Health and Safety in the
Laboratory
I. Introduction
Law Protecting Lab Employees
 “Occupational
Exposures to Hazardous Chemicals
in the Laboratory”
 Requires:
 Training
 Appropriate
 MSDS
Safety Equipment
II. What is a Hazardous Chemical?
 Determined
to be cancer-causing, toxic, corrosive,
an irritant, a strong sensitizer, flammable, or
reactive.
 Listed under OSHA, 29CFR, part 1910, subpart z.
http://www.osha.gov/
 Assigned a threshold limit value by American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH)
Routes of Entry
 Inhalation
 Eye
a. gases/vapors
Contact
 Skin Contact/Absorption
 Ingestion
b. particulates
Types of Exposure
 Acute
Exposure (brief period of time)
 Chronic
Exposure (months, yrs, decades)
III. Exposure Limits
 Several
agencies, each with its own set of
standards.
 Most
standards are merely recommendations, only
OSHA’s ‘PEL’s have the force of law.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration





Permissible Exposure Limit PEL: Allowable limit for air
contaminant, repeated exposure without adverse health effects.
Ceiling C: Exposure limit not to be exceeded at any time during
the workday.
Short-Term Exposure Limit STEL: 15 minute time weighted
average, not to be exceeded
Time-Weighted Average TWA: Average airborne exposure in
any 8-hour shift of a 40-hour work week, not to be exceeded.
Action Level AL: Exposure level at which certain regulations
take effect. (analysis, training, medical monitoring, record keeping)
Generally ½ the PEL.
Exposure Limits--OSHA

PEL—Permissible Exposure Limit which may be
expressed as
A.
B.
C.
TWA—Time weighted Average (8 hr)
STEL—Short term exposure limit (15 min)
C—Ceiling limit
Exposure Limits--ACGIH
 American
Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists
 TLV—Threshold limit value (can be exposed
repeatedly at this level)
 TLV-TWA
 TLV-STEL
 TLV-C
Exposure Limits--NIOSH
 National
Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health
 REL—Recommended exposure limit (40hr work
week)
 IDLH—Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health
 Toxicity
Toxicity--NIOSH
 LC50—Lethal
Concentration 50 (respiratory)
 Kills
50% of test animals after a single exposure in a
specific time.
 LCLO—Lethal
 Lowest
Concentration Low
concentration to cause a death in human or
animal.
 LD50—Lethal
 Kills
Dose 50
50% by route other than inhalation
Toxicity—NIOSH (cont’d)
 LDLO—Lethal
Dose Low
 TCLO—Toxic Concentration Low
 Lowest
concentration in air to show toxic effects.
 TDLO—Toxic
 Toxic
Dose Low
effects evident by route other than inhalation.
IV. Recognizing the Physical and
Health Hazards of Chemicals
 Hazard
Warnings
Flammable-acetone, ethanol, benzene
 Corrosive-ammonia, sodium hydroxide, glacial acetic
acid, mineral acids
 Compressed gases-Ar, CO2, NH3 anh, N2, LN2
 Poison-chloroform, cyanide salts, phenol, methyl
isocyanate, mercury(II)chloride, carbon tetrachloride

IV. Recognizing the Physical and
Health Hazards of Chemicals…
 Explosive
- perchlorate salts, barium azide, TNT,
picric acid/picrate salts
 Pyrophoric – activated carbon, aluminum
borohydride, magnesium powder
 Water reactive-barium, calcium, lithium, sodium
 Combustible-phenol, n-propanol, aniline,
benzaldehyde
IV. Recognizing the Physical and
Health Hazards of Chemicals…
 Carcinogen-Acrylonitrile,
asbestos, benzene,
carbon tetrachloride, formaldehyde, lead, PCBs,
styrene
 Infectious Substance-bacteria, viruses, parasites
 Oxidizer-nitric acid, sodium nitrate, silver nitrate,
hydrogen peroxide
 Radioactive C-14, Kr-74, P-32, U-230
 National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
chemical hazard diamond:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/NFPA/nfpa_label.html
 Health
(Blue)
4
Danger
May be fatal on short exposure. Specialized
protective equipment required
3
Warning
Corrosive or toxic. Avoid skin contact or
inhalation
2
Warning
 1 Caution
0
May be harmful if inhaled or absorbed
May be irritating
No unusual hazard
 Flammability
4
Danger
 3 Warning
 2 Caution
1
0
(Red)
Flammable gas or extremely flammable liquid
Flammable liquid flash point below 100° F
Combustible liquid flash point of 100° to 200° F
Combustible if heated
Not combustible

4 Danger
 3 Danger


2 Warning

1 Caution

0 Stable
Reactivity (Yellow)
Explosive material at room temperature
May be explosive if shocked, heated under
confinement or mixed with water
Unstable or may react violently if mixed with
water
May react if heated or mixed with water but not
violently
Not reactive when mixed with water
 Special
W
 Oxy
Notice Key (White)
Water Reactive
Oxidizing Agent
Flashpoint vs. Firepoint
 Flashpoint
Lowest temperature at which a flammable liquid
gives off sufficient vapor to form an ignitable mixture with air near
its surface or within a vessel. Combustion does not continue.
 Firepoint
The lowest temperature at which a liquid
produces sufficient vapor to flash near its surface and continues to
burn. Usually 10 to 15 ºC higher than the flashpoint.
V. Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)

