The following procedures are for use by authorized students, faculty and staff involved
with laboratories maintained by the Electrical Engineering Department for instructional
purposes.
The course instructor or laboratory supervisor has final responsibility for the safety of all students working in the laboratory under their supervision. The instructor has the obligation and authority to enforce all approved safety procedures in effect at the time.
Individuals operating any piece of equipment in any of the department teaching laboratories will adhere to all current safety and barrier requirements. Students and faculty are responsible for reading, understanding and following all safety procedures posted on the departmental web site, in the laboratories or on specific pieces of equipment that they use.
Teaching laboratories in the Electrical Engineering Department are normally closed and locked when not in use for scheduled labs. Students are not permitted unsupervised access to the lab facilities without permission.
The following procedures and practices only apply to Laboratory Facilities operated by the Electrical Engineering Department of Arkansas Tech University for Supervised Instruction associated with established laboratory courses, or to students enrolled in a laboratory course who have the permission of the instructor to work without supervision.
1. Notify the lab instructor and fellow classmates.
2. Vacate fire area by using the nearest fire exit, and close doors.
3. Actuate nearest wall mounted fire alarm station.
4. Evacuate building (Do Not Use Elevators). Telephone (479) 968-0222.
5. Remain in the area to guide the Fire Department to the scene of the fire.
6. Do not re-enter the building until authorized to do so by the Fire Department.
7. Do not assume ringing fire bells are a false alarm - Leave The Building.
1. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire if you can not do so safely.
2. Familiarize yourself with the location of fire alarm stations and the extinguishers in your areas.
3. Report all fires regardless of size.
4. Report smoke and fumes of undetermined origin.
Emergency Telephone Numbers:
Ambulance:
Arkansas Tech Health and Wellness Center:
Arkansas Poison Control Center:
(800) 376-4766
1. An adequate number of fire extinguishers and first aid kits will be displayed in conspicuous areas throughout the building. Signs will be posted in each lab with directions to the nearest fire extinguisher and first aid kit.
2. The extinguishers and kits will be inspected on a regular basis.
3. First Aid Kits for those with First Aid training are available in the laboratories in Corley and the Energy Center.
4. See posted notices for First Aid kit locations and a list of persons qualified to render First Aid.
General Instructions:
When requesting medical assistance by telephone, say where the patient is, like this, "Please send an ambulance to Room 120, Corley, Arkansas Tech Campus".
1. Working alone with accessible voltages in excess of 24 volts ac rms or dc Is Not Permitted. A laboratory instructor or other competent person must be present when undergraduates are working with high voltage.
2. When making or setting up experiments with high voltage the power must be turned Off.
3. Circuits must always be checked first by a laboratory instructor or other competent technician before power is turned on.
4. No individual should be in contact with any equipment while power is being applied.
5. All instruments and utility equipment must be properly grounded or be double insulated.
1. Working alone with rotating machinery or machine tools is not permitted.
2. All Students must be supervised by a competent person while using machine tools and rotating machines.
3. Loose clothes, scarves, ties, rings, etc., Must Not be worn while operating rotating equipment. Long hair Must Be tied back.
4. Safety glasses must be worn if rotating equipment produces hazards to the eye, e.g., grinding, turning, milling and drilling.
5. All machine tools must be disabled and can only be made operative under the direction of a competent individual.
1. As lasers can cause severe damage to the eye, looking directly into the light source is prohibited.
2. Special filtered goggles should be worn when operating a laser or ultraviolet light source.
As microwave radiation can be hazardous, care should be exercised to avoid close contact with microwave sources. Looking into the open end of a wave guide is prohibited.
1. Working alone in a room containing gases or liquids under pressure is prohibited.
2. Handling contents under pressure should only be done by qualified personnel or under the supervision of a competent person.
1. Flammable liquids or substances must be stored in approved containers, e.g., gasoline, solvents, potassium and sodium.
2. Disposal of flammable liquids and toxic substances should be made in accordance with the established practice of the Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
3. Quantities of flammable liquids should be kept to the minimum amount required for a specific task.
1. Safety glasses must be worn while operating machine tools, while soldering or servicing wet batteries, handling hazardous chemicals and in all open situations which can be hazardous to the eyes.
2. Safety shoes should be worn when lifting or carrying heavy objects.
All accidental injuries requiring medical attention (even a bandage) in the Electrical Engineering laboratories or offices in the Energy Center or Corley must be reported to the Department Chairperson within 24 hours of the injury.
The emergency and safety procedures for the Department of Electrical Engineering will be posted through the building in plain view of all patrons.
Minimum permissible protective equipmentto be worn at all times by all students working in any ATU Electrical Engineering Department labs involving soldering or rotating machinery.
1. A soldering video will be required viewing by everyone using the Electrical Engineering soldering stations. The lab instructor will be responsible for maintaining a list of students who have viewed the video. Additional instruction will be provided on an as-needed basis.
2. ANSI Z-87-approved safety glasses (wraparound style or equipped with side shields) are required for all soldering and use of rotating machinery in Electrical Engineering. These safety glasses are the property and responsibility of the individual student. Lab instructors or supervisors are responsible for proper adherence to these safety guidelines.
3. Closed toe shoes.
4. Long pants, skirt or dress that covers the legs and ankles. Note: loose or floppy clothing should never be worn when using power tools.
5. Long hair must be tied, covered or otherwise controlled to keep it out of the face.
6. Soldering stations must be located in well ventilated areas.
Sign the a form indicating you have read and understand the departmental safety policies and give the signed form to your instructor.