Lab Safety
Workshop
Laboratory
General Precautionary Signs
Body Safety Gears Explosives Zone
Biological Hazards
No Smoking
Wear Mask Emergency Shower Fire Extinguisher Corrosive Substance
Toxic Chemical
Personal Protective Equipment
Are you wearing yours?
6
Chemical Splash Goggles
▪ Chemical Splash Goggles should be worn when there is potential for splash from a hazardous material.
Face Shields
▪ Face shields are in order when working with large volumes of hazardous materials, either for protection from splash to the face or flying particles.
▪ Face shields must be used in conjunction with safety glasses or goggles.
1. Protect Your Face and Eyes
2. Wear appropriate protective clothing
3. Wear shoes that cover your feet
▪ Sandals and open-toed shoes do not protect your feet from broken glass that is frequently found in the lab.
4. Wear appropriate gloves
5. Wear Respiratory Protection
▪ There is no "all-in-one" filter that protects against all substances thus it is important to know which hazardous materials you are using.
▪ A safety shower is a unit designed to wash an individual's head and body which has come into contact with hazardous chemicals.
▪ It cannot be used for flushing the eyes, due to the high pressure of water, which can damage eyes.
1. Safety Shower
Emergency stations
▪ An eyewash station is a unit for washing chemicals or substances that might splash into an individual's eyes before he or she can seek further medical attention.
▪ The user needs to wash their eyes for at least 5 minutes.
2. Eye wash Station
Specifications of Safety shower/ Eye wash Station
▪ Eyewash should have visible sign showing the location of the units.
▪ Water temperature of eyewash should be moderate.
▪ It must provide 15 minutes flush of lukewarm water.
▪ There must be no sharp projections in the area.
▪ Safety shower and eye wash must be hand-free.
▪ Should be within 10 second walking distance from the place of hazard.
▪ Must located on the same floor of the hazard so the victim does not have to go up or down the stair when accident occur.
▪ The path way should be clear from any obstacle and as straight as possible.
▪ The location of each emergency shower or eyewash station should be identified with a highly visible sign. The sign should be in the form of a symbol that does not require workers to have language skills to understand it.
Location of Safety shower/ Eye
wash Station
Symbols and Color Codes
Types of Laboratory Hazards
I. Chemical Hazard II. Biological Hazard III. Electrical Hazard IV. Radiation Hazard
I. Chemicals Hazards
Chemical hazard is a type of occupational hazard caused by exposure to chemicals in the workplace.
Exposure to chemicals in the workplace can cause acute or long- term detrimental health effects.
Types of Chemicals Hazards
Toxic Explosive
Corrosