Keeping Safe in the Physics Department

Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Locations in the Engineering Building

• Second Floor Arcade, at the far west end where A wing comes in
• Basement Arcade, at the far east end where E wing comes in

Physics Safety Plan

The Physics Safety Plan (PDF, 1.4 MB, with private telephone numbers in the phone tree excised) contains important information on how to respond to various emergencies which may arise when working in the Physics Department.

Below you will find links to safety courses that should be completed prior to working with the associated hazards, and to other important information.

Safety Training Courses

These are links to courses provided by Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (LBL) as web-based safety training courses that are available to the public.

Students and postdocs: When you complete a course, please notify your faculty supervisor.

• Electrical Safety Course This is an hour-long interactive online course. Strongly recommended if you will be working with potential electrical hazards. Requires Adobe Flash.


• Compressed Gas and Cryogen Safety Information on the hazards and safe handling procedures for compressed gases and for cryogens such as liquid nitrogen and liquid helium.


• Laser Safety


• Chemical Hygiene and Safety


• Soldering Awareness Training


• Lead Hazard Awareness

Other Informative Safety Links

• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is designed to provide workers and emergency personnel with information on the proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance. MSDS's include information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point etc.), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, andspill/leak procedures. This web site provides information on how to read and to find the MSDS for the materials you plan to work with.
• Liquid Nitrogen Safety information.