EXPERIMENT NO: 01
INTRODUCTION TO BASIC EQUIPMENT IN MATERIAL TESTING AND LABORATORY SAFETY
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1st Edition
OBJECTIVES:
⇉ To know the laboratory safety guidelines.
INTRODUCTION
Material testing is a fundamental aspect of engineering and academic research. It entails assessing different characteristics and properties of materials to confirm whether they are appropriate for particular uses. Basic material testing equipment includes several tools and devices designed specifically to assess the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical characteristics of materials. Understanding the fundamentals of material testing equipment is essential for carrying out accurate tests and analysis.
THEORY
Material testing employs principles from physics and engineering to evaluate how materials behave under different situations using a variety of approaches. Material testing assesses fundamental characteristics.
Mechanical characteristics:
Strength is the capacity of a substance to resist external forces without changing shape or breaking. Typical testing consists of tension, compression, and bending tests.
Hardness refers to a material's resistance to deformation, usually assessed using methods like Rockwell, Vickers, or Brinell hardness tests.
Elasticity: Refers to the capacity of a material to deform reversibly under tension and return to its original shape upon removal of the force. Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are crucial metrics in assessing elasticity.
Ductility and Toughness: Ductility assesses the amount to which a material may undergo plastic deformation before fracture, whereas toughness shows its capacity to absorb energy before fracture.
Thermal Properties:
Thermal Conductivity: Determines the capacity of a substance to transmit heat, crucial for applications involving heat transfer.
Thermal Expansion: Measures the change in size of a substance with temperature fluctuations, crucial for forecasting material behavior in diverse temperature situations.
Electrical Properties:
Conductivity: Evaluates the capacity of a substance to conduct electricity, vital for electrical and electronic applications.
Resistivity: Represents the inverse of conductivity and displays the material's antagonism to electrical flow.
Chemical Properties:
Corrosion Resistance: Measures the capacity of a substance to survive deterioration when exposed to corrosive conditions.
Chemical Compatibility: Assesses the material's reactivity to various chemicals and compounds, vital for applications in chemical processing and storage.
Why is Material Testing Important?
Material testing plays a vital role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and performance of products and structures. By subjecting materials to controlled stresses, strains, and environments, we gain valuable insights into their:
· Strength: How much force can a material withstand before breaking?
· Toughness: How much energy can it absorb before fracturing?
· Elasticity: Can it return to its original shape after deformation?
· Durability: How does it resist wear and tear over time?
· Other properties: Thermal conductivity, electrical resistivity, flammability, etc.
This information is crucial for:
· Selecting the right material for a specific application. Imagine building a bridge without knowing the strength and fatigue resistance of the steel used!
· Developing new materials with improved properties. Innovation in materials science relies heavily on testing and understanding their behavior.
· Ensuring product quality and safety. Manufacturers need to guarantee that their products meet specific standards and perform as expected.
· Investigating failures and improving designs. Material testing helps identify the root cause of failures and prevent them from happening again.
Equipment/Apparatus/Device Name:
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Description of Each Equipment/Apparatus/Device with Figure:
Uses of Each Equipment/Apparatus/Device:
General Rules for Laboratory Use
What’s the difference between a rule and a guideline? A rule is an obligatory must while a guideline is a complimentary should. Rules are typically based on external regulatory requirements or internal policies. Guidelines are typically in addition to the standards and encourage best practices. When it comes to lab dangers, survival is largely predicated on those best practices.
Everyone in the lab is personally responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of others. As part of your introduction to the laboratory, before getting started experiments in any lab, become familiar with the methods, chemicals, and safety equipment in each area that you will be utilizing. If you don’t understand something, ask! It is far better to ask 100 questions about safety than to create one catastrophe.
General safety requirements apply to all lab rooms, tools, and equipment. The following shop safety requirements apply to all educational laboratory spaces:
1. First, never operate alone in any scientific environment. No student may work in any teaching laboratory without the presence and authorization of the teacher.
2. When initially entering the lab, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other items in the laboratory area unless you are instructed to do so.
3. Perform only those experiments permitted by your teacher. Unauthorized experiments are not permitted. Carefully follow all directions, both written and spoken.
