Safety Rules and Recommended Procedures for All Users
The NEES Equipment Site at the University of Nevada, Reno is a biaxial, multiple-shake-table facility (with three identical biaxial shake-tables) that is suitable for conducting research on long, spatially distributed, structural and geotechnical systems. The facility is also capable of testing conventional structural and non-structural systems by using the tables in large-table-mode, and operating them as a single unit. The University of Nevada, Reno - NEES Shake-Table Equipment site is funded in part by the George E. Brown, Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) Program of the National Science Foundation under Award Number CMS-0086624.
The rules and procedures described in this document are intended to assure the safety of all laboratory users, personnel and visitors while in the Large-Scale Structures Laboratory at UNR.
LABORATORY USERS
A Laboratory User is any person working in the Lab on a research project or service-to-industry project. It also includes any contractor who may be in the Lab servicing or installing equipment. All Users have a responsibility to know and follow the rules and procedures given below. Repeated violation of these rules and procedures will be cause for denial of Lab privileges.
Unless exempted by Lab Personnel, all Users must attend a safety meeting at the beginning of their project, which will be held for undergraduate and graduate students at the beginning of each semester and in late May for summer projects.
LABORATORY PERSONNEL
In this document the term 'Laboratory Personnel' refers to the following people:
LABORATORY HOURS
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Laboratory hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, except official university holidays.
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Any user wishing to work after hours, on weekends, or official holidays, must check out a key and get all work pre-approved by Lab Personnel.
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There must always be more than one person working in the Lab at all times, including after hours, unless the activity has been designated 'low risk' by Lab Personnel.
RIGHTS OF LABORATORY PERSONNEL
Lab Personnel have the right to stop, alter, or refuse any task or operation of any piece of equipment that is being performed by any Lab User.
TESTING IN PROGRESS
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When red strobe lights are flashing, the hydraulic system is active and testing is in progress. Do not approach within 10 feet of any hydraulic line, shake table, actuator, or test specimens unless approved by Lab Personnel.
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All other project work may be limited by Lab Personnel on a test day.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
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The laboratory will provide all personal protective equipment that is mandatory.
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Hardhats are mandatory for all crane and forklift operations.
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Eyeglasses are mandatory when grinding, impacting, drilling, mixing, or hammering.
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A personal safety harness shall be used when required by Lab Personnel.
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Hardhats are recommended while working on, under, or near specimens or test fixtures.
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Earplugs or earmuffs are recommended and available from Lab Personnel when grinding, impacting, or drilling.
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Steel toe boots and gloves are recommended whenever assembling or disassembling test specimens or test fixtures.
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Cranes may not be used unless the operator has been trained and certified by Lab Personnel.
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Simultaneous use of both cranes is not allowed unless specifically approved by Lab Personnel.
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Heavy and/or large items are to be craned only by Lab Personnel.
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Cranes shall not be left unattended while still attached to a specimen or test fixture.
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Avoid crane use above hydraulic actuators, controllers, data acquisition systems or hydraulic lines.
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Only Lab Personnel may use the Large Forklift ('Bertha').
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Only Users who have been trained and certified by Lab Personnel may use the Small Forklift.
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The Small Forklift shall not be used in the basement, except by Lab Personnel.
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Use caution when operating the Small Forklift around hydraulic actuators, controllers, data acquisition systems or hydraulic lines.
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Do not use any power tool unless approved by Lab Personnel.
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No power tool may be used if operator is alone in Lab.
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Do not move or modify any hydraulic actuator, accumulator, or hydraulic line.
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Use of the welder or blow torch is not allowed.
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All tools must be inspected before use and any defect reported to Lab Personnel.
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Return tools to the proper location at the end of each working day and when the job is complete.
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Do not use the Dywidag Jack unless approved by Lab Personnel.
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Ladders must be properly positioned and/or tied off.
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If your work will generate dust, cover sensitive equipment before you start, and clean up the dust.
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Keep walkways (which are crosshatched with yellow tape) clear of all obstacles at all times.
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Avoid creating floor clutter.
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Clean up work area daily.
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Do not block fire extinguishers or electrical panels.
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Gloves are required when using the north roll-up door.
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Know where First Aid Kit, Eye Wash Station, Fire Exits, Fire Extinguishers, and Electrical Disconnects are located.
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All visitors must be accompanied by a University host such as a member of the University Administration, Deans Office, Engineering Faculty, Mackay School of Mines, Seismology Laboratory, and Nevada Bureau of Mines. Active research students may also act as hosts.
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Advance notice of any visit should be given to Lab Personnel, whenever possible.
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Host must notify Lab Personnel as soon as visit begins.
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Visitors are not recommended in the basement and only with the express approval of Lab Personnel on each occasion.
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Keep visitors away from congested areas, especially on test days.
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Advise visitors of all tripping and other safety hazards in the Lab.
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There is no limit to the overall size of a group, but for safety reasons and because the acoustics in the Lab are poor, large groups should be divided into smaller ones with a guide for each group.
Information can also be accessed on NEEScentral Facilities . |
