Presented
By
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
www.drexel.edu/facilities/healthSafety/

Content
◦ Laboratory Safety
◦ Occupational Safety and
Health
◦ Regulatory Affairs
◦ Emergency Contacts
◦ Safety Training
◦ Service Requests and
Forms
Lab Safety TrainingRevised 6/2009
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Research Personnel
Laboratory Safety Training
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Topics Covered
◦ Blood borne Pathogens
◦ Hazardous Waste
Management
◦ Emergency Spill Response
◦ Chemical Fume Hood Safety
◦ BSC Safety
◦ Centrifuge Safety
◦ Chemical Hygiene – Hazard
Communication
◦ Fire Safety in the Laboratory
◦ Laser Safety
◦ Personal Protection
Equipment
◦ Respiratory Protection
◦ Safe Storage and Handling of
Compressed Gas
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
Four fundamental principles define all of the work area and procedural precautions set
forth in the CHP:
◦ Plan Ahead!
 Determine the potential hazard associated with an experiment before beginning it.
◦ Minimize Exposure to Hazardous Materials!
 Do not allow laboratory hazardous materials to come in contact with skin. Use
laboratory hoods and other ventilation devices to prevent exposure to airborne
substances whenever possible.
◦ Do Not Under Estimate Risks!
 Assume that any mixture of hazardous materials will be more toxic than its most
toxic component. Treat all new compounds and substances of unknown toxicity
as toxic substances
◦ Be Prepared for Accidents!
 Prior to beginning an experiment, know the specific action to take in the event of
the accidental release of any hazardous substance. Know the locations of all safety
equipment and the nearest fire alarm and telephone, know what telephone
numbers to call and whom to notify in the event of an emergency. Keep your coworkers informed of your activities so that they can respond appropriately.
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Establishes general guidelines/procedures for handling
chemicals in the laboratory.
The standard operating procedures provide laboratory
personnel with baseline information on how to behave/work
in a laboratory.
Prior to performing any experimental procedures, laboratory
personnel should review the general procedures and establish
specific procedures when working with certain hazardous
chemicals.
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
Acrolein Incident
◦ Highly toxic, highly flammable,
highly reactive material
◦ Wearing nitrile gloves
◦ No standard operating
procedure
◦ No safety glasses
◦ No laboratory coat
◦ Opening new container of under
CFH at edge of workbench
◦ Vertical sash position at 18
inches
◦ Splashed in eye and on body
◦ Vapors spread throughout room
◦ Occupants overcome
◦ Emergency procedure
implemented correctly
◦ No major injury
Natural
Rubber
Nitrile
Neoprene
Butyl
PVC
Acetaldehyde
1
1
1
4
1
Acrolein
1
1
1
4
1
Benzaldehyde
1
1
1
4
1
Butyraldehyde
1
1
1
4
1
Formaldehyde
1
4
2
4
2
Glutaraldehyde
?
?
4
4
2
Aldehydes
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Sulfuric Acid Incident # 1
Highly corrosive and highly reactive
Wearing nitrile gloves
No standard operating procedure
No safety glasses
No laboratory coat
Removing tubing from apparatus
under CFH
◦ Horizontal sash position open
◦ Splashed in face and chest
◦ Emergency procedure not
implemented properly
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Did not use eyewash or shower
Did not remove contaminated
clothing
Natural
Rubber
Nitrile
Neopren
e
Butyl
PVC
Chromic acid up to
70%
1
3
1
4
3
Hydrochloric acid up
to 37%
3
3
3
4
3
Hydrofluoric acid up
to 70%
2
1
2
3
1
Nitric acid 70+ %
?
1
1
2
?
Perchloric acid up to
70%
4
4
4
3
4
Phosphoric acid 70+
%
4
4
4
4
4
Sulfuric acid 70+ %
1
1
2
4
2
Inorganic acids
◦ Caused severe burns to face and
chest
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Sulfuric Acid Incident # 2
Highly corrosive and highly reactive
Wearing nitrile gloves
No standard operating procedure
No safety glasses
No laboratory coat
Reaction by-products – titanium
tetrachloride
◦ Removing tubing from apparatus
outside local exhaust hood.
◦ Splashed in face
◦ Emergency procedure not
implemented properly
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Did not use eyewash or shower
Did not contact public safety directly
Natural
Rubber
Nitrile
Neopren
e
Butyl
PVC
Chromic acid up to
70%
1
3
1
4
3
Hydrochloric acid up
to 37%
3
3
3
4
3
Hydrofluoric acid up
to 70%
2
1
2
3
1
Nitric acid 70+ %
?
