Safety in Analytical Laboratory

Y

AL029:
Safety in Analytical Laboratory

Objectives

   After this session, you will know:

•How to identify health and safety hazards of laboratory work

•Health and safety measures your lab           should have in place

•How best to protect yourself from         hazardous exposures

•The requirements of OSHA’s Laboratory Standard

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Why All the Fuss?

   Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals Can Result in acute or chronic health effects

●Acute – occurring within hours or days of exposure

●Chronic – occur after exposure over many years

What does the law say?   

●Health  Safety at Work etc Act 1974

●You must work safely

●You must not endanger others

●You must not misuse safety equipment

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What does the law say?

●The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs 1999 

●Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs 2004

●You must perform RISK ASSESSMENTS

➢ Hazardous Material: any chemical substance present in the workplace to which 

employees may be exposed, under normal conditions or in an incident / emergency.

➢ Solubility: The ability of a substance to dissolve in a liquid.

➢ Melting Point: The temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid.

➢ Boiling Point: The temperature at which a liquid bubbles and gives off vapors at 

normal atmospheric pressure.

➢ Flash Point: The minimum temperature at which the mixture of vapors in air will 

ignite when exposed to flame.

➢ Ignition Point: The minimum temperature at which a substance will continue to 

burn without additional application of external heat.

Explosive: Substance that causes a sudden release of pressure, gas and heat when subjected to 

shock, pressure or heat.

➢ Reactive: Substance that undergoes a rapid or violent reaction under certain conditions (i.e., 

when mixed with water).

➢ Lethal Dose50 (LD50): is the amount of a substance that, when administered by a defined route 

of entry (e.g. oral or dermal) over a specified period of time, is expected to cause the death of 

50% of a defined animal population. 

➢ Lethal Concentration50 (LC50): is the amount of a substance in air that, when given by 

inhalation over a specified period of time, is expected to cause the death in 50% of a defined 

animal population. 

PEL: Permissible Exposure Limit is the standard recognized by industry as the 

maximum amount or concentration of a chemical that a worker may be exposed to. 

➢ TLV: Threshold Limit Value is a recommended limit for chemical substance 

exposures, similar to the PEL but most often more restrictive than the PEL.

➢ TWA: An 8-hour Time-Weighted Average is the concentration the average worker can 

be exposed during an 8-hour workday, day after day, without harmful effects.

➢ STEL: “Short Term Exposure Limit” is a 15 minute period. 

➢ Ceiling: The maximum (C) concentration never to be exceeded.

• Explosives

• Flammable Gases

• Flammable Aerosols

• Oxidizing Gases

• Oxidizing Liquids

• Oxidizing Solids

• Organic Peroxides

• Gases Under Pressure

• Flammable Liquids

• Flammable Solids(cellulose)

• Self-Reactive Substances

• Pyrophoric Liquids

• Pyrophoric Solids

• Self-Heating Substances

• Substances which, in contact with

water, emit flammable gases

• Corrosive to Metals

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• Acute Toxicity

• Skin Corrosion/Irritation

• Serous Eye Damage/Eye Irritation

• Respiratory or Skin Sensitization

• Germ Cell Mutagenicity

• Carcinogenicity

• Reproductive Toxicology

• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Single Exposure

• Target Organ Systemic Toxicity – Repeated Exposure

• Aspiration Toxicity

Routes of Exposure

Organs and tissues that may be affected by

particulartoxic industrial chemicals

Ingestion: Do we eat or drink it? 

• Inhalation: Do we breathe it in? 

• Absorption: Does it pass through the 

skin, eyes or other membranes? 

• Injection: Does it enter through a 

puncture or

• Ingestion: substance is absorbed through the intestinal wall (very thin)

➢ through eating or drinking contaminated substances

➢ through substances inhaled/trapped in mucous membranes/then 

swallowed

• Signs & Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps.

Inhalation: substance is breathed into the lungs, lodging in place (if particulate) or transferring directly to the bloodstream (if gaseous). 

➢ More difficult to isolate the respiratory system from contact than skin.

➢Toxic gases

➢Oxygen levels

Absorption: substance is absorbed through skin or through abrasions 

on skin.

