General Laboratory Safety &
Hazardous Materials Orientation
Environmental Health and Life Safety Department
(EHLS)
713-743-5858
http://www.uh.edu/ehls
Department of Public Safety
Environmental Health and Life Safety Department
Office: 713-743-5858
Fax: 713-743-8035
Fire Marshal’s Office
Office: 713-743-5858
Fax: 713-743-8035
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Sign-in – please print your name clearly
Hazard Communication Act (HAZCOM)
Short video “Practicing Safe Science”
Chemical Safety
Fire Safety – fire extinguishers
Quiz
You will receive an email of course completion
Page 1
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Biological Safety
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Chemical Safety
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Radiation Safety
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Environmental
Compliance
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Life Safety
Mission:
The mission of Environmental Health & Life Safety is
to support higher education and research in
conjunction with the University community by
promoting healthy and safe operations.
Vision:
To achieve a university culture where safety and
health are core values.
University Safety Committees
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Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
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Radiation Safety Committee (RSC)
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Institutional Animal Care and Use
Committee (IACUC)
Page 2
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Hazard Communication Training
Technical Assistance
Lab Inspections/Assessment
Chemical Standard Operating
Procedures (SOP)
Specialized Highly Hazardous
Chemical Training
The Texas Hazard
Communication Act
“Requires public employers to provide employees
with specific information on the hazards of
chemicals to which they may be exposed in the
workplace.” (revised 1993)
POST IN YOUR LAB
Page 3
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The Texas Hazard Communication Act was adopted by Texas Department of State Health Services
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This law is also known as “HAZCOM”, “HCA” or the “Employee Right to Know” standard
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Requires public employers to provide employees with specific information on chemical hazards in the workplace
Intent of the Law
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Inform employees about the hazards of chemicals. 
Inform employees about measures they can take to protect themselves from these hazards 
This information is provided through Training, Safety Data Sheets, the Chemical Hygiene Plan and container labels. 
Employee Education Program
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Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
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Label System to warn about hazards
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Workplace Chemical Inventory (List)
Page 4
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SDSs are documents that contain information on the potential hazards and how to work safely with the chemical product
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Essential starting point for the development of a complete health and safety program
Section 1. Chemical product and company identification Section 2. Hazards identification, including emergency overview Section 3. Composition/information on ingredients Section 4. First aid measures Section 5. Fire fighting measures Section 6. Accidental release measures Section 7. Handling and storage Section 8. Exposure controls/personal protection Section 9. Physical and chemical properties Section 10. Stability and reactivity Section 11. Toxicological information Section 12. Ecological information Section 13. Disposal considerations Section 14. Transport information Section 15. Regulatory information Section 16. Other information Go online to:
http://www.uh.edu/ehls/general/general‐
safety/sds/
Page 5
Signal word
Hazard
pictograms
Hazard
Statements
Page 6
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An accurate knowledge of chemicals and their associated risks can be achieved by maintaining a chemical inventory annually
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An effective chemical inventory is an essential starting point for managing your chemical risks
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When conducting a physical chemical inventory you MUST wear PPE!
Properly discard any leaking, damaged, empty, or unlabeled containers by submitting a Hazardous Waste pick up request :
https://vnet.uh.edu/vrecord_data/web_forms/Colleg
e_of_Natural_Sciences_&_Mathematics/NSM_Dean/
waste_pickup_req/add.lasso
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Update the chemical inventory in the EHLS form at http://www.uh.edu/ehls/about/forms/
Provide date, PI name, department , building and room numbers
Chemical Inventory should include:
CAS number
Full Chemical Name
 Quantity and Location
 Hazards associated with each chemical ‐ SDS hazard statement
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Page 7
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Submit a copy to EHLS prior to the annual laboratory inspection
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A copy of the inventory must be kept in the lab at all times (either posted or in a binder) and must be available to all personnel and students
Page 8
Practicing Safe Science Video
Physical Hazards
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Flammables and Combustibles
Oxidizers Reactives
Compressed Gases
Health Hazards
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Corrosives
Toxic/poisons
Solid, liquid, vapor or gas material that
will ignite easily and burn rapidly
Flashpoint - temperature at which a liquid
or volatile solid gives off vapors that will
ignite when exposed to an ignition source
Flammables
 Flashpoint ≤ 100 ⁰F
 Acetone
Combustibles
 Flashpoint ≥ 100 ⁰F
 Phenyl Ether
Page 9
 Keep container closed
when not in use
 Do not use near open
flame or ignition source
 Store in flammable
storage cabinets
 If required, refrigerate in
intrinsically safe
refrigerator
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Reacts & oxidizes other chemicals
by accepting electrons thus
increasing chance of fire or
explosion. Also, oxidizers readily
give off oxygen or other oxidizers
and decompose under certain
conditions to yield oxygen.