1
1
2
?
Perchloric acid up to
70%
4
4
4
3
4
Phosphoric acid 70+
%
4
4
4
4
4
Sulfuric acid 70+ %
1
1
2
4
2
Inorganic acids
◦ Caused severe burns to face
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Metal Perchlorate Complex Incident
Highly reactive and explosive
Wearing nitrile gloves
No standard operating procedure
Wearing safety glasses
No laboratory coat
No explosion barrier
No explosive test performed
Transferring material from fritted funnel to sample vial on bench
top
◦ Exploded in hand
◦ Emergency procedure implemented properly
◦ Caused severe burns and cuts to hand
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T-Butyl Lithium Incident – Not at Drexel
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Highly reactive (pyrophoric material)
No standard operating procedures
Wearing nitrile gloves
Wearing safety glasses
No laboratory coat
Working alone
Transferring the material into a syringe
Material reacted with air and exploded into flames
Emergency procedure not implemented properly
Caused severe burns all over
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Keep all work areas clean and free of clutter. Clean up the work area
on completion of an operation or at the end of each work shift or
class.
Keep chemicals and equipment properly labeled and stored
appropriately.
Do not store, handle or consume food or beverages in laboratory
areas, refrigerators, or with glassware or utensils that are also used for
laboratory operation.
Seek information and advice about hazards, review MSDS, plan
appropriate protective procedures, and plan positioning of equipment
before beginning new operation.
Leave lights on during work hours.
Provide for containment of toxic substances in the event of failure of a
utility service in an unattended operation.
Be aware of any unsafe conditions and see that they are corrected
when detected. Contact the Department of Environmental Health and
Safety for advice.
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The chemical hygiene plan (CHP) establishes procedural precautions
for laboratory personnel to follow during hazardous material
manipulations.
The section provides the following precautions:
◦
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General precautions
Toxic Chemical Precautions
Radioactive Material Precautions
Flammable Material Precautions
Reactive chemicals
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Mouth suction for pipetting or starting a siphon is strictly
forbidden.
Do not smell or taste chemicals.
Apparatus that can discharge toxic chemicals (vacuum pumps,
distillation columns, etc.) should be vented into local exhaust
devices or Chemical Fume Hoods.
Handle and store laboratory glassware with care to avoid damage.
Do not use damaged glassware.
Use extra care with Dewar flasks and other evacuated glass
apparatus; shield or wrap them to contain chemicals and
fragments in the event that implosion might occur.
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Laboratory personnel working with highly toxic and/or reactive
materials must be thoroughly familiar with the general guidelines for
safe handling of hazardous materials in laboratories.
Preparations for handling highly toxic and/or reactive substances
must include:
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Sound and thorough planning of the experiment;
Understanding the intrinsic hazards of the substances;
Exposure risks;
Additional precautions that may be necessary to minimize or eliminate these risks;
Reviewing all emergency procedures to ensure appropriate response to unexpected
spills and accidents.
Laboratory personnel should be specifically trained on the use of
certain highly toxic and/or reactive materials.
Additional training can be provided to anyone working highly toxic,
highly flammable and/or reactive materials.
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Never work alone.
Keep good housekeeping procedures.
Plan experiments prudently.
Designate areas in the laboratory for only highly toxic and/or reactive
material manipulations.
Procedures involving highly toxic and/or reactive materials that can
generate dust, vapors, or aerosols must be conducted in a chemical fume
hood, glove box or other suitable containment device.
Proper personal protection equipment must worn at all times to protect
worker from exposure (i.e. appropriate gloves; face shield; safety goggles;
lab coats; respirators; etc.).
Be sure to inspect all personal protective equipment prior to and after use.
Equipment used should be isolated and labeled.
Always practice good laboratory hygiene. Wash hands, face, neck and
forearms. Never remove contaminated equipment from designated area.
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Handle flammable substances only in areas free of ignition sources.
Besides open flames, ignition sources include electrical equipment
(especially motors), static electricity, and, for some materials (e.g.,
carbon disulfide), even hot surfaces.
Check the work area for flames or ignition sources prior to using a
flammable substance.
Never heat a flammable substance with an open flame. Preferred
heat sources include steam baths, water baths, oil and wax baths,
salt and sand baths, heating mantles, and hot air.
Keep containers of flammable substances tightly closed at all times
when not in use.
Use only refrigeration equipment certified for storage of flammable
materials.
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 All hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals must be stored in clearly
defined designated areas
◦ The chemical inventory should be kept as small as possible.
◦ Do not store chemicals on top of high cabinets or shelves.
