SAFETY OPERATING PROCEDURE TEMPLATE
By signing and dating here the Principal Investigator/ or a designee certifies that the Safety
Operating Procedure (SOP) for Carbon Monoxide 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 Carbon Monoxide
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:
Carbon Monoxide
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:
MAJOR HEALTH HAZARDS: harmful if inhaled, blood damage, difficulty breathing
PHYSICAL HAZARDS: Flammable gas. May cause flash fire.
POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:
INHALATION:
SHORT TERM EXPOSURE: changes in body temperature, changes in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting,
chest pain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, headache, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness,
disorientation, hallucinations, pain in extremities, tremors, loss of coordination, hearing loss, visual
disturbances, eye damage, bluish skin color, suffocation, blood disorders, convulsions, coma
LONG TERM EXPOSURE: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, visual disturbances,
blood disorders, heart disorders, heart damage, nerve damage, reproductive effects, birth defects, brain
damage
SKIN CONTACT:
SHORT TERM EXPOSURE: blisters, frostbite
LONG TERM EXPOSURE: no information is available
EYE CONTACT:
SHORT TERM EXPOSURE: frostbite, blurred vision
LONG TERM EXPOSURE: no information is available
INGESTION:
SHORT TERM EXPOSURE: ingestion of a gas is unlikely
LONG TERM EXPOSURE: ingestion of a gas is unlikely
SPECIAL HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
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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:
STORAGE: Store in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Store in a cool, dry place.
Store in a well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight. Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of
ignition. Subject to storage regulations: U.S. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.101. Keep separated from incompatible
substances.
Store in a secure well ventilated poison area, preferably locked up.
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:
VENTILATION: Ventilation equipment should be explosion-resistant if explosive concentrations
of material are present. Provide local exhaust or process enclosure ventilation system. Ensure
compliance with applicable exposure limits.
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
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medical evaluation; respirator fit test, and training.
EYE PROTECTION: For the gas: Eye protection not required, but recommended. For the
liquid: Wear splash resistant safety goggles. Contact lenses should not be worn. Provide an
emergency eye wash fountain and quick drench shower in the immediate work area.
CLOTHING: For the gas: Protective clothing is not required. For the liquid: Wear appropriate
protective, cold insulating clothing.
GLOVES: Wear insulated gloves
VENTILATION: Ventilation equipment should be explosion-resistant if explosive concentrations
of material are present. Provide local exhaust or process enclosure ventilation system. Ensure
compliance with applicable exposure limits.
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!

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FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS: Severe fire hazard. Vapor/air mixtures are explosive. Containers
may rupture or explode if exposed to heat.
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: carbon dioxide, regular dry chemical Large fires: Use regular foam or flood
with fine water spray.
FIRE FIGHTING: Move container from fire area if it can be done without risk. Cool containers with
water spray until well after the fire is out. Stay away from the ends of tanks. For fires in cargo or storage
area: Cool containers with water from unmanned hose holder or monitor nozzles until well after fire is
out. If this is impossible then take the following precautions: Keep unnecessary people away, isolate
hazard area and deny entry. Let the fire burn. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting
safety device or any discoloration of tanks due to fire. For tank, rail car or tank truck: Evacuation radius:
800 meters (1/2 mile). Do not attempt to extinguish fire unless flow of material can be stopped first. Flood
with fine water spray. Cool containers with water. Apply water from a protected location or from a safe
distance. Avoid inhalation of material or combustion by-products. Stay upwind and keep out of low areas.
FIRE FIGHTING PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Wear full protective fire fighting gear including self
contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for protection against possible exposure.
WATER RELEASE:
Subject to California Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65). Keep out
of water supplies and sewers.
OCCUPATIONAL RELEASE: Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition. Stop leak if
possible without personal risk. Reduce vapors with water spray. Keep unnecessary people away, isolate
hazard area and deny entry. Remove sources of ignition.
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.
Dispose in accordance with all applicable regulations. Subject to disposal regulations: U.S. EPA 40 CFR
262.
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Hazardous Waste Number(s): D001.
Prevent waste from contaminating the surrounding environment. Keep personnel away. Discard
any product, residue, disposable container, or liner in an environmentally acceptable manner, in
full compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. If necessary, call your local supplier for
assistance.
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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