Research Safety
Safety Mission Statement
The Department of Nuclear Engineering strives to conduct worldclass engineering research while continuously educating and developing current graduate and undergraduate students. Improving the lives of individuals is central to the department’s focus, and that begins with those performing the research. We are committed to conducting our research activities with the highest degree of safety and ensuring the protection of all individuals in the nuclear engineering community.
Developing a research community with a focus on safety not only improves the quality and effectiveness of the associated research programs, it educates students and promotes the development of safe and effective independent researchers moving forward to professional careers in academics medicine and industry. Safety is the responsibility of the entire nuclear engineering community including administrators, principal investigators, faculty and students. Identifying and immediately addressing potential hazards with colleagues’ staff and students not following appropriate safety protocols and guidelines is the responsibility of us all.
Report an Injury
Please report any injuries immediately to Saya Lee at 814-863-1532.
Safety Committee
| Member | Office Phone | Office Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saya Lee | sayalee@psu.edu | 814-863-1532 | 219 Hallowell Building |
| Jon Schwantes | jms11028@psu.edu | 814-863-8575 | 205 Hallowell |
| Xing Wang | xvw5285@psu.edu | 814-863-0413 | 223 Hallowell |
| Jaime Focht | lb402@psu.edu | 814-863-6222 | 206 Hallowell |
| Brandy Wood | bdm13@psu.edu | 814-863-5530 | 403A EES |
| Christopher Balbier | ctb5250@psu.edu | 814-863-6222 | 310 Hallowell |
| Ama Dahanayake | acd5770@psu.edu | 814-863-6222 | 303 3058 Research Dr. |
Equipment Disposal
For information on the proper disposal of equipment, such as refrigerators, lasers, countertops, and more, please reference the Penn State Environmental Health and Safety website.
Mandatory Training and Equipment
Any person working in an experimental lab in nuclear engineering must complete the Laboratory Safety Program offered by EHS. Refresher training must be completed annually by taking the Laboratory Safety Refresher course available at EHS.
Courses that may be required for nuclear engineering lab use (if applicable) include:
- Chemical and Hazardous Waste Handling (initial and refresher)
- Right-to-Know
- Autoclave Safety
- Bloodborne Pathogen
- General Laser Safety Training
- Hazardous Materials Shipping and Receiving
The following steps should be followed to complete safety training on a yearly basis.
- Visit the Penn State Environmental Health and Safety website or contact EHS at 814-865-6391 to schedule a time for your class.
- Look under the course list start with the “Chemical and Hazardous Waste Handling (Initial)” under “Chemical Safety.”
- A copy of that form must be kept in the Lab Safety Plan in your lab.
- All persons are required to refresh their training every year by completing the “Chemical and Hazardous Waste Handling (Refresher)” course and updating the paperwork in their lab’s “Lab Safety Plan.”
Required PPE in Experimental Labs
All occupants of experimental labs must adhere to the following rules:
- Safety glasses must be worn at all times.
- Gloves must be worn while working in the lab and removed prior to leaving the lab.
- Lab coats must be worn in all labs.
- Closed toe shoes must be worn in all labs. Absolutely no open toe shoes in experimental labs.
- Additional PPE may be required on specific experiments. KNOW YOUR HAZARDS.
Key Control
Documentation of the safety training will have to be supplied in order to sign out any keys in Hallowell Building. If safety training is not updated annually, key privileges will be lost.
