Technical information

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• In case of a clothing fire, the victim should drop to the floor and roll, not run to a safety shower. A
fire blanket, if nearby, should be used to smother the flames.
• After flames are extinguished, deluge the injured areas under a safety shower. Keep the water
running on the injured areas for 15 minutes to remove heat and to wash off chemicals.
• Place clean, soaking wet, ice-packed cloths on burned areas, and wrap to avoid shock and
exposure.
• Do not use a CO2 fire extinguisher on a person with burning clothing; this could cause suffocation
or frostbite. Dry chemical extinguishers will create inhalation hazards and contaminate wounds.
Pressurized water can aggravate burn injuries.
Chemical Burns
• For chemical burns or splashes, immediately flush with water.
• Apply a stream of water while removing any clothing that may have been saturated with the
chemical.
• If the splash is in the eye, flush it gently for at least ten minutes with clear water.
• Wash in a direction away from the other eye.
• If the splash is on the body, flood it with plenty of running water.
• A shower, hose, or faucet should be used in an emergency.
• For chemicals spilled over a large area, quickly remove contaminated clothing while using the
safety shower. Seconds count, and no time should be wasted for the sake of modesty.
Traumatic Shock
• In case of traumatic shock, or where the nature of the injury is not clear, keep the victim warm,
lying down, and quiet.
• Wait until medical assistance arrives before moving the victim.
• Report all injuries to your supervisor and the MIT Safety Office.
BASIC ELEMENTS OF LABORATORY
SAFETY
Better than responding correctly to an accident, of course, is not having one in the first place. The following
list of safety procedures is intended to keep them from happening, and these procedures are mandatory
practice for all laboratory situations unless modified by the Laboratory Supervisor. Laboratory workers
should consult the Supervisor if they feel these rules should be relaxed or tightened in particular cases.
Planning experiments
• Plan ahead: Seek information and advice about hazards. Plan appropriate protective procedures,
plan positioning of equipment before beginning any new operation. Know what to do to prevent
an accident and what to do if an accident occurs. Do not begin an experimental procedure until the
Laboratory Supervisor has discussed these safety issues with you.
• Each laboratory worker must know the use and location of all first aid and emergency equipment
in the laboratories, shops, and storage areas.
• Each laboratory worker must know the location of nearby telephones for summoning fire fighters,
police, emergency medical service or other emergency response services. The emergency number
(100) must be posted at many places throughout the building, and on each laboratory telephone.
• Each laboratory worker must be familiar with all elements of fire safety: alarm, evacuation and
assembly, fire containment and suppression, rescue, and facilities evaluation.