On-line Training Modules
Go to http://www.dehs.umn.edu/training_newlabsafety.htm and take the three training modules.

1. Introduction to Research Safety
2. Chemical Safety
3. Chemical Waste Management
   

ME Annual Safety Training

You may choose to attend any one of the three sessions, which will fulfill the mandatory annual safety training requirement. It usually occurs once a year at the beginning of Fall Semester.

Safety Training Thursday, August 31, 2017, 3-4:30pm (choose one that is most appropriate)

• Chemical Safety - Phillips-Wangensteen Room 2-470
• Machine Safety - Moos Tower Room 2-620
• Computation/Office Safety - Moos Tower Room 2-530

 

SAFETY FAQs

For more details about disposing of your chemical waste and preparing your chemicals for collection see the guidebook on the department of environmental health and safety website.

Q. I want to dispose of my chemical waste but I do not have the necessary MSDS data sheets. What do I do?
A. It is your responsiblity to obtain a MSDS data sheet for each chemical that you have from the supplier. These sheets usually come with the material when it is ordered. However, most chemicals have their MSDS sheets available in common databases such as those at the following web page:

Q. I have some chemical waste and I am not sure if it is hazardous or not, also what is the proper disposal method for my chemicals?
A. Your MSDS sheets will tell you if the chemical is hazardous or not. Otherwise, you have to follow the procedure of disposal outlined during your safety training or simply go this web page.

Q. What is the maximum quantity of a combustible or flammable liquid allowed in my lab?
A. Regulations on quantities of combustible and flammable liquids in the U of MN labs can be found in the following web page.

Q. Do I need to have eyewashes in my lab?
A. Regulations on eyewashes are available in the laboratory safety plan :

Q. I learned there is a complete guidebook about chemical waste disposal, where can I find it?
A. That is true, we have this guidebook and it can be found in this web page.

Q. What do I do in case of a chemical spill?
A. You need to be prepared for such an event. Read the content of the following web page

Q. Who is supposed to attend the safety training?
A. Attendance at our annual safety training is required for faculty, staff, teaching assistants and research assistants.  If you are a new graduate student, you need to atttend the initial safety training. In the following years, you still need to attend the annual safety training.

SAFETY FORMS AND DOCUMENTS (pdfs or docx)

1. Emergency Information Phone Numbers
2. Department Lab Safety Plan
3. New Employee Safety Form
4. Teaching Lab Safety Form
5. Laboratory Audit Checklist
6. Example map of a lab and emergency shutoff diagram
7. Mechanical Engineering Safety Training Record Form

 

SAFETY RESOURCES

1. Department of Environmental Health and Safety (DEHS)
2. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)
3. National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)
4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
5. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
6. Minnesota Right-to-Know Act (MRTKA)
7. Minnesota Department of Health
8. ME Department - Fluid Power Safety

 

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATES

1. Stench Chemicals Fact Sheet (doc)
2. Pyrophoric Materials, Water-reactive Materials, and Pressurized Glassware Alert (doc)
3. Pyrophoric Chemicals Guide (doc)

 

*** NEW CHEMICAL WASTE PICKUP SYSTEM ***

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mercury Thermometer Exchange
Labs order non-mercury thermometers through U Stores and DEHS pays for them.
DEHS will pick up same number of mercury thermometers after the new ones are delivered. FREE – No charge to your budget!!!
http://www.dehs.umn.edu/index.htm

 

Please visit the entire safety resources site available: www.z.umn.edu/labsafe, as well as the fact sheet page at www.z.umn.edu/safetyfactsheets.