◦ Keep exits, passageways, areas under tables, and emergency equipment
areas free of stored chemicals.
◦ Provide a definite storage place for each chemical and return the chemical
to that location after each use.
◦ Avoid storing chemicals on bench tops and in fume hoods, except for
those chemicals being used currently.
◦ Do not store chemicals on the floor.
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◦ Separate chemicals into the following
hazard classes:
 Flammables
 Acids
 Organic Acids
 Inorganic Acids
 Bases
 Organic Bases
 Inorganic Bases
 Oxidizers
 Reactives
 Poisons (i.e. toxic materials,
carcinogens)
 Non-hazardous or non-regulated
chemicals
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◦ Do not store chemicals in the cabinets under the sink,
except for household cleaning agents (i.e. Windex, bleach,
soaps, detergents, etc.).
◦ Store chemicals in a cool dry place avoiding direct sunlight
◦ Ventilated storage cabinets shall be used to store extremely
hazardous chemicals.
◦ Use chemical storage refrigerators only for chemical
storage. Label these refrigerators with the following
signage: “No Food or Drink – Chemical Storage Only”
◦ Do not store flammable liquids in a refrigerator unless it is
an approved explosion-proof refrigerator.
◦ Safety containers must be used when transporting
chemicals (i.e. carts, rubber totes, secondary containers
etc.).
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◦ Observe all precautions regarding the storage of
incompatible chemicals.
 Oxidizing reagents/Reducing reagents
 Acids/Bases
◦ Dry chemicals (solid materials) shall not be stored
with liquid chemicals.
◦ Store all flammable liquids in a grounded flammable
storage cabinet with self-closing doors.
◦ Overspill containers must be used when storing
incompatibles together in one cabinet.
◦ Organic Acids can be stored in the flammable storage
cabinet.
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◦ Acids must be stored separate from bases. Storage in the
same cabinet is possible ONLY IF OVERSPILL CONTAINERS
ARE USED TO CONTAIN ANY SPILLS.
◦ Separate inorganic and organic bases. These can be stored
in the same cabinet. Shelves or overspill containers can be
used as a means of separation
◦ Oxidizers must be stored in a cabinet separate from all
other chemicals.
◦ Reactive chemicals must be segregated and stored
appropriately i.e. flammable cabinet, explosion proof
refrigerator, dedicated container etc.
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◦ Toxic chemicals, including carcinogens, must be properly
labeled and stored in ventilated storage areas.
◦ Small containers should be stored together in unbreakable
chemical-resistant secondary containers.
◦ These containers must be labeled either “Caution: High Chronic
Toxicity,” or “Cancer Suspect Agent”.
◦ Alphabetical storage of all dry chemicals is not allowed.
◦ Cylinders of compressed gases, empty or full, must be
labeled, strapped or chained at all times to a wall or bench
top, and must be capped when not in use.
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◦ Oxygen and other oxidizing gases must not be stored
adjacent to flammable gases (except when in use).
◦ Do not store flammable gases near sources of heat or
ignition.
◦ Peroxides or peroxide-forming chemicals must be dated
upon receipt and upon opening.
◦ If unable to determine the best possible storage options
consult the MSDS for the chemical. If further assistance is
need contact the Department of Environmental Health and
Safety.
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 Complete chemical name.
 Abbreviation or chemical symbols are not
acceptable
 Appropriate hazard warnings.
 For example – irritant; flammable;
corrosive; oxidizers etc.
 All labels must be prominently displayed
and legibly written (printed) in English and
other language as appropriate for
employees and/or students.
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◦ Secondary containers (i.e. beakers; Erlenmeyer flask; cap
bottles, etc.)
 Do not require labeling if the materials is used immediately and
completely.
 Do require labeling if the material is not used immediately and
completely.
◦ Research samples and small vials
 Too restrictive to meet the requirements
 Utilize a number/index system that corresponds to label
information for that chemical can be noted in a laboratory
notebook.
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◦ NFPA diamond.
◦ PI emergency contact.
◦ After hours contact.
◦ Department name and
telephone
◦ Date posted.
◦ Additional hazards.
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◦ All cabinets, shelves and refrigerators containing chemical
storage (including the cleaning supplies) must be labeled
with the appropriate warning label (i.e. Flammable, Acids,
Bases, Oxidizers etc.).
◦ Refrigerators used for chemical storage must be labeled,
with appropriate hazard warnings and with the signage:
“No Food or Drink – Chemicals Storage Only.”
◦ Any refrigerator used of food or drink storage must be
labeled as such.
