M.

Phil (PHYSICS)

PAPER -601

UNIT 4

TOPIC

ELECTRICAL AND UV
SAFETY IN THE
LABORATORY

- NIRALI S SHAH

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 ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY

The hazards associated with the use of electricity include electrical shock and electrical fires
caused by shorts and overloaded circuits or wiring.

In addition, sparks from electrical equipment can serve as an ignition source for
flammable or explosive vapors or combustible materials.

Most incidents are a result of unsafe work practices, improper equipment use, and
faulty equipment.

There are some rules to reduce the electrical hazards.

1. Know the location of electrical panels and disconnect switches in or near your
laboratory so that power can be quickly shut down in the event of a fire or electrical accident.
To enhance safety, post the location of the electrical panel on the equipment it
services.

2. Never obstruct electrical panels and disconnect switches. These should be clearly
labeled to indicate what equipment or power source they control.
A minimum 3-foot clearance must be maintained around electrical panels at all times
to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment.

3. Do not overload circuits or wiring. Overloading can lead to overheated wires and
arcing, which can cause fires and electrical shock injuries.

4. Inspect all electrical equipment (hot plates, stirrers, ovens, extension cords, etc.)
before use to ensure that cords and plugs are in good condition—not worn, twisted, frayed,
abraded, corroded, or with exposed wires or missing ground pins.

Live parts must be effectively insulated or physically guarded. Equipment with

damaged or defective cords or plugs should be taken out of service immediately and repaired
by qualified personnel.

5. Ensure that all electrical outlets have a grounding connection requiring a three-
pronged plug.
All electrical equipment should have three-pronged, grounded plugs or be double-
insulated.

6. Electrical outlets, wiring, and other electrical equipment integral to the building may
only be serviced and repaired by Facilities Operations qualified trades personnel or other
qualified electricians.

7. Work on electrical equipment must be done only after the power has been
disconnected. On cord and plug connected equipment, the power cord must be unplugged and
under the exclusive control of the person performing the work so that the equipment cannot
be accidentally turned on by someone else.

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 On hard-wired equipment, the main disconnect device or circuit breaker must be shut
off and locked and tagged with a special padlock and tag.
Service and/or repair work on hard-wired equipment may only be carried out by
authorized individuals who have received Lockout/Tagout training (available through the
University Department of Environmental Health and Safety).

8. Limit the use of extension cords—they are for temporary, short-term use only. In all
other cases, request the installation of a new electrical outlet.

Do not use extension cords as substitution for fixed receptacle outlets. Long-term use
of extension cords is a violation of OSHA regulations.

The long-term use of multi-outlet power strips is also illegal, except for use with
computer equipment.

9. Ensure that all extension cords used are carefully placed, visible, and not subject to
damage. Cords must not run across aisles or corridors where they might be damaged or create
a tripping hazard.

Cords must not run through doors, walls or partitions, under rugs, or above dropped
ceilings. They must not be tied in knots, draped overhead, or attached to walls.

10. Ensure that the wire size of an extension cord is adequate for the current to be carried.
Failure to do so can lead to electrical fires.

Extension cords must never be linked together—use the proper length extension cord
needed for the application.

11. Keep corrosive chemicals and organic solvents away from electrical cord—these can
easily erode the insulation on wires.

12. Keep flammable materials away from electrical equipment.

13. Keep electrical equipment away from wet or damp locations or potential water
spillage, unless specifically rated for use under such conditions.

14. Never handle electrical equipment when hands, feet, or body are wet or perspiring or
when standing on a wet floor.

15. In the event of an electrical fire, leave the area, call 911, and pull the nearest fire
alarm.

Do not use water on an electrical fire. The appropriate fire extinguisher is labeled “C”
or “ABC.” If safe and possible, shut down the main power source.

16. In an electrical emergency, if a person received an electrical shock, do not touch the
equipment, cord or person.

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 Call 101 so that the Fire Department can treat the injured person and evaluate the situation. If
safe and possible, shut down the main power source.