Liberated oxygen may cause fire or
explosions in contact with
combustible material.
Examples of strong oxidizers include:
Peroxides, Perchlorates, Hypochlorites, Nitrates and Chlorates
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 Store, handle and use
oxidizing materials in wellventilated areas away from
combustible and other
incompatible materials
 Store according to
compatibility group in
unbreakable secondary
containment
 Know how to handle
emergencies involving
oxidizing materials
Page 10
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Compounds which under specific
conditions, can react alone, or with
other substances in a violent
uncontrolled manner, liberating
heat, toxic gases, or leading to an
explosion. Reaction rates
increases as temperature
increases.
Air, light, heat, mechanical shock,
water can cause decomposition of
highly reactive chemicals and
trigger an explosion.
Use standard operating procedures
& engineering controls when
handling
Examples: Sodium, phosphorus
& lithium hydride
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Store in proper compatibility
group
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Make efforts to substitute with
less hazardous materials
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Dispose of peroxide forming
compounds within one year if
not opened; if opened, dispose
within 6 months unless regularly
tested for absence of peroxides
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Review Safety Data Sheets to
develop lab practices
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Pyrophoric chemicals should be stored in an
atmosphere of inert gas. If not possible, avoid areas
with heat/flame, oxidizers, water & incompatibles.
Use in inert atmosphere such as glove box
Before working with pyrophoric materials, read SDS
A standard Operating procedure should be prepared
for each experiment involving pyrophoric or water
reactive materials.
Keep smallest amount practical and before use
develop emergency procedures addressing spill/fire
Page 11
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Chemicals that cause
severe local injury to
living tissue and damage
inanimate objects
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Acids
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Hydrochloric Acid
Bases
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Sodium Hydroxide
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Store Acids and Bases in
appropriate corrosive
cabinet.
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Use in a proper Fume Hood
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Open bottle slowly &
carefully and wear
protective gear to guard
hands, face, & body from
splashes and vapors
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Store chemicals under 5’6”
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Work near an eyewash &
safety shower
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Toxics are Extremely poisonous - a
small dose can cause serious health
effects including death, temporary incapacitation, or permanent harm to humans or animals 
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Dusts
Mixtures
Paints
Fuels
Solvents
Examples are asbestos, mercury, lead, anti‐freeze
Page 12
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Store separately from other
chemicals
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Consider using secondary
containment
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Restrict access to areas
where toxics are in use
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Do not eat or store food or
drinks in the area
Physical and health hazards
associated with cylinder use
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Physical- presence of a high
pressure vessel in the
laboratory.
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Chemical- hazard associated
with the cylinder contents
 Corrosive
 Toxic
 Asphyxiant
 Flammable
 Oxidizing
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Identify cylinders by label
not by color
Review SDS to determine
health hazards
Secure all cylinders in
upright position
Firmly close valve and
keep safety cap on when
not in use
Have empty cylinders
removed by vendor
Page 13
Determined by type of chemical exposure
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Flammables
 Acute Effects - headache, dizziness, nausea, dry and irritated skin, watery and
stinging eyes, inflammation of eyelids.
 Chronic Effects - general damage to lungs, liver, kidneys, possible cancer risk.
Oxidizers
 Acute Effects - inflammation/destruction of tissue, severe irritation of the
upper respiratory tract, irritation of nose and eyes
 Chronic Effects - damage to the nervous system, fertility disorders,
carcinogenic (chromium compounds)
Corrosive
 Acute Effects - Damage of tissue, irritation of mucous membrane, respiratory
irritation, difficulty breathing, headache, intense pain in eyes (possible loss of
vision), nausea
 Chronic Effects - Damage of respiratory tract, destruction of digestive system
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Nanoparticle technology is applied in
various industries:
fuel additives
manufacture of stain-resistant fabrics
strengthening additions to sports
equipment
semiconductors
household and other chemicals
cosmetic industry
medicine (as imaging agents and drug
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carriers)
Nanoparticles are ~1-100 nm in any one
dimension
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Because of their ultra-small size, nanoparticles can
penetrate cell membranes and integrate themselves
into larger molecules
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They can resist cellular defense systems but are large
enough to interfere with cell processes
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There is widespread nanoparticle use in public
consumables such as makeup and creams despite the
knowledge that the very traits that make them useful
might also render them toxic
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Thorough testing on the safety of nanoparticles,
once absorbed through the skin, has not been
done
Page 14
 Concentration, duration, and frequency all affect exposure
 The ability of nanoparticles to be easily dispersed as a dust or
an airborne spray or droplets (e.g. electrospinning)
 Use of protective measures such as engineering controls
 Active handling as powders in non-enclosed systems (e.g.