4. Horseplay, practical jokes or other improper and unprofessional behavior in the laboratory environment are disallowed. Avoid disturbing or frightening any other students/ personnel.
5. Take responsibility for your own safety and that of others in the lab. Don’t do anything that you believe is risky or are unclear about. Be prepared for any exam that you may run.
6. Be sure to read any fire alarm and lab safety symbols and signs and follow the directions in the case of an accident or emergency.
7. Ensure you are thoroughly informed of your facility's/building's evacuation processes.
8. Make sure you know where your lab's safety equipment—including first aid kit(s), fire extinguishers, eye wash stations, and safety showers—is situated and how to properly use it.
9. Know emergency phone numbers to use to contact for aid in case of an emergency.
10. Make sure you are aware of where your lab's exits and fire alarms are located.
11. Always perform in properly-ventilated places.
12. Do not chew gum, drink, eat, or use lip balm or cosmetics while working in the lab.
13. Laboratory glassware should never be used as food or beverage storage containers.
14. If you identify any potentially dangerous lab conditions, let your supervisor know as soon as possible.
The Work Space
Your work space should be maintained clean and clear of clutter. Clean the work environment during the work time and before leaving the lab for the day. If required, sanitize equipment after use to reduce the chance of exposing the next person who uses it. Other requirements for ensuring a safe work place are as follows:
· Clean up all lab spaces after finishing experiments and dispose of any spent items correctly. Do not dispose of items by washing down the drain. Place surplus and scrap materials (e.g. aggregate, lumber) in appropriate containers.
· Keep your work space brightly lighted. If you cannot see the assignment you're working on, then you cannot notice a hazard.
· Keep your area dry. Wet flooring and work surfaces can cause slips. Water acts as a good electric conductor between the earth, you, and your equipment.
· Keep distractions to a minimum. Cell phones and music headphones should not be used while working in the lab.
· Practice proper office safety by not overloading outlets or power strips. Do not daisy chain power strips by inserting the power cable of one strip into an outlet of another strip. Secure any extension cables to eliminate trip risks.
· When operating the overhead crane, hard-hats, gloves, safety shoes, and safety glasses must be used. Noise created by power equipment might obscure out other noises in the lab or shop, including a person crying ‘STOP!” or “HELP!” Stay aware to your surroundings.
· Report all accidents, injuries, fires, spills, and close calls to the lab teacher.
What is an Emergency?
ü www.Dictionary.com: 1) a sudden, urgent, usually unexpected occurrence or occasion requiring immediate action; 2) a state, especially of need for help or relief, created by some unexpected event
ü www.businessdictionary.com: Sudden, unexpected, or impending situation that may cause injury, loss of life, damage to the property, and/or interference with the normal activities of a person or firm and which, therefore, requires immediate attention and remedial action.
ü www.wikipedia.com: An incident, to be an emergency, conforms to one or more of the following, if it:
Poses an immediate threat to life, health, property, or environment Has already caused loss of life, health detriments, property damage, or environmental damage Has a high probability of escalating to cause immediate danger to life, health, property, or environment
What to do in Case of an Emergency?
In the event of an emergency,
· Get away of immediate danger!
· Report situation to the teacher.
· Explain the nature of the emergency.
· Provide your name and location.
· Provide the phone number from which you are calling.
· Answer all questions and do not hang up the phone until the operator is finished.
If the emergency has cause injury to a person,
· Provided it is safe for you, stay with the victim!
· If the victim is cognizant, inquire what the problem is.
· If the sufferer is unconscious, check for breathing and bleeding. Do not move the subject until qualified staff arrive or an imminent threat to life occurs. Only qualified personnel should give first aid and CPR.
· Keep the sufferer motionless, comfortable, and ventilated.
· Protect the sufferer from any interruptions.
· Search for any emergency identification (i.e. ID) - Wait for emergency aid to come. Never leave the victim alone if feasible.
· Once the emergency responders have come, remain out of the way of emergency workers and emergency vehicles!
What to do in case of a fire or smoke?
All situations related to fire should be taken seriously. If you hear or see anything uncertain, evacuate the building!
