SAFETY IN EML

Safety Guidelines and

Emergency Response Procedures

Edited: Aug. 4, 2017

Outline
• Attire and Conduct inside the laboratory
• Use of Laboratory Equipment
• Proper use of equipment
• Proper care for equipment
• Response during Emergency Situations
• Electric shock
• Fire
• Earthquake
Proper Attire
• Wear closed, insulating shoes.
• Slippers, sandals, or any open, non-insulating footwear are NOT
allowed.
• Wear appropriate clothing.
• Loose clothing might get caught/stuck in an equipment, for example
in a motor’s shaft.
• Avoid wearing jewelry or accessories, especially while
doing an exercise or experiment.
Proper Conduct
• Food and/or drinks are not allowed inside the lab. You can
eat outside if you want.
• As much as possible, come to class prepared, sober, and
well-rested.

• Always read the instructions in experiment/exercise

guides to avoid equipment mishandling.

• Always check the ratings of all the

equipment needed in the experiment
before using them.
Proper Conduct
• Avoid working alone at all costs.

• Clean your workspace before leaving. Return all used

equipment to their proper places.

• Horseplay is NOT allowed inside the laboratory.

• Use proper judgment when using the

lab equipment.
PROPER USE OF
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
Proper Use of Equipment

Equipment in EML
• Power-up Procedure
• Electric Machines
• DC/AC Power supplies
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) units
• Meters
• Analog and Digital
• voltage, current, power, torque, speed, frequency
• Power Transformers
• Load resistors, capacitors, inductors
Proper Use of Equipment

Notes
• Make sure there are no hazards present before using any
equipment, including wires, meters, or other components.
• Electrical hazards: exposed/bare wires, dangling wires, etc.
• Fire hazards: old wiring, sparking connections, etc.
• Other safety hazards: cords (may cause one to trip/fall), heavy
objects near the edge of a table (may fall and crush one’s foot), etc.
Proper Use of Equipment

Power-up Procedure
• Make sure:
• All connections are secure and correct;
• Nothing obstructs or is placed near the equipment;
• All group members are at least one foot (1ft) away from the
equipment (machine, PLC, etc.);
• You yell “Powering up” so that all group members are aware that
the equipment will be energized

• Do not place your body parts near the equipment, i.e.

machine, currently running/powered up.
Proper Use of Equipment

Electric Machines
• Check the ratings (voltage, current, etc.) of the machine/s
you will use. Make sure your input (voltage, power, etc.)
will not exceed these ratings.

• Make sure all the connections, including machine

coupling, are secure and correct before powering up the
machine.

• Do not put anything (wires, notebooks, pens, etc.) on top

of or near the machines, especially near the shaft.

• Follow the power-up procedure discussed.

Proper Use of Equipment

Power Supply
• Be aware of the circuit breakers, including the main
breaker, of the supply.

• Read the output ratings of the supply before using it. The
supply has constant and variable DC/AC voltage sources.

• Do NOT turn the supply ON (or OFF) without informing all

of your groupmates.

• Do not put anything (wires, notebooks,

pens, etc.) on top of the supply.

• Refrain from sitting on the supply.

Proper Use of Equipment

Programmable Logic Controller

• Turn OFF the PLC when wiring up.

• Make sure all the connections are secure and correct

before turning the PLC ON.

• Look out for possible short circuits between the sources

on the PLC unit and the power supply of the
machine/equipment.

• Hold a reasonable distance from the relays

and the PLC unit as the relays may spark
off due to wrong connections.
Proper Use of Equipment

Meters
• Make sure that the meter is in the correct setting before
connecting it to the circuit.

• Make sure the meter is fully functional before connecting

it to the circuit. Test it by measuring a low voltage/current.

• Refrain from changing the meter’s setting while connected

to a powered up circuit. Turn OFF the circuit first before
changing the setting of the meter.
Proper Use of Equipment

Meters
• Place the meters on the space next to the machines, i.e.
away from the shaft.

• Observe proper connection of the meter into the circuit,

i.e. ammeter must be put in series with the circuit element.

• Do NOT use an ohmmeter or connectivity tester when the

circuit is powered up/ON.

• Do NOT point the digital tachometer laser

to another person in the lab.
Handling Heavy Equipment
• Check for any ground obstructions, like cords or wires,
before moving/transferring the heavy equipment.

• If the equipment has wheels, do NOT attempt to carry it.

Push it to the desired location.

• Do NOT carry a heavy equipment that weighs beyond

what you can handle. Call for the help of others to do this.

• Carry the equipment in a secure manner so as to prevent

it from falling.

• Yell “moving equipment” to inform others you are moving

something heavy.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Emergency Situations

Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Emergency Situations

Electric shock
• Separate the person from the source of electric shock
immediately by turning the main breaker or the supply OFF.
• Make sure to NEVER touch the person without turning OFF the
cause of electric shock. You can get electric shock as well.
• Remove any other possible sources of electricity near the casualty–
like loose wires, cords, residual machine current–by using an
insulating/low conductivity object, such as a dry plastic stick, dry
broom, etc.

• Call for immediate medical assistance using a phone in the

guard’s desk (Ambulance: local 110). Also, seek the help of
Sir Ali at Room 129.

http://www.fifesigns.info/image/data/58999.jpg
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/around-the-home/first-aid/
Emergency Situations

Electric shock
• Monitor the responsiveness of the casualty while waiting for
the ambulance/medical assistance.
• Place the victim in a recovery position: lying on their backs, facing up,
arms rested on the sides.
• Ask the casualty a “Yes-or-No” question, like “Can you hear me?”.
• If responsive, continually check on the consciousness of the victim
until medical help arrives.
• If unresponsive:
• Seek help. If you are alone, briefly leave the casualty to seek help.
• Make sure that the victim is still breathing. If not, carry out CPR/chest
compressions until medical assistance arrives.

http://www.fifesigns.info/image/data/58999.jpg
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/around-the-home/first-aid/
Emergency Situations

Fires
• Sound the fire alarm and call the fire brigade.

• Attempt to extinguish the fire only if you can using the fire
extinguisher near the exit door.
• If the fire is electricity-related, try to turn OFF the circuit breaker of the
supply or of the building before attempting to extinguish the fire.
• Do this without risking your or others’ safety.

• Leave the laboratory immediately in an organized way.

• Do not try to collect your belongings.
• If you see too much fumes/smoke, drop and crawl out the laboratory.
• Assist others who are weakened by the smoke/fire.
• Proceed to the designated evacuation area
Emergency Situations

Fires
• Do NOT re-enter the room/building until authorized to do so.

• If you are on fire:

• If you see someone on fire:

• Make sure there are no additional dangers, like loose wires, before
helping. Turn OFF the the power source if it is electricity-related.
• Attempt to put out the fire using available materials, like fire
extinguishers or a wet cloth.
• Immediately help the victim out of the room into open air.
Earthquake

• Drop onto the ground.

• Cover your head. Protect your head from falling debris.
• Crawl/go to the nearest table that has no obstructions,
heavy equipment or windows near it.
• You might trip or fall due to the obstructions
• Heavy equipment might fall over you.
• Window glass might shatter and cause wounds.
• Hold yourself onto the table to avoid slipping while the
ground is shaking.
Earthquake

• Wait for the earthquake to stop.

• Check if others are hurt or covered by objects.
• Leave the laboratory in an organized manner.
• Make sure to follow the path with least hazards, i.e. falling debris.
• Help others who are weakened or nauseated by the earthquake.
• Go to the designated evacuation area.
• Do NOT re-enter the room/building until authorized to do so.