CIVE 3210: Soil Mechanics
Basic Safety Guidelines for the Banyas Soil Mechanics Laboratory (NI 1024)
Safety and health in the laboratory can be achieved only through the full participation and cooperation of all students. The following guidelines must be practiced in order to protect you and your classmates from injury. This list is not inclusive nor a substitute for prudent caution and common sense.
1. Learn the location and proper use of safety equipment: eyewash, fire extinguishers, etc.
2. There is a Class A B C fire extinguisher (trash, paper, wood, liquids and electrical equipment) adjacent to the laboratory entrance. Use only as directed.
3. There a first aid kit in the laboratory for minor injuries.
4. Emergency lighting will be activated with the fire alarm. The laboratory exit is the double doors leading to the hallway. Proceed slowly and carefully to the exit.
5. In the case of a fire or other emergency, alert the instructor and all other students in the laboratory.
6. Emergency telephone numbers are posted next to the telephone.
7. Report all accidents and injuries to the instructor or T.A.
8. Do not wear sandals or open-toe shoes.
9. Confine long hair and loose clothing when in the laboratory.
10. No eating, drinking or smoking in the work area. Contamination of food and drink is a potential for exposure to toxic substances.
11. Horseplay and other acts of carelessness are prohibited. Avoid distracting or startling any other worker.
12. Determine the potential physical hazards, and the safety precautions that apply to your experiment before beginning.
13. Laboratory work should not be carried out in the absence of your instructor or a T.A. unless specifically directed.
14. Do not perform unauthorized experiments.
15. Be alert to unsafe conditions and actions and call them to the attention of the instructor immediately.
16. Care must be taken when transferring soil from one container to another in order to minimize exposure to airborne contaminants (dust).
17. Always handle materials removed from the drying ovens with insulated gloves to avoid burns.
18. Excise care when removing materials from the ovens, particularly when it is necessary to reach into the back of an oven.
19. Exercise care when using the sieve shakers. Make sure that the sieve stack is properly secured before starting the shaker and be careful when turning the shakers on and off.
20. Exercise care when using the Proctor compaction equipment. Serious injury can occur if the rammer is not used properly.
21. Allow yourself sufficient time for clean-up at the end of the laboratory period. It is necessary to clean up your work area after completion of an experiment. Soil left lying around increases the exposure to dust inhalation. Soil left on the floor could cause someone to slip and fall.
22. Soil can be disposed of in the waste containers or can be washed down the large sink near the laboratory entrance, as directed by the instructor.
23. Do not dispose of broken glass in the regular trash. Inform the instructor of broken glass so that it can be disposed of properly in a glass disposal box.
24. The laboratory may be used for testing not associated with the assigned laboratories. Do not disturb any tests.
