Laboratory Safety Safety Training for Research Laboratories at Stanford University version [Studentchem2002.ppt]

Topics We ’ ll Cover: Chemical hazard awareness Control of chemical exposures Chemical storage/ transportion Chemical waste disposal Emergency response

Introduction: Overview PLAN USE STORE DISPOSE RESPOND

PLAN: Gather Information Sources –Labels –MSDS –Reference books –Chemical safety database –Toxic gas table –EH&S –Exposure limits listed in: *Cal/OSHA Regulations *ACGIH TLV and BEI booklet

PLAN: Gather Information Cal/OSHA’s Lab Standard (8 CCR 5191 – Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories) – –Appendix A of regulation provides basic rules and procedures for working with chemicals SU’s Chemical Hygiene Plan – –Each laboratory responsible for developing Lab Safety Plan

PLAN: Gather Information MSDS – –quality varies –presumes industrial use –helpful info included: Visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemical when being released signs/ symptoms of chemical exposure permissible exposure limits (if established)

PLAN: Gather Information

Chemical Safety Database –Stanford system –Basic safety info –Storage code designations –Access through on-line inventory or EH&S web page (ehs.stanford.edu)

PLAN: Gather Information

PLAN: Know The Chemical Hazards Physical Hazards: –flammability or reactivity Health Hazards: –Acute Health Hazards High concentration (ceiling limit), short exposure duration Damage happens quickly –Chronic Health Hazards Low concentration, long exposure duration Long latency (symptoms may appear long after exposure)

PLAN: Know Routes of Exposure Inhalation Absorption (skin or eye contact) Ingestion Injection (cuts, puncture)

PLAN: Assessing Hazard Level Depends on: –Chemical: toxicity, concentration –Use: duration, frequency, amount Evaluation may include: –Baseline survey or audit –Observation of work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), engineering controls –Air monitoring

The Dose Makes The Poison Men Hospitalized for Eating Chili 1999 Darwin Awardee, Honorable Mention (May 1999, Philippines) Three men attempting to land in the Guinness Book of World Records were hospitalized in Legaspi after eating huge amounts of chili peppers. They were treated for acute gastritis and high blood pressure, and released.

PLAN: Controlling Hazards 1) Substitute to less toxic material or less hazardous procedure (microscaling expt.) 2) Use of engineering controls –Ventilation, isolation 3) Use of administrative controls –Ensuring safe work practices, rotating staff 4) Use of personal protective equipment –Gloves, safety glasses/goggles

PLAN : Waste Reduction Purchase only what you plan to use Check inventory prior to any purchase Inventories only remain as accurate as your lab keeps it!

PLAN: Updating Inventory SCIMSweb at: Update SCIMSweb inventory to: Add chemicals new to the lab Delete old chemicals no longer used Report increases or decreases in average volumes kept Contact EH&S at to gain inventory access

. Reproductive Health Protection Program University promotes early recognition of potential reproductive hazards. Reproductive Hazards: –Chemical, biological, radiological or physical agents that can damage reproductive systems of males and females. –Can result in infertility, spontaneous abortion, developmental impairment or death of fetus or child. EH&S services include: –Evaluates work areas. –Recommend proper procedures to reduce workplace exposures –Tier II training.  Contact the IH/Safety Program at for assistance.

Overview PLAN USE STORE DISPOSE RESPOND

USE: Labeling Label every container Change the label when you change the contents Label water! Spell out the common chemical name Add date to label when received

USE: Exposure Control Remember the routes of chemical exposure

USE: Exposure Control Inhalation: Lab hoods Designed to : (1) Exhaust contaminant out of breathing zone of worker (2) Provide some splash protection (3) Not designed to contain or withstand explosions. Never put your head inside the hood! Close chemical containers

USE: Exposure Control Inhalation: Lab hoods For proper performance: –Ensure certification is current –Lower sash to required height –Do not place anything within 6” of the front and back –Elevate large equipment off surface –Minimize storage in the hood –Do not disable flow alarm

Energy Conservation A substantial amount of energy is used to heat and cool air that goes out fume hoods. A 6-foot fume hood can cost Stanford as much as $6,200 per year to operate. Please keep hood sashes closed and lights off when not in use.* * Applies to Moore (aka McCullough Annex), McCullough, and Green Earth Sciences.

USE: Exposure Control Remember: Lab hoods are NOT designed to contain or withstand explosions.

USE: Exposure Control Inhalation: Respirators Generally not required in labs May be needed if: –can’t work in fume hood –need protection in addition to fume hood Call EH&S if you think you need one –requires medical evaluation, training and fit testing

USE: Exposure Control Absorption: Gloves Disposable / reusable –disposable: drip/drop and low toxicity –reusable: high exposure and/or higher toxicity Glove material choice balances many factors: –protection –side effects (possible latex allergies?) –ease of use (durability / tactility / grip) –cost Double glove may be necessary Check EH&S website for glove selection:

USE: Exposure Control Absorption: Glove use Inspect gloves before wearing Remove immediately if splashed or contaminated and WASH HANDS! Dispose of contaminated gloves as hazardous waste Remove gloves before you leave the lab Use designated pens when wearing gloves

USE: Exposure Control Absorption: Eye/ Face Protection Labs are eye hazardous areas Safety glasses, goggles Face shields How about –Prescription glasses? –Contact lenses?

