The document provides a comprehensive overview of laboratory safety training, emphasizing the importance of reading chemical labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). It outlines precautionary measures, emergency procedures, and safe storage practices for hazardous chemicals, as well as the use of personal protective equipment. Additionally, the document details specific health hazards associated with chemicals and the necessary responses to emergencies, ensuring the safety of laboratory personnel.

1. General Laboratory Safety
Training
Presented by Martina Schmeling
Adapted from UC Davis

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. • 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)

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. • Exposure Limits
 Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
TLV-C
TLV-STEL
TLV-TWA
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)
MSDS (cont’d)

19. • 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
MSDS (cont’d)

20. 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

21. How can an MSDS be
“Decoded”?
• See the glossary produced by CCOHS
http://ccinfoweb.ccohs.ca/help/msds/msdstermse.html

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. Other Emergency Procedures
Fire: call 911, activate building fire alarm; safely use fire
extinguisher on small fires
Hazardous Chemical spill (over 1 pint): evacuate the
room; close door; call 911; consider evacuation of building

31. 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

32. 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

33. Useful and helpful websites regarding safety:
http://www.luc.edu/environmentalservices/safety_information
.shtml
http://www.ilpi.com/safety/
http://www.chem.uky.edu/resources/stockroom/waste.html
http://www.uttyler.edu/safety/labwastemanual.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/
http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/