Personal health and safety must come before anything else, no matter what the job. As part of first day orientation you will be given a Lab safety tour, which gives you basic information such as location of exits, fire extinguishers and first aid kids. If you are working in the preparation lab of PRC122 you will be required complete additional safety courses run by the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department. Many of these can be taken on-line.

NPL staff are here to help if you have questions or concerns. Alert the Collection Manager or supervisor if you:

•  injure yourself in any way, or have any allergic reaction to dust, pollen, or from an unknown source
•  notice an unsafe situation (electrical, chemical, structural, biological (pests)etc,.
•  can't find the required safety equipment* such as goggles or ear plugs.
•  have any other health or safety concerns.

          *Some safety equipment may require training or doctor's approval, such as certain kinds of personal air filters or respirators. 

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Know where emergency tools and equipment are located

Know where the nearest telephone is in case of emergency. Know where fire extinguishers first aid kits, sinks, hose, bibs, showers, and eye wash stations are in your area. They are located on your GIS map print-out, and are also pointed out in the Lab Safety tour.

Fire safety

Know where all the exits are to the building in which you are working. Know where all the fire extinguishers are in every area in which you work. 

First Aid Kits

First Aid kits are available in each of the cages in building 33 and in building 122.  Familiarize yourself with their location in each building.  If the kits need any supplies inform the Collections Manager or Supervisor so they can be obtained.

Dust masks

Dust particle masks provide protection from airborne irritants stirred up during cleaning of the specimens.  These are always be available.  If you cannot find any, ask the Collections Manager or Supervisor.

Gloves

Disposable white cotton gloves or latex or vinyl gloves are provided to protect the specimens from body oils and perspiration on the hands of the worker, and to protect the worker from the dehydrating and irritating effects of the dust and specimen matrix.

Don't lock anyone in the cages

The cages in building 33 (Northwest, Southwest, East) are each locked with a combination padlock, from outside the cage.  It is therefore possible to lock someone inside the cage.  Before you lock each cage, MAKE SURE NO ONE IS STILL IN THE CAGE.  WALK UP AND DOWN EACH AISLE, LOOK IN EVERY CORNER and YELL THAT YOU ARE LOCKING UP. If you are working in the cages we recommend that you take a cell phone with you.

Power tools

Power tools include anything that whirs really fast, makes a loud noise, and can cut off, grind off, chop off, or skewer body parts in the wink of an eye.  In other words, they are DANGEROUS. Grinders, electric screwdrivers, circular saws, chain saws, drills, routers, are all types of power tools.

Make sure the Collections Manager or Supervisor knows you are using power tools. Ultimate responsibility for your safety lies with those in charge of the NPL. They must know when you are operating dangerous equipment. Only operate power tools if you know how to use them, or if you have an experienced person showing you how to use them. Before starting, make sure there is someone close by who knows you will be using a power tool. If an accident occurs, assistance will be available. If others know you are working with dangerous equipment they will be more likely to check on you, and will respond more quickly if they notice a problem. When you use most power tools you should wear protective goggles or a face shield.  Ask the Collections Manager or Supervisor for protective gear. TIE BACK long hair.

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Fume hood use

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