General Laboratory Safety Training: General Laboratory Safety Training Jeffrey L. Feerer Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science


Staying safe means that you…: 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


Chemical Labels : 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 Read labels on containers of chemicals


Heath Hazards on aChemical Label : Heath Hazards on a Chemical Label Carcinogen Highly toxic agent Toxic agent Reproductive hazard Irritant Corrosive Sensitizer Hepatotoxin Nephrotoxin Neurotoxin Read labels on containers of chemicals


Typical Precautionary Measureson a Label: 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 Read labels on containers of chemicals


Typical Precautionary Measureson a Label (cont’d): Typical Precautionary Measures on a Label (cont’d) 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 Read labels on containers of chemicals


Common Signal Wordson Labels: 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 Read labels on containers of chemicals


Special Symbols Used on Labels: 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) Read labels on containers of chemicals


Color and Number Coded Label Systems(handout): Color and Number Coded Label Systems (handout) 3 2 4 Colors represent kind of hazard Red = fire Yellow = instability Blue = health White = specific hazard & personal protection Numbers show degree of hazard 0 = Minimal 1 = Slight 2 = Moderate 3 = Serious 4 = Severe NFPA-type label Read labels on containers of chemicals


Color and Number CodedLabel Systems (cont’d): Color and Number Coded Label Systems (cont’d) NFPA-type labels 3 2 4 COR Read labels on containers of chemicals


Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)(example MSDS handout): Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) (example MSDS handout) 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) MSDS are located in the laboratory Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)


MSDS (cont’d): 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 Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)


MSDS (cont’d): 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) Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)


MSDS (cont’d): MSDS (cont’d) Potential Health Effects Eye irritation Nausea Dizziness Skin rashes Headache Existing medical conditions possibly aggravated by exposure Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)


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 Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) MSDS (cont’d)


MSDS (cont’d): MSDS (cont’d) Handling and Storage How to handle and store substance safely Any other precautions (i.e., grounding containers during transfer of flammables) Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)


MSDS (cont’d): MSDS (cont’d) Exposure Controls, Personal Protection Respirator Gloves Eye protection Protective clothing Ventilation Special work and hygiene practices that should be followed Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)


MSDS (cont’d): Exposure Limits Threshold Limit Value (TLV) TLV-C TLV-STEL TLV-TWA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) MSDS (cont’d)


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 Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) MSDS (cont’d)


So, what is “highly toxic”?: 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 Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)


How can an MSDS be “Decoded”?: How can an MSDS be “Decoded”? See the glossary produced by CCOHS http://ccinfoweb.ccohs.ca/help/msds/msdstermse.html Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)


Handle Chemicals with Care: 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 Handle Chemicals with Care


Chemical Storage: Handle Chemicals with Care 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


Slide24: 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 Handle Chemicals with Care


Use correct protective clothing and equipment: 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 UCD Skin and Body Protection Gloves – see the MSDS (and the handout) Test for leaks! Aprons and lab coats – strong acids and bases Shoes – always worn in lab, closed toe and heel Hearing Protection – normally not needed at UCD Use correct protective clothing and equipment


If Overexposed to a Hazardous Substance: 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 Remember emergency procedures


Slide27: 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 Evacuation routes will be covered in the lab-specific training Evacuation assembly area for Bainer and Kemper Halls is immediately adjacent to the Silo Remember emergency procedures


Slide28: 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 These topics will be covered in the laboratory-specific safety training Remember emergency procedures


Slide29: 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 The Chemical Hygiene Plan is typically located in the laboratory


Remember: Remember You have the right to ask any question, or report any hazards, either directly or anonymously without any fear of reprisal Department Safety Coordinator Jeff Feerer 752-2509 (jlfeerer@ucdavis.edu) Anonymous suggestion box located on 3rd floor of Bainer Hall