Questa è una vecchia versione del documento!
Indice
====== Lab Safety ====== 
Università di Milano-Bicocca: Safety
General Rules of Conduct
- carefully read the instruction manuals of the instruments used
- before leaving the laboratory, always ensure that all instruments are in safe condition (check-list)
- use helmets, gloves, and protective goggles when necessary
- record all operations performed in the appropriate logbooks
- mark hazardous areas with the red-and-white chain or tape
- if it is necessary to access the laboratory outside the department's opening hours, two people must be present and the Supervisor must be informed in advance
- do not tamper with or remove safety devices
- keep clear access to the black doors that serve as the laboratory's emergency exits (do not block corridors or doors, …)
- keep clear access to laboratory doors
- do not remove mezzanine railings
- wear suitable shoes (for example closed and without heels) to prevent accidents on stairs and protect against impacts or small accidental spills of cryogenic liquids
Reference Persons
- Supervisor (document in italian) for research and teaching activities: Marco Faverzani (tel. 2225)
- In the absence of the supervisor, the most experienced person is responsible for laboratory activities: normally Elena Ferri (tel. 2354)
- Head of Prevention and Protection Service (RSPP), University of Milano-Bicocca: Francesca Peltrera (tel. 6109) (email [servizio.prevenzione@unimib.it](mailto:servizio.prevenzione@unimib.it)]
- Head of Prevention and Protection Service (RSPP) (INFN Milano-Bicocca Section): Giuseppe Bestiani (tel. 2330)
- Qualified Expert, Department of Physics: Stefano Giunti (external); for issues related to radioprotection, contact Marco Faverzani
- Cryogenic liquids manager: Roberto Gaigher (tel. 2312)
- Personnel authorized to use lifting equipment: Giancarlo Ceruti, Angelo Nucciotti
Emergencies
- accident/injury: reception (2099) and 112
- large fire: reception (2099) and 112 (make sure the fire alarm has been triggered)
- ALWAYS FOR ANY EMERGENCY: reception (2099)
- For maintenance requests contact Marco Faverzani or Elena Ferri
In Case of Oxygen Deficiency Alarm
* leave the laboratory immediately * immediately report the alarm to the supervisor * do not disable the alarm * in any case, do not re-enter the laboratory until the external display shows that oxygen levels have returned to normal (>20%) and until the visual alarm outside the lab has been turned off * do not tamper with safety systems:
- do not bypass the solenoid valve that intercepts the gaseous nitrogen line
- do not damage oxygen sensor capsules by exposing them to solvent vapors or gas flows
* immediately report any anomalies in the oxygen sensors to the supervisor
In Case of Blackout
* in case of blackout, the UPS](http://172.17.47.144/|UPS) (Uninterruptible Power Supply) system, thanks to its battery backup, will ensure the operation of cryostats, oxygen sensors, certain lights, and other equipment connected to panels with a red label until the batteries are depleted (actual duration depends on total load) * computers connected to the UPS will automatically shut down after a few minutes * in case of blackout, the air conditioning and ventilation system 3) stops immediately * once UPS backup ends, the oxygen monitoring system will no longer be active * in case of a prolonged blackout, if necessary, use the UPS time to safely secure cryogenic systems and leave the laboratory; otherwise, leave immediately * in any case, once UPS backup ends, leave the laboratory immediately
Regulations
* Workplace Safety 4)
Cryogenic Liquids
* Liquids used in the laboratory
- Liquid helium (T=4K)
- Liquid nitrogen (T=77K)
* risk of cold burn
- always use cryogenic gloves
- wear protective goggles
- do not touch cold parts with bare hands (especially metals)
* risk of asphyxiation 5)
- pay attention to oxygen sensors: in case of alarm, leave the laboratory immediately and report the risk
- keep liquid helium containers connected to the copper recovery line
* risk of explosion 6)
- check the opening of safety valves
- check the closure of vent valves
- always check pressure difference before opening a valve
* keep all containers vertical * do not use dewars to pour liquid * always close containers with proper lids * beware of ice plugs formation (possible high pressure) * in doubt, call the responsible person * Safety chapter extracted from "Handbook of Cryogenic Engineering", J. Weisand * Inventory of cryogenic liquids and evaluation of evaporation impact * Liquid Nitrogen Safety Data Sheet * Liquid Helium Safety Data Sheet
Pressurized Gases
* gases distributed in the laboratory: compressed air, nitrogen, and helium * high pressures may also occur in dilution refrigerator circuits * always close both valves at the take-off points * before opening valves, set the regulators to minimum * keep regulators below 500 mbar * use suitable hoses for gas withdrawal and always check their condition before use * do not tamper with safety valves * always check pressure difference before opening a valve
Radioactive Sources
* Students are not authorized to handle radioactive sources * Do not touch with bare hands * Do not touch the active part * Keep at a safe distance from body and hands * Protect eyes * Limit exposure time * Handle with tongs * Always clearly label sources (indicating type and activity) * Store unused sources behind lead shielding * Study documentation before use * Sources used in the laboratory:
Lifting Equipment
* overhead crane, electric hoist, forklift, and pallet truck may only be used with support from authorized personnel * when working with suspended loads, wear protective helmets
Electrical System
* it is strictly forbidden to tamper with electrical systems * access to electrical panels is allowed only for maintenance staff * it is strictly forbidden to tamper with electrical connections of instrumentation * do not leave computers or control panels open * electrical connections of equipment must only be made by electricians * do not overload power strips; always check the maximum rating * do not connect multiple power strips in series * do not leave power strips on the floor, especially near areas where cryogenic liquids are used
Procedures
* New Safety Procedures for UNIMIB Research Laboratories (10/02/2023) Forms](https://www.unimib.it/ateneo/sicurezza-ateneo/modulistica-e-procedure|Forms) and Procedures * General operating procedures provided by the Prevention and Protection Service
* Complete documentation procedure_applicabili_lab_criostati.zipmoduli.zip * here you can find specific procedures for all operations involving various risks * Each laboratory user must review
- all general Operating Procedures listed above
- the specific rules, instructions, and procedures for the Cryostats laboratory available on this page or through links
* Each laboratory user must sign Form 052 (Acknowledgment of receipt of safety and health information) * Each laboratory user must print and sign this page
Bibliography (to read!)
* "Safety Matters", Oxford Instruments * "Practical Cryogenics", Oxford Instruments
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The undersigned ……………………………………………………………….
declares to have read and understood the information contained in this page, in the attached documents, and in the linked pages.
Date ……………………………………….
Signature ………………………………………
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Would you like me to produce a bilingual version (Italian + English side by side or section by section)? It’s often useful for safety documentation.