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 and equipment
Remember emergency procedures
2. 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 and equipment
• Remember emergency procedures
3. 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
4. Health Hazards on a
Chemical Label
• Carcinogen
• Highly toxic agent
• Toxic agent
• Reproductive hazard
• Irritant
• Corrosive
• Sensitizer
• Hepatotoxin
• Nephrotoxin
• Neurotoxin
5. 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
6. • 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
7. 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
8. 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)
9. Color and Number Coded Label Systems
3
2
4
Colors represent kind of hazard
• Red = fire
• Yellow = instability
• Blue = health
• black = specific hazard
& personal protection
Numbers show degree of hazard
• 0 = Minimal
• 1 = Slight
• 2 = Moderate
• 3 = Serious
• 4 = Severe
NFPA-type label
10. Color and Number Coded
Label Systems
NFPA-type labels
3
2
4
COR
Black = specific hazard
• OX = Oxidizer
• ACID = Acid
• ALK = Alkali
• COR = Corrosive
• W = Use no water
• Other symbols:
11. 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)
12. MSDS (cont’d)
Hazards Identification
• Inhalation: Respiratory tract (lungs) through inhalation
• Ingestion: Digestive tract through eating or smoking with
contaminated hands or in contaminated work areas
• Absorption through the skin or eyes: Dermatitis or damage to the
liver, kidney, or other organ systems
• Injection: Percutaneous injection of a toxic substance through the
skin
13. 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)
14. MSDS (cont’d)
Potential Health Effects
• Eye irritation
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Skin rashes
• Headache
• Existing medical conditions possibly aggravated by exposure
15. 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
16. MSDS (cont’d)
Handling and Storage
• How to handle and store substance safely
• Any other precautions (i.e., grounding containers during transfer of
flammables)
17. MSDS (cont’d)
• Exposure Controls, Personal Protection
Respirator
Gloves
Eye protection
Protective clothing
Ventilation
• Special work and hygiene practices that should be followed
18. MSDS (cont’d)
• Toxicological Information
LC50: median lethal concentration by inhalation in a
single exposure over a specified time period
LCLO: lowest reported LC50
LD50: median lethal concentration by a route other than
inhalation
19. So, what is “highly toxic”?
• “Highly Toxic” is indicated by
• LD50 50 mg/kg body wt by ingestion to albino rats each
weighing between 200 to 300 gms
OR
• LD50 200 mg/kg by continuous contact for 24 hrs with skin
of albino rabbits each weighing between 2 and 3 kg
OR
• LC50 200 ppm of gas or vapor inhalation (or 2 mg/L of
mist, dust, or fumes) for one hour by albino rats each weighing
between 200 to 300 gms
20. 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
21. 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
22. 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
23. 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
• safety cans, or
• an inside storage room
Inside storage room
24. Storage Cabinets
• Not more than 60 gal of Class I and/or
Class II liquids, or not more than 120
gal of Class III liquids permitted in a
cabinet
• Must be conspicuously labeled,
“Flammable - Keep Fire Away”
• Doors on metal cabinets must have a
three-point lock (top, side, and
bottom), and the door sill must be
raised at least 2 inches above the
bottom of the cabinet
25. 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 LUC
• 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 LUC
26. 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
27. 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
28. 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
29. Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)
Outlines specific work practices for all work
involving hazardous substances in the lab
• Gives procedures to follow when working
with hazardous chemicals
• Provides details on how your chemical exposure
will be monitored and limited
• Assures that you have the right personal protective
equipment (PPE)
• Specifies that some hazardous tasks to be
approved in advance by the PI