Safety Plan for the
2024 SLC-SOS/MEEPC Field Campaign
on the UW Mobile Research Laboratory
Table of Contents
1. Contact Information
2. Emergency Situations
3. Personal Protective Practices
4. Standard Operations
4.1 Driving the UW Mobile Laboratory (UWML)
4.2 Mobile Lab Passengers
4.3 Handling Compressed Gas Cylinders
4.4 Code of Conduct
1. Contact Information
The following members can be contacted for further information regarding team protocols for the Salt Lake City collaborative field campaign.
Emily Fischer, SLC-SOS PI, (603) 986-4241, emily.v.fischer@colostate.edu
John Lin, MEEPC PI, 801-349-0831, John.Lin@utah.edu
Shane Murphy, MEEPC PI, (919) 602-6485, shane.murphy@uwyo.edu
Lu Hu, SLC-SOS PI, 406-203-8539, lu.hu@umt.edu
Gannet Hallar, SLC-SOS PI, 970-819-0968, gannet.hallar@utah.edu
Reem Hannun, SLC-SOS PI, 843-270-2237, reem.a.hannun@nasa.gov
Matt Burkhart, UW research engineer, (307) 399-4960, monoski@uwyo.edu
Jeff Nivitanont, UW mobile lab facilitator, (405) 719-4803, jnivitan@uwyo.edu
Contact information for other team members can be found at the top of the team notes.
2. Emergency Situations
In the case of an emergency, dial 911 to contact emergency services. The preservation of life takes priority over all other tasks. As a general guide, all participating members shall be notified of the emergency and research operations will cease promptly and safely. If not within the immediate area, the research supervisor shall be notified of the emergency as soon as possible.
There is a hospital with an emergency room at the University of Utah Hospital.
University of Utah Hospital
50 Medical Dr N, Salt Lake City, UT 84132
Other nearby emergency facilities include:
St. Marks Hospital
1200 E 3900 S 1st Floor, Salt Lake City, UT 84124
Intermountain Medical Center
5121 S Cottonwood St, Murray, UT 84107
West Valley Emergency
5668 W 3100 S, West Valley City, UT 84128
Holy Cross Hospital - Jordan Valley
3460 Pioneer Pkwy, West Valley City, UT 84120
LDS Hospital
8th Ave &, C St E, Salt Lake City, UT 84143
Salt Lake Regional Medical Center
1050 E S Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
3. Personal Protective Practices
● If there are concerns about safety, any member of the research team (including those outside the mobile laboratory) can call a halt to operations for evaluation.
● Driver and passenger should periodically check on each other’s well-being.
● Closed toe shoes shall be worn in the vicinity of the UW Mobile Laboratory.
● Stay hydrated and bring salty snacks.
● Avoid prolonged periods of exposure to the sun and seek shade, particularly during calibration periods.
● Wear sunglasses to reduce visual fatigue.
● Bring Dramamine or other motion sickness medications as needed.
● UW Mobile Laboratory operators and navigators are encouraged to stop at parks as needed for sampling and restroom/comfort breaks as needed.
● Always follow rules of the road–e.g., speed limits, road signs
4. Standard Operations
4.1 Driving the UW Mobile Laboratory (UWML)
All members tasked with driving the UWML shall possess a valid government-issued driver’s license and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record check on file in the University of Wyoming MVR portal. Prior to driving the UWML, members will ensure research equipment is in the appropriate configuration and secured for transport. While the UWML is moving, members shall remain seated with safety belts buckled. There shall be no more members in the UWML than there are available seats with safety belts. When backing, parking, or driving over terrain, spotters (i.e., the passenger) shall be used to prevent damage to the UWML exterior and surrounding equipment. We expect that mobile lab drivers will be rotated each drive.
4.2 Mobile Lab Passengers
Be aware that mobile lab passengers are most susceptible to fatigue and motion sickness. Passengers are also responsible for safety and should vocalize with the driver any safety concerns internal or external to the mobile lab. The passenger laptop rack shall not be configured in any way such that it would interfere with the deployment of airbags.
Only when parked shall mobile lab passengers freely move in the cargo bay. When moving in the cargo bay, all members should exercise caution to avoid bumping their heads on the overhead cabinets and cabinet doors. Also, be aware that during calibrations there may be several tripping hazards due to teflon lines routed into the van.