◦ Microwaves and centrifuges that could be contaminated
with chemicals must be labeled with the appropriate
warning labels.
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
Drain disposal is permitted for the following:
◦ Elementary neutralized acidic and basic aqueous solutions.
◦ The final pH value must be between 6 and 9 prior to drain disposal.
◦ The limit of material that may be neutralized is 1 liter.
◦ Common salts, sugars and agars in both liquid and solid forms.
◦ For solids, the material must be dissolved in tap water.
◦ The limit of material that may be disposed is 1 kg of solid or 1 liter of
liquid.
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Drain disposal is prohibited for the following:
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Flammable or explosive materials.
Corrosive materials with a pH less 6 or greater than 9.
Solid or viscous materials.
Materials capable of releasing fumes or vapors.
Oxygen-demanding pollutants.
Hot wastewater greater than 250 °F.
Petroleum, oil, non-biodegradable cutting oil or products of
mineral oil origin.
No organic chemicals.
No heavy metal solutions.
Sulfuric, Nitric, Hydrofluoric, Perchloric, and Chromic acid
Toxic/Poisonous solids and liquids.
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◦ Area at or near a process that generates chemical wastes.
◦ The area must be under the control of the operator of that
process.
◦ Each laboratory is designated as a satellite accumulation area.
◦ The responsible party is responsible for following the policies
satellite accumulation areas.
◦ Each responsible party shall designate a location in the
laboratory as the satellite accumulation area.
◦ The storage of hazardous waste shall comply with the storage
requirements outlined in the University’s Chemical Hygiene
Plan.
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
Allowable Amounts Accumulated
◦ Accumulate as much as 5 gallons of hazardous waste.
◦ One quart of acutely hazardous waste.
◦ In compatible containers at or near any point of generation.

Accumulation Time
◦ There is no limit on accumulation time, however, once a container is full or
more than 5 gallons of hazardous waste, or 1 quart of acutely hazardous
waste, is accumulated, the full container or excess waste must be moved
to the accumulation area within 72 hours.
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◦ Hazardous Material Labels (orange label) shall be
completed for each waste container.
◦ All containers must be labeled with the complete chemical
name of each primary component. Formulas, acronyms and
abbreviations are not acceptable.
◦ If possible, the label should include the approximate
percentage of each chemical.
◦ Do not place the date or the words “Hazardous Waste” on
the container.
◦ Do not place a date on the waste container.
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◦ All containers must be kept closed except when it
is necessary to add or remove material.
◦ Evaporation of waste in the chemical fume hood
is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
◦ All containers must be maintained in good
condition (i.e. no rust, dents, or leaks, etc.)
◦ All containers must be compatible with the
hazardous wastes they contain.
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◦ Access to the chemical pick-up request form in online at
http://www.drexel.edu/facilities/healthSafety/ under the Service
Request link.
◦ Chemical pick-up request form should be immediately filled out
when:
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Unwanted and old chemical reagents need to be removed.
The satellite accumulation waste container is full.
There is more than 5 gallons of hazardous waste.
One quart of acutely hazardous waste accumulated.
◦ Department of Environmental Health and Safety shall respond to
chemical pick-up request within 72 hours of receipt of request.
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◦
The request must list all the materials that need to be
removed.
◦
Any materials not listed will not be removed until a chemical
request form is filled out.
◦
If the material is improperly labeled it will not be removed until
proper labeling is present.
◦
Open containers will not be removed from the laboratory. Only
closed containers will be removed.
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◦ Dispose of all contaminated materials as infectious waste
i.e. sharps, gloves, drip pads, gowns, etc.
◦ Sharps are any item that when broken or intact can pierce
or scratch the skin.
◦ Non-sharp contaminated materials must be disposed in the
provided infectious waste containers.
◦ Sharps must be disposed in a approved properly labeled
sharps container.
◦ Non-sharp items contaminated or not must not be
disposed in the sharps containers.
◦ All containers more than 2/3 full should be closed/sealed
until it is picked up for disposal
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◦ Infectious waste containers must remain inside the
laboratory at all times prior to pick-up.
◦ Containers must not be placed in hallway at any time.
◦ Infectious waste is removed by outside contractor.
◦ Request a pick-up by contacting Department of
Environmental Health and Safety at 215-895-5919
◦ Infectious waste containers can be requested at
http://www.drexel.edu/facilities/healthSafety/ under
the Service Request link.
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◦ Spills greater than 500ml/gm.
