Standard Operating Procedure
Settlement Class: Strong Corrosive (Acid)
HCl, HBr, HNO3, H2SO4, HF, HClO4
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
Department:
Chemistry
Date SOP was written:
Date SOP was approved by PI/lab
supervisor:
Principal Investigator:
Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab
Manager:
Lab Phone:
12/5/2012
Office Phone:
510-643-6312
Emergency Contact:
Richmond Sarpong, 626-644-2407
(Name and Phone Number)
Location(s) covered by this SOP:
1/13/2013
Richmond Sarpong
Rebecca Murphy
510-643-2485
Latimer Hall: 834, 836, 837, 838, 839, 842, 847,
849, 907
(Building/Room Number)
Type of SOP:
Process
Hazardous Chemical
Hazardous Class
Purpose
This is a chemical class SOP. Some uses of the chemicals in this class require specific
SOPs. Chemical-specific SDSs and all relevant SOPs must be reviewed prior to use of
any chemical in this class.
The following strong acids are listed in the Settlement Agreement:
Chemical Name Formula
Hydrobromic acid HBr
Nitric acid
HNO3
Hydrofluoric acid
HF
CAS#
Chemical Name/Formula
10035-10-6 Hydrochloric acid HCl
7697-37-2 Sulfuric acid
H2SO4
7664-39-3 Perchloric acid
HClO4
CAS#
7647-01-0
7664-93-9
7601-90-3
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Corrosives – Strong Acids
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 1/2/2013
All acids in this class are highly corrosive chemicals. Inhalation may cause irritation to
the respiratory tract with burning pain in the nose and throat, coughing, wheezing,
shortness of breath, and pulmonary edema. Contact with skin causes burns and
irritation. Eye contact causes burns, irritation, and may cause blindness. Ingestion may
cause permanent damage to the digestive tract.
Additional notes on chemical-specific hazards:
Hydrobromic acid: strong eye irritant and lachrymator – do not use outside the hood
Hydrochloric acid: strong eye irritant and lachrymator – do not use outside the hood
Hydrofluoric acid: causes severe burns that may not be immediately painful or visible –
symptoms may be delayed 8 hours or longer – any skin exposure requires treatment
with calcium gluconate – chemical-specific SOP required
Nitric acid – strong oxidizer – do not store with organics
Perchloric acid – strong oxidizer (Settlement Class list) – chemical-specific SOP
required
Sulfuric acid – water reactive; California Proposition 65: strong inorganic acid mists
containing sulfuric acid are listed as carcinogenic.
Engineering Controls
NOTE: Lab-specific information on engineering controls may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
Work with strong acids should be conducted in a fume hood unless other controls are
designated in the lab-specific Protocol/Procedure section. Sash height should be kept
low to avoid escaping fumes and provide a physical barrier.
First Aid Procedures (not for hydrofluoric acid)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
NOTE: Lab-specific information on PPE selection may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
Respiratory protection
NOTE: Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fittested 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).
Corrosives – Strong Acids
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 1/2/2013





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. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal
technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this
product. Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws
and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.
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, go to: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hs/63-laboratory-safety/94-gloveselection-and-usage.html
Eye Protection
Tightly fitting safety goggles. Use face shield (8-inch minimum) when appropriate (not
protected by fume hood sash for example). Use equipment for eye protection tested and
approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU)
or ANSI Z87-1.
Skin and Body Protection
Long pants, closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, cotton-based clothing/attire, and lab
coat must be worn for protecting against chemical hazards. Use acid resistant apron
when pouring concentrated acids.
Hygiene Measures
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice. Wash hands
before breaks and at the end of workday.
Corrosives – Strong Acids
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 1/2/2013
First Aid Procedures (not for hydrofluoric acid)
Notify supervisor and EH&S immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to
report the incident.
If inhaled
Move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Immediately
consult a physician.
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
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water using an eyewash station for at least 15 minutes,
occasionally lifting the upper and lower eyelids. Get medical aid immediately.
If swallowed
Do not induce vomiting unless directed otherwise by the SDS. Never give anything by
mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with water. Consult a physician.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
NOTE: Lab-specific information on handling and storage may be included in the
Protocol/Procedure section.
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
Do not allow water to get into the container because of violent reaction. Do not get in
eyes, on skin, or on clothing. Keep container tightly closed. Use only with adequate
ventilation. Do not breathe spray or mist. Do not use with metal spatula or other metal
items. Inform laundry personnel of contaminant's hazards.
When diluting acids, always add acid (slowly) to cooled water. Never add water to acid.
Strong acids may react with some metals to produce hydrogen gas, which is flammable
and potentially explosive.
Strong acids that are also oxidizers may react violently with organic compounds.
Corrosives – Strong Acids
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 1/2/2013
Conditions for safe storage
Do not store near combustible materials. Keep container closed when not in use. Store
in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from incompatible substances. Do not store
near alkaline substances. Store protected from moisture. Strong acids should be stored
in isolation from all other chemicals in an approved acid or corrosives safety cabinet.
Containers should be stored in secondary plastic trays. Strong acids may be
incompatible with metals, oxidizing agents, reducing agents, bases, acrylonitrile,
chlorates, finely powdered metals, nitrates, perchlorates, permanganates,
epichlorohydrin, aniline, carbides, fulminates, picrates, organic materials, flammable
liquids. This list is representative and may not be comprehensive.
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911
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 510-642-9090 for assistance.
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 immediately. Follow up with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
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 immediately. Follow up
with a call to 510-642-9090 to report the incident.
Corrosives – Strong Acids
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 1/2/2013
Medical Emergency Dial 911
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
NOTE: Lab-specific information on decontamination/waste disposal may be included in
the Protocol/Procedure section.
Wearing proper PPE, please decontaminate equipment and bench tops using soap and
water. Please dispose of the spent acids and disposables contaminated with acids as
hazardous waste.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
Strong acid waste should be placed in a chemically compatible container with a
sealed lid and clearly labeled. Label all containers with the label provided at
http://ehs.berkeley.edu/hm/279-new-hazardous-waste-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
SDS can be accessed online at http://ucmsds.com
Corrosives – Strong Acids
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
Date: 1/2/2013
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with Strong Acids, designated personnel must provide training to his/her
laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with the substance(s), 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.
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
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Corrosives – Strong Acids
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SOP Template developed by The UC Center for Laboratory Safety
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Date: 1/2/2013