Chemical Hygiene and Lab Safety

Chemical Hygiene and Lab Safety Timothy Styranec, Certified Safety Professional YSU Chemistry Department Chemical Management Center 330-941-3703 tmstyranec@ysu.edu Cell 330-599-9095

Training shall occur: Before students begin work in a laboratory A refresher each year(online is acceptable. You will receive an email)

RAMP R Recognize the hazards A Assess the risks of the hazards M Minimize the risks of the hazards P Prepare for emergencies from uncontrolled hazards

Laboratory Incidents Biological Biological Agents Physical Explosion Electricity Fire Chemical Flammables Acids/Bases Particularly Hazardous Substances

Personal Attire: Closed toe shoes in laboratories NO SANDALS

Personal Hygiene Do not eat or drink in the lab. Do not apply cosmetics in the lab. Avoid skin contact with chemicals.

Personal Hygiene No food in refrigerators that are used for chemical storage Do not apply cosmetics in the lab Wash hands often while in the lab and thoroughly before leaving.

Chemical Handling Never smell or taste chemicals. Always assume a chemical is hazardous. Never use chipped or broken glassware. Always place chemicals back from the edge of shelves, tables, or benches. Use only the amount needed. Waste chemicals will be handled in accordance with the University s Hazardous Waste Program. KEEP WORK AREA CLEAR AND UNCLUTTERED.

The YSU Chemical Hygiene Plan A copy shall be kept in each lab at all times

Your Responsibilities o Follow all procedures and policies relating to chemicals and follow appropriate laboratory procedures and rules o Refrain from operations without proper instruction and/or authorization o Seek out and request information o Wear appropriate protective equipment o Report accidents immediately

Remember This Always throughout your career Doing things safely is not merely the right way to work - it is the only way

Questions to ask before an experiment What would happen if Think about The reactivity of the chemicals The flammability of the chemicals The corrosivity of the chemicals The toxicity of the chemicals

Accident Prevention Accidents result from three things An indifferent attitude Failure to use common sense Failure to follow instructions A safe lab is your responsibility as well as the instructor or the faculty member

Accident Prevention Continued Follow the chemical hygiene plan Become familiar with the location of safety equipment such as exits, safety showers, eyewashes, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire blankets, spill kits, etc. Know the chemical hazards. Read the SDS. Know the hazards of the apparatus

Safety Equipment and Emergency Procedures The chemistry/biology/science labs at YSU are equipped with: First Aid Kits Fire Blankets Fire Extinguishers Eye Wash Stations Safety Showers Spill Kits Emergency shut off valves Emergency Electrical Shut off

PPE(Personal Protective Equipment) Goggles(The splash proof kind) Clothing Gloves(Read the SDS) Lab Coat

Laboratory Protocol The lab is a place for serious learning and work Always wear eye protection Know the hazards beforehand Wear the right gloves and lab coat Confine long hair and loose clothing Wash your hands after leaving the lab Never work alone Do not store food in the lab Do not chew gum, use tobacco or cosmetics Never bring lab aprons into an area where food in consumed Report all safety violations to the department Visitors always need eye protection no matter how brief the visit

Lab Coat Policy Lab coats should only be worn in the laboratory or in the hallways of the chemistry department. They should not be worn into classrooms, offices, lounges, etc. Lab coats, over time, can be gradually coated with chemicals, even if the researcher is careful and does not blatantly spill chemicals on the lab coat.

Boating Any bottle that contains solvent or buffer in a volume greater than or equal to 500 ml should be "boated." This means that the bottle should be placed in a receiving bin, box, etc. By boating the bottle, you minimize the chance that it will fall over and shatter on the ground, which will then cause the solvent/buffer to spread on the ground. The bottle can still fall over, even if it is boated, but the contents of the bottle will only collect into the boat.

Dating chemical bottles It s a good idea to date chemical bottles with the date received and The date opened This helps in lab cleanout

Refrigerators Most chemicals go into an explosion proof refrigerator. Food is never to be stored in any lab refrigerator. Labels all vials and bottles that you place into a refrigerator

Unattended Operation of Equipment Reactions left overnight are prime sources for fires, spills and explosions Equipment such as power stirrers, hot plates, heating mantles, and water condensers can catch fire. Leave a note with your name, the professors name, and contact numbers in a visible location

Guide to Chemical Hazards What determines toxicity Dose Route of exposure(inhalation, ingestion, absorption, injection Other things like gender, age, etc. Acute vs. chronic Synergistic effects of substances in combination Allergens

Routes of Exposure Inhalation - Most common route of exposure, lungs are designed for maximum transport and adsorption of vapors, large surface area (1000 sf) Dermal Second most common route of exposure, lipid (pass with greater ease) and water soluble chemicals can pass through the skin. Has 20 sf surface area. 25

