Lab & Safety rules
General Laboratory Safety
Policy
- North Dakota State University is committed to providing a safe
working environment for its students, staff, & faculty.
- North Dakota State University and the Department of Electrical
and Computer Engineering require its students, staff, and faculty to
adhere to the General Laboratory
Safety Rules in Electrical and Computer Engineering laboratories
and to follow the Electrical Safety
Guidelines.
General Laboratory Safety
Rules
- Smoking is prohibited.
- Food and drink shall not be brought into, stored in, or consumed
in a laboratory.
- Shoes that fully protect the feet must be worn, and personal
clothing must be appropriate for laboratory work.
- Appropriate eye protection shall be worn when using toxic
chemicals or operating mechanical equipment.
- Be familiar with the locations and operation of safety and
emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, emergency power off
switches, fire alarms, telephones, and emergency exits.
- Learn and know what to do in an emergency.
- Unauthorized person(s) are not allowed in a laboratory.
"Authorized" means having business in the laboratory with the
permission of Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- Laboratory rooms shall remain locked when unoccupied.
- Never open any of the equipment in the laboratory.
- Report all problems to your instructor.
- In case of emergency, dial 9-911. Be sure to report the building
address: 1411 Centennial Blvd
Electrical Safety Guidelines
- Be familiar with the electrical hazards associated with your
laboratory.
- Act carefully for the safety of others as well as for yourself.
(Horseplay is inappropriate.)
- Enter the laboratory only when authorized to do so.
- Avoid bulky and loose clothing. Avoid long loose hair. Remove all
metal jewelry such as metal bracelets, neck chains, watchstraps or
rings.
- Avoid wet hands and clothing.
- Before equipment is made live,
- have your instructor check your circuit connections and
layout unless specifically advised otherwise, and
- be sure all members in your group agree to it.
- Never work alone in a laboratory.
- Know the correct handling procedures for batteries, cells,
capacitors, inductors and other high energy-storage devices.
- Use extension cords only when necessary and only on a temporary
basis.
- Discard damaged cords, cords that become hot, or cords with
exposed wiring.
- Experiments left unattended should be isolated from the supplies.
If for a special reason, an experimental setup must be left powered on,
a barrier and a warning notice are required.
- Equipment found to be faulty in any way should be reported
immediately and not used until it is inspected and declared safe.
- Voltages above 50 Vrms ac and 120 V dc are always dangerous.
(Values smaller than this can still pose risks and should be treated
with care.) Extra precautions should be considered as voltage levels
are increased. Note that it is current that kills — anything above 10
mA can be fatal!
- Never make any changes to a circuit without first isolating the
circuit by switching off and removing connections to power supplies.
- Know what you must do in an emergency.
Electrical Emergency Response
Guidelines for
handling the following two types of electrical emergencies:
(1) Electric
Shock
When someone suffers serious electrical shock, they may become
unconscious or paralyzed. If the victim is still in contact with an
electrical source, immediately turn off the electrical power source. If
you cannot disconnect the power source, use the Emergency Power Off
switch. Even after the electrical power source is turned off, use a dry
board, a nonmetallic belt, clothing, or other available nonconductive
material to free the victim from electrical contact.
IMPORTANT
- Do not touch a victim that is still in contact with a power
source; you could be electrocuted.
- Have someone call for emergency medical assistance immediately.
(Dial 9-911.) Administer first aid, as appropriate.
(2)
Electrical Fire
If an electrical fire occurs, disconnect the electrical power source if
possible. Sound the nearest fire alarm. If the fire is small, you are
not in immediate danger, and you have been trained in fighting fires,
use any type of fire extinguisher except water to extinguish the fire.
IMPORTANT
- Do not use water on an electrical fire.