HSSE Guidelines

KinCat Catalysis Group - HSSE Guidelines

Never perform experiments or modify procedures without complete prior risk analysis and subsequent approval.
No food or drinks allowed inside the laboratories.
Look out for the safety and security of all others at all times.
Become familiar with all laboratory emergency exits.
Note location of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, safety showers, and eye wash stations.
If in doubt – ask or comment.
Report any safety infraction immediately to the engineers, HSSE deputy of the Chemical Engineering Department and report on https://i.ntnu.no/hms.
Remember: This introduction/document cannot cover every possible safety hazard. Above all else, use your own common sense to assess safety risks to yourself and to others.

Always wear safety goggles in the lab areas and (if necessary) gloves.
Wear long pants and enclosed footwear at all times. Lab coat is strongly encouraged when working with chemicals.
Lab coats must be worn when working with: flammable chemicals, acids/bases, and during particle handling.
Long hair and hanging belts must be secured.
Consider wearing a filter mask when handling powders and notifying others.
Contact lenses are only allowed in office spaces.

Ask “How can I help you” to ALL unknown persons entering any of the laboratories (Chemistry Hall C & D, C2 floor). We are responsible for the property of NTNU in our premises.
Be alert at all times. Have all senses (5+1) at work at all times while at NTNU. If you hear strange noises (beeping, alarms, changes in ventilation noise level), find the origin and act accordingly.
Rig doors should be closed properly and offices locked when leaving the rig/room vacated.
Ensure that everyone working on projects (Specialization Project, MSc Thesis and guests) adhere to these rules. Notify the Engineers immediately for any infraction.

Before being permitted to self‐operate any equipment the person must be trained by an engineer or instrument responsible which entails: 1) watch the operation of the equipment by an experienced operator, 2) Operate the equipment while directly supervised, 3) Self‐operate independently only after approval of responsible supervisor.
Consult person responsible for equipment prior to use and check on BookItLab.
Report any broken items or used‐up consumables to the responsible person as soon as possible.
Before using any experimental or characterization equipment, familiarize yourself with potential risks (e.g. gases, hot surfaces, flammability etc.), emergency shutdown procedures, and exit routes.
If an experiment relies on an active safety mechanism (e.g. cooling water) to prevent malfunction or an emergency situation then be extremely diligent to check and continuously monitor the integrity of this mechanism.
Every experiment running unattended in hoods or ovens must be indicated with name and date, type of experiment, chemicals used and contact number (cell phone) in case of emergency. Fill in the “Ongoing Experiment” form at the entrance to the laboratory.
Responsible individual(s) and private contact numbers must be provided on all pieces of equipment.
Never use vacuum cleaners in the lab, where nanopowders are handled.

Label all chemical and sample bottles with:

Store chemical and sample bottles within contained areas to prevent accidental breakage.
Bottles must not be kept on table tops unless secured in a container. No storage of chemicals on table tops!
Familiarize yourself with Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of chemicals before using them – make note of any hazards or safety precautions.
Chemicals must be enclosed in boxes or buckets (supplied by NTNU) during transport.
DO NOT dispose chemicals down the water sink. This is against the law.
Place organic waste in the labeled waste container positioned in/under fume hoods.
Discard strong inorganic acids (e.g. nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid) only in the special Inorganic Acid Waste containers.
DO NOT dispose of organics in the Inorganic Acid Waste and do not dispose of inorganic acids in the organic waste container (Severe Danger of Explosion!).
DO NOT store chemical bottles in fume hoods. Use the chemical storage cabinets.
Dispose of difficult to handle or special chemicals by making arrangements with the Hazardous Waste contact at the Chemical Engineering Department.

Treat every powder sample produced as a new chemical with unknown characteris cs and take measures accordingly.
Minimize exposure to humans and the environment at all mes, e.g. by closing fume hoods when not in ac ve use.
Produce and handle powders only in vented fume hoods or well ven lated areas.
ALWAYS keep powder ghtly enclosed in container for transport and storage.
A filter mask and (if possible) protec ve gloves must be worn when producing and handling powders (e.g. for characteriza on).
Minimize the distance in powder handling (e.g. transferring sample or chemicals from container to weighing pan).
Store and handle powders only in designated lab‐space, not offices.
A er handling powders, clean exposed surfaces with a wet towel.
Dispose of powders in containers labeled ‘solid waste’ or red containers.

Perform all experiments involving powders and chemicals in fume hoods. Environment protection and safety laws limit exposure to ambient concentrations of chemicals and particles.
Check hood function and air flow prior to use.

DO NOT heat Teflon above 250 ºC.
DO NOT directly heat any chemical or container with a flame or hot plate. Use an oil bath. DO NOT heat a closed container without a pressure release safety valve.

Must be secured to a wall frame with a metal chain at all times except during handling.
Gas regulators must be removed before moving/handling any gas cylinder.
Close main cylinder valves when done with experiments.
Contact your Gas coordinator of the Chemical Engineering Department for ordering new bottles.

Blue lights indicate low alarm. Red light and bell indicate high alarm ‐> evacuation of the building.
In case of low alarm, inform your colleagues, identify and stop possible sources, close all gas bottles and (if possible) open windows.
In case of main alarm, leave the room immediately and inform colleagues.
Flashing can only be stopped at the control panel if concentration sinks below low alarm value.

Raise the alarm.
Notify NTNU emergency point (800 80 388) and colleagues in the lab.
If it will not place you in further risk, rescue people.
Close all doors and windows, use fire extinguisher.
Evacuate. Do not use elevators.
Report any injuries immediately to nearest colleague and the Engineers. If it is evident that the injury is serious, notify emergency point (800 80 388) immediately.