bench top, instruments)
 Tasks that generate aerosols from slurries, suspensions or
solutions pose a potential for inhalation and dermal exposure
 Cleanup and disposal of nanoparticles (e.g., sweeping,
dumping in the sink, clothing)
 Maintenance and cleaning - deposited nps are disturbed
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Date chemicals upon receipt
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Store chemicals according to hazard class NOT alphabetically (see compatibility tables)
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No breakable containers on floor
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No hazardous chemicals above 5’6” high
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Minimize chemicals stored in the area
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Keep chemical labels in good condition
Page 15
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Acids and bases
Organics and acids
Alkali Metals, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Air
Sodium Metal, Potassium Metal & Lithium Metal and
aqueous solutions
Oxidizers, Sodium Hypochlorite, Peroxides,
Chlorates, Nitrates and Organic compounds
Cyanides, Cadmium, Mercury, DMSO and Acid,
Bases, Oxidizers and Flammable Liquids
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Employees not properly trained on how to operate equipment
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Performing a task without a Standard Operating Procedure
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Failure to correct known hazard or enforce safety compliance
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Did not recognize a hazard.
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Not following proper procedures.
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Not using appropriate PPE.
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Working in a hurry and not attentive
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PPE not provided or unavailable.
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Working alone.
Use the “buddy system”. A buddy is required for labs using hazardous
materials
Page 16
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Phone numbers and Emergency contacts: Police,
Fire, EHLS, Principal Investigator, Poison Center
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Where to find Safety Data Sheets, evacuation plans
and clean-up procedures
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Where to locate and how to use fire extinguishers,
safety showers, eye washes, first aid kits
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Where to find and how to use spill kits – laboratory
personnel must know how to clean small spills
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Do you know where and how to store different
chemical compounds?
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Do you know how to determine and use ventilation
containment equipment?
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Do you know what to do with “waste” material?
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Do you know emergency procedures and location of
emergency equipment?
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Always read the SDS and label before using a chemical in
the lab.
Before beginning work, review SDSs and lab procedures.
For safety and security reasons, do not allow unauthorized
persons in the lab. Secure doors at all times.
Use Engineering Controls i.e. fume hoods, gas cabinet,
shields & interlocks to eliminate, isolate or reduce exposure
to chemicals.
Wear appropriate attire (Lab Coat, Safety Glasses, Long
Skirt/Pants & Closed Toe shoes)
Assess all physical and Health hazards and use appropriate
personal protective equipment (PPE) i.e. Chemical resistant
Apron, nitrile gloves, goggles, face shield, chemical
protective suit and etc)
Page 17
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Do not eat, store, or prepare food in the lab
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Do not handle contact lenses or apply cosmetics in the lab
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Wash Hands before breaks, after glove change, after
handling chemicals and at the end of work day
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Maintain your work area & keep it organized and clean.
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Decontaminate work surfaces before and after use
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Conduct all procedures involving volatile toxic substances
in lab hood.
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Use secondary containment and bottle carriers for chemical
transfers
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Label all secondary containers and waste containers.
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Keep exits doors unblocked and
accessible
Prevent tripping hazards, do not store
chemicals on floor & keep aisles free of
clutter.
Maintain safe electrical panel clearance
Emergency procedures written &
available
Required signage posted on the doors
Keep work space well lit
Keep Lab work stations clear of
excessive clutter
Ceiling must have at least 24 inches of
vertical clearance from storage
Page 18
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Are used for chemical and
radioactive work
Offers no protection to the
samples
Outflow air is exhausted
No means of decontamination
if used for biohazardous
material
Chemical Fume Hoods
Variable Air Volume (VAV) – These hoods have the
ability to maintain a constant face velocity as the height
of the sash is lowered and raised
Fume Hoods for Radioactive Work
 Radioactive Hood – Any of the listed
hoods can also be used for radioactive
materials
 The only stipulation is that the interior
work surface must be impervious
(usually stainless steel)
Radiation Safety will mark hoods with the above sticker if
they are approved for radioactive materials use
 In some cases, the hood is also
required to have a filter at the hood
outlet that Radiation Safety is able to
monitor
Page 19
 Biological safety cabinets (BSC) are primary
barrier protection for individuals working with
biological materials
 This primary containment device is designed
to remove aerosols at the site of their
generation and therefore limit spread by
contact with the user
 A BSC protects the user, the environment
and the product
Engineering Controls in the Laboratory
(Vertical Walk-in hood)
Laminar Flow Hood (clean
Bench)
(Horizontal Walk-in hood)
Snorkel - exhaust system
intended for small areas
Portable fume hood extractor
Other Engineering Controls
A glovebox is a sealed container that is designed to
allow one to manipulate objects where a separate
atmosphere is desired. Built into the sides of the
glovebox are gloves arranged in such a way that the
user can place his or her hands into the gloves and
perform tasks inside the box without breaking
containment.
