SAFETY OPERATING PROCEDURE TEMPLATE
By signing and dating here the Principal Investigator/ or a designee certifies that the Safety
Operating Procedure (SOP) for Perchloric Acid is accurate and effectively provides safe
operating procedures for employees and students in this lab who will handle this hazardous
chemical.
_________________________________________________________________________
Signature
Printed Name
Date
I affirm that I have read and understand the Safety Operating Procedure for Perchloric Acid and
have undergone the EH&S Laboratory & Research training and any lab specific training
regarding this SOP.
Printed Name
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Signature
Date
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Perchloric Acid
Chemical Name:
Building/Room
Number:
Date of
Creation/Revision
8/2/2012
Principal Investigator:
Emergency Phone
number:
HAZARD SUMMARY
Potential physical and health hazards associated with the use of this chemical include:
DANGER! STRONG OXIDIZER. CONTACT WITH OTHER MATERIAL MAY CAUSE FIRE OR EXPL
OR EXPLOSION ON CONTACT WITH ORGANIC MATERIALS.
HIGHLY CORROSIVE. CAUSES SEVERE IRRITATION AND BURNS TO EVERY AREA
OF CONTACT. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED OR INHALED.
SPECIAL HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
Describe special handling and storage requirements for this hazardous chemical in your laboratory, i.e. restricted
access to chemical, inclusion of designated areas to limit and minimize possible sources of exposure to these
materials. The entire laboratory, a portion of the laboratory, or a laboratory fume hood or bench may be
considered a designated area.
Special handling and storage requirements for this chemical include:
Perchloric acid is extremely reactive with many materials and adequate segregation must be maintained. Sh
container within glass secondary containment that is capable of containing the total contents of the bottle.
All storage must be separated from combustible materials, organic materials, strong dehydrating agents; ox
agents.
Contaminated or severely discolored perchloric acid should be considered a fire/explosion hazard and EH&
for disposal immediately.
Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (vapors, liquid
and precautions listed for the product.
Contaminated clothing and PPE should be washed at an appropriate facility before reuse. This substance
is not to be put down the drain, or placed in the trash. Discard contaminated shoes. Wash hands and face
thoroughly after handling and before work breaks, drinking, eating and smoking.
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Store Perchloric Acid in designated area for Acids.
ENGINEERING AND VENTILATION CONTROLS
Include requirements for specific engineering/ventilation controls for this specific chemical, i.e. fume hood. If the
process does not permit the handling of such materials in a fume hood, the lab personnel should contact
Environmental Health and Safety at x4-4036 for review the adequacy of ventilation measures.
Handling processes should be designed to minimize the potential for splash, splatter, or other likely scenarios for
accidental contact. The handling of this chemical must be conducted in a fume hood.
Additional engineering/ventilation controls for the handling of this chemical include:
Facilities should be equipped with an eyewash facility and a safety shower.
Use concentrated perchloric acid only in a dedicated perchloric acid fume hood.
Perchloric acid fume hood, class B or ABC fire extinguisher.
Eyewash, and safety shower should be readily accessible
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Include specific personal protective equipment required for the handling of this chemical. See the following
references:
1. The USF Hazardous Inventory Tracking System (HITS) provides access to MSDS.
2. A glove compatibility chart provides specific information on the type of safety gloves that should be used
based on the hazards of specific chemicals.
3. The following EH&S webpage provides links to glove manufacturers as well as other PPE selection
resources, http://usfweb2.usf.edu/eh&s/labsafety/links.html.
At minimum, safety glasses, lab coat, and gloves are to be worn when using this hazardous chemical.
Additional PPE Requirements for the handling of this chemical include:
appropriate clothing (long pants, close-toed shoes)
gloves; indicate type:______________________________
safety goggles
face shield
□
□
flame-resistant lab coats
other:__________________________
If the use of an N95, half mask, or full face respirator is requested, the individual and/or their
supervisor must first contact Environmental Health & Safety for a consultation to determine if respirator
use is necessary. If EH&S determines the use of a respirator is
necessary, the individual must participate in the University’s respirator program. This includes a
medical evaluation; respirator fit test, and training.
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Goggles and face shield; lab coat and apron; compatible gloves
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
If a there is a spill involving an extremely hazardous chemical, emergency responders should be contacted
immediately. Dial 911 during and after normal business hours to contact the local emergency responders for
your area and provide detail information to the emergency responders including chemical name, volume,
hazards, spill location, and any injuries incurred. Building occupants can be notified of a building evacuation
through the activation of a fire alarm pull station.
