Emergency Phone
In the event of an emergency, dial 911 from any phone on campus or personal cellular phone. The red phones outside of the elevators and the phones inside elevator cars have a direct line to Michigan Tech Public Safety and Police Services.
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In the event of a fire or fire alarm, evacuate the building by following the exit signs and using stairways. All rooms should have an evacuation plan affixed to, or near, the door.
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Do not use the elevators as power may be disrupted and you may become trapped inside.
- Major injury—Dial 911 for ambulance and first responders.
- Minor injury—Seek medical attention at UP Health systems or Aspirus urgent care clinics.
- All incidents and accidents need to be reported via an Incident and Injury Report form, not to assign blame, but to correct the safety hazard(s). The form should be filled out and submitted within 24 hours of the incident.
Lab Safety
- All of our labs have a sign posted on the door with pertinent safety information, including the name and contact information of the person responsible for that particular lab.
- Two or more authorized people need to be present at all times if working in any teaching lab. No exceptions!
- Labs must be kept neat and aisle-ways unobstructed. Do not store anything in aisle-ways or hallways as to prevent egress from the building in the event of an emergency.
- No food or drink in any teaching lab.
- No sandals or bare feet in any lab.
- No ties or long hair around any rotating machinery.
- No food or drink in any undergrad lab.
- No child under the age of 12 is permitted in any lab unless he or she is enrolled in an approved sponsored program or authorized by the department chair. Anyone between the ages of 12 to 16 must be supervised at all times.
Chemicals
- All Chemicals must be in original containers or in appropriate containers clearly marked with the original container information, which can be found on the SDS documentation.
- Chemicals are to be stored in an appropriate cabinet, not left on benches or counter
tops.
Please see Michigan Tech's Hazard Communications Plan and the University Safety Manual for all information regarding the labeling and storage of chemicals.
- Approved chemical safety goggles must be worn when working with splash eye hazards.
- Other PPE will be required as well. Please consult the SDS for that chemical.
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It is your right to know all information regarding chemicals you may be working with. Read the SDS for pertinent information on, but not limited to: PPE, handling, storage, hazards, spills, labeling, and the disposal of chemicals BEFORE using them.
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The ECE department utilizes a program titled MSDSonline. Access to MSDSonline can be found under the heading “Need to Know” with the category of “Safety Data Sheets” on Michigan Tech's homepage (www.mtu.edu) or by utilizing the QR code on lab signage.
- Michigan Tech utilizes a “Request for Collection of Waste Chemicals” electronic form for chemical disposal. Please refer to the Hazardous Waste Collection and Disposal Procedures for detailed information.
- For chemical spills of a non-hazardous nature, see ECE technical staff in room 727 for absorbent pads and cleaning materials.
- For hazardous chemical spills, evacuate the area and dial 911.
Electrical Safety
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High voltage is any voltage greater than 50 volts, which can be fatal under the right conditions.
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Generally anything above 25 milliamps is considered dangerous, since it can potentially cause the heart to go into ventricular fibrillation in as little as ¼ of a second.
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Only specially trained personnel may work on energized circuits or systems above 50 volts.
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Please refer to Michigan Tech's lock out program “Hazardous Energy Control Program” for information on working safely on de-energized systems.
- Electrical components can also be a cause of serious injury.
- A resistor that is operated above its power rating can burn causing fire or burns.
- Capacitors can explode causing the end cap to shoot out with enough force to damage one’s eye.
- Make sure you understand ratings of electrical components before using them.
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Batteries can explode due to escaping hydrogen gas, especially during charging. Ensure adequate ventilation and always keep away from ignition sources.
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Always keep one terminal covered or protected, which will prevent shorting if something accidentally bridges both terminals.
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Always have a neutralizing agent, such as baking soda available, especially when charging.
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Always read and understand the manufacturers’ recommendations before charging any type of rechargeable battery.
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Never try to charge a non-rechargeable battery!
- Use ground fault interrupters (GFCI’s) if you are working around water or in wet environments.
- Extension cords may be used on temporary basis (eight hours or less). Never “daisy chain” two extension cords together to make a longer. Ensure extension cord is properly rated for current.
Additional Safety Rules
- Safety glasses must be worn when soldering and while trimming excess leads.
- Prolonged breathing of solder vapors is harmful, so use a carbon activated fume extractor or vent hood. Wash your hands immediately after soldering.
- All rotating machinery must have safety guards in place.
- No long hair, jewelry, ties, gloves, long shirts or jackets or other loose clothing is permitted around rotating machinery.
- Always operate equipment in accordance with the operating manuals and observe safety cautions.
- Under no circumstances are you to remove protective covers or cases.
- If the equipment is faulty, contact ECE technical support staff in EERC 727 or dial 487-2134.
- Special training is required before using any laser equipment. Special safety glasses along with other handling procedures need to be followed depending on the class and type of laser. Special training and procedures are to be given by the professor or TA in charge of the particular laser lab and detailed in the lab procedure.
- Use caution, especially during winter months, as floors are likely to have wet spots
and be slippery.
Sidewalks may be icy, so slow down and take smaller steps and use hand rails on steps and stairs.
- Do not store anything within 18 inches of a sprinkler head.
- Do not store heavy items on top of cabinets.
- No heavy lifting —ask for help! Improper lifting is one of the biggest injuries at Michigan Tech
If you are performing a task and it does not seem safe, ask a qualified person to inspect your set-up. Chances are, if what you are doing makes you feel uneasy—it’s probably not safe!