➢ skin is a great barrier between the environment and internal organs 

– very thick & not highly permeable.

➢ contact – acids, corrosives, etc. (causes irritation or photo-toxicity 

[reaction to sunlight])

• Signs & Symptoms: for irritants: redness, itching, burning; for 

corrosives: blisters, burns.

• Injection: high pressure devices such as hydraulic equipment, cleaning devices, paint spray guns, etc.

Class 1 - Explosives

Class 2 - Gases

Class 3 - Flammable liquids

Class 4 - Flammable solids

Class 5 - Oxidizing substances and Organic Peroxides

Class 6 - Poisons / Toxic Materials

Class 7 - Radioactive materials

Class 8 - Corrosive materials

Class 9 - Miscellaneous hazardous materials

Pictograms and Hazard Classes 

Transport “Pictograms”

Types of Labels

DOT Symbols Are Usually Found on Shipping Cartons

NFPA: Label (diamond)

The purpose of the NFPA 704 labeling 

system is to provide a way of quickly 

identifying the various fire related 

hazardous associated with a particular 

material. The NFPA 704 "diamond" is 

commonly found on bulk storage 

containers, but is also widely used on 

chemical containers and MSDS sheets. 

OSHA’s Laboratory Standard

•Protects staff who use and handle hazardous chemicals in laboratories 

•Requires your Laboratory to:

–Determine staff exposure to any substances regulated by the standard 

–Conduct initial training&additional training if a new hazard is introduced into the lab

–Develop a Chemical Hygiene Plan

Control Measures (in order of preference)

•Use a less risky substance

•Use a safer form of that substance (eg solution instead of powder)

•Totally enclose the process (eg a glove-box)

•Partially enclose the process (eg with a fume cupboard)

•Ensure good general ventilation

•Safe systems of work

•Reduce exposure times, increase distance, reduce volumes

•Personal protective equipment (as a last resort for primary protection)

Exposure Controls

Engineering:  Removes or Separates Hazard from Person  i.e.:

•Local Ventilation (Fume Hoods)

•Chemical Substitutions

Administrative:  Procedures that Limit Contact with Hazard   i.e.:

   

•  Job Rotation

•  Staff Training

•  Good Housekeeping

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Laboratory hygiene

●Never eat, drink or smoke in a laboratory

●Never apply cosmetics

●Never touch your face, mouth or eyes

●Never suck pens or chew pencils

●Always wash your hands before you leave and especially before eating

Chemical Hygiene Plan

•Must Include:

•Designation of a Chemical Hygiene Officer

•Exposure control measures

•Measures to ensure properly functioning fume hoods&equipment

•Staff training on hazard awareness&measures available to protect themselves

•Provisions for medical consultation&examination

•Respiratory protection program

•Recordkeeping procedure

•Hazard identification system

PPE

Personal protective equipment shall be in compliance with MSDS.

➢ Particular attention shall be given to possible contacts with dangerous substances.

➢ “Coverall, gloves and boots (sometimes rubber is requested), eyes, face and respiratory protection shall be chosen to ensure compatibility.

Personal PPE

You can do a lot to protect yourself while working with detergents and hazardous chemicals. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes, a laboratory coat, eye protection, and gloves.

When handling acids wear a rubberized apron for added protection.

Always protect your eyes

Safety glasses with side eye shields, splash goggles, and full face shields offer varying degrees of protection against splattering chemicals. Choose safety glasses with side eye shields when there is a splash hazard with a small quantity of a hazardous chemical, for instance, when opening or closing a bottle.

Case study

Can I borrow your chair for a minute? I need to get a box off the top shelf. 

1. Sure, but be careful. It swivels.

2. Why don't I give you a boost to the counter top?

3. You should really use that stepladder over there.

4. I usually open the bottom drawer and stand on it.

Remember:

Just as in your laboratory, you should use the proper tool for the job.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

PPE Should Be Considered Only After Administrative and Engineering Controls Have Been Applied.

