Presentation on Chemical Safety at Laboratory and Chemical Industries.The PPT includes
OHSA’s Haz-Com Standard, Chemical Labels and Identification, Chemical Procurement, Chemical Storage, Chemical Transporting and Emergency Response Procedure.
3. OHSA’s Haz-Com Standard
• OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard is designed to
protect employees from hazardous chemicals used or stored
in the work setting.
• Also referred to as the "Right-To-Know Law" Law, the Hazard
Communication Standard requires that information and
training (i.e., hazcom training) be provided to any employees
who have the potential of being exposed to a hazardous
chemical “under normal condition of use or in a foreseeable
emergency.”
• Such hazcom training requires the presence of hazardous
chemicals be communicated to employees in a variety of
ways
4. Classes of Hazardous Chemicals
Class 1 - Explosives
Class 2 - Gases flammable, non-flammable, toxic
Class 3 - Flammable liquids
Class 4 - Flammable Solids
Class 5 - Oxidising substances
Class 6 - Toxic and infectious substances
Class 7 - Radioactive material
Class 8 - Corrosive substances
Class 9 - Miscellaneous dangerous substances
5. Chemical Symbols Identification
• Flammable – Any substance that will burn if exposed to an open
flame.
• Explosive – A substance that may explode if exposed to heat or
flame.
• Toxic/Poison – A substance that can lead to death if inhaled,
ingested, or absorbed by the skin.
• Corrosive – A substance that can destroy or burn living tissue and
can eat away at other materials.
• Irritant - A substance that causes inflammation upon contact with
skin or mucous membranes.
• Environmental - Substances that are harmful to the environment.
They must be disposed of properly, not washed down the drain
• Reactive- Water or time sensitive
6. Hazard Numbering System
0
Least
Serious
4
Most
Serious
2 3
4
0X
Red=Flammability
4-Materials with a flashpoint below 73 F (22 C) and a boiling point below
100 F.
3-Materials with a flashpoint below 73 F and a boiling point greater than
or equal to 100 F (38 C) or a flashpoint above 73 F and less than 100 F.
2-Materials with a flashpoint above 100 F, but not exceeding 200 F (93.3
C).
1-Materials with a flashpoint above 200 F (93.3 C).
0-Materials which normally won't burn.
7. 7
Blue-Health Hazard
4-Materials with an oral LD50 of less than or equal to 5 mg/kg.
3-Materials with an oral LD50 above 5, but less than 50 mg/kg.
2-Materials with an oral LD50 above 50, but less than 500
mg/kg.
1-Materials with an oral LD50 above 500, but less than
2000mg/kg.
0-Materials with an oral LD50 above 2000mg/kg.
Yellow=Reactivity Hazard
4-Material is capable of explosion or detonation at normal
temperature and pressure.
3-Material is capable of explosion, but requires a strong
initiating source, or the material reacts with water.
2-Material undergoes violent chemical changes at elevated
temperature and pressure.
1-Normally stable, but can become unstable at elevated temp.
0-Normally stable.
4 3
2
W
8. 8
White = Special Hazard
W - Water Reactive
- Oxidizer
COR - Corrosive
- Radiation
COR
W
OX
9. Before chemicals are ordered, the following questions should be considered:
What is the minimum
quantity needed to
complete the work?
Chemical Procurement
What is the least hazardous
chemical available that can
be used?
Is the chemical already
available?
Check with me for
chemical inventory.
How should the
chemical be stored?
Is the laboratory equipped
to handle a spill?
Spill kits are in each lab.
Are personnel trained on
how to safely handle the
chemical?
CHEMICAL
STORAGE
AREA
10. Chemical Storage
Chemical Storage- Requirements
• There must be an inventory list of hazardous chemicals
• Chemical containers must be labeled with a minimum of
chemical name, hazard warnings and target organs.
• Containers shall be dated when received and opened.
• Accompanying material safety data sheets must be kept.
12. • Plan ahead for spills, accidents or emergencies.
• Be aware of special storage conditions such as temperature, relative
humidity or limited shelf life.
• Segregate chemicals by hazard class or compatibility.
• If available, use ventilated cabinets for volatile toxics and
odoriferous chemicals.
• Use approved flammable storage cabinets for flammable liquids.
• Use secondary containers or trays for corrosives and toxic solvents.
• When refrigerating flammables, only use refrigerators specifically
designed for flammable materials.
• Do not store food in chemical storage refrigerators.
• Label chemical storage refrigerators with the following:
No Food – Chemical Storage Only
Chemical Storage
General Considerations
13. • Avoid storing liquid chemicals above eye level.
• Avoid storing chemicals in passageways.
• Avoid over stocking shelves.
• Avoid storing heavy containers above shoulder level.