Page 20
Safety Equipment (Safety Showers)
Safety Equipment (Eyewash Stations)
Other Safety Equipment
Page 21
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A chemical spill kit may be
purchased from Research
Stores or make your own kit
with the following:
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Absorbent material
Plastic scoop
Several plastic bags
Sodium bicarbonate and
citric acid
Chemically resistant gloves
and goggles
5-gallon plastic bucket
labeled “Spill Kit”
Biological Spill Kit
Biohazard Spill Kit
The following is a list of items that should go into a basic biological spill kit. It
should be enhanced to meet the needs of your unique situation.
Basic Biological Spill Kit Contents:
• Disinfectant (e.g., bleach 1:10 dilution, prepared
fresh)
• Absorbent material (e.g., paper towels, absorbent
powder)
• Waste container (e.g., biohazard bags, sharps
containers)
• Personal protective equipment (e.g., gloves, eye and
face protection)
• Mechanical tools (e.g., tongs, dustpan and broom)
• Antimicrobial towelettes
• Spill clean up procedures
Hydrofluoric Acid Spill Kit
HF Spill Kit
The following is a list of items that should
go into a basic HF spill kit:
Container of calcium gluconate gel
Two pairs of Neoprene or Nitrile gloves
One heavy duty polyethylene bag
One waste label
Copy of HF SOP and SDS to take to
the emergency room
 Sterile solution of 1% calcium gluconate
 HF specific absorbent material
 Non-reactive tongs
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The calcium gluconate gel must be
inspected before working with HF to ensure
the gel has not been removed or reached
the expiration date.
Page 22
Mercury Spill Kit
Should include:
 500g Hg Absorb powder to amalgamate
mercury droplets
 scoop to pick up amalgam
 four 250g Hg Absorb jars for absorption of
tiny droplets
 Indicator to identify additional mercury that
may have been missed
 1-1/2-lb Mercury Vapor Adsorbent for
inaccessible spill areas.
 one pair of protective glasses,
 one pair of gloves
 two disposal bags
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If a spill is an immediate threat to life or
health:
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Leave area and notify persons nearby
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Call 911 for assistance
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Provide specific and detailed information to
responders
If a spill is minor:
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Use a spill kit to clean up (must be trained)
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Call the EHLS at (713) 743-5858 for assistance
and prevent others for entering the area
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After 5:00 PM call UHDPS at 713-743-3333
Minor Chemical Spills:
1)
Notify persons in the immediate area that a spill has occurred and stop work
2)
Evacuate nonessential personnel from the spill area
3)
Turn off ignition and heat sources if a flammable material is involved
4)
Attend to persons who may have been contaminated/exposed
5)
Notify your supervisor 6)
Avoid breathing vapors from the spilled material. If a biohazardous
material spills, leave the area and wait for aerosols to settle before cleaning up the spill.
7)
Locate spill kit
8)
Choose appropriate PPE (goggles, face shield, impervious gloves, lab coat, apron, etc) Page 23
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
Neutralize acid or base spills prior to clean up. (Acid Spill – neutralize with baking soda or calcium carbonate/Base Spill – neutralize with citric acid)
Confine and contain spill using a sock/boom Cover with absorbent material. Sweep solid material into dust pan and place in sealed 5 gallon container
Wet mop spill area. Be sure to decontaminate broom, dustpan, etc. Put all contaminated items (gloves, clothing, etc) into sealed 5 gallon container
Submit an EHLS Hazardous Waste Pickup Request form online to arrange for spill waste removal
If the spill is greater than 5 gallon, very toxic or poses a fire hazard. Post DO NOT ENTER sign and CALL EHLS at 3‐5858 for immediate response
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Cover the spill with paper towels
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Use a freshly prepared 10% bleach solution followed
by a 70% ethanol solution to decontaminate the spill
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Allow 15-20 minutes contact time
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Discard all items used for decontamination as
biohazardous waste
1)
Notify lab personnel
2)
Contain the spill and wipe up with paper towels
3)
Use survey meter to establish “spill zone”
4)
Decontaminate the area with radioactive material
decontaminating reagent and wipe up with paper towels
5)
Discard all items used for decontamination as radioactive waste
6)
Use the survey meter to ensure decontamination was successful
7)
Contact Radiation Safety 3-5858
Page 24
Personal Protective Equipment
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Environmental Health and Life Safety (EHLS) will provide general training to anyone that 
Need medical approval prior to wearing a respirator (except a dust mask)
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EHLS will fit‐test employees for all types of respirators
Respiratory Protection
Page 25
Chemical Exposure: Skin and Eye Contact
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Flush exposed skin area in Safety Shower for 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes while flooding exposed area.
