HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS & SAFE CHEMICAL HANDLING

CATEGORIES OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS

• Corrosive
• Flammable
• Toxic
• Reactive
• Biological (infectious)
• Carcinogen (cancer-causing)
• Radioactive
Physical States of Hazardous Materials

• Liquid
• Solid
• Gas
• Vapor
How to Handle Chemicals Properly
• Use cautions
• Always follow procedures
• Read all labels
• Keep yourself and the work area clean
• Plan ahead
Routes of Exposure
• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Absorption
• Injection
Symptoms of Possible Overexposure
• Eye discomfort
• Breathing difficulty
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin irritation
Incompatible Chemicals
• Flammables and oxidizers
• Flammables and any ignition source
• Acids and cyanides
• Strong acids and strong alkalines
• Concentrated acids and water
• Organic solvents and corrosives
• Corrosives and other reactive materials
Agencies That Regulate Hazardous Chemical
Storage
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Department of Transportation (DOT)
Handling Flammable Chemicals

• Keep containers closed when not in use

• Keep away from ignition sources
• Avoid contact with incompatible materials
• Only transfer to approved containers
• Bond all receiving containers
• Clean up spills and dispose of waste properly
Proper Storage of Flammable Chemicals
• Ensure that storage areas meet regulatory requirements
• Replace all bung caps with drum vents after receiving
containers
• Ground all drums properly
• Store quantities in approved storage rooms and cabinets
• Store only in small quantities
General Safety Tips
• Never eat, drink, or smoke while using hazardous chemicals
• Use personal protective equipment as required
• Make sure all chemical containers are properly labeled
• Always wash up after using chemicals
General Safety Tips (cont.)

• Never smell or taste a chemical to identify it

• Know all emergency procedures and equipment
• Always read labels’ MSDSs prior to use
• Store all hazardous chemicals properly
• Always use hazardous chemicals as intended
Primary Container Labels
• Identity of the hazardous chemical
• Appropriate hazard warnings
• Name and address of the manufacturer
or importer
• Target organ effects
Secondary Container Labels
• Identity of the hazardous chemical
• Hazard warning information
Handling Chemical Emergencies
• Know emergency phone numbers
• Know how to control the spill
• Know proper equipment shutdown procedure
• Know proper evacuation routes and assembly areas
What Emergency Personnel Should Know
• Emergency cleanup and disposal measures
• Required protective equipment
• Use of cleanup equipment
• Firefighting and other emergency measures (i.e., first aid)
• Use of other emergency equipment
First Aid for Chemicals in the Eyes
• Don’t rub the eyes
• Hold eyelids open and flush with water for 15 minutes
• Be careful not to contaminate the other eye
• Seek additional medical attention
First Aid for Chemicals on the Skin
• Flush area with lukewarm water for 15 minutes
• Remove clothing and jewelry from burn area
• Seek additional medical attention
First Aid for Chemical Inhalation

• Move victim to fresh air

• Get immediate help
First Aid for Chemical Ingestion
• Induce vomiting only if told to do so by Poison Control
• Get immediate medical attention
How to work safely with chemicals?

1. Wearing Proper Protective Clothing

2. Preparing Your Work Site
3. Handling Chemicals
•Wear splash goggles.
• Splash goggles cover your eyes entirely.
Other eyewear, including prescription glasses
and contacts, will not provide adequate
protection. In some cases, additional eye
protection will also be required. When there is
a high likelihood of heavy splashing or
implosions, additional protective wear might
be necessary for your face. This could include
a laboratory bench shield and/or a face shield.
Wear tight protective clothing.
Your clothes should cover up most of your body so that if there is
a spill chemicals do not get on you. Refrain from wearing skirts
and dresses. Don't wear anything that is loose and hangs from
your body in such a way that it could hit or fall in chemicals.