Personnel: If lab personnel are exposed to an extremely hazardous chemical, call 911 immediately. Remove
any contaminated clothing, and IMMEDIATELY flush contaminated skin with water for at least 15 minutes
following any skin contact. For eye exposures, IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes.
Consult MSDS for guidance on appropriate first aid. Where medical attention is required, ensure to bring along
MSDS(s) of chemical(s) to aid medical staff in proper diagnosis and treatment.
Fire and Emergency Evacuation Procedures:
In case of fire or emergency situation, call 911 and or use emergency blue phone immediately to notify
the fire emergency services and campus police.
 Immediately evacuate the building via the nearest exit when the fire alarm is activated.
 If unable to evacuate due to a disability, shelter in the area of rescue / refuge, typically a stairwell
landing, and wait for assistance from drill volunteers or emergency responders.
 Instruct visitors and students to evacuate and assist them in locating the nearest exit.
 Do not use elevators to exit the building during an evacuation as they may become inoperable.
 Carry only those personal belongings that are within the immediate vicinity.
 Close doors to limit the potential spread of smoke and fire.
 Terminate all hazardous operations and power off equipment.
 Close all hazardous materials containers.
 Remain outside of the building until the building is released for reentry.
 Do not restrict or impede the evacuation.
 Convene in the designated grassy gathering area and await instruction from emergency responders or
drill volunteers. Avoid parking lots.
 Report fire alarm deficiencies, (e.g., trouble hearing the alarm) to facilities personnel for repair.
 Notify evacuation drill volunteers or emergency responders of persons sheltering in the areas of
rescue/ refuge.
 Never assume that an alarm is a “false alarm”. Treat all fire alarm activations as emergencies.
Get out of the building!

Perchloric acid spills, in any amount, should be taken very seriously as contact with many organic materials
cabinetry or paper, could lead to fire or explosion.
Personnel should be removed from the area, and the spill should be reported to EH&S immediately during n
If a spill involves injuries, a fire, or a spill after hours contact UPD by dialing 911.
If a chemical is ingested, do not induce vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately.
In case of contact, immediately flush eyes or skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove conta
shoes and seek medical attention.
Report all accidents and exposures to your supervisor immediately.
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The Laboratory/Studio and Field Incident Report form is to be completed by the Lab
Manager/Teaching Assistant/Instructor for any incident that occurs in any University of South
Florida affiliated teaching or research laboratory/studio or field research project. An incident means
any unplanned event within the scope of a procedure that causes, or has the potential to cause, an
injury or illness and/or damage to equipment, buildings, or the natural environment. Please fill out
the online Laboratory/Studio and Field Incident Report form below and submit to Environmental
Health & Safety within 24 hours of the incident. Due to medical privacy concerns, no personal
identifying information of the person involved in the incident shall be entered or submitted with the
form.
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/eh&s/labsafety/LabIncident.html
WASTE DISPOSAL
All chemical waste generated within USF System laboratories are considered hazardous waste and must be
disposed of as hazardous waste in accordance with USF Hazardous Waste Management Procedure, the EPA,
and the DEP. The USF Hazardous Waste Management Procedure can be found using the following link,
http://compass.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1118/kw/hazardous%20waste.
Do not combine with any other chemical waste. Keep perchloric acid waste bottles separate from all other c
Place waste in an appropriate and compatible container. Container must be closed, and labeled with the wor
and the components of the waste. Place waste in Satellite Accumulation Area, and contact EH&S for picku
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
All individuals working with chemicals in USF laboratories must take EH&S’s Laboratory & Research Safety
Training. To register for Laboratory & Research Training, please use the following link,
http://usfweb2.usf.edu/eh&s/labsafety/tmaterials.html. However, the use of this chemical may warrant
additional safety training per the PI, EH&S, or an authorizing unit such as the Biosafety or Radiation Safety
programs. Additional training requirements are listed below.
Training Requirements:
Laboratory & Research Safety Training (EH&S)
Research-specific Training (PI)
□ Other _____________________________________________________________
PRIOR APPROVALS
□ The handling of this chemical requires prior approval from the PI/designee.
The handling of this chemical does not require prior approval from the PI/designee.
Approval Signature (if required by PI) _________________________________________________________
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