Introduction to Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory Lab Safety Begins Before You Go to the Lab! Why does it matter? • Safe working protects: • • • • • You Other lab workers Cleaners Visitors Your work What does the law say? • Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 (Act 514) • You must work safely • You must not endanger others • You must not misuse safety equipment • Penalty – a fine not exceeding fifty thousand ringgit (RM50,000 ) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two (2) years or to both. Dressing for Lab Below are images of appropriate lab dress. Long Pants (no tracksuit) Lab coat Collar t-shirt (no round neck t-shirt) Cover shoes ( no slipper, no high heel) Baju Kurung and long skirt are allowed for girls Long hair must be tied back Safe Lab Practices Never eat, drink or smoke in a laboratory. Ensure good general ventilation. Select chemical protection gloves according to materials or substances that will be used. Safe Lab Practices Always wash your hands after leaving the laboratory especially before eating. Store flammable substances in special storage cabinet. Always dispose broken glasses in glass bin. Safe Lab Practices Dispose any hazardous material as toxic waste and do not materials down the drain or with normal waste. Make sure everything is clear and safe before you leave things unattended. Wash and put things away as you finish with them. Never use any laboratory equipment unless you are trained or have been authorized to do so. Protecting yourself • Wear the clothing and protective wear identified in your risk assessment • Laboratory coats must be kept fastened • Don’t wear sandals or open shoes • Long hair must be tied back Protecting yourself - gloves • There are many different types of protective glove • Use the correct ones for the job you will be doing • Remember that you need to select chemical protection gloves according to the materials and/or substances with which you will be working • Remove your gloves before using instruments, telephone, and leaving the laboratory Laboratory hygiene • Never eat, drink or smoke in a laboratory • Never apply cosmetics • Never touch your face, mouth or eyes • Never suck pens or chew pencils • Always wash your hands before you leave and especially before eating Don’ts • Use damaged glassware when conducting experiments • Store chemicals near heat, sunlight, or other substances which might be reactive • Placing materials on floor or places where people could trip over • Leave equipment unattended when its operating What are the general hazards in a laboratory? • Fire • Breakage of glassware • Sharps • Spillages • Pressure equipment and gas cylinders • Extremes of heat and cold • Chemical hazards • Biological hazards • Radiation Potential Health Effects • Eye irritation • Nausea • Dizziness • Skin rashes • Headache • Existing medical conditions may be worsen by exposure Common Signal Words on Chemicals • Danger – can cause immediate serious injury or death • Warning – can cause potentially serious injury or death • Caution – can cause potentially moderate injury Avoiding Fires • Flammable substances • Use minimum quantity • Store in special storage cabinet • Use temperature-controlled heating sources (eg water-bath rather than hot-plate or Bunsen burner) Glassware • Use correct techniques for the insertion of tubing onto glassware • Never use glassware under pressure or vacuum unless it is designed for the job and suitably shielded • Dispose of chipped or broken glassware – it is a risk to you and others • Always dispose of broken glass in a glass bin or sharps bin and not in a general waste bin Spillages • Clear up spillage promptly • Dispose of any hazardous material as toxic waste Messy workers are usually poor workers!! General Tidiness • Keep your workplace tidy • Clear up waste, deal with washing up and put things away as you finish with them • Make sure everything is safe before you leave things unattended • A tidy laboratory avoids accidents to everyone First Aid • All laboratory workers should undergo simple first aid training • For ALL chemical splashes, wash with plenty of water for 10 minutes • Control bleeding with direct pressure, avoiding any foreign bodies such as glass • Report all accidents to your supervisor or departmental safety officer Color and Number Coded Label Systems Colors represent different kind of hazard • Red = fire • Yellow = instability • Blue = health • Black = specific hazard and personal protection NFPA-type label 3 4 2 Numbers show degree of hazard • 0 = minimal • 1= slight • 2 = moderate • 3 = serious • 4 = severe *National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Color and Number Coded Label Systems Black = specific hazard • OX = Oxidizer • ACID = Acid • ALK = Alkali • COR = Corrosive • W = No water used • Other symbols : NFPA-type label 3 2 4 COR *National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Remember… Safety First! • Do understand the procedures and precautions before carrying out any experiments for safe working environment.