• Don't wear jewelry. Jewelry in the laboratory can cause many

problems and should be removed. It can be ruined by corrosive
chemicals, get in the way while handling material, and expose
the wearer to the possibility of electric shock.
• Don't wear loose sleeves that hang down low.
•Wear an apron.
• You should cover your daily attire with an extra layer of
clothing that is fire resistant and easy to remove. This is
necessary to prevent damage from splashing and fires.
Typically, aprons will work, but a lab coat can also be
used .If you are using a lab coat, be sure that the
buttons on the coat snap open and closed. The coat
should be easy to remove quickly in case of
contamination. Normal buttons can make it difficult to
remove the coat quickly enough.
Wear close-toed shoes.
Sandals will expose your feet to damage from splashing chemicals. The
top of the shoe should be made of leather or an artificial leather substitute
for protection. Do not wear shoes with tops composed of cloth or woven
material, as chemicals can seep through the material . You should also
refrain from wearing high heels in the lab.
•Wear gloves.
• Latex, neoprene, and butyl rubber gloves will protect your hands from
chemicals, but cloth and leather gloves will not provide sufficient protection.
Remove gloves when leaving the laboratory to prevent exposing outside
materials to toxic chemicals. Before using the gloves, check to make sure
that there are no cracks or holes in them.
•Do not reuse soiled gloves. Chemicals will eventually permeate the gloves
and reach your skin. Toss gloves out in a can designated for the disposal of
toxic materials.
Keep your hair out of your face.
Put long hair back into a ponytail or bun.
Push bangs out of the way with hairpins,
clips, and headbands. Long hair can
accidentally fall into corrosive material or get
stuck.
Keep emergency equipment on hand.
•The laboratory should be equipped with a fire extinguisher in case
flammable substances are being used. Do not, however, attempt to use
the extinguisher if you are not trained in its use. The location should also
have eyewash or shower stations to remove chemicals in case of
exposure.[1]If you are not trained to use a fire extinguisher, flee from the
location in case of emergency.
Have an exit plan.
•The location should have both a primary and secondary exit, in case one
exit is obstructed by fire. Be sure that everyone in the lab knows where to
assemble in case of fire. After everyone is removed from the site,
someone should take roll call and establish that everyone has been
evacuated. If someone is injured, keep him warm. Do not attempt to
remove him from the location, unless he is immediately threatened by fire
or chemicals.
•Use a room with ventilation.
• It is important to have ventilation in the room so that toxic
fumes don’t accumulate and threaten your health. How much
ventilation is necessary depends upon the type of chemicals you
are using. Sometimes a single exhaust fan will be sufficient,
other times an entire system of hoods and ducts might be
necessary.Ask a professional, like a teacher, about how
dangerous the fumes from the substance are. Verify that the
location is safe enough for the chemicals you are using.
Remove clutter.
Unnecessary objects at your work site can get in the way, resulting in
accidents. It is particularly imperative that nothing be left on the floor. If
you trip on these objects, it could cause a spill and result in considerable
damage.[3]
•Keep chemicals in a safe, segregated
location.
•Drinks, foods, and cigarettes should never be in the same room as toxic
chemicals. Keep chemicals out of direct sunlight and other heat sources.
Keep chemicals in a location that is fire resistant.It is particularly
imperative not to smoke in proximity to chemicals because this could
easily create a fire.[4]
•Do not substitute chemicals.
•Chemical reactions are complex and often dangerous. Unless you are
extremely knowledgeable of how chemicals interact with each other, do
not substitute one for another. Always follow directions precisely.[5] Be sure
that you have a clearly designed plan before you begin working with
chemicals.If you do know for sure that you can substitute one chemical for
another chemical that is less dangerous, do so.
Use properly stored materials .

Do not use chemicals if the container has been compromised with cracks
or other signs of damage. Also, do not use the chemical if the label has
been removed or appears as if it could potentially have been altered in
any way. You must be positive that you are using the appropriate
chemical.
•Carefully read the MSDS
•. Each chemical should be labeled with an MSDS that provides
comprehensive instructions. It should include information about proper safety
gear, chemical hazards, proper handling procedures, and emergency
procedures. Most relevant information should be here. Pay heed to it.MSDS
stands for Material Safety Data Sheet. As the name indicates, it should
provide a nearly comprehensive accounting of how to handle a chemical.
•The MSDS should include a ceiling limit, which is the maximum amount of
the chemical that you can be exposed to in a specified time, usually 15
minutes.
•The flash point is the temperature at which an active flame can cause the
chemical to combust. The auto-ignition temperature is the lowest
temperature at which the chemical can spontaneously explode even without
exposure to a flame.
Heat chemicals carefully.
Whenever possible, use an electric heater or hot plate instead of a gas
burner. Check the auto-ignition temperature listed on the MSDS and do
not allow the temperature to reach that point. Do not heat chemicals in a
closed container.
Keep all equipment secured.
Stirrer motors, vessels, separatory funnels, and all other laboratory
equipment should be firmly secured so that chemicals are not spilled. Do
not use any laboratory equipment that appears to be cracked, has frayed
wires, or does not seem secure.
Wash after handling chemicals.
Even if the chemicals were not particularly abrasive and you do not
believe that you were exposed, you should still take precautions to
remove them. Wash hands thoroughly after working with chemicals.
Shower when the opportunity presents itself.
QUESTIONS?
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