Routes of Exposure Ingestion can occur through food contamination, eating drinking in lab, poor hygiene, mucociliary transport of vapors trapped in upper air ways Injection Can occur through injury and needle sticks 26

Exposure Limits PEL(Permissible exposure limit) TLV(Threshold limit value) SDS(Safety data sheet)

SDS Contains: Name of compound Physical properties like bp, vp, density. Physical hazards(will it catch fire) Health hazards(corrosive, irritant, harmful to kidneys, carcinogen, etc) PEL/TLC Precautions Control measure, PPE First Aid Measures

Understanding an SDS CAS Number(Chemical Abstract Service #) Avoid contact with eyes, skin, carcinogen, corrosive, danger, flammable, lachrymator, mutagen, oxidizer, peroxide former, poison, teratogen, toxic. The SDS will tell you a lot about the chemistry of the compound.

ChemWatch Can create a chemical inventory for each laboratory online A very useful tool to look up SDS s for chemicals Can be accessed anywhere on campus Links to these web sites and the training module can be found on our web page under Laboratory Safety and then ChemWatch

Table 2: Probable Lethal Dose for Humans Toxicity Rating Animal LD 50 (per kg) Lethal Dose When Ingested by 70kg (150 lb) Human Extremely Toxic Less than 5 mg A taste (less than 7 drops) Highly Toxic 5 to 50 mg Between 7 drops and 1 teaspoon Toxic 50 to 500 mg Between 1 teaspoon and 1 once Slightly Toxic 500 mg to 5 g Between 1 ounce and 1 pint Practically nontoxic Above 5 g Above 1 pint This information is available in some SDSs

Globally Harmonized System

Do not store chemical alphabetically..why?

Chemical Storage Segregate incompatible materials to prevent contact with one another.

Incompatible Chemicals Storing incompatible chemicals together could create a hazardous reaction such as the production of toxic gas, accelerated corrosion, or an exothermic reaction (a chemical reaction that releases heat), which could result in an explosion and/or fire. This reaction could be catastrophic, resulting in loss of life

Hazardous Chemical Inventories An inventory of hazardous chemicals is kept for each lab

Always consult the SDS Hazards of Solvents Water is the most common solvent Organic solvents are flammable and can penetrate the skin, and cause dizziness and can affect the CNS, liver, and kidneys A few organic solvents can form peroxides, including diethyl ether, THF

Chemical Storage Flammables Make use of flammables cabinets as much as you can. Do not store chemicals of different hazard classes in flammables cabinets.

Recommended Laboratory Techniques When working with flammable gases or liquids Do not allow burners or other ignition sources in the vicinity Use appropriate traps to minimize release of materials Be cautious of auto ignition temperature when using a hotplate Make sure temperature control device does not spark

Acids and Bases All strong acids including glacial acetic acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid are corrosive Hydrofluoric acid exposure requires calgonate Always add acid to water, not water to acid Nitric acid is a strong oxidizing agent Perchloric acid is a very powerful oxidizing agent that requires a special hood. Bases are also corrosive and can generate a lot of heat upon mixing

Other Lab Safety Techniques Never place chemicals on the floor Never heat a closed container Use a laboratory hood for all toxic chemicals(note: All chemicals are considered toxic) Use laboratory hood when working with a system under reduced pressure(which may implode)

Fume Hood Components Airfoil: streamlines airflow into hood to help prevent turbulent eddies Baffles: help keep a uniform airflow across the face of the hood Sash: closes/opens hood Work Surface: set-up all work at least 6 from the airfoil

Laboratory Hoods Keep hoods free of clutter. Do not use hoods for general chemical storage. Position gas phase or particle generating sources well within hood. Align sash at arrow when working in the hood.

Do not use fume hoods as storage cabinets. Large containers or equipment, such as shaker tables, water baths, or numerous chemical containers will interfere with airflow inside the chemical fume hood by causing reverse flows and dead spots. These dead spots may allow contaminants to escape from the hood. Placing large equipment on legs or blocks will help reduce a reverse airflow by allowing air to circulate beneath the equipment.

Option: Taping tissue to the fume hood sash will provide a visual indication of air flow.

It s important not to block fume hood air flow. When large equipment needs to be placed in a fume hood, place equipment on blocks or racking to allow air flow under the equipment.

Equipment Use Electrical Equipment Electrical currents of low amperage and voltage under certain circumstances may result in fatal shock Inspect all electrical equipment for frazzled, tattered, cracked or damaged wires.

Electrical - Always make sure electrical equipment is properly grounded - Never remove the grounding prong on a three-prong electrical plug. - Never modify a threeprong plug to use in a twoprong outlet.

