Heavy Metal Use

• Post the "Caution: Heavy Metal Solutions" sign in the working area prior to usage. 
• Ensure that containers of solutions containing heavy atoms are clearly labeled, identifying contents, owner's name, contact telephone number and date. 
• Heavy metal solutions can only be made up in one of the Biotechnology Laboratories, and safety glasses and gloves shall be worn. Containers of volatile heavy metal solutions shall be opened in a working hood in one of these laboratories. The area in the hood must be lined with absorbent material. 
• Quantities of less than 1 ml of solution, containing less than 0.1 M of heavy metals, may be removed from the Biotechnology laboratory in labeled and tightly sealed containers and transported to the sample preparation area at the beamline for soaking crystals. 
• Soaking crystals at the beamline shall be performed in the Heavy Metal containment tray; absolutely no exceptions. The tray is located next to the computer table. Contact support staff if you can not locate the containment tray. The tray should be lined with absorbent material.
• Spills outside the containment tray shall be wiped up immediately with absorbent material. The SSRL Safety Office must be notified immediately of any heavy metal spill that escapes the containment tray. Please contact the Beamline Duty Operator for this to occur. 
• Any liquid or solid waste, including gloves, absorbent material and other contaminated material should be bagged, clearly labeled and disposed of as hazardous waste. The SSRL Safety Office should be contacted for proper disposal. 
• All heavy atom solutions shall be returned to the user's home laboratory at the finish of the experiment.