Fire or Explosion
· Fire or explosion may result from overheating, leakage, or spilling of combustible chemicals, or gases exposed to high heat, an open flame, or electric sparks in the laboratory. Be careful while working with combustible or explosive materials and prevent heat or electric sparks nearby. Safely operate electric equipment and any source of heat to prevent fire or explosion.
· In case of a fire affecting an individual's clothing, do not run as it can intensify the flames. Stop, descend onto the ground with hands protecting the face, and roll to extinguish the flames. If feasible, utilize the safety shower to extinguish the fire.
· In case of a lab fire or explosion, secure your safety first and call emergency services immediately for aid.
· Evacuate the building safely and pull fire alarms or inform surrounding individuals, if feasible.
· Don't use elevators. Use stairs and locate the nearest exit.
· If feasible, cut down the electric power before escaping.
· Use a moist cloth to cover the mouth and nose, if there is thick smoke.
· In case of a small fire, use a suitable fire extinguisher and make sure an accessible exit is available if you fail in extinguishing the fire. Here we listed the varieties of extinguisher and explained the situations in which each extinguisher type should be used.
1. Types of fire.
¨ Class A: Ordinary combustible substances such as paper, wood, clothing.
¨ Class B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum oil and paint and flammable gases including propane, methane and butane.
¨ Class C: Electrical equipment such as gadgets, motors.
¨ Class D: Combustible metals such as sodium, aluminum and potassium.
¨ Class K: Cooling oil and greases such as animal or vegetable fats.
2. Types of extinguishers.
¨ Water and Foam: for Class A flames only. Not appropriate for class B or C fires. Water and foam extinguish fire by lowering the heat and the foam helps to isolate oxygen from the things.
¨ Carbon Dioxide: for Class B and C flames. Not effective for Class A fire. Carbon dioxide extinguishes fire by isolating oxygen from the item and reducing heat.
¨ Dry Chemical: multifunctional dry chemical works for Class A, B and C and conventional dry chemicals works for Class B and C alone. Dry chemical extinguishes flames by halting the chemical process.
¨ Wet Chemical: for Class K fire only. Wet chemical extinguishes fire by reducing heat and separates oxygen from fuel ingredients.
¨ Clean agent: for Class B and C. Clean extinguishers employed halon or halocarbon agents to halt the chemical processes.
¨ Dry Power: for Class D only. Dry power takes away heat and separates oxygen to extinguish fire.
· Be safe first and aid others if feasible.
· Be careful of a second fire or explosion.
If fire or smoke is discovered anywhere on or about the campus:
· Leave the area where the fire is situated, isolating it as well as possible by sealing doors and windows around it.
· Activate the fire alarm switch.
· Do not attempt to collect valuables.
· Do not use Elevators /lifts.
· Never attempt to battle a fire greater than wastebasket size. Even a tiny fire can create enough smoke to cause catastrophic harm. Never attempt to battle a fire by yourself. Call for help. Always remain between the flames and the exit.
If you can’t evacuate:
· Find a secure spot and contact emergency.
· Crawl to the door on hands and knees, so you may breathe the cleaner air near the floor.
· Seal your room from incoming smoke.
· If it's still smokey in your room, breathe through a moist cloth that covers your nose and mouth. Breathe solely via your nose.
· Clear combustible debris from the window.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER INSTRUCTIONS (PASS)
P = PULL safety pin from the handle
A = AIM at the base of the flames
S = SQUEEZE the trigger handle
S = SWEEP at the base of the flames
What if you or people are trapped in a burning building?
· The universal indication for a person trapped in a burning building is to hang garments or a sheet out the window of the room where you are confined. The firemen then will know where you are confined.
· If you are aware that someone is trapped in a burning structure, tell the firemen immediately.
· Do not re-enter the building alone.
· If you are caught, keep low to the ground while you try to leave. Do not open any doors that are hot. Use damp towels or garments to protect you from fire and smoke.
· If your clothing catch fire, STOP, DROP, AND ROLL!!!
General Conduct (All Laboratories)
Behavior in the Laboratories
· Act in a professional way at all times.
· No horseplay and practical jokes.
· Visitors must be guided.
· Contact information is should be put on all laboratory doors. If an experiment is being conducted unattended, the experiment contact information must be presented.