Flush eyes in eyewash for 15 minutes holding eyelids apart. DO NOT attempt to neutralize by adding another chemical
DO NOT remove anything that is sticking to a burn
DO NOT apply lotions or ointments to the injury
DO NOT break blisters or interfere with injured area
Contact EHLS 3‐5858 for further assistance. After hours go to the Emergency Room. Be prepared to give the following information: SDS if possible. Name of chemical and extent of contact
Notify Risk Management within 24 hours
Types of Hazardous Waste:
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Chemical
Biological
Radioactive Waste
Accumulated and disposed
of according to federal,
state, and local regulations
Page 26
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Refer to (M)SDS for waste
collection and storage conditions
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Do not pour chemical waste
down the drain
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Collect in a suitable container
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Attach a Hazardous Waste
Label to container
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After accumulating ~ 10 gallons,
submit on-line waste pick up
request
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What’s wrong with this picture?
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Put Biological waste in RED Biololgical waste bag.
Put red waste bag in Biological waste BOX and
request on-line pick up
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Some biological waste can be autoclaved and then
discarded in the dumpster. IMPORTANT: Before
throwing into the dumpster, the autoclaved bag must
be placed into a black trash bag
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All sharps must be placed in an approved puncture
resistant “sharps” container.
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Segregation by Isotope
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Dry and solid waste together and placed in “RADIOACTIVE
WASTE” bags (YELLOW)
Radioactive liquid waste
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•
•
Aqueous Liquids – water based waste must be collected
together. Saline and Buffer solutions.
Organic Liquids – Organic solvents must be collected together.
Alcohol’s, Ketones and Organic Acids.
*This does not include Scintillation Fluids*They should be collected separately
Page 27
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No Hazardous or liquid
waste in dumpsters
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Hazardous liquid waste
should not be poured
down sinks
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Disposal of chemical
containers
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Triple rinse
Remove Label
Dispose of in dumpster
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Take Hazardous Waste procedures
online Training
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Label waste containers with
Hazardous Waste label & keep
container closed
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Segregate waste and store in
secondary containers.
Do not store waste in FUME HOODs!
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Fill out and submit the UH Waste
Disposal Form On-Line
http://vnet.uh.edu/vrecord_data/web_forms/College_
of_Natural_Sciences_&_Mathematics/NSM_Dean/
waste_pickup_req/add.lasso
Please Note:
If you are the specific individual who will be
designated to prepare the hazardous waste for
removal from the lab, Please complete the OnLine
Hazardous Waste Procedures Class
Page 28
Fire Safety
The Fire Triangle
In order to understand how fire extinguishers work,
you first need to know a little bit about fire.
Essentially, fire extinguishers put out fire by taking away
one or more elements of the fire triangle.
TYPES OF FIRES
CLASS A - Wood,
paper, cloth, trash,
plastics
CLASS B - Oil, gas
grease, flammable
liquids
CLASS C - Electrical,
Energized electrical
equipment
Class D – Combustible
Metals.
Always Review Label!
Page 29
REMEMBER P.A.S.S.
Pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep
Aim at the base of the fire.
If you aim at the flames (which is frequently the temptation),
the extinguishing agent will fly right through and do no good.
You want to hit the fuel.
Squeeze the top handle or lever.
This depresses a button that releases the
pressurized extinguishing agent in the
extinguisher.
Sweep from side to side
until the fire is completely out. Start
using the extinguisher from a safe
distance away, then move forward.
Once the fire is out, keep an eye on
the area in case it re-ignites
.
Emergency Evacuation Plan
Fire Alarms
Page 30
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Please contact EHLS at 713-743-5858 if you working
with:
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highly hazardous chemicals
biological agents or toxins
recombinant DNA, cell cultures, and other biological
materials
radioactive materials, x-rays or lasers
Page 31