Minimum Recommended PPE: 

Chemical Resistant Gloves, Splash Proof Goggles,

Lab Coat, Face Shield, and Rubber Apron when Necessary

Protecting yourself - gloves

●There are many different types of protective glove

●Use the correct ones for the job you will be doing

●Remember that you need to select chemical protection gloves according to the materials and/or substances with which you will be working

●Remove your gloves before using instruments, telephone, and leaving the laboratory

PPE:  Glove Selection

   Should be based upon:

• the chemical composition of the substance you are working with

• the properties of the glove material.

Find Out More about Glove Selection by Reviewing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) or from Glove Supply Companies.

Labs are required to supplement course material with site-specific information&training including:

•Specific Work Practices

•Chemical hygiene plan/lab manual

•Location&availability of MSDSs

•Specific lab safety work practices or SOPs

•Training whenever new hazards are used in the lab

•Personal Protective Equipment

•Instruction on appropriate PPE&how to use it

•Location&availability of PPE&maintenance of reusable PPE

•Lab Equipment

•Location&operation of eyewash&/or shower stations

•Use of fume hoods, storage cabinets, refrigerators&other engineering controls

•Waste Handling and Spill Response

•Chemical waste handling&disposal procedures

•Location&availability of spill kits&emergency checklists

•Spill response procedures

Training Requirements

What are the general hazards in a laboratory?

●Fire

●Breakage of glassware

●Sharps

●Spillages

●Pressure equipment&gas 

●Extremes of heat&cold

●Chemical hazards

●Biological hazards

●Radiation

And many more!

Avoiding Fires

●Flammable substances

●Use minimum quantity

●Store in special storage cabinet

●Use temperature-controlled heating sources

(eg water-bath rather than hot-plate or Bunsen burner)

Minimise fire damage

●Make sure corridor fire doors and laboratory doors are kept shut at all times

Fire Safety

●Make sure that you know what to do:

●If you have a fire

●If you hear a fire alarm

●If you are a member of staff you must attend fire training annually. Post graduates should also seriously consider doing so.

Glassware

●Use correct techniques for the insertion of tubing onto glassware

●Never use glassware under pressure or vacuum unless it is designed for the job and suitably shielded 

●Dispose of chipped or broken glassware – it is a risk to you and others

●Always dispose of broken glass in a glass bin or sharps bin and not in a general waste bin

Safe Practice:  Maintain a Chemical Inventory!

Conduct a yearly inventory of chemicals and update the file of material safety data sheets (MSDS)  to prevent the accumulation of orphaned chemicals

   Some of these chemicals become    unstable, react with the container, slowly    degrade or evaporate

OSHA’s Hazard Communication

Standard requires that 

ALL Containers Must be Labeled With:

Chemical Name&Physical/Health Hazards

Name&Address of the Manufacturer&Emergency Contact Numbers

What Should the Ideal Laboratory Look Like?

Practices

Equipment&Ventilation

General Ventilation

Supply Air Diffusers& Room Air Exhausts Should be 

Located So As to Avoid Intake of Contaminated Air

Windows Should be Operable

Ventilation

   Local Ventilation

   Fume Hoods Used For Operations that Give Off:

•Noxious Odors

•Flammable or Poisonous Vapors

HOW DOES YOUR VENTILATION MEASURE UP?

Safety Showers 
and Eyewashes

Must Be Available in All Lab Areas That Use or Store Chemicals Which Are Corrosive or an Irritant to the Eyes or Skin

Combination Eye Wash&Drench Hose Units at the Sink are Now Available

Match the Extinguisher to the Risk!

Fire Extinguishers Must Be:

●Clearly labeled to indicate the types of fire they are designed to extinguish.

●Visibly inspected monthly and maintained annually.

● Class ABC Extinguishers Should Be Located:

–At the Laboratory Exit

–Within 50 Feet of Any Point in the Lab.

●  Class D Extinguishers Are Required for Combustible Metals.

Means of Egress/Exit

Two or more well- marked&unobstructed evacuation exits are recommended in a lab.

It’s Shocking!

● There should be no accessible live, exposed electrical wiring.

●  Consideration should be given to installing ground-fault circuit interrupters on electrical circuits within 6 feet of water sources.                                  

Electrical Safety in the  Lab

Chemical storage

Safe storage of chemicals is a necessity in every laboratory. It will:

Provide for effective management of chemicals.

