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General Chemical Safety & Handling of Chemicals in Labs

This document provides guidance on general chemical safety and handling of chemicals in laboratories. It discusses reading labels and MSDS, using proper protective equipment, emergency procedures, chemical storage, and handling chemicals safely. Labels provide hazard and precautionary information while MSDS contain more detailed chemical information and safety procedures. Proper handling and storage of chemicals is important to prevent accidents and exposures.

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hamza abbas
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65 views29 pages

General Chemical Safety & Handling of Chemicals in Labs

This document provides guidance on general chemical safety and handling of chemicals in laboratories. It discusses reading labels and MSDS, using proper protective equipment, emergency procedures, chemical storage, and handling chemicals safely. Labels provide hazard and precautionary information while MSDS contain more detailed chemical information and safety procedures. Proper handling and storage of chemicals is important to prevent accidents and exposures.

Uploaded by

hamza abbas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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General Chemical Safety

&
Handling of Chemicals in
Labs
Staying safe means that you…

• Read labels on containers of chemicals

• Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

• Handle chemicals with Care

• Use correct Protective clothing & equipment

• Remember Emergency Procedures


Chemical Labels
• Every container of chemicals is labeled by
the manufacturer.
• The label will tell you
– Name of chemical
– Name, address and emergency phone
number of manufacturer
– Physical and health hazards
– Precautionary measures
– First-aid instructions
– Proper handling/storage instructions
Health Hazards on a
Chemical Label
• Carcinogen • Sensitizer
(Cancer Causing) • Hepatotoxin
• Highly toxic agent (Toxic to Liver)
• Toxic agent • Nephrotoxin
• Reproductive (Toxic to Kidneys)
hazard • Neurotoxin
• Irritant (Toxic to Nervous
• Corrosive System)
Typical Precautionary Measures
on a Label
• Do not breathe vapors

• Use in well-ventilated areas

• Keep container closed when not in use

• Avoid contact with skin

• Wash thoroughly with soap and water after


handling
• Keep away from sparks, heat, and flame

• Do not store near combustible materials

• Store in tightly closed container

• Remove and wash contaminated clothing


promptly

• Keep from contact with clothing and other


combustible materials
Common Signal Words
on Labels
• Danger – Can cause immediate
serious injury or death
• Warning – Can cause potentially
serious injury or death
• Caution – Can cause potentially
moderate injury
Special Symbols Used on Labels
Helps you recognize kind of hazard a
chemical could present if you are not
careful
– Toxicity
– Corrosivity (acids and bases)
– Ignitability (flammable solvents and
certain solids)
– Reactivity (sodium and various water-
reactive reagents)
Prohibition Signs – RED CIRCLE
with SLASH and BLACK icon

JLF 9/05 9
Mandatory signs – BLUE sign
with WHITE icon

JLF 9/05 10
Warning signs – YELLOW
triangle with BLACK icon

JLF 9/05 11
Safe procedure signs – GREEN
signs with WHITE icon

JLF 9/05 12
Color and Number Coded Label
Systems
NFPA-type label
Colors represent kind of hazard

3 •
•
Red = fire
Yellow = instability
4 2 • Blue = health
• Black/White = specific hazard
& personal protection
Numbers show degree of hazard
• 0 = Minimal
• 1 = Slight
• 2 = Moderate
• 3 = Serious
• 4 = Severe
Color and Number Coded
Label Systems
NFPA-type labels
Black = specific hazard
• OX = Oxidizer

3 • ACID = Acid
• ALK = Alkali
4 2 • COR = Corrosive
COR • W = Use no water
• Other symbols:
Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)
Provides more detailed information about a chemical,
including
– Composition, information on ingredients (Section 2)
– Hazards identification (Section 3)
– First aid measures (Section 4)
– Accidental Release measures (Section 6)
– Handling and Storage (Section 7)
– Exposure controls, personal protection (Section 8)
– Stability and reactivity (Section 10)
– Toxicological information (Section 11)
JLF 9/05 16
MSDS (cont’d)
Specific possible health hazards:

– Acute poisoning (rapid assimilation of substance,


i.e., carbon monoxide)
– Chronic poisoning (prolonged exposure, i.e., lead
poisoning)
– Cumulative poisons (numerous chronic exposures,
i.e., heavy metals)
– Substances in combination (synergistic effect, i.e.,
exposure to alcohol and chlorinated solvents)
MSDS (cont’d)
Potential Health Effects
– Eye irritation

– Nausea

– Dizziness

– Skin rashes

– Headache

– Existing medical conditions possibly aggravated


by exposure
MSDS (cont’d)
• Emergency/first-aid procedures to follow
• Accidental Release Measures
What to do if substance spills and leaks
How to correctly dispose of substance
Equipment/procedures for cleaning up
spills and leaks
MSDS (cont’d)

Handling and Storage


– How to handle and store substance safely
– Any other precautions (i.e., grounding
containers during transfer of flammables)
MSDS (cont’d)
• Exposure Controls, Personal
Protection
Respirator
Gloves
Eye protection
Protective clothing
Ventilation
• Special work and hygiene practices
that should be followed
Handle Chemicals with Care

– Dispose of chemicals, broken glass, and


other waste in approved containers
– Clean up broken glass and spills immediately
– Keep the lab clean and neat
– Store incompatible chemicals in separate
storage areas
Chemical Storage
• Labs have established separate storage areas for
 Flammable and combustible organic liquids and solvents
 Acids
 Dry poisons, salts, and oxidizers
 Bases

• Chemicals are stored in


 Chemical storage cabinets
 Flammable storage refrigerators (No food)
 Chemical storage refrigerators/freezers (No food)
 On shelves with retaining barriers
Storage Fundamentals
• Identify incompatible chemicals – check the Material
Safety Data Sheet
• Isolate and separate incompatible materials
– Isolate by storing in another area or room
– Degree of isolation depends on quantities, chemical
properties and packaging
– Separate by storing in same area or room, but apart
from each other
Storage of Flammable and
Combustible Liquids
• Storage must not limit the use of
exits, stairways, or areas normally
used for the safe regress of
people
• Storage must be in:
• closed metal containers
inside a storage cabinet, or
Inside storage room
• safety cans, or
• an inside storage room
Use correct protective clothing and equipment
• Eye Protection
 Safety glasses – flying particles, chemical splashes,
dust
 Splash goggles – corrosive liquids, solvents, powders
 Face Shields – high pressure systems
• Respiratory Protection – normally not needed at GIK
• Skin and Body Protection
 Gloves – see the MSDS
 Aprons and lab coats – strong acids and bases
 Shoes – always worn in lab, closed toe and closed
heel
• Hearing Protection – normally not needed at GIK
Do not
– Use damaged glassware
– Store chemicals near heat, sunlight, or other
substances with which they might react
– Store materials on floors or other places where
people could trip over them
– Leave equipment unattended when its operating
(unless it is designed to do so or you have an SOP)
– Put custodians and fellow workers in danger
If Overexposed to a Hazardous
Substance
• Get medical help immediately!
• Inform your lab supervisor
• Check MSDS for first-aid instructions.
• Some general guidelines are
• Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes
• Ingestion: Follow label and MSDS instructions
• Skin Contact: Stand under emergency shower and
remove contaminated clothing immediately
• Inhalation: Get to fresh air and get prompt medical
attention
Emergencies can happen, so

• Avoid working alone in the lab


• Know where emergency phone numbers are posted
• Review MSDS
• Know where to go and what to do in an emergency
• Know the location of the closest safety showers,
eyewashes, and fire extinguishers

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