Standard Operating Procedure
Calcium Hypochlorite
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Refer to instructions for assistance.
Department:
Chemistry
Date SOP was written:
11/28/2012
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
Richmond Sarpong
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:
Lab Phone:
1/13/2013
Rebecca Murphy
510-643-2485
Office Phone:
510-643-6312
Emergency Contact:
Richmond Sarpong, 626-644-2407
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
Latimer 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 844, 847, 849,
907
(Name and Phone Number)
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
☐ Hazardous Class
Purpose
Calcium hypochlorite is an oxidizer that may cause a fire upon contact with combustibles or organic
material. Contact with acids liberates toxic gas. It is harmful if ingested or absorbed through the skin and
may be harmful if inhaled. It causes burns by all exposure routes. Calcium hypochlorite is mainly used as
a disinfectant for drinking water and swimming pools and as a bleaching agent in household cleaners and
laundry detergent. It is highly effective against algae, bacteria, slime, and fungi.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 7778-54-3
Class: Oxidizer, corrosive, harmful
Molecular Formula: Ca(ClO)2
Form (physical state): Solid
Color: Beige
Calcium hypochlorite
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Boiling point: N/A
Melting point: 100oC (212oF)
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Calcium hypochlorite is an oxidizer that may intensify fires. Contact with combustibles and organic material
may cause a fire. Contact with acids liberates toxic gas. It is harmful if ingested or absorbed through the
skin and may be harmful if ingested. Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous
membranes and upper respiratory tract. Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. Symptoms of
exposure include inflammation and edema of the larynx and bronchi, pneumonitis, pulmonary edema,
burning sensation, coughing, wheezing, laryngitis, shortness of breath, headache, and nausea.
Engineering Controls
NOTE: Specific information on engineering controls is to be added to the Protocol/Procedure section.
Work with calcium hypochlorite should be conducted in a fume hood unless other controls are designated
in the Protocol/Procedure section. Sash height should be kept low to avoid escaping fumes and provide
a physical barrier. Consider wearing a face shield when handling the pure material.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respirator Protection
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S.
This is a regulatory requirement.
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:
 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
 When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will
be exceeded.
 Regulations require the use of a respirator.
 An employer requires the use of a respirator.
 There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of
PEL)
 As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Hand Protection
Handle with gloves. Nitrile gloves (0.11mm) are recommended. Consideration should be given to double
gloving given the possibility of extended contact.
NOTE: Lab-specific and chemical-specific information on glove selection may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section. Refer to glove selection from the link below:
For glove selection,
usage.html.
go
to:
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-glove-selection-and-
Eye Protection
Safety glasses with side shields or tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum) when
appropriate. Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government
standards such as ANSI Z87.1, NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
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Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and apron/lab coat of
chemically resistant material must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards.
Hygiene Measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and after handling.
First Aid Procedures
If inhaled
Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen.
Consult a physician immediately.
In case of skin contact
Take off contaminated clothing immediately. Wash off with soap and plenty of water for 15 minutes. Take
victim immediately to hospital. Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact
Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes using an emergency eyewash station, lifting upper
and lower eyelids and removing contact lenses. Immediately consult a physician. Continue rinsing eyes
during transport to hospital.
If swallowed
Do not induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with
water. Consult a physician.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
Working alone Certain extremely hazardous operations should not be performed if the PI or Lab Safety
Contact(s) are not present. Never work alone with extremely hazardous materials/operations. See the
Protocol/Procedure section below for specific prohibitions (if any) on working alone.
Precautions for safe handling: Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Avoid inhalation and
ingestion. Provide adequate ventilation. Keep away from heat and sources of ignition- No smoking.
Conditions for safe storage: Keep container tightly closed in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. Never
allow contact with water during storage. Incompatible with organic materials, acids, amines, ammonia,
alcohols, reducing agents, and metals. Do not store near acids.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and 510-642-9090
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material.
Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate personal
protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste in clear plastic
bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.
Large (>1 L) – Dial 911 and EH&S at 510-642-9090 for assistance.
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Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at 510-642-9090
immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the
emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention.
Notify supervisor and EH&S at 510-642-9090 immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 911 or 510-642-9090
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays– Dial 911 or go to the nearest
emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a
call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang Health Center). After
hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All serious injuries must be reported to EH&S within 8
hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected
area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the
affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Go to the Occupational Health Facility (Tang
Health Center). After hours go to the nearest emergency room. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures
must be reported to EH&S within 8 hours. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Wearing proper PPE, decontaminate equipment and bench tops with soap and water. Sweep up or
shovel spills avoiding dust formation. Dispose of the used chemical and contaminated disposables as
hazardous waste following the guidelines below.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
Preparation
Reactivity/ Stability: Calcium hypochlorite is a powerful oxidizing agent, particularly in the
presence of water or at higher temperature as Calcium hypochlorite decomposes to release
oxygen and chlorine gases. Calcium hypochlorite is noncombustible, but Calcium
hypochlorite will accelerate the burning of combustible materials.
Conditions to Avoid: Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition
Incompatibilities/Materials to Avoid: water, reducing agents, combustible material,
phenol
When not in use, keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Store and transport THF containers in secondary containment (for example polyethylene
bottle carrier).
Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, eyewash, and safety shower before
beginning work.
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Eliminate incompatible materials from the potential spill area.
Lab-specific
Information
All work for this procedure is to take place in the designated fume hood.
Wear proper PPE.
Keep calcium hypochlorite containers tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place away
from incompatible substances.
•
Label all containers with the label provided at http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardouswaste-program-hwp.html.
See the EH&S Fact Sheet, “Hazardous Waste Management” for general instructions on procedures for
disposing of hazardous waste.
Dispose of Waste
•
Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 6 months.
•
Call EH&S for questions.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
Online SDS can be accessed at SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com
Protocol/Procedure for Calcium Hypochlorite
Procedure/
Use
calcium
hypochlorite
is used in
the lab as a
bleaching
agent.
Scale
2 dry oz.
(56 grams)
in 1 gallon
of water =
1% solution
or 10,000
ppm.
Calcium hypochlorite
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Engineering
Controls/Equipment
All work using calcium
hypochlorite must be
performed in a
ventilated fume hood.
PPE (eye, face,
gloves, clothing)
Eye Protection:
Wear tight-fitting
safety goggles or
safety glasses with
side shields.
Eliminate ignition
sources such as open
flames, hot surfaces,
steam baths, static
electricity, and
operation of
mechanical and
electrical equipment
that is not intrinsically
safe.
Face protection:
Wear a face shield
Gloves:
Wear disposable,
nitrile gloves
(0.11mm).
Clothing:
Wear apron/lab coat
(100% cotton based);
cotton based
clothing/attire; fulllength pants or
equivalent; and
close-toed, closedheeled shoes.
5
Procedure Steps and
Precautions
Because calcium
hypochlorite is a strong
oxidant, it may produce
chemical burns.
Avoid contact with skin,
eyes and clothing.
Wash hands before
breaks and immediately
after handing calcium
hypochlorite
Avoid breathing vapors,
mist or gas.
Use only a clean, dry
scoop (dedicated for this
use) made of metal or
plastic each time calcium
hypochlorite is taken from
the container. Add
calcium hypochlorite only
to water. A fire or
explosion may result if
calcium hypochlorite is
mixed with other
Date: 1/11/2013
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materials contaminated
with acids or brought into
contact with any easily
combustible materials
such as oil, kerosene,
gasoline, paint products
and any other organic
materials.
NOTE
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with calcium hypochlorite, designated personnel must provide training to
his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance, work
area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a
copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.

The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate
laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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Calcium hypochlorite
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