· Students must be aware of the placement and appropriate functioning of laboratory safety equipment, i.e. fire extinguishers, combustible cabinets and fume hoods, eye-wash stations, and personal protective equipment.
Personal Habits
· Be vigilant to dangerous circumstances. It is the duty of each individual to provide a safe working environment for themselves and other workers in the laboratories.
· No eating, drinking, gum chewing or cosmetic application in the laboratories.
· Closed toed shoes must be worn at all times in busy laboratory areas. No sandals! –
· Long hair and loose attire must be limited. Appropriate clothes must be worn at all times. No shorts, capris, skirts, or sleeveless tops when chemicals or machinery are present.
· Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn. Users of the Lab must be conversant with the dangers of the materials with which they are working. Consult the MSDS, before working with any dangerous compounds.
· No glassware or utensils that are utilized for laboratory activities shall be used for storage, handling, or consumption of food or drinks.
· Hands should be cleansed before using the toilets and before eating. Areas of exposed skin, i.e. forearms, should be cleansed often if there is risk of contact with chemicals.
· Do not perform any unlawful experimentation.
· Personnel must receive pre-approval by his/her immediate supervisor in order to undertake work alone.
· Work should not be undertaken if the researcher is feeling sleepy or otherwise hindered.
· Any spills or accumulations of chemicals on work surfaces must be cleared as soon as feasible. Do not attempt to clean up a spill, if you have not obtained sufficient training. Call Safety & Risk Management. The spill will be inspected by professional staff who will guarantee that correct clean-up measures are implemented.
· To assist avoid skin contact with corrosive, poisonous, or heated substances, laboratory protective apparel should cover your arms, main body, legs, and feet.
· Do not wear tank tops, crop tops, shorts, torn jeans, sandals, or open-toe shoes in the lab.
· Do not allow children or pets in laboratories.
· Never mouth pipette anything.
· Be careful of dangling jewelry, loose clothes, or long hair that could become entangled in equipment.
· Designate and use non-lab locations for eating and drinking.
· Chemical/biological freezers and storage facilities are not to be used to hold or consume food and drinks.
· Wash your hands constantly for at least 15-30 seconds during the day and before leaving the lab.
Housekeeping
· Lab spaces need to be maintained clean and uncluttered. This will assist minimize spills, breakage, personal harm and unnecessary contact with chemicals.
· Contaminated glassware should be cleaned routinely.
· Small spills should be cleaned up quickly from work areas and flooring. (Contact Safety & Risk Management for big hazardous spills.)
· Doorways and pathways within the lab should not be obstructed or utilized for storage.
· Access to exits, hallways, emergency equipment, and utility controls should be available at all times.
· All tools and equipment should be returned to their correct storage place following usage.
· Chemical containers should be thoroughly emptied and cleaned prior to disposal. Glass bottles will be uncapped, cleaned out with a suitable solvent, triple rinsed with water and placed in the glass container for disposal.
· All non-empty, non-cleaned vessels must be labeled with a description of their content!
Personal Protective Equipment
· Effective eye protection must be worn at all times in laboratories. Proper protection includes, but is not limited to, chemical splash safety goggles, face shields, and safety glasses.
· Students wearing contact lenses must be advised of the unique dangers connected with their usage, (i.e., absorption of chemicals from the air) and must alert their supervisors so that necessary actions may be taken in an emergency.
· Chemical resistant gloves should be used anytime the possibility for hazardous skin contact occurs.
· Heat resistant gloves should be used when handling hot things.
· Before each usage, gloves have to be examined for damage and contamination, i.e., rips, punctures, discoloration. If faults are discovered, the gloves should be cleaned, mended, or replaced before usage.
· Contaminated gloves should be removed before touching objects outside the work area (i.e., doorknobs, faucet handles).
· Shoes that cover the full foot must be worn in busy laboratory areas at all times. No sandals or open-toed shoes shall be worn in busy laboratory areas.
· Laboratory coats should be worn by laboratory staff whenever a realistic danger of chemical exposure to skin or street apparel exists or when stated by standard operating procedures. They should be stored in an adequate clean storage space.
· Disposable laboratory coats are indicated for working with very dangerous compounds such as certain carcinogens, mutagens or teratogens.
· Chemical protection equipment must be removed before leaving the work area.