Lessen the risk of fire.

Prevent accidental mixing of incompatible chemicals in emergencies.

Minimize exposure to corrosive and toxic chemicals. 

Safe chemical storage may seem to be a matter of common sense. Yet in fact, it requires an awareness of each chemical's potential hazards, and a lot of thought.

Rules of thumb for safe storage

Do not store more chemicals than you will need over a reasonable period.

Always read the chemical's label and mark it with the date of receipt before storing.

Never store highly reactive chemicals for longer than 6 months.

Never store a chemical with an obscured or missing label.

Separate chemicals into compatible groups and store alphabetically within the groups.

Designate separate storage areas for highly toxic chemicals.

Rules of thumb for safe storage, (continued)

Store chemicals that can ignite at room temperature in a flammables cabinet. If flammable chemicals require cold storage, store only in refrigerators approved for such use.

Storage areas for corrosive, toxic, flammable, and highly reactive chemicals should be near a laboratory chemical hood to encourage use of the hood when transferring chemicals.

Chemical Storage

   Safe Storage of Chemicals is a Necessity in Laboratory!

●Minimizes Exposure to Students and Staff to  Corrosive and Toxic Chemicals

●Lessens the Risk of Fire

●Prevents the Mixing of Incompatibles&the Creation of an Emergency Situation

The “Don’ts” of Chemical Storage!

●Avoid storing any chemical above eye level

●Don’t store incompatible chemicals together

●Don’t store chemicals near sources of heat or sunlight

●  Don’t store chemicals in the hoods or acids on metal    shelves

●  Avoid storing anything on the floor, especially glass    bottles

So, You’re in Charge!

•How would you organize and store chemicals in your perfect lab?

Ideal Storage Area Set-Up

Room Should Have:

•Eye Wash

•Safety Shower

•Emergency Phone

•Fire Extinguisher

Na, Li

Oxidizers

Spill Materials

Acids

Bases

Metal Salts

Nitrates

Dry Chemicals

Flammables 

Cabinet

General causes:

➢ Containers punctured by forklift

➢ Improper handling

➢ Incorrect/ poor containers, loose lids etc

➢ Incorrect storage method

➢ Carelessness

➢ Possible reaction to heat

➢ Corrosion of containers

➢ Mishandling/ lifting techniques

Actions:

➢ Consider stopping ventilation systems and isolate power to equipment in 

vicinity

➢ Open main doors (if appropriate) to assist with natural ventilation for 

clean-up purposes

➢ Containment of specific containers is vital! Either by segregation or 

installation of temporary bund, e.g. Absorbent Pigs

➢ Liquid spills to be controlled in similar manner, additional to use of 

absorbent medium such as sand / sawdust if applicable (spill kits)

The affected containers should be controlled separately and dealt with 

accordingly, such as containment within larger receptacle for controlled 

disposal, clearly marked.

➢ Once clean-up considered complete, the flooring should be 

decontaminated using water for discharge to chemical sewer system.

All chemical spillage waste such as absorbents, contaminated soil /sand etc, should be collected in appropriate container, usually polythene lined and label the container properly.

➢ The designated hazardous waste shall be disposed of by Specialized waste treatment plant as per  agreed protocol and procedures.

Be Prepared for Small Incidental Spills

Chemical Categories Found in Most  Include:

–Organic Solvents

–Acids

–Alkalis (Bases)

–Mercury

Proper Incidental Spill Control Equipment Includes:

●  Spill Control Materials Such As Spill    Control Pillows, Pads, Booms, etc.

●  Scoops, Brooms, Pails&Bags

●  Absorbent – such as Diatomaceous Earth

●  Neutralizers – for Acids&Alkalis    

●  Mercury Spill Control Kit

Store only cleaning materials directly under the sink.

Never store liquid hazardous chemicals above eye level.

Store heavy chemical containers on lower shelves, not on the floor.

Store chemicals on shelves with raised edges.

Rules of thumb for safe storage, (continued)

Spillages

●Clear up spillage promptly

●You will already have determined how to do this  as part of your risk assessment

●Dispose of any hazardous material as toxic waste

Messy workers are usually poor workers!!

