Occupational safety measures when dealing with hazardous
substances – laboratory rules
_______________________________________
Area of application (institute / rooms):
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
Professor/lecturer responsible
Dangerous substances officer
Safety officer:
Entry into force
_______________________________________
Name, tel.:
_______________________________________
Name, tel.:
_______________________________________
Name, tel.:
_______________________________________
Date, signature
These general laboratory rules set down basic conducts, note particular risks and regulate how hazardous substances are to be dealt with. They are binding, must be made known to all employees and
must be kept easily accessible. The employees are to observe and strictly comply with each of the
rules.
Substances, whether solid, liquid or gaseous, including mixtures and solutions (“preparations”), are
considered hazardous as defined in the German Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV) if
they can cause



an explosion and/or fire risk
direct or indirect harm to human health
an environmental risk.
Substances may enter the human body by means of inhalation, absorption through the skin or mucous membranes or by swallowing.
2
Any people handling substances of this type must have been informed of their properties, effects, protective measures to be taken, what to do in a dangerous situation and possible first-aid treatment to
be carried out. Furthermore, they must know how these substances are correctly disposed of.
Substances which are not known for certain to be safe are to be treated as hazardous substances.
Hazardous substances may belong to one or more of the following groups. They must be labelled.
For some of them, the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances (GefStoffV) also requires them to be labelled with the hazard symbols or pictograms below: (Hazard symbols or Hazard piktograms):
Up to 2015 both types of symbols are possible.
Ordinance on Hazardous Substances
(GefStoffV)
Hazard discription
code letter
explosive
E
extremely
flammable
F+
flammable
F
oxidising
O
No correlation
corrosive
C
very toxic
T+
toxic
T
harmful
Xn
Symbol
Globally Harmonized System for the Classification ans laballing of Chemicals
(GHS-Regulation)
Discription
Code
Piktogram
exploding
bomb
GHS01
flame
GHS02
flame over
circle
GHS03
gas cylinder
GHS04
corrosion
GHS05
skull and
crossbones
GHS06
No correlation
irritant
Xi
3
No correlation
exclamation
mark
GHS07
No correlation
health hazard
GHS08
environment
GHS09
dangerous for the
environment
N
A. Basic rules for handling hazardous substances
A.1.
Before taking up your work, and then at regular intervals, but at least once a year, you must be
given an oral briefing specifically aimed at your workplace.
A.2.
Before handling hazardous substances, the user is to determine the hazards presented by the
substances or their decomposition products, using operating instructions, material safety data
sheets (MSDS), manufacturers’ or dealers’ catalogues or the substances database.
A.3.
The special hazards determined (risk/hazard phrases) and safety advice (safety/protection
phrases) are a binding part of this operational briefing.
A.4.
Hazardous substances may not be kept or stored in containers which could cause them to be
confused with foodstuffs (e.g. beer or fizzy drink bottles).
A.5.
Flammable liquids (flash point < 55 °C) may only be kept at workplaces for everyday use in
containers with a nominal volume of at most 1 litre. The number of such containers is to be limited to the absolute minimum required.
A.6.
Very toxic and toxic substances are to be kept locked up.
A.7.
Flammable liquids which need to be stored in a cool place, as well as extremely flammable and
highly flammable substances, may only be kept in refrigerators or freezers whose interior is
protected against explosion (remove electrical devices from the interior).
A.8.
All jars are to be labelled with the name of the substance and the hazard symbols/pictograms
and hazard descriptions; larger containers (from 1 litre) are to be fully labelled, i.e. including Rand S- phrases / according to GHS with H- and S- phrases. If substances are also stored and
not only kept in these containers, they are to be labelled as follows: Substance name(s), hazard symbol(s), hazard description(s), R- and S- phrases respectively H- and P-phrases, manufacturer.
A.9.
Avoid breathing in fumes and dusts, and avoid hazardous substances coming into contact with
the skin and eyes. When openly handling hazardous substances which are gaseous, powdered
or under high steam pressure, always work under a fume hood (normal solvents).
A.10. Eating, drinking and smoking in the lab is prohibited. Foodstuffs may not be kept in the lab.