· Hearing protection (noise attenuating ear muffs or plugs) are necessary if personnel are exposed to 85 dB or more as an eight-hour time weighted average.
General Safety Rules
All lab users must understand and follow the below guidelines in addition to the basic safety and behavior regulations outlined above.
· Do not use any of the equipment unless you have been trained and permitted to do so.
· Inform the lab supervisor or the CE department headquarters if there are any difficulties, or in case you are not sure if the equipment is running properly and safely.
· During operation of tensile or compression test equipment, create a safe radius of at least 6 feet to safeguard spectators from any possible sudden movement or release of testing material.
· Keep hands or loose garments away from machinery at all times during operation.
· The test techniques cause specimens to burst and may discharge and accelerate particles of materials. Therefore, all staff that are present in the laboratory must wear safety eyewear at all times when using the mechanical stress testing equipment.
· It is advisable to use gloves and wear steel toed shoes with when putting or withdrawing test specimens.
· The rupture of specimens can make a loud cracking noise. It is advisable to use earplugs as hearing protection.
· Keep the machine surface clean of material and tools.
· Make careful to close all hydraulic valves and switch off power once testing is complete.
· Keep fingers, hands and arms clear of “pinch points” in load assembly, i.e. areas where movement of the heads on the test machine might trap or crush these parts.
Concrete Mixer
For the concrete mixer safety requirements, the following must be observed
· During operation, create a safe radius of roughly 5 feet in front of the mixer to protect spectators from any possible sudden discharge of material.
· Standing behind the mixer is banned during mixing!
· Keep hands free of any joints and moving parts at all times.
· Do not leave the mixer alone when running.
· Make sure the drum is properly locked with the lock lever in down position at all times.
· Be warned that the mixing drum and wheel may quickly rotate into a balanced position by force of gravity once the lock mechanism is released.
· Always switch the power off and unhook the power cable while the mixer is not in use!
· The mixer must be cleaned fully when work is completed. Pour excess concrete over a screen into the sump and rinse the mixer until the interior is clean of particles. Leave the mixer in a position so all water may drain. Once the mixer drum is dry inside, it should be moved into the balanced position.
Clean-up
Clean your work area after each use before leaving the laboratory.
· The instruments must be cleaned and placed back to their proper storage area after use.
· Floors and table tops must be cleansed of spills, trash and tools.
· Floors must be cleaned of any tripping risks.
· Tables and chairs must be set in their respective placements to be ready for forthcoming lectures and laboratories
References
1. Laboratory Safety Manual, Montana State University. http://www.montana.edu/ce/documents/MSU-CELabSafetyManual.pdf
2. Famu-fsu college of engineering civil.
3. Laboratory-Safety-Manual.pdf.
https://www.utep.edu/ehs/_Files/docs/manuals/Laboratory-Safety-Manual.pdf
4. Cit, J. K. M. C. C. C. (2024, February 15). Lab safety rules and guidelines. Lab Manager. https://www.labmanager.com/science-laboratory-safety-rules-guidelines-5727
5. Guidelines in case of a laboratory emergency. (n.d.). JoVE. https://www.jove.com/v/10379/safety-guidelines-in-case-of-a-laboratory-emergency#:~:text=In%20case%20of%20a%20lab,and%20locate%20the%20nearest%20exit.
6. Laboratory Clean Up | Processes Lab | NC State ISE. (n.d.). Processes Lab. https://www.ise.ncsu.edu/processes/laboratory-safety-processes/laboratory-clean-up/#:~:text=Clean%20out%20the%20bins%3B%20clean,as%20tops%20of%20tool%20cabinets.
7. Lab Safety Manual: Emergency planning and Procedures. (n.d.). Hampshire College. https://www.hampshire.edu/ehs/lab-safety-manual-emergency-planning-and-procedures
8. Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. (2023, September 15). Portable Fire extinguishers, Fire extinguisher uses, Fire equipment. Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. http://www.femalifesafety.org/types-of-fires.html
9. Laboratory Safety Manual - Fabrication Research Lab. (n.d.). https://fablab.cs.washington.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Lab-Safety-Manual-Shwetak-Patel-CSE-615-2022.12.15.pdf