Specified by OSHA and must contain the following
information in 16 sections (but it’s not standard).
1. Chemical Product and Company ID
2. Composition/Information on Ingredients
A. CAS #
B. Relative percents
C. Exposure limits (here or in Section 8)
MSDS (cont’d)
3.
Hazards Identification
A.
B.
4.
Description of material and overview of hazards
Potential adverse effects including routes of entry and
carcinogenic properties.
First Aid Measures
MSDS (cont’d)
5.
Fire-Fighting Measures
A.
B.
C.
D.
6.
Flash point—lowest temperature at which vapors and air form
an ignitable mixture
Auto-ignition temperature
Lower Explosive Limit (LEL)
Upper Explosive Limit (UEL)
Accidental Release Measures—Spill, leak and response
procedures
MSDS (Cont’d)
7.
8.
9.
10.
Handling and Storage requirements—prevent
contact from incompatibles.
Exposure Controls/Personal Protection (can be
listed in Section 2)
Physical and Chemical Properties
Stability and Reactivity—provides
incompatibilities
MSDS (Cont’d)
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Toxicological Information—usually results of
animal testing
Ecological Information—what happens in the
environment
Disposal Considerations*
Transport Information
Regulatory Information
Other Information
MSDS (Cont’d)

*Section 13 - Disposal Considerations
Chemical waste generators must determine whether a discarded
chemical is classified as a hazardous waste. US EPA guidelines
for the classification determination are listed in 40 CFR Parts
261.3. Additionally, waste generators must consult state and
local hazardous waste regulations to ensure complete and
accurate classification.
RCRA P-Series: None listed.
RCRA U-Series: None listed.
potassium permanganate
VI. First Aid
 More
concerned about (rare) serious incidents
rather than the more frequent minor ones (cut
finger, minor burn to extremity).
 Students/Instructors
not required to render first aid
but knowing some basics can save a life.
In the event of an accident:
 1.
Pause to assess the situation. Consider your
own safety.
 2.
Call (or send) for help. Be specific about the
nature and the seriousness of the problem.
 3.
Monitor situation until help arrives.
First Aid Basics

a. Acids and bases are corrosive, damaging to tissue.
Treat by flushing with large amounts of water. Eyes
must be held open. Do not try to neutralize acid with
base, reactions are exothermic.
 b.
Organic solvents produce sweet smelling vapors.
Should always be used in a hood. If you smell vapors
and begin to feel lightheaded, close hood and get some
fresh air.
First Aid Basics
 c.
Ingestion. Do not induce vomiting.
Corrosive materials can do more damage on the way up than on
the way down. Give large amounts of water.
Solvents can be aspirated. If vomiting occurs keep the person’s
head below hips and body on its side to minimize aspiration.
 d. Fire
Large fire unlikely in Chemistry or Biology lab. Fire in a small
container can be put out by smothering..Think ahead, have something
available.
Clothing on fire—SDR, fire blanket, safety shower
First Aid Basics
 d.
Fire…(cont)
Even moderately large fires can produce significant amounts of
noxious and toxic gases. In such a case, leave it to the
professionals.
 e. Electrocution
Never touch anyone in contact with live electrical current. Always
disconnect power first.
VII. Spill, Leak and Disposal
Procedures
 1.
Be prepared
 2. Protect yourself
 3. Evacuate the immediate area
 4. Identify the spilled material
 5. Isolate the spill from related hazards
 6. Contain the spill
 7. Clean up the spill
Spills, Leaks…….
 8.
Dispose of the material
 9.
Clean yourself up
 10.
Learn from the experience
VIII. Personal Protective Equipment
 1.
Eye and Face
 2. Clothing
 3. Gloves
 4. Respirators
IX. Laboratory Protocol and
Techniques
 The
Four G’s of Lab Protocol
1. General
2. Glassware
3. “Get rid of” or Dispose
4. Gear
1. General
 Drawers/Doors
 Aisles/Floor
 Work
Surface
 Cosmetics/Food
 Smoking
 Jewelry
2. Glassware
 Clean/Defect
 Clutter
 Disposal
 Washing
 Glass
Tubing
Free
3. Disposal
 Containers
 Separate
Types
 Drains
 Reactive
Chemicals
 Ordinary Trash
 Contractors
4. Gear
 Fume
Hood
 Laser
 UV
Sources
 Compressed Gas
 Vacuum Dessicator
 Centrifuge
 Refrigerator
4….Gear…….
 X-Ray
Generators/Particle Accelerators
 Extraction/Distillation
 Cooling Methods
X .OSHA Regulations
 Hazard
Communication Standard
 Laboratory Standard
 HAZWOPER Standard
 Blood Borne Pathogens Standard
XI. Environmental Protection Agency
 Clean Air Act-1955
 Clean
Water Act-1972
 Resource Conservation and Recovery Act-1976
 Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act-1980
 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act1986
XII. General Lab Safety Tips
 1.
Plan ahead. Consider hazards before performing
experiments.
 2. Know emergency responses. Locations of
extinguishers, eyewash, shower, spill kit,
telephone.
 3. Know what you are working with. MSDS.
 4. Know and follow safety procedures. Goggles,
protective equipment, special handling, hoods.
…..General Lab Safety Tips…..
 5.
Report dangerous activities or situations.
 6. Store and Handle Hazardous Materials Safely
 7. If you don’t know…..ask!