Certain Spills Aren’t for Quick Clean-up

• As a science teacher or lab specialist, you should only respond to incidental chemical releases, or small spills. 

•For large or especially hazardous spills: 

–Quickly assess whether there are any injured persons and attend to any person who may have been contaminated.

–Follow the notification, evacuation and emergency medical treatment procedures for your school.

– Evacuate the immediate area until the hazardous release has been characterized and controlled.  

Case study: Chemical Spill

A colleague has just spilled acid on his clothes

1.Flood exposed area with running water from faucet or safety shower at least 15 minutes

2.Remove contaminated clothes at once and make sure chemical has not accumulated in shoes

3.Obtain medical attention, and report the incident to your director

Waste Chemical Disposal

•Requires:

–Proper storage– same rules apply – make sure waste chemicals are compatible

–Proper labeling – tags should be placed on bottles name of chemical

–Pre-planning – know what waste you’re creating prior to carrying out experiments; minimize purchases

–Record-keeping – of all waste chemicals on hand and those already picked up for disposal

Control the Spill

Act quickly--the sooner the spill is controlled the less damage it can cause. Immediate steps should be taken to control the flow of the material being spilled, regardless of the source. If a one-gallon can on a storage shelf has rusted through and is leaking, a sprayer has tipped over, or a hazardous chemical is leaking from a damaged tank truck, do everything possible to stop the leak or spill at once. For instance, smaller containers up to 55 gallons can be put into larger containers to prevent further release of the chemical. However, stopping larger leaks or spills may not be so simple.

Contain the Spill or Leak

At the same time the leak is being controlled, contain the spilled material in as small an area as possible and keep it from spreading. In some situations, a shovel or power equipment may be needed to construct a dam.

Liquid spills can be further contained by spreading absorbent materials such as fine sand, vermiculite, clay, or pet litter over the entire spill. However, a word of caution is needed here. Avoid using sawdust or sweeping compounds if the material is a strong oxidizer (check the label or MSDS) because such a combination presents a possible fire hazard.

In addition, spill kits contain non selective, universal sorbents packed in porous fabric pillows. These pillows and "tubes" can be placed directly on the spill or used to dike around the spill area. Waste disposal also is simplified since the contaminated pillows can be placed into heavy-duty disposal bags without loss of waste material.

Waste Materials

●Part of your risk assessment will be to determine how to dispose of waste lab materials safely

●Solvents and oils must be segregated into the correct waste bottle or drum

●Your department will help you determine what to do with chemical or biological materials

●Do not put materials down the drain or in with normal waste unless authorised to do so

How to do a Risk Assessment?

●Determine hazards and evaluate risks

●Use all relevant available data

●Determine controls needed to minimise those risks

●Document the assessment

●Agree it with your supervisor

●Use those control measures

Laboratory chemical hoods

How the Hood works

Turbulence around the hood

The most important decision you will make in controlling hood performance is the sash height. You have seen how the hood's performance improves as the area of the sash opening decreases. Keeping the sash at or below the safe sash-opening marker is good practice. Placing the sash at the lowest level for convenient operation will provide the best protection.

Limit the open sash area

Chemical Fume Hoods

Work Practices and Procedures

1.Before using a fume hood, make sure your work area is clean and uncluttered.

2.Never use the fume hood to store chemicals and equipment between procedures.

3.Verify the date on the inspection sticker on the fume hood. The fume hood should be inspected annually. Contact Environmental Health and Safety for inspection.

4.The fume hood average face velocity should be between 80-150 feet per minute.

5.If the hood is not equipped with an air measuring device, verify adequate inward airflow by using smoke tubes or tissue paper.

6.Do not use the fume hood if it is not working properly. Contact the HVAC   if the fume hood is not working. Contact Environmental Health and Safety to verify that it is working properly.

7.Inspect the bypass area, airfoil, sash and access opening to verify that no air passages are blocked.

8.Never put your head inside a fume hood.

9.Electrical extension cords are not safe to use in a fume hood due to the danger of an explosion or fire.

10.Large equipment must be elevated on solid blocks to maintain an airflow space of 1-2 inches above the work surface.

11.Make sure equipment does not block the baffles at the rear of the hood.

