporation.
  • All personnel should use basic personal laboratory protection: long pants, closed shoes, and long sleeve lab coat. An additional protective equipment should be used (gloves, goggles, protective earmuffs) when needed. Identify the location of the nearest eyewash and shower and verify that they are accessible.
  • Keep individual hygiene and maintain working environment clean.
  • Do not eat and drink in the laboratory, use office or designated place.
Instrument Hazards and Controls

Risks and Hazards

Controls

High temperatures Burns
  • Do not touch any part of the instrument that operates at high temperatures (e.g. oven).
  • If maintenance needs to be conducted, turn the instrument off and allow it to cool.

Electrical hazards and high voltage electric

  • Electrification
  • Typically, the high voltage areas are enclosed within the instrument, never remove the safety interlocks, shields, or panels.
  • Never touch the ionization sources.
  • Never take the mass spectrometer apart to conduct work on the instrument, always notify a qualified technician.
  • High voltages can remain within the instrument even when it is turned off.

Chemical hazards

  • Chemical exposure
  • Chemical inhalation
  • Always read the SDSs, familiarize yourself with the chemical hazards, and take the necessary precautions prior to beginning work.
  • Always wear the appropriate PPE.
  • If solvent reservoirs or waste containers are used they must be air tight.

Never allow solvent vapors to vent into the laboratory.

  • The pump and source exhaust contain traces of the chemicals that are being analyzed, therefore the exhaust fumes will have the same hazards as the chemicals being analyzed (toxic, irritant, biohazard, etc.). Vent the pump and exhaust into a fume hood when possible.
  • Sample preparation should be conducted within a fume hood, biosafety cabinet, or glovebox (depending on the physical state and hazard of the chemical).

Laceration/Piercing hazards

  • Needle pricks
  • Use blunt end needle, available at the WIS warehouse and at the safety unit.

Flammable chemicals

  • Fire
  • Remove any sources of ignition and combustible materials.

Lifting hazard

  • Injury
  • Always obtain help when moving heavy equipment.
  • Before moving the instrument or any of its components, check its weight and determine a safe method of movement.

Power failure
  • If there is a power failure turn off all the equipment and gas sources.
Disposal of chemical waste
  • Chemical waste containers should be placed in the chemical hood or with special tight caps near the LC-instruments.
  • Once filled, containers should be labeled by type and transferred to collection points as specified by Safety Unit.