Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) (www.ehs.utexas.edu) carries out annual inspections, and is a valuable resource for addressing safety issues and concerns.  The Safety office conducts periodic walkthroughs on a rotating basis to increase their visibility, address individual safety concerns, and to increase the student body's overall safety awareness.   All students working in laboratories must complete an on-line course on laboratory safety. 

The minimum training classes for lab employees are as follows and must be completed before keys to laboratories and offices will be issued:

Courses offered online through UTLearn (https://utlearn.utexas.edu) 

  • OH 101 – General Hazard Communication
  • OH 201 – General Lab Safety
  • OH 202 – Hazardous Waste Management
  • FF 205 – Fire-Extinguisher Training (hands-on)
  • OH 204 – Compressed Gases
  • OH 241 – Cryogen Safety

Provided by the P.I. or work area supervisor (not an online course)

  • OH 102 – Site-specific Hazard Communication - must be completed within 30 days of joining a laboratory, otherwise card access to the building will be deactivated.

Additional trainings may also be required depending on the type of research being conducted, these include: 

  • OH 207 – Biological Safety
  • OH 218 - Bloodborne Pathogens
  • OH 304 – Laser Safety

Students are expected to review the EH&S website for more information about laboratory safety and available trainings. The following safety categories and procedures are particularly relevant to the research laboratories in the McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering:


Chemical and Petroleum Engineering (CPE) Building Safety

  • Piping Leaks, Flooding, and Mechanical Failures - During normal working hours, these problems should be reported to Shallaco McDonald, CPE 1.402 (471-7867). After hours, these issues should be reported to Facilities Services (512-471-2020). Be prepared to describe the problem and location when calling this number. 


  • Accidents, Injuries, or Medical Emergencies - for life-threatening emergencies, call 911 immediately. For any non-emergency accidents, injuries or medical issue, contact the Building Manager, Shallaco McDonald immediately. 


  • Small Laboratory Fires – Use your judgment to determine whether you are able to extinguish the fire. 
    • If the fire is too large for the fire extinguisher or you are unable to extinguish it, evacuate the lab and pull the fire alarm station near the exits on each floor.  You should then report to the fire alarm Annunciator Room as described in the Building Evacuation section below.
    • B, C rated fire extinguishers are located in laboratories for small fires.  Aim at the base of the fire and spray with a back and forth movement.  For paper fires, this type extinguisher should not be used.
    • A, B, C rated (Powder type) extinguishers are available in the cabinets on each floor.  This type should be used for paper fires.  Note that this type can destroy electrical equipment.
    • Fire extinguishers are not to be moved from their prescribed locations except in case of fire or inspection.
    • Never use water on a flammable liquid fire.
    • Notify building management whenever a fire extinguisher is used.


  • Gas Alarms- The CPE building is equipped with a Gas Monitoring System (GMS). Detectors are located in many areas throughout the building and in labs. A gas alarm will consist of audible chimes, blue strobe lights along with an audible message to inform you what has happened and what action you should take. After a total building evacuation, building occupants should report to the Primary Assembly area across the bridge (Evacuation map) to receive further instructions.  All gas alarms are monitored by the CPE first responders along with UTPD, EH&S, UT Fire Safety Group and AFD. If you get outside and cannot find any emergency personnel you should contact UTPD at 512-471-4441. DO NOT RE-ENTRY THE BUILDING UNTIL THE “ALL CLEAR” HAS BEEN ISSUED. Any questions about building alarms should be directed to Shallaco McDonald (512-471-7867).


  • Building Evacuation
    • FIRE - The Building Alarms will also sound in the event of a fire. You will need to evacuate the building and again report to the Primary Assembly area across the bridge (Evacuation map) for further instructions. If this occurs after hours, call UTPD (512-471-4441) if no emergency personnel can be found.
    • STAY IN PLACE – In the event of a “stay in place alarm” a building wide announcement will instruct you on what needs to be done. These types of alarms will occur in cases that require you to seek shelter inside the building. Examples: weather, outside gas leak, campus threats, etc.
    • GENERAL EVACUATIONS – In the event of “general alarm” a building announcement will be made with instructions on what you will need to do. These alarms will occur when you will need to evacuate the building for reasons other than fire or gas events. Again you should follow these instructions and report outside to receive further instructions on what needs to be done.



Procedures That Are Not Allowed Under Any Circumstances

No work may be done on, and no equipment may be permanently tied into, the following services:

  • High pressure or low-pressure steam
  • 110- or 220-volt power lines
  • High-pressure or low-pressure air
  • Exhaust
  • General building water (Sink, water fountain, Etc.)

The Facilities Services shop personnel and CPE Building Manager are the only individuals authorized to perform the above connections or alterations.  Contact the Building Manager, Shallaco McDonald for any of these requests. 

If there is any question as to whether or not it would be safe to do a certain thing, the answer is “don't” until it has been discussed with Shallaco McDonald, or your P.I.

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