12.…..

1.Keep all apparatus at least 6 inches inside the fume hood. The best way to maintain this distance is to mark a safety line with tape.

2.Avoid opening and closing the sash rapidly, and avoid swift arm and body movements in front of or inside the hood. These actions may increase turbulence and reduce the effectiveness of the fume hood.

3.Position the sash so that it acts as a shield. Keep the sash as low as possible. The inspection sticker will indicate the maximum height. Always look through the sash, not under it.

4.If you observe defective or overheating equipment, shut off the equipment, disconnect it, close the sash, and report the problem to your supervisor.

5.Keep chemical containers closed at all times. Use condensers, traps, or scrubbers to contain and collect waste solvents, vapors or dusts.

6.Clean all spills immediately. Do not allow spilled liquid chemicals to evaporate.

7.If a fire occurs inside the fume hood, immediately close the sash and activate the fire alarm, exit the room, close the door and from a safe area, contact Control room to report a chemical fire.

8.Keep fume hood exhaust on at all times.

9.Keep the sash closed completely when the fume hood is not in use.

Physical hazards

A chemical laboratory, like any other workplace, presents a variety of physical hazards that can be minimized by using good laboratory practice and common sense, by staying alert, and by always thinking about where the hazards are. Keep floors dry and uncluttered to prevent slips, trips, and falls. Whenever possible, open flames should be replaced by electrical heating.

Physical hazard

Respect the dangers of high voltage, ultraviolet light, heat sources, and cryogenic materials. When transporting hazardous substances, make certain that the containers are sealed and use secondary containers. Try not to take routine manipulations for granted, especially those involving glass, needles, or sharps. And, if you are tired or distracted, take a break, relax and refocus. If you notice any unsafe conditions or have an accident or injury, talk with your supervisor.

Physical hazard

High voltage equipment: When using high voltage equipment like in electrophoresis, be sure that the power is off before you start making connections. Handle power leads one at a time, with one hand only, and never if your hands are wet or sweaty. Beware of loose connections that could allow sparks or an electrical arc. Keep the equipment away from a sink or wet area. And, if you feel a tingle when you touch the unit, stop using it immediately until it is repaired.

Microwave ovens: Microwave ovens can be dangerous pieces of equipment when not used properly. Capped containers can explode. Superheating of liquids can occur. Inappropriately selected plastic containers can melt.

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Glassware washing hazard: In a modern lab everyone who supports the scientists shares two responsibilities to carry out his or her duties with great care, and to work safely.

PPE: You get important protection from hazards by wearing a lab coat and closed-toe shoes with rubber soles. And, always remember to wear your safety glasses and rubber gloves.

Maintaining a safe workplace: Watch out for anything that could cause a slip, trip or fall. A non-slip surface and floor mats provide a good margin of safety.

Always clean up any minor spills or breakage right away. This protects you, and protects your co-workers who might not realize there's a hazard in the area.

Preliminary procedures in glassware washing

Contaminated items: Return glassware that contains chemicals or contamination to the chemist for proper disposal.

Broken glassware: Dispose of any chipped or cracked items in a proper disposal container.

Removing labels: When scraping labels, always brace the bottle against the sink so you have good control and the bottle doesn't slip.

Presoak glassware: At many facilities items are presoaked with EDTA sulfonate-based detergent to aid in cleaning and eliminate any need for acid cleaning. 

Acid washing precautions

If you use chromic acid, ask your supervisor to select a safer method. Most facilities do not use acid cleaning methods at all because of the hazard of handling acid. But if acid washing is done at your facility, follow these safety precautions: 

1. Protect yourself: Wear lab coat, long-sleeved acid-resistant gloves, heavy-duty apron, goggles, full-face shield, and closed-toe shoes with rubber soles. Work carefully to prevent splashing acid. Never pour water into acid. 

2. Contain acid: Carry and store acid in a secondary acid-resistant container or bottle carrier. Do not use or store acid near bleach or other incompatible chemicals. And, keep acid containers covered when not in use.

Adopt the buddy system:

Always have another person stay nearby when you are using acid.

First Aid

Injury: Burns

To Do: Immediately flush with cold water until burning sensation is  lessened.

