UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH
Environmental Health & Safety Office
Job-Task Hazard Analysis (JHA)
Department: Soudan Underground Laboratory
Task being performed: Washing copper plates to
Date: September 15, 2009
remove loose surface contamination and metal
impurities (imbedded radon daughters)
Task performed by: Curtis Lerol
Analysis by: Curtis Lerol
Governing Standard
Supervisor:
Conduct procedure in strict compliance with the following standards: 29 CFR-1910
Subpart I: Personal Protective Equipment (1910.132, 1910.133, 1910.134, 1910.136,
1910.138 ), and in accordance with MSDS instructions for each chemical used.
Tools and Equipment Used
Task/steps sequence
Approved by: Mahjoub Labyad
Hydrogen Peroxide, Nitric Acid, Distilled water
Potential or Associated Hazards
Potential exposure to nitric acid, a
poisonous, corrosive and oxidizing
agent which may cause fires when
in contact with other materials.
Skin contact with the material in a
liquid or mist form causes severe
burns. Nitric acid is fatal if
swallowed or inhaled. Inhalation
may cause lung damage.
Soaking the copper
plates in a solution of 3
volume % hydrogen
peroxide, 1 volume %
nitric acid for a four
minute period.
Potential exposure to radon
daughters.
Radon Daughters (a result of
radon decay), are very fine metal
solids that easily attach to
airborne particles such as dust,
smoke, and mists, or form films
and sludge on equipment surface.
Radon daughters are fine enough
to reach the deepest parts of the
lungs when inhaled, they
continuously undergo radioactive
decay during which alpha, beta,
and gamma radiations are
released.
Safe Operating Procedure
Work in ventilated area.
Wear chemical goggles and face
shield to prevent eye and face
exposure.
Wear impervious protective
clothing, including boots, gloves
and coveralls.
Wear appropriate respirator.
Caution must be taken when
handling hydrogen peroxide and
nitric acid mixtures.
Avoid mixing the chemicals in
dangerous concentrations to avoid
violent reactions from occurring
and to prevent the formation of
nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollutants.
The hydrogen peroxide is already
at the 3 volume percent. Then
slowly add the 1 volume percent
nitric acid.
Lower the plates gently into the
Means of exposure include
solution to prevent splashing.
inhalation, ingestion or skin
contact, all of which can lead to the Avoid dipping hand into mixture
deposition of radioactive material for a prolonged period of time.
in the lungs, bone, blood,
intestinal tract, kidneys.
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Job-Task Hazard Analysis (JHA)
Task sequences
Rinse afterward
thoroughly. Immediately
pat dry with clean wipes.
Allow the plates to sit and
dry
Waste collection and
disposal
Associated Hazards
Possible exposure to acid
solution when removing plates.
Potential exposure to chemical
hazards
Safe Operating Procedure
Keep plates over bath to allow
excess solution to drip in
container. Move over rinse
container and spray a mist of
distilled water on plate. Pat dry
over container. Place on clean
wipe to dry.
Collect waste solution in separate
container, labels as appropriate
indicating chemical content, and
concentrations including pH of
solution.
Personal Protective Equipment to protect against:
Hand Protection:
Use heavy weight butyl rubber or neoprene gloves if hand will be dipped in the acid solution and for
handling large quantities of acid. Double gloves and tape inner glove to protective tyvek suit.
If the procedures is requiring incidental contact only use heavy weight (8 mil) nitrile gloves, always double
the gloves, and remove outer glove immediately when they come in contact with the nitric acid solution,
because nitrile gloves will only last five minutes (breakthrough time) or less after contact with nitric acid
Nitrile gloves, especially lightweight ones are usually not recommended for use with nitric acid as they
degrade very quickly.
Respiratory Protection against Acid Vapors:
Work in a ventilated area only. Use a half mask respirator with an acid gas cartridge. Follow proper
respirator use and guidelines found in your site specific Respiratory Protection Plan
Eye and Face Protection against Acid Splashes:
Use chemical splash goggles that meet ANSI Z87 requirements for eye protection,
Use a face shield to protect face against possible splashes.
General Protection against Acid Splashes:
Wear impervious protective clothing, including booties over closed toed shoes, and acid resistant tyvek
coveralls. Tape the inner gloves to protective tyvek suit.
Waste Disposal
Follow guidelines found at: http://www.d.umn.edu/ehso/waste_management/stepbystep.html
 Collect waste in compatible containers
 Ensure waste containers are tightly closed when not in use to prevent vapor emissions.
 Ensure waste containers are labeled correctly and bear the wording “hazardous waste”.
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