Laboratory Safety

Your Responsibility for Accident Prevention Understanding Chemical Hazards Use of Lab Equipment Safety Equipment/Emergency Procedures

Follow all safety instructions carefully Never play tricks or indulge in horseplay Know the location and use of the safety equipment Before undertaking any lab work, become familiar with the hazards of the chemicals involved

Housekeeping – Keep your area clean and clutter free No eating, drinking or storing of food items in the lab Use personal protective equipment Wear appropriate lab attire Never perform unauthorized experiments Always wash your hands before leaving the lab – even if you work gloves Never work alone in the lab

Remember to read and heed the labels before using chemicals Follow the precautions recommended in the Material Safety Data Sheets Always follow your instructor’s directions

Container Labels, Chemical name, Hazard warnings, Manufacturer’s name Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)- chemical composition and properties, Physical and health hazards, Safe Handling information, Storage and disposal requirements, Sign an Symptoms of exposure, Personal Protection Equipment requirements, Exposure Limits

All strong acids and bases and some weak acids and slightly soluble bases are corrosive. When in contact with the eyes or the skin, they irreversibly destroy living tissue. The more concentrated the acid or base and/or the longer contact, the greater the destruction. Some acids and bases start damaging within 15 seconds of contact.

The most common bases used in academic laboratories are the alkali metal hydroxides and aqueous solutions of ammonia, sodium and potassium are strong bases and are extremely destructive to the skin and eyes. Be cautious when you prepare concentrated solutions of these bases. The high heat of the solution can raise the temperature to dangerous levels-high enough to cause boiling and splattering.

When preparing aqueous solutions, always add the acid to the water slowly while stirring the mixture.

Keep the amount of chemicals in the lab to a minimum and make sure they have a label. Never place chemicals on the floor Chemicals should not be stored higher than eye level Provide secondary containment in case a container should break or leak. Separate incompatible chemicals/materials

Use safety and correctly. Avoid electrical hazards Clean equipment after you are done using it. If it breaks down or is it broken-please report

Make sure glass is clean and undamaged or defected. If damaged place it in the broken glass disposal bin not in the regular trash. Flasks should not be supported by a retort clamp around the neck but should be placed on cork rings or iso-mantles After use make sure to wash it and place it back where it belongs

Corks and stoppers are commonly used to seal glassware. Use corks for sealing organic solvents and rubber stoppers for sealing aqueous solutions. Often thermometers and glass tubing are inserted through the cork or stopper. To insert glass tubing or thermometer; Protect your hands with leather gloves Check that the hole is the correct size Lubricate the hole before inserting tubing/thermometer by using glycerin or soapy water Use a rotary motion to guide the glass through stopper

Compressed gas cylinder present a dual hazard in that the contents are under pressure and may be a hazardous material. All compressed gas cylinders, empty or full, must be secured at all times. Cylinder caps must always be in place except for when in use. Cylinder and delivery valves should be closed when not in actual use. Open cylinder valves slowly(counter-clockwise) using the correct spindle key or the hand-wheel fitted on the cylinder.

Shower Eyewash Fire Extinguisher Fume Hoods

Do not use fume hoods for chemical and/or equipment storage. If unavoidable, place chemicals on shelves on side walls and place equipment on blocks to raise at least 2 inches from the base. Keep all chemicals and equipment 6 inches behind the sash during experiments – minimizes fumes escaping due to cross- drafts. Keep sash as low as possible during use, otherwise keep closed. Keep loose paper and tissue out of hood interior-can get caught in exhaust fan. The fume hood is not a substitute for proper protective equipment-wear your glasses, gloves, and lab coat. Be sure the exhaust fan is on and operating before using a fume hood.

P- pull the pin A-aim at the base of the fire S-Squeeze the handle S-Sweep the base of the fire DO NOT AIM HIGH AT THE FLAMES

You can clean it up if the spill: -Is not spreading rapidly -Does not endanger people, property or the environment. Clean up procedures: * Warn others. * Consult MSDS * Contain the spill * Neutralize (if necessary) *Adsorb liquids * Collect residues * Dispose wastes * Decontaminate area and equipment *Always use proper protective equipment

Call for emergency assistance – ext for campus police or 911. Render assistance and first aid Evacuate area if necessary Provide emergency personnel with as much information as possible