We expect that mobile lab passengers will be rotated each drive.
4.3 Handling Compressed Gas Cylinders
WARNING: Compressed gasses impose very large potential hazards if not properly handled. Such gasses can be used safely if the following precautions are complied with completely during cylinder receiving operations, storage, transportation, usage, and empty cylinder disposal. All members utilizing pressurized gas cylinders shall consult and familiarize themselves with the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets. The accidental dropping of a pressurized gas cylinder may result in an accidental valve blowoff.
KNOW CYLINDER CONTENTS AND ITS PROPERTIES
The physical properties, flammability, corrosiveness, and physiological (e.g., toxicity, anesthetic, and irritating) properties of a cylinder gas should be known before it is used. If the contents of a cylinder cannot be determined completely from looking on the cylinder or an accompanying tag attached to the cylinder (not its cap), mark the cylinder "Unidentified" and return to the supplier. Do not rely on cylinder colors, which vary from company to company; some people are color blind. Never remove or deface a label.
HANDLING OF CYLINDERS
Please watch these videos:
Safe handling of compressed gases (longer video)
Safety video #2 (shorter video)
Cylinders are built as lightweight as possible consistent with safety and durability for use as shipping containers. They therefore should be transported carefully--large cylinders (over 24 inches high) should be transported only with a wheeled cart. Large cylinders should be fastened securely with a strap or chain before removing the cap. Abuse and hard knocks can seriously weaken a container, and a falling cylinder can break legs and crush feet. Finally, should the valve be broken, the cylinder becomes a powerful rocket. Keep these hazards in mind when working with gas cylinders.
HEATING OF CYLINDERS
Most cylinders are equipped with fusible metal safety plugs which release if it is heated above 70°C. Therefore, if it is necessary to warm a cylinder to facilitate discharge of the contents, immerse no more than the lower 20% in warm water; steam should never be used directly on a cylinder. The valve must be partly open whenever a cylinder is warmed.
USE OF VALVES AND REGULATORS
Always wear safety glasses or goggles when installing, removing, or depressurizing regulators. A cylinder shall always be used with a regulator selected specifically for the given gas. The threads of the regulator will match the threads of the cylinder outlets. If the connection must be forced, you have either the wrong regulator or the wrong gas. To remove gas through a regulator, first ensure that all valves are closed, then, in succession, and slowly open all valves (starting with the cylinder valve). Be sure that the final valve opening directs the flow of gas away from you, others and any ignition source if applicable. Close all valves in the same order as used in opening them. Since cylinder valves, particularly those used with corrosive gasses, are designed so that the valve stem and packing are protected from contact with the gas when the valve is either completely open or closed, it should always be in either of these two positions. The cylinder valve should be closed when gas is not in use.
General operating principle (types of CGA fittings)
Table of which CGA fittings go with different gases
How to attach a regulator to a gas cylinder
How to purge a calibration gas regulator (vacuum method)
How to purge a calibration gas regulator (without using a vacuum pump)
How to Flush a Regulator and Avoid Memory Effects During Picarro Calibration Procedures
CONTROL OF GAS AND REACTION SYSTEM
To prevent contaminants from entering the system, always place a trap between the cylinder and the system. To prevent an explosion resulting from suck-back of contamination into the cylinder, never completely empty the cylinder. If pressure may build up in the system, equip the line with a pressure indicator and a safety vent.
HANDLING OF EMPTY CYLINDERS
The valve should be closed and the cap replaced on empty cylinders. They should be marked with "MT" and dated. Put empty cylinders in WBB 808 or WBB 810, whichever rack has a spot open and can be secured with a chain. Contact your supervisor about returning empty cylinders from other vendors. Do not attempt to refill a cylinder.
REPAIR AND ADJUSTMENT OF EQUIPMENT
Do not attempt to repair a regulator yourself. Also, never attempt to tighten nuts or bolts on fittings of high-pressure equipment while it is in use. Release the pressure first, then make adjustments.
4.4 Code of Conduct
All institutions participating in SLC-SOS are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants in the field project and related activities no matter their role or background. This includes respectful treatment of everyone regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, body size, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, level of experience, political affiliation, veteran status, pregnancy, genetic information, as well as any other characteristic protected under state or federal law.
All participants (and guests) are required to abide by this Code of Conduct.