University of Kentucky Guidelines for the Use of 3D Printers.pdf
UL Safe Use of 3-D Printers
The Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has adopted a modified version of the 1990 American National Standards Institute's Standard for emergency eyewash and safety shower equipment. OSHA requires: "Where the eyes or body of any person may be exposed to injurious corrosive material, suitable facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and body shall be provided within the work area for emergency use." The following outline the University's technical standards and preferences to provide safety equipment to meet this mandate:
Emergency eyewash and shower equipment must be installed in every lab that is provided with a fume hood. Laboratories sharing a common suite or area not separated by closed doors may find one emergency shower is sufficient but each lab unit must be equipped with an approved eyewash.
The OSHA& ANSI-compliant eyewash stations requirements:
Please contact the University of Kentucky Occupational Health and Safety Department for questions related to these guidelines at at (859)-257-2924.
Chemical hood systems shall be designed to protect laboratory workers and to ensure that hazardous chemical vapors originating from laboratory operations shall not be recirculated. The use of variable air volume systems is preferred. Additional requirements include:
UK Occupational Health and Safety Chemical Fume Hood Guide
UK Chemical Fume Hood Training
If perchloric acid is to be used above ambient temperature or at concentrations above 72%, separate specifically designed hoods must be provided including separate exhaust system with a water wash down system.
Ductless hoods which filter air (through HEPA or charcoal filters) then discharge the filtered air back into the laboratory may not be used without approval of the directors of Environmental Management and Occupational Health and Safety.
Air cleaning devices are not generally required for laboratory fume hoods, and may not be used without approval of the directors of Environmental Management and Occupational Health & Safety departments.
See guidelines and standards related to HVAC.
Approved by UK Design Guidelines & Technical Standards Committee June 18, 1998.
According to the UK Fire Marshal policy for flammable solvent storage, flammables storage cabinets must meet the design and construction requirements of NFPA 30 and have been tested and listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factor Mutual (FM) Laboratories.
NFPA 30 states a metal flammable liquid storage cabinet requires (NFPA 30 4.3.3 (a) and (b)):
Recommendations for maximum safety include grounding attachments and self-closing doors.
Explosion-proof refrigerators are designed for use in an area where flammable vapors or gases may be present in the environment around the unit. They have sealed electrical equipment and junction boxes that eliminate ignition sources outside and inside the unit. They must also be hard-wired into the buildings electrical system using approved methods. These units are usually quite expensive. Typical laboratory operations would not warrant an explosion proof refrigerator.
Flammable-safe refrigerators have specially designed interior parts to prevent flammable vapors or gases from contacting internal ignition sources. They are not approved for use in an environment where flammable vapors or gases may be present, because ignition sources on the exterior of the refrigerator may not be vapor-tight. These units are connected to an electrical outlet using a standard cord and plug assembly.
A chemical glovebox is a controlled environment work enclosure providing a primary barrier from the work area. The operation is performed through sealed gloved openings to protect the worker, the ambient environment, and/or the product.
Gloveboxes are critical for synthetic chemical processes and uses of pyrophoric, water-sensitive, or other highly reactive chemicals.
Safe and prudent practice for glovebox users include performing daily checks to verify the operational condition of the glovebox. These checks include but are not limited to:
Condition of scrubber filters, if applicable These checks are to be noted in a user log, ideally located near to the relevant glovebox
Ensure daily checks are recorded in a log to be kept near the glovebox for user access. Maintenance, troubleshooting and service records for the glovebox shall also be retained. Ensure use of the glovebox is ceased when malfunctioning or repairs are needed.
For more information, see Glovebox Safety.
Reactor and pressure vessels are pieces of equipment that pressurize chemicals at high temperatures to result in a processed reaction. UK has a variety of these vessels from low to high hazards. Please review the information below to gain knowledge on the safety practices when working with pressurized vessels. Below are the common types of pressure vessels on UK campuses:
Please contact Occupational Health & Safety if your laboratory has acquired any pressurized vessels that have not yet been reviewed.
Please follow the most recent ASME editions, no earlier than 2013.
Operating any kind of pressure vessel should be taken with careful consideration. The principle investigator of the lab space with the pressure vessel MUST provide a specific training periodically to anyone who may use the reactor or enter the room while the vessel is active.
All pressure vessels MUST have written standard operation of procedures (SOPs) and safety data sheets (SDS). Please contact labsafety@uky.edu for more information on development of these documents.
When active, the pressure vessel MUST be inside a fume hood, to ventilate escaped gases.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are the following, but not limited to:
Please review the standards above to verify your compliance status. Contact OHS for questions and concerns.
Please watch this video to gain knowledge regarding the safety precautions for Operating a High-Pressure Reactor Vessel.