Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) - McMaster Department of ...

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
For using Charpy Impact Tester
#1 General Process Description
This piece of equipment is used to measure the impact strength of metals. The anvil
(pendulum arm) is brought up to the lock position and then released using the release
lever. The anvil swings in a pendulum motion fracturing the metal sample and the impact
strength is recorded. All work described in this SOP will have to be conducted in JHE
134. You MUST have WHMIS training prior to working in the lab; users must be
properly trained on this piece of equipment. Contact Person is Ed McCaffery Laboratory
Manager (Room JHE 248 ext 24985). This SOP is from 03/06/2008.
#2 Hazards of Charpy Impact Tester/ Class of Hazard
The major risk of this equipment is pinch (mechanical hazard).
#3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Before using the Charpy Impact Tester, ensure that you will at least meet the following
protective requirements:
1. Safety Glasses
2. Closed-toe shoes with socks
3. Long pants (no shorts!)
4. Lab coat (optional)
5. Sample Mounting Tongs
Before proceeding you must have read and are familiar with the safe operations of the
Charpy Impact Tester.
#4 Engineering / Ventilation Controls
There is no engineering or ventilation controls required for this piece of equipment.
#5 Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements
ONLY ONE PERSON SHOULD BE IN THE PINCH AREA WHEN THE ANVIL IS IN
THE UP POSITION! NEVER BE IN THE WAY OF THE MOTION OF THE SWING
WHEN THE ANVIL IS IN THE UP POSITION! Before using the Charpy Impact Tester
make sure the brake cord is plugged in and that the wire is not fray. Inspect the locking
mechanism that it is in good working order (no chips and no wear). Be careful raising
the Anvil (the weight is approximately 60lbs), if you can’t lift the Anvil by yourself, have
someone who can lift this weight, do it for you. Once the Anvil is in the locked position
load the sample in the specimen holder using the sample mounting tongs; DO NOT hold
the sample in your hand to mount it. When the Anvil is being released ensure that your
body is out of the way of the pendulum swinging motion.

SOP –Charpy Impact Tester.
#6 Accident Procedures
If you are injured using this piece of equipment; depending on the severity of the
injury either go to the First Aid station (JHE 140) for first aid and fill out an
incident report or if the injury is severe call 88 and receive medical attention
immediately.
If an injury does occurs, make sure the area is quarantined off, do not clean the area if an
accident occurs, the emergency response team must assess the accident scene to assess
what occurred, leave the room and call 88 immediately, then EOHSS Ext 23314 and Ed
McCaffery Ext 24895.
#7 Waste Disposal
Not Applicable
#8 Training requirements
Prior to entering and working in the laboratory, you must have completed the EOHSS
WHMIS training. You will have to retain training documentation for at least one year.
Any person conducting work in JHE 134 using this SOP must receive training on the
contents of this SOP.
#9 Approval Required
All research staff, students, and Graduate students must be trained prior to starting work
with the Charpy Impact Tester. If working after hours you have to ask for approval from
your Supervisor and the Person In-charge, Laboratory Manager Ed McCaffery.
#10 Decontamination
Clean the area of any fractured samples and make sure the Anvil is not moving or is in
the lock position before leaving the area.
#11 Designated Area
Upon leaving a designated work area, remove any personal protective equipment worn
and wash hands. After each use (or day), wipe down the immediate work area. At the end
of each project, thoroughly decontaminate the designated area before resuming normal
laboratory work in the area.

SOP – Charpy Impact Tester
#12 Precise Process Description
1. Inspect the latch on the locking mechanism; ensure that it has no chips or that
it is worn.
2. Test the electric brake is working (nudge the pendulum “move it a few inches”
and press the brake button to ensure that the magnetic brake is working.
3. Inspect the electrical cord for the magnetic brake make sure it is plugged in
correctly and that it is not frayed.
4. Practice handling the specimen with the Sample mounting Tongs.
5. It is essential that you wear safety glasses. You must wear closed toe shoes
and long pants.
6. Lift the Anvil (remember lifting with your legs NOT your back) until it is
locked into position. If you are not strong enough to lift the Anvil, find
someone who can, remember ONLY ONE PERSON MAY BE IN THE
PINCH AREA WHEN THE ANVIL IS IN THE UP POSITION.
7. Load the sample into the sample holder (Notch facing the Wall) using the
Sample Mounting Tongs. Slide the load indicator to the maximum load (far
left of the scale).
8. Once the sample is in the holder; stand outside the gated area (Make sure no
one including yourself is in the area of the pendulum), and release the Anvil
by quickly lifting the release bar. If your arm cannot reach the release bar
when standing outside the gated area use the extension bar.
9. Once the specimen is fractured; press the brake button and hold it until the
pendulum stops moving.
10. It is now safe to enter the pinch area, collect the fractured specimen, and
record the force required to fracture the specimen.

SOP – Charpy Impact Tester
Laboratory Accident Response Procedures
Health Threatening Situation - In the event of an imminent or actual health-threatening
emergency (threatening local or public health, safety, or welfare; or the environment
outside the immediate area):
1) CALL 88 FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE
REMAIN IN THE AREA TO ADVISE RESPONDERS IF YOU CAN.
2) ACTIVATE LOCAL ALARM SYSTEMS IF REQUIRED) Once personal safety
is established, call EOHSS at Ext 24352 and proceed with local notifications,
below.
Health Threatening Situation – In the event of a major injury:
1) Notify McMaster Responders: Call 88 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week), then
2) Provide local notifications:
Name Phone Number Title
Ed McCaffery Ext 24985 Lab Manager/ Principal Investigator
Lisa Morine Ext 23314 EOHSS
Local Response Situation – In the event of a minor injury:
1) Notify personnel in the area and restrict access.
2) Make sure the Anvil is not moving or in a position which could pose more
harm, make a record in your lab inspection report, and notify your
supervisor.
Disclaimer: The SOP as written contains our best understanding at this time on how to
work safely with this piece of equipment. When new information is found that would
improve the safe use of this equipment it will be added in a timely manner. As it stands
we cannot be held liable for misuse or abuse of these instructions through negligence on
the user’s part or based on the content of these notes.