First Aid

Injury:      Cuts, bruises

To Do:      Do not touch an open wound without safety gloves.  Pressing directly on minor cuts will stop bleeding in a few minutes.  Apply cold compress to bruises to reduce swelling.

First Aid

Injury:    The eyes

To Do:    Flush eyes immediately with plenty of water for several minutes.  If a foreign object is lodged in the eye, do not allow  the eye to be rubbed.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

•An MSDS Must Be on File&Available for Each Chemical in the Lab.

•An MSDS lists:

–Product Identity

–Hazardous Ingredients

–Physical Data

–Fire&Explosion Hazard Data

–Reactivity Data

–Health Hazard Data

–Precautions for Safe Handling  &Use

–Control Measures

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - is a form containing data regarding the

properties of a particular substance. Intended to provide workers and emergency

Personnel with:

➢ procedures for handling or working with that substance in a safe manner,

➢ information such as psychical data(melting point, boiling point,flash point),

➢ toxicity,

➢ health effect, first aid,

➢ reactivity, storage, disposal,

➢ protective equipment,

➢ spill handling procedures.

Laboratory Emergency Plan

Each laboratory must prepare an emergency plan and all personnel should be familiar with it. This emergency plan should include:

1.An inventory that includes the quantities and locations of all flammable, pyrophoric, oxidizing, toxic, corrosive, reactive, radioactive materials, nonionizing radiation, biological materials, and compressed and liquefied gases.

2.A list of responsible personnel who are designated and trained to be liaison personnel for the fire department or other emergency responders.

3.Action to be taken by laboratory personnel upon activation of the fire alarm. This should include instructions to turn off flames and other ignition sources, close the fume hood sash, close all hazardous materials containers, and turn off all electrical equipment. All staff are required to exit the building when the fire alarm is activated.

4.Location of emergency equipment in the laboratory (fire extinguishers, emergency shower, eyewash, spill kit and fire blanket if available).

5.Procedures for extinguishing clothing fires (stop, drop&roll, cover face with hands and use fire blanket, do not use fire extinguisher), using emergency shower and eyewash and spill kits.

6.Primary and secondary evacuation routes to the outside of the building.

7.Identify an area outside of the building to meet and account for all laboratory personnel.

8.Instructions not to reenter the building until qualified Emergency Responders provide notification that it is safe to return.

Laboratory equipment, materials and research can be protected from loss during emergencies, by taking appropriate precautions that will minimize the impact of dangerous conditions resulting from fire, severe weather, utility failures or loss of services (e.g. electric power, heat, air conditioning, water, etc.)

GHS

Globally Harmonised System 

The GHS is an acronym for The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. It is a system for harmonizing hazard classification criteria and chemical hazard communication elements worldwide.

•The GHS of Classifying and Labelling of Chemicals:

•Comprehensive tool that harmonises chemical classification and hazard communication.

•Harmonised criteria for classification – physical, health and environmental

•Applies criteria to classify chemicals based on intrinsic hazards

•Covers single substances, solutions and mixtures.

•Communicates hazard information of hazardous chemicals on labelling and safety data sheets.

•Hazard classes

•Symbols, signal words and hazard and precautionary phrases

•Standardised Safety Data Sheet format.

•Some changes to systems are required and will be obvious to end users.

•Training for staff to understand GHS

What is the GHS?

Why was the GHS developed?    

•Many different systems existed worldwide, with differing requirements:

•Vary in hazards covered and classification criteria used

•Information required on labels and SDS varied

•Result = disparity in the information provided.

•Hazards are an intrinsic property of a chemical. Classification should be consistent!

•Often leads to conflicting and inconsistent classifications and safety information:

•Chemicals are often classified differently (even in the same country).

•Labelling and SDS requirements vary from country to country.

The GHS – Fundamental approach

•The GHS would be based on the classification of intrinsic properties of chemicals on a hazard-based approach and would include:

•Physical hazards

•Health hazards

•Environmental hazards

•One chemical, one classification.

•If validated data exists for a chemical, then it should be useable for classification.

•The GHS needed to be comprehensible

•Need to make it easily understandable for everyone

•Minimal training required