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Topics Chemical Procurement Chemical Storage Chemical Transporting Chemical Manipulation Questions

Chemical Procurement

Chemical Procurement Before chemicals are ordered, the following questions should be considered: What is the least hazardous chemical available that can be used? How should the chemical be stored? CHEMICAL STORAGE AREA What is the minimum quantity needed to complete the experiment? Is the laboratory equipped to handle a spill? Is the chemical already available? Check your laboratory chemical inventory. Are personnel trained on how to safely handle the chemical?

Chemical Storage

Chemical Storage This section will first discuss general considerations and requirements for chemical storage. Next, it will provide specific information for the storage of chemicals by hazard class.

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.

Chemical Storage General Considerations: 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.

Chemical Storage General Considerations: 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.

Chemical Storage General Considerations: 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: Avoid storing liquid chemicals above eye level. Avoid storing chemicals in aisle ways. 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 – Hazard Class At a minimum, chemicals should be segregated as: Corrosives Oxidizers Flammable Liquids Poisons or Toxic Chemicals Reactive (water or time sensitive)

Chemical Storage – Corrosives Store concentrated acids and bases separately. Keep corrosives away from organic chemicals and combustible materials. Use secondary catch basins for concentrated acids and bases. H+ OH-

Chemical Storage – Store in approved safety cans or cabinets Segregate from oxidizing acids and oxidizers. Keep away from any source of ignition: flames, heat or sparks. Know where fire fighting equipment is stored and how to use. If volatile flammable liquids are stored in a refrigerator it must be in an explosion-proof (lab-safe) refrigerator.

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 – xidizers 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.

Chemical Storage – To ic Chemicals 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. ETHER

Chemical Storage – Reactive Consult the MSDS and 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.

Chemical Storage – Reactive 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 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 Transporting

Transporting Chemicals 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.

Transporting Chemicals Make sure the pathway is clear of obstructions and tripping hazards. Plan ahead for spills. Transport only the quantity needed to complete the experiment. Use sturdy carts when transporting heavy containers or transporting over long distances.

Chemical Manipulation

Chemical Manipulation 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.

Chemical Manipulation                            Chemical Manipulation 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.

The End Questions ?

Before purchasing new chemicals you should? A. Check to see if chemical is already available. B. Determine the minimum quantity needed. C. Search for a less hazardous substitute. D. All the above.

The OSU chemical hygiene plan requires? A. Inventory list of hazardous chemicals. B. Labels C. Requires chemicals to be dated when opened and received. D. All the above.

Chemicals should be stored? A. Alphabetically B. By hazard class or compatibility. C. In the chemical fume hood. D. Randomly

Devices used to store chemicals include? A. Flammable storage cabinets. B. Specially designed refrigerators. C. Laboratory drawers. D. Both A & B

Chemicals can be segregated as? A. Corrosives B. Flammable Liquids C. Oxidizers D. All the above.

Acids and bases should be stored together? A. True B. False

Which is an example of a reactive chemical? A. Ethyl Ether B. Benzene C. Sodium D. Both A & C

Chemical storage information can be found in? A. MSDS B. Labels C. Dictionary D. Both A & B

An example of a secondary container is? A. Plastic Tray B. Glass Beaker C. Rubber Pail D. All the above.

Chemical fume hoods can be used to control exposure. A. True B. False

Answer Key 1. All the above (D). 6. False (B) 2. All the above (D). 7. Both A & C (D) 3. By hazard class or compatibility(B). 8. Both A & B (D) 4. Both A & B (D) 9. All the above (D) 5. All the above (D) 10. False (B)