USE: Exposure Control Absorption: Protective Clothing Also have to protect skin on other body parts Researchers have been injured:

USE: Exposure Control Nitric Acid:

USE: Prevent Absorption Phenol

USE: Prevent Absorption Sodium Hydroxide

USE: Exposure Control Proper Lab Attire Lab coat Closed toe shoes Pants are much safer than shorts and skirts Don’t wear loose clothing Don’t wear tight clothing

USE: Exposure Control Ingestion: No mouth pipetting !!! No eating, drinking or applying cosmetics in chemical use areas Wash hands before leaving the lab No food or drink storage in labs

USE: Exposure Control Injection: Don’t directly handle broken glassware, needles and other sharp objects

USE: Ergonomics Repetitive activities –microscope –computer use –pipetting Manual handling –heavy lifting –pushing carts –shelving items For training or post-injury work-site evaluation, call EH&S

Overview PLAN USE STORE DISPOSE RESPOND

CHEMICAL STORAGE Provide Lab Security Keep the public from your chemicals Systems already in place: –Lock your lab when unattended –Do not prop open building doors –Respect the card key system

CHEMICAL STORAGE Select locations away from exits Shelves –provide earthquake protection –use overhead storage judiciously –don’t store within 18” of ceiling Sinks –do not store chemicals over a sink –do not store chemicals in a sink

CHEMICAL STORAGE Secondary containment –check volume of containment –keep them clean Segregation –separate by hazard class –letter codes

CHEMICAL STORAGE Flammables Flammables storage cabinet –required for > 10 gallons of flammable & combustible liquids –inspect for rust –acetic acid

CHEMICAL STORAGE Flammables Refrigerators –explosion proof –flammables –regular 1 gal of isopentane did this

CHEMICAL STORAGE Compressed Gases Store upright Restrain –metal –two-restraints –no gang chaining Place in safe location Segregate incompatibles

CHEMICAL STORAGE Protect the valve Disconnect regulator Use valve cover NO BENCH CLAMPS Mark once emptied Get compressed gas safety training !!

TRANSPORTING CHEMICALS Preventing Spills Transportation –use carts with secondary containment –safety carriers Container selection –good condition –compatible

SHIPPING SAMPLES Determine if hazardous material Proper packaging and labeling Shipping papers signed by certified person Overseas shipments require Customs Broker contract (contact Procurement) For additional assistance, contact EH&S at

Overview PLAN USE STORE DISPOSE RESPOND

DISPOSE: Identify Wastes What is hazardous waste? First, it has to be a waste All chemical waste is hazardous Two exceptions: –chemicals listed on the non-hazardous waste list –empty containers with a volume of 5 gallons or less, and that did not contain an extremely hazardous material

DISPOSE: Identify Wastes Mixed waste –biohazardous + chemical  chemical waste –radioactive + chemical  “call EH&S first”

DISPOSE: Label Use one label per container Accumulation start date Hazard identification Fill out completely! Instructions on back Call to get labels

DISPOSE: Accumulate Time limit: 9 months acutelyVolume: up to 1 quart of acutely hazardous waste Location: move only if both rooms are –under the control of one PI or supervisor –and on the same floor of a building Keep containers closed

DISPOSE: Pickup Procedures On-demand pickup: –when a container is full or has accumulated for 8 months –send in standard pickup request Scheduled pickup: –for repetitive wastes, at least 5 gallons/month –send in blanket pickup request, one form per waste

DISPOSE: Prohibitions Illegal Disposal –don’t put in a drain –don’t put in a trash can –don’t intentionally evaporate Transportation Treatment without EH&S approval

Overview PLAN USE STORE DISPOSE RESPOND

RESPOND: Life Safety Boxes Life Safety Box Contents Item: Updated by: room map lab emergency contacts lab front cover EH&S inventory printout EH&S

RESPOND: Chemical Spill Exposures Safety Shower/ Eyewash Use Stays on once activated Flush for 15 minutes Yell for help Remove clothing Keep injured eye lower Keep area accessible Water accumulates Water not tempered!

RESPOND: Chemical Spill Exposures Medical Response - depending on severity ÕEmployees go to Stanford Hospital ER or Sequoia Occupational Health. ÕStudents go to Stanford Hospital ER or Vaden Student Health. ÕTake MSDS with you! Reporting: Complete SU-17 and DWC-1 and SU-16, as appropriate – with assistance from supervisors.

RESPOND: Chemical Spill If health threatening: –cal –alert others –evacuate –remain nearby to provide information

RESPOND: Chemical Spill When to call EH&S ( ): DO call if: –spill is not contained in a hood or a lab bench and might either enter a sink, floor drain, contact soil, or produce hazardous vapor emissions, OR –you can’t complete cleanup within 8 hours DON’T need to call if: –spill is < 50 ml, AND –you are knowledgeable of the hazards, AND –you can clean it up with what you have at-hand

RESPOND : Spill Cleanup Spill cleanup kits available at Biology and Chemistry Stores: –Acid / base neutralizer kits –Solvent absorbent kits –Mercury spill kits All contaminated spill cleanup materials must be managed as hazardous waste

RESPOND : Fire Extinguisher Know location Keep accessible Get training

RESPOND : Exercise Box overhead - heavy? Blocked eyewash and shower Food in lab Jar of juice on benchtop

RESPOND : Exercise Secondary containment and lips on shelves in use Heavy items stored on low shelf

EH&S Training Resources This is Tier II training. Get operation-specific training (Tier III Training) from your PI or supervisor. Information and training required upon initial assignment to work area where hazardous chemicals are used and prior to assignments involving new exposure situations.

EH&S Training Resources Training courses available include (but not limited to) : –Ergonomics (laboratory, computer, safe lifting) –Hazardous Waste Management –Fire Extinguisher –Bloodborne Pathogens –Laser Safety –Compressed Gas –Electrical Safety Contact EH&S at to schedule trainings

EH&S Resources SU Environmental Health & Safety