Food and drinks may not be heated in the drying cabinet or other lab ovens.
4
A.11. In laboratories, protective goggles must categorically be worn at all times (corrective glasses do
not generally fulfil the requirements for protective goggles; a protective face visor is also suitable), as must a lab coat (generally a cotton lab coat made of a material unlikely to cause added
risk during a fire due to its burning or melting characteristics) and sturdy, closed-toe, non-slip
shoes.
A.12. The body protection gear (such as safety goggles, a face visor and suitable gloves) described
in the safety instructions (S phrases) and specific operating instructions are to be used. When
handling very toxic, toxic or corrosive compressed gases, an air mask with an appropriate gas
filter must be kept ready at the workplace.
Gloves may not be used outside the laboratory and must be removed when making telephone calls,
opening any type of door, using taps, computer keyboard etc. In case of a (possible) contamination
the gloves have to be changed immediately. Gloves suitable for handling chemicals have to comply
with the material safety data sheet and included into the operating instruction.
A.13.
A.14. Read the following texts and comply with their instructions when working in the lab:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
General regulations – GUV-V A1
Laboratory guidelines – GUV-I 850
Rules for safety and health protection when dealing with hazardous substances at universities – GUV-SR 2005
Safe work in chemical laboratories - GUV-I 8553
Substance-related group/individual operating instructions
Operating instructions for particularly hazardous activities
Relevant accident prevention regulations
Instructions for handling carcinogenic and/or mutagenic hazardous Category 1 and 2 substances
A.15. If, in accordance with the Regulation on occupational health screening, obligatory medical
checkups are required, you may only continue to work at your workplace if you have had a
medical examination and provide a permit issued by an authorised doctor showing that there
are no health concerns preventing you from carrying out your occupation.
A.16. If you feel unwell or in case of even the smallest injury, you must visit a physician (or medical
officer) immediately even if first aid has been carried out.
A.17. Young people may only handle explosive, oxidising, extremely flammable, highly flammable
and flammable hazardous substances under certain conditions and only when supervised by
an expert.
A.18. When handling very toxic, toxic, harmful, carcinogenic, corrosive or irritant hazardous substances, in certain cases there are limits on work which can be done by young people, pregnant women, breastfeeding women and women of childbearing age.
B. General protective and safety facilities
B.1.
Hazardous substances are not to be kept in fume cabinets / fume cupboards.
Substances and devices which are not directly required for continuing work are to be removed
from the fume cabinet.
B.2.
The front doors of the fume cupboards are to be kept closed during use. Check that the fume
cupboards are functioning, e.g. using a strip of paper or piece of wool (if there is no electronic
warning device). Defective fume cupboards are not permitted to be used and are to be labelled
accordingly.
B.3.
Everyone is to be informed of the location and functions of the emergency stopcocks/off
switches for the gas, electricity and water supplies. After an emergency shutdown, the head of
the laboratory or the supervisor must be informed immediately.
5
B.4.
Emergency showers and eyewash stations are to be checked by the lab staff once a month to
ensure they are working.
B.5.
Never cover up or restrict access to fire-extinguishing agents.
B.6.
It must always be possible to use rescue routes and emergency exits quickly and safely.
B.7.
Fire extinguisher must be replaced after each use, please announce the use to Peter Fuhrmann (Organisatorischer Brandschutz) 28332. Sand buckets and containers for absorptive materials are to be refilled after each use.
B.8.
Fire doors are to be kept closed. The self-closing mechanism must not be blocked.
B.9.
Keep siphons full of water to close off the wastewater pipes against the underpressure in the
lab. The floor must be impermeable to liquids and sufficiently resistant to the hazardous substances used.
B.10. The contents of the first-aid kit are to be regularly checked to ensure it is complete and it must
be refilled if required.
C. Waste reduction and disposal
C.1.
The quantity of waste is to be kept low by only using the quantity of substances that is absolutely necessary during experiments. Reactive remaining substances such as alkali metals,
peroxides and hydrides are to be transformed in an appropriate manner into less hazardous
substances.
C.2.
Chemical waste is to be collected in closed containers and disposed of according to the instructions of the waste officer via the central temporary storage facility, tel. 798 – 29392.
C.3.
Look at the list of chemicals available at the institute (on the register) to check if these can be
used instead of making a new purchase.
D. Actions in hazardous situations
D.1.
When hazardous situations occur, such as fires, leaks of gaseous substances, leaks of hazardous liquids, comply with the following instructions:
D.2.
Stay calm and avoid rushed, rash actions.
D.3.
Warn endangered people; if necessary, tell them to leave the rooms. Comply with first-aid principles.
D.4.
Stop all experiments immediately; close off gas, electricity and if necessary water (Cooling water must continue to flow!).
D.5.
In a hazardous situation, do not use any lifts.
D.6.
Inform the supervisor and/or the head of the laboratory.
D.7.
In the case of accidents with hazardous subjects which have caused injury, illness or skin reactions, go to a doctor. Write an accident report as quickly as possible (within 3 days) on the corresponding form and send a signed copy to the administration.
6
E. Principles of correct first aid
P E RS O N AL S AFE TY CO ME S BE FO RE P RO P E RTY!
E.1.
Make an EMERGENCY CALL as quickly as possible. Whenever providing assistance, make
sure you yourself are safe.
E.2.
Immediately help injured people to escape from the danger area – do not underestimate your
own risk (single-use gloves; breathing mask).
E.3.
Call the emergency services, if necessary. Do not leave injured people alone until the emergency services arrive. Wait for the emergency services at the door of the building and when indicated in the premises to lead them to the injured person.
E.4.
In the event of a person catching fire, put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, by pouring on water, wrapping the person in blankets or rolling them on the floor. Apply cold water (dip extremities in a bucket of water or pour on water) until the pain subsides. Cover the burns to keep
them sterile.
E.5.
In the case of chemical contamination: Remove clothing. Wash skin. If necessary, use emergency showers. Clean uninjured skin with soap and water. With substances which do not dissolve well in water, clean them off with polyethylene gylcol (BASF or Roticlean E from Roth
company) and rinse with water (do not use benzine or a solvent).
E.6.
In the case of injuries to the eyes, use a soft fountain of water, i.e. using the fixed eyewash station, rinse the injured eye in an outward direction (from the nose), keeping the eyelids open, for
10 minutes or longer. Go to an eye clinic.
E.7.
Check and monitor consciousness (reaction when spoken to/touched?), breathing (breathing
movement, breaths) and heart function (pulse, skin colour).
E.8.
If the victim is conscious, place them in the shock recovery position, if necessary by lifting the
legs to a 20–30 degree angle (supported by appropriate objects).
E.9.
If the victim is unconscious and breathing spontaneously to a sufficient extent, place them in
the recovery position. If they are not breathing, clear and keep clear their respiratory passages
(clearing out the mouth and throat area – stretching head out) and carry out mouth-to-mouth or
mouth-to-nose resuscitation.
E.10. If the victim has stopped breathing or their heart has stopped: attempt to resuscitate them. Call
a first-aider.
E.11. Prepare information for the doctor (e.g. the chemicals involved, if possible with information for
the doctor from corresponding books, poison registers, etc.). Ensure vomit and chemicals are
not removed. If available, give the doctor advice sheets (from Kühn-Birett or material safety data sheets) on the substances involved.
7
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Fire, accident, rescue services
112
Police
110
Emergency poison hotline
0-06131-232466
Staff doctor (MAS – Dr Düvel)
0-0160-96014435
for appointments (Frau Sommerfeld)
(0-798-) 23629
nearest hospitals:
St. Markus-Krankenhaus
Wilhelm-Epstein-Straße 2
(Bockenheim / Westend)
0-9533-0
Nord-West-Krankenhaus
Steinbacher Hohl 2-26
(Riedberg)
0-7601-1
Internal medical centre rescue services
(only in the medical centre “Klinikum”)
(0-6301) 5000
Emergency technical services
(0-798-) 23207 (Bockenheim / Westend)
(0-798-) 29999 (Riedberg)
(0-6301) 5000 oder 7000 (Klinikum)