Chemical Storage Secure compressed gas cylinders by chain or strap. Keep protective cap on cylinders not in use.

Sharps Dispose of sharps in approved sharps containers. Never recap needles. Sharps containers should be disposed of when they are ¾ full. Dispose of broken glass and other sharps in appropriately labeled containers. Broken glass receptacles will be installed in laboratories.

Equipment Use Centrifuges: Bench-top centrifuges should be anchored securely so that it does not walk off the edge Always close the centrifuge lid before operating and keep it closed until the rotors have stopped Do not leave the centrifuge until full operating speed is attained Allow the centrifuge to stop on its own

Equipment Use UV Lamps All radiation of wavelengths shorter than 250 nm should be considered dangerous Do not look into the lamp

Ultraviolet Light Exposing the skin to ultraviolet light can cause erythema (redness of the skin), photosensitivity, cancer, etc. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has found that ultraviolet light in all UV regions are probably carcinogenic to humans. The eye is also impacted from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet light. The cornea and conjunctiva absorb various wavelengths of UV light and can cause photokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis from acute exposures.

Controlling Temperature Many reactions must be initiated by heating Oil and Sand Baths Many reactions require some temperature control Ice Bath Dry Ice Bath(Do not handle dry ice with bare hands) Cold traps Cryogenic cold traps(see cryogenic SOP)

First and Most Important Step in an Emergency Before you help another person, evaluate the potential danger to yourself. If you try to help and are injured, you cannot be of much further help to someone else Call 911(preferably from a campus phone)

Fires The best way to fight a fire is to prevent it You can prevent fires and reduce the severity through proper housekeeping and thoughtful reflection about what you are doing Remember PASS Maintain unobstructed aisles and exits Storing only limited quantities of flammable materials Promptly disposing of waste Separating flammable liquids from combustible materials, such as cardboard boxes and paper towels

Personal Injuries Involving Fires When a person s clothing is on fire, lead them to the safety shower. Stop an individual from running Get the person to stop, drop and roll if no safety shower is available Beat out any small flames remaining Try to use the shower before the fire blanket. Remove any clothing contaminated with chemicals Get medical attention

Emergency Procedures Personal Contamination Flush contaminated area with water Remove contaminated clothing Rinse with water for 15 minutes Seek medical attention if irritation persists

Emergency Procedures Chemical in the Eye(s) Flush eyeballs and inner eyelids Forcibly hold eyes open Irrigate for at least 15 minutes Seek medical attention immediately Contact Lens Policy

Other Personal Injury Accidents Anyone overcome with smoke or fumes should you removed to fresh air and treated for shock If hazardous chemicals have been ingested, refer to the SDS If the injured person is not breathing, perform CPR If the injured person is bleeding severely, control the bleeding by compressing the wound. Call 911. If possible elevate the injury above the level of the heart Do not touch a person in contact with a live electrical circuit. Disconnect the power first

Spill Cleanup Clean up all spills promptly, efficiently, and properly. The toxicity is more important than the amount A spill kit is available in almost every lab If a flammable material is spilled, immediately warn everyone in the area to turn off fire/spark sources Many small liquid spills on the floor or laboratory bench can be absorbed with paper towels or the absorbents available in the spill kits Larger spills can be cleanup up with the absorbents in the spill kits. Contain the spill as best as possible and contain the source Use a dustpan and brush and wear goggles to clean up dry spill and liquid spills that have been absorbed by an absorbent CALL ME IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES AT 330-941-3703

Labels - Basics Identity of the hazardous chemical(s) Appropriate GHS hazard warnings Chemical Waste needs a waste label(please see me for these)

Labeling Secondary Containers All chemical containers must be labeled with the chemical s name, date container was filled & hazard warnings. Abbreviations are not permitted.

Waste Disposal Guidelines When disposing of chemicals, put each class of waste chemical in its specifically labeled container Never put chemicals into a sink or down the drain unless instructed Solid chemical waste does not go into the trash. It goes into its own labeled container. Broken glass goes into the labeled cardboard containers in the lab.

Universal Regulated Waste Management Wastes Considered Non-Hazardous Hazardous Halogentated Organic Non-halogenated organic Heavy metal waste Liquid Industrial

Protective Measures Prevent Ingestion NO eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics in labs Wash hands frequently Label everything Read labels and SDS s Wear your lab coat Don t work alone

Are there any issues with this picture that could lead to a chemical spill?

Summary You may be exposed to hazardous chemicals or chemicals products used on campus Information is available on labels and SDS s Program is in place in your work area to inform and train you If you have questions, ask!

Safety Quiz You must now take and pass the safety quiz with a 70% score. You will have two chances and then you must retake the training. www.quia.com/quiz/2847487.html The password is safety