Fire Geometric
    Pictogram Intended Use Mnemonic
Class Symbol

Ordinary
A solid A for "Ash"
combustibles

Flammable
B liquids and B for "Barrel"
gases

Energized
C for
C electrical
"Current"
equipment

Combustible D for
D (none)
metals "Dynamite"

K for
K Oils and fats
"Kitchen"

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ClassCFires
Also known as electrical equipment fires

The following types of materials which would burn in a Class C fire are: 
• Computers
• Energized or energy active electrical equipment
• Electrical sources
• Fuse boxes
• Wiring

Class C fires are contained using Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers and Dry Chemical
fire extinguishers. Sensitive electrical sources or electrical equipment such as computers,
televisions, or wireless devices affected by fire may have residue left once the fire has been
deterred. Electrical equipment fires are resolved using Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers and
Dry Chemical fire extinguishers. CO2 fire extinguishers do not leave residue trace unlike Dry
Chemical fire extinguishers. 

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 UV SAFETY IN THE LABORATORY

Ultraviolet radiation is widely used for killing bacteria or producing fluorescence.

UV radiation is divided into three distinct bands UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. Each has
different penetration properties and potential for damage.

The adverse health effects that may occur are erythema (sunburn), photokeratitis (a
feeling of sand in the eyes), retinal burns, cataracts, melanoma and skin cancer.

Band Wavelength Primary Visual Other Visual Other Hazards

Hazard Hazards
UV-A 315-400 nm Cataracts of lens Skin cancer,
Retinal burns.
UV-B 280-315 nm Corneal injuries Cataracts of lens Erythema, skin
, photokeratitis cancer.

UV-C 100-280 nm Corneal injuries photokeratitis Erythema, skin

cancer

Hazards

The biological effects of UV radiation depend on the wavelengths concerned.

Sources emitting radiation with wavelengths longer than 200 nm are serious health hazards.

Since UV radiation has such low penetrating power, the effects are confined mainly
to the eyes and the skin.

The effects on skin are two types, acute and chronic.

Acute effects appear within a few hours of exposure while chronic effects are long
lasting, cumulative and may not appear for years.
Acute effects of ultraviolet radiation are similar to sunburn; the redness of the skin
called erythema. Chronic effects include accelerated skin aging and skin cancer.
The eye is very sensitive to UV where main effects are due to exposure to UV-B and
UV-C, namely conjunctivitis and photokeratitis.

UV lamps often operate at pressures below or above atmospheric and may produce a
risk of explosion particularly during lamp replacement or maintenance work.

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 Control Measures

Protection against exposure may be achieved by a combination of engineering,

administrative control measures and personal protective equipment.

Emphasis should always be placed on engineering and administrative control

measures to minimize the need for personal protective equipment.

Engineering control measures include enclosures, screens or filters used to contain

the UV radiation or devices such as interlocks to allow safe temporary access to a hazardous
area. Reflective surfaces should be avoided and surfaces should be painted in a dark, dull
color.

Administrative controls consist of warning signs, limitation of access and exposure

time and the provision of information on the nature of the hazard and the precautions to be
taken. The PI (principal investigator) should decide what measures are necessary to limit
access to the source and to make personnel aware of its presence. It may be necessary to
install warning signs and/or lights and to limit exposure time.

After these steps have been taken it should be determined whether it is necessary to
provide protection for the face, eyes or skin and what type of Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) is needed. PPE may consist of gloves, laboratory coat, UV protecting
goggles and or face shield.

Some general lamp types are:

1. Incandescent Lamps, other than quartz-halide lamps normally have glass envelopes
to keep UV radiation from being a hazard.

2. Low-Pressure Discharge Lamps if they have quartz envelopes may transmit UV

radiation and may be of concern. Mercury low-pressure lamps can create a severe UV
hazard.

3. Fluorescent lamps usually have glass envelopes and may only present a UV hazard
theoretically at the surface.

4. High intensity discharge (HID) lamps may present UV hazards. If the envelope is
glass, there may be only a concern for UV exposure at close distances. However,
Quartz-Mercury HID lamps require UV hazard evaluation.

5. Short arc lamps may produce a potential UV hazard because of the temperature of
the arc and the quartz envelope.

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 6. Carbon arc lamps may produce a potential exposure as with the short arc lamps.
This is compounded when no glass lens or filter is present (a common situation).

Responsibilities:

The Principal Investigator (PI) or Lab Safety Manager (LSM) is responsible to ensure that
Employees working with UV producing equipment are properly trained about the safe use of
Equipment, have access to appropriate PPE and don it when working with it. New personnel
should be provided with a copy of this policy and fully explained about the safe use of UV
emitting Equipment prior to start of work.