This document outlines essential laboratory safety training, emphasizing the importance of reading chemical labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS) for safe handling of chemicals. It details health hazards, precautionary measures, and proper storage and disposal procedures, along with emergency protocols and protective equipment required in labs. The document also highlights the significance of having a chemical hygiene plan to ensure safe work practices when dealing with hazardous substances.

1. General Laboratory Safety
Training
Presented by : Asif Nawaz
M.phil 4th Microbiology
Aust

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

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