• Avoid storing chemicals in fume hoods or on counter tops.
• Avoid storing chemicals near sources of heat or in direct sunshine.
Chemical Storage
General Considerations
14. • Store concentrated acids and bases separately.
• Keep corrosives away from organic chemicals and
combustible materials.
• Use secondary catch basins for concentrated acids
and bases.
Chemical Storage – Corrosives
OH-H+
15. Chemical Storage –
• As a general rule of thumb, no more than 10 gallons of flammable
liquids should be stored outside of an approved flammable storage
cabinet.
• Hospital patient areas are typically much less (1 to 2 gallons).
Chemical Storage – Oxidizers
• Store oxidizers away from flammable and
combustible materials.
• Store oxidizers away from reducing agents.
• Maintain the minimum quantity needed and
dispose of unneeded material immediately.
16. • Store highly toxic materials in a dedicated storage fume hood.
• Maintain the minimum quantity needed and dispose of unneeded
material immediately.
• Store in unbreakable containers or use secondary containers.
• Label storage areas with designated area signs.
Chemical Storage – Reactive
• Examples of reactive chemicals would include, but not be limited to:
• Water reactive chemicals.
• Pyrophors, which react with air.
• Peroxide forming chemicals, which form shock sensitive
explosives.
• Perchloric, stronger acid than sulfuric and nitric acids
Chemical Storage – Toxic Chemicals
17. • Consult the labels for storage information.
• Bring only quantities needed for immediate use into the laboratory.
• Date all reactive chemicals as soon as they are received.
• Do not open material after the expiration date.
• Store pyrophoric chemicals away from flammables.
• Store perchloric acid away from reducing agents.
• Store perchloric acid bottles in glass or ceramic trays.
• Store peroxidizable materials away from heat and light.
Chemical Storage – Reactive
18. • Store water reactive chemicals away from all
• sources of water or in water tight containers.
• Store thermally unstable chemicals in approved
refrigerators.
• Consider explosion relief boxes for highly sensitive
materials.
• Restrict access to the storage area.
Chemical Storage – Reactive
19. • If chemicals are transferred to a second container, make sure the new
container is labeled with the chemical name.
• Use secondary containers, with handles, made of rubber, plastic or
metal.
• Secondary containers should be large enough to contain all of the
chemical contents.
• Make sure the pathway is clear of obstructions and tripping hazards.
• Plan ahead for spills.
• Transport only the quantity needed to complete the work.
• Use sturdy carts when transporting heavy containers or transporting
over long distances.
Transporting Chemicals
20. • Be familiar with chemical properties and products of chemical
reactions.
• Be prepared for chemical spills and clean up spills immediately.
• Plan ahead – have apparatus and associated equipment ready before
chemicals are used.
• Use the appropriate equipment, such as funnels, beakers and spatulas
when transferring chemicals.
• Use chemical fume hoods to control exposure as chemicals are
transferred.
• Use chemical fume hoods to control exposure during
• the experiment.
• Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (chemical splash
goggles, gloves, etc.).
• Have disposal containers ready ahead of time.
Chemical Manipulation
21. • Routes of entry
– Inhalation
– Ingestion
– Skin or eye contact, and/or absorption
• Avoid Inhalation
– Use proper ventilation (Fume Hood)
– Use respiratory protection (Respirator)
– Check tags and labels for specific requirements
• Prevent Ingestion
– NO eating, drinking, smoking, or applying cosmetics in labs and
chemical storage area
– Wash hands frequently
– Label everything
– Read labels and Tags
• Prevent Skin or Eye Contact
– Wear protective equipment
– Minimizethe area of exposed skin
Protective Measures
22. “Other” Control Measures
• Protective Equipment
– Respirators, goggles, gloves, lab coats
• Safety Equipment
– Safety showers, eyewashes, fire extinguishers,
first aid kits, explosion-proof refrigerators
• Chemical Storage area Maintenance and
Inspection
– Safety inspections, fume hood condition,
chemical storage, spill kits, etc.
• Regulated Waste Management
• Hazardous Chemical Inventories
24. Emergency Procedures
Chemical Spills
• Evacuate and call on emergency contact number for
larger spill (>5-gallons) situations
• Treat life threatening injuries immediately
• Contain the spill - read the details of chemical
• Wear protective equipment during clean-up
• Best response is preparation
25. Emergency Procedures
Personal Contamination
• Flush contaminated area with water
• Remove contaminated clothing
• Rinse with water for 15 minutes
• Seek medical attention if irritation
persists
Chemical in the Eye(s)
• Flush eyeballs and inner eyelids
• Forcibly hold eyes open
• Irrigate for at least 15 minutes
• Seek medical attention immediately