Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory What Everyone Working in a Chemistry Laboratory Should Know Prof C. Billing Outline Why must we talk about safety? Legal implications and requirements Principles of safety Hazards in the lab Personal protective equipment (PPE) General rules for a chemical lab Why must we talk about safety? • ~360 chemically related accidents in South Africa in one year • ~2 million deaths per annum from work related accidents!! Use your common sense! Legal Implications and requirements • Fall under “Occupational Health and Safety Act” (OHS Act) http://www.labourguide.co.za/health-and-safety/848-health-and-safety-downloads • University safety policy and procedures Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 Asbestos Regulations, 2001 Certificate of Competency Regulations, 1990 Construction Regulations, 2003 and 2010 draft Diving Regulations, 2001 Driven Machinery Regulations, 1998 Electrical Installation Regulations, 2003 Electrical Machinery Regulations, 1998 Environmental Regulations for Workplaces, 1987 Explosives Regulations, 2003 Facilities Regulations, 1990 General Administrative Regulations, 2003 General Machinery Regulations, 1998 General Safety Regulations Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations Hazardous Chemical Substance Regulations, 1995 Lead Regulations, 2001 Lift, Escalator & Passenger Conveyor Regulations, 1994 Major Hazard Installation Regulations Noise-induced Hearing Loss Regulations, 2003 Pressure Equipment Regulations Regulation of Hazardous Work by Children in SA 4 Principles of Safety RAMP Recognise Hazards Prepare for Emergencies Assess Risks Minimise Risks Recognise Hazards RAMP Relating to chemicals, equipment and procedures. There are millions of chemicals and knowing the hazards associated with all of them is not possible. Look at the categories in which chemicals fall. For example: Flammable or Toxic or Corrosive Find more specific information about a particular chemical using: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Means of exposure • Direct contact with skin • Direct contact with eyes • Inhalation • Ingestion • Injection GHS (Globally Harmonised System) label Danger. Highly flammable liquid and vapour. Toxic if inhaled. Toxic in contact with skin. Toxic if swallowed… GHS pictograms See lecture videos for descriptions Material Safety Data Sheet Assess Risks RAMP …of hazards associated with exposures and procedures. Consider what kind of exposure to various chemicals could and will occur and/or the risk associated with the use of equipment. Do not underestimate risks particularly in familiar situations. Risk level = Severity of hazard Probability of exposure Hazard, Risk & Safety - Understanding Risk Assessment, Management and Perception - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZmNZi8bon8 Minimise Risk RAMP Take steps to minimise, manage or eliminate your exposure to a hazard by using good laboratory safety practices. You need to keep safety in mind! What is wrong with this picture? Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Housekeeping in the Research Lab – The Dangers of messy labs A “Messy” lab is generally a lab that is “Not Safe” Good housekeeping practices in the lab are essential. Do you want to clean up after someone else or even yourself before starting work? Hazards in the Lab Flammable substances: solid, liquid or gas Flash Point: The lowest temp at which there will be enough flammable vapour to ignite when an ignition source is applied. Flammable substances Good Practices: - Dispense in safe well-ventilated areas - NEVER pour solvents down the drain - Keep quantities to a minimum in the lab • Store in fire resistant cabinets - Large stores should be well-ventilated • with spark and flame proof lights, switches and extraction fan Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) What PPE should YOU be wearing in the lab? Minimum Lab PPE Protecting your eyes • • • Your eyes are the most vulnerable organs and they are precious. Wear suitable eye protection at all times! No contact lenses FIRST AID - WASH with COOL, CLEAN WATER for 15-20 minutes - Do not rub the eye - Check for signs of poisoning - Have eyes examined Protective gloves There are many styles of gloves, made with many different kinds of materials. Select the right glove to protect against the particular hazard. Degree of protection and dexterity vary considerably. Ensure your gloves are not damaged HF burn (hydrofluoric acid) What is wrong with this picture? What is wrong with this picture? What is wrong with this picture? Look at the video clip: Preventing contamination Prepare for Emergencies RAMP Always report all accidents and incidents to your lab supervisor. Know where fire extinguishers and first aid boxes are. Contact Numbers: Contact Campus health or go to Campus health 717-9111 or 717-9113 After hours contact campus security 717-9444 (East campus) or 717-9666 (West campus) Outside Emergencies: Ambulance 10177 Flying Squad 10111 Exposure to skin Usually minor effects if treated promptly Wash immediately with plenty of water Eye wash basin Safety shower for more severe cases Prevention is better than cure! Wear PPE! Ingestion Accidents uncommon! Prevention: • Never use beakers/flasks as drinking vessels • Never eat or drink in the lab • Never taste chemicals • Never pipette by mouth – always use a rubber bulb or pipette filler Injection Usually minor effects if treated promptly Wash immediately with plenty of water What is wrong with this picture? Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Safety Rules Basic Safety Rules for Labs Handling Chemicals Follow demonstrator and lab instructions carefully. Wear proper eye protection around chemicals at all times in the laboratory. Wear clothing that protects against exposure and provides protection from spills. Wear chemically resistant gloves where prudent. Do NOT eat, drink, smoke, chew gum, apply cosmetics, take medication in the lab or chew your finger nails. Use a fume hood when working with volatile chemicals, flammable liquids or gases. Basic Safety Rules for Labs Handling Chemicals There should be no boisterous conduct, excessive noise (radios, iPods & NO headphones) or practical jokes in the lab. Never taste any lab chemical. Do NOT work alone in the lab. Notify demonstrator or lab manager immediately in case of any accident, incidents, injuries, spills or hazardous situations. Dispose of waste chemicals in containers provided. Keep flammable liquids away from open flames. Label all containers appropriately. The register you have to sign says: I have attended the safety training lecture for working in the Chemistry laboratory. I understand that I have a responsibility to: • work safely and wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE). • read the safety instructions in the laboratory manual and follow instructions given by the demonstrator or laboratory manager. • report any unsafe working practice or situation to a demonstrator or laboratory manager. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Be SAFE!