◦ Any amount of Acutely Hazardous waste
◦ Select Agent Release
◦ Hazardous Gas Release
◦ Mercury Releases
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◦
The list of acutely hazardous chemicals can be accessed
at http://www.drexel.edu/facilities/healthSafety/ under
the Laboratory Safety link in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.
◦
This list shall be referenced prior using hazardous
materials to ensure it is not acutely hazardous.
◦
All spills that occur in vacant laboratories shall initially be
identified as a major spill.
◦
Report all minor spills involving the release of materials
in quantities greater than 100 milliliters to the
Department of Environmental Health and Safety at 215895-5919.
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◦
Notify persons in the immediate area that a spill has
occurred.
◦
If contaminated immediately implement personal
decontamination procedures.
◦
Avoid breathing vapors, mists or dust of the spilled
material.
◦
Turn off all ignition sources if possible.
◦
Evacuate room and close the door.
◦
Contact Drexel Public Safety’s 24-Hour Call Center at
215-895-2222.
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◦ In order to asses the situation be prepared to provide the
following information:
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Name and call-back number
The location of the spill (building and room number)
Type of material spilled
The amount of material that spilled
◦ Remain on or near the telephone until you have received
instructions from the Public Safety or Department of
Environmental Health and Safety.
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◦
If contaminated immediately implement personal
decontamination procedures prior to cleaning up the spill.
◦
Review MSDS and acutely hazardous material list prior to
clean-up.
◦
Proper personnel protection equipment will be donned during
clean up of all hazardous materials.
◦
◦
Reference personnel protection equipment selection charts.
If the proper personal protective equipment is not available then
contact Department of Environmental Health and Safety for
assistance.
Contain spilled material(s) using absorbent pads and/or socks.
◦
◦
Paper towels will not be used for containment of spill nor will they
be used for clean up.
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◦ Neutralize spilled material(s) using the appropriate neutralizing agent.
◦ Clean up neutralized material using dustpan and/or plastic scoop.
◦ Place neutralized material in hazardous waste bags. Dispose of as
hazardous waste.
◦ Wash the area where the spill has occurred with water several times
making sure no residue is left behind. Dispose of any towels used as
hazardous waste.
◦ All emergency equipment shall be decontaminated and stored.
◦ All non-disposable personal protective equipment shall be
decontaminated and stored.
◦ All disposable personal protective equipment and clean-up materials shall
be disposed of as hazardous waste.
◦ Always use extreme caution when cleaning up hazardous substances.
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Appropriate eye protection is worn by all persons in laboratories and areas
where hazardous materials are used or stored.
◦ Eye protection consists of safety glasses with side shields, goggles or face shield, or
full-face respirator.
◦ Eye protection is required whether or not one is actually performing experimental
operations.
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Employees/students are required to wear appropriate gloves when an
employee has the potential for direct contact with blood, hazardous
chemicals, infectious agents, or other hazardous materials.
Select gloves appropriate for the task. Gloves protect differently for each
chemical. For more information concerning glove selection contact
Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
Gloves must not be worn in hallways, elevators, or public areas. If hazardous
materials must be transported from one area to another, glove one hand to
hold the product/apparatus or push cart and use a clean ungloved hand to
open doors, press buttons, etc.
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Employees/students are required to wear lab coats when there is the
potential for direct contact with blood, hazardous chemicals,
infectious agents, very hot or very cold materials, or any other
hazardous materials.

Lab coats must be worn only in the laboratory area and are to be
removed upon exiting the laboratory.

If respirator protection is need then contact the Department of
Environmental Health and Safety.
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Use any other protective apparel and equipment as appropriate.
Know the locations of personal protection equipment (PPE) and how
to obtain additional materials when necessary. If appropriate PPE is
not readily available do not initiate experiments involving hazardous
chemicals.
The Principal Investigator shall provide proper personal protection
equipment for all personal in the research laboratory.
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An inventory of all chemicals (all hazardous chemicals, nonhazardous chemicals, chemical cleaning agents, samples,
etc.) must be conducted in each laboratory.
A copy of this inventory will be maintained by the P.I., a
second copy will be maintained in each lab as the first page
of the MSDS book and a third copy will be sent to the
Department of Environmental Health and Safety.
Additional inventories must be prepared annually. As new
chemicals are obtained, chemical inventory sheets must be
updated accordingly.
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Product Information
Composition
Hazard Identification
First Aid Measures
Fire Fighting Measures
Accidental Release Measures
Handling and Storage
Exposure control and personal
protection
Physical and Chemical properties
Stability and Reactivity
Toxicology Information
Ecological Information
Disposal Consideration
Transportation Information
Regulatory Information
Other Information
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