Safety Workshop
June 16, 2008
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Safety: responsibility of the school board,
district administration, teachers, parents, and
students
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ANSI Z87.1-1989
Chemical Splash Goggles
Protective Spectacles
Protective Spectacles
(for over prescription eyewear)
Face Shield
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Hard copy for every chemical in lab
English
Other languages, if necessary
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Lab doors closed when using
hood
Clean and clutter free
No chemical storage in hood
Open windows ≠ Hood
Sash completely closed when
not in use
Controls outside hood
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Flow rate should between 60 and 120 ft/min.
(Ideally 100 ft/min.)
Mark sash
Test annually
Properly discharge exhaust to prevent reentry
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Sash between face and
experiment
Work 6 inches inside hood
Use a shield if possibility of
explosion
Adequate illumination
Only necessary materials in the
hood
Turn hood on before performing
experiment
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Flinn Catalog
Alphabetically only within categories
Wooden storage shelves with ¾ inch lip
No stacking chemical bottles
Bottles no more than 2 deep on shelf
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Mark date received, date opened, and initials
No storage of more than 1 gallon of a liquid
No storage near, over, or under a sink
No storage above eye level
Secure storage areas
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No storage on top of flammables cabinets
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Store nitric acid in separate tub in acid
cabinet
Corrosives and oxidizers in separate cabinet
◦ e.g. Chlorates, chromates, nitrates, permanganates,
persulfates
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Store oxidizers 20 feet from flammables
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Gases stored outside the classroom
◦ NFPA 45: 8-1.2(96)
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Store oxygen at least 20 feet from
other flammable gasses
Strap tanks when used in
classroom
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Annual inventory
Posted outside lab
Copy to local fire department
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Labels should contain the following:
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Chemical name as on MSDS
Concentration
Date made
Initials
NFPA label
First aid information
Expiration or use by date
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Benzene
Lead?
Magnesium powder?
Mercury
Methylene chloride?
Perchloric acid
Silver nitrate?
Sodium chromate?
Sodium dichromate?
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Post emergency numbers
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911
Poison control
Fire
Police
Hospital
Practice drills
Injuries
◦ Administer first aid
◦ Send to school nurse
◦ File a report
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Two clearly marked exits
Posted floor plan with emergency escape
route
Fire doors that open in the direction of the
escape
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GFI (ground fault interrupt) plugs on lab
benches
Multi outlet plugs with built-in circuit breaker
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Monthly safety shower test
ANSI Z358.1-2004
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Weekly eyewash station test
Plumbed eyewash
Eyewash temperature 78-92˚F
ANSI Z358.1-2004
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Smoke detector
First aid kit
Log inspections and tests
Emergency gas shut off
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Practice drop and roll
Must have safety shower
Should have a fire blanket
Class ABC fire extinguishers
Monthly check of fire extinguishers
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For a small spill:
◦ Never clean up alone
◦ Use a spill kit
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For a large spill:
◦ Evacuate
◦ Call HazMat
◦ Call 911
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6 changes of air/hour in lab
Separate ventilation for prep and storage
rooms
Hood ≠ room ventilation
Open windows ≠ room ventilation
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Separate glass disposal container
◦ Bag inside a box
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Designated waste containers that
are segregated by compatibility
◦ NFPA 45: 7-2.1
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Store on wooden shelves with anti-roll lips, if
possible
Bottles no more than ¾ full.
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Waste labels must display:
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The words “hazardous waste”
Contents with chemical names, not formulas
Approximate concentrations
Date started
Initials
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Flinn
Waste pick-up every 6 months
Waste should NEVER be picked-up during
school hours
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Room occupancy based on fire and safety
codes
One teacher: up to 24 students
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Post rules
Student safety contract
District-supplied safety training
District liability insurance
District review of science facilities and
instruction every 3-5 years
Notify school officials about existing safety
issues
Adopt chemical hygiene plan
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SOP for activities using hazardous chemicals
Control measures to reduce exposure
Hoods and safety equipment function properly
Information on hazardous chemicals (MSDS)
Training
Circumstances requiring administrative approval
Requirements for medical consultation
Designation of responsible personnel
Requirements for additional protection
Provisions for yearly re-evaluation
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Emergency lighting
Anti-slip floor – NO carpet
Aisle widths at least 44 inches
No drawers that open into
narrow aisles
Doors should open into room,
not passageway
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Fisher Scientific. Lab Safety Manual. 2007.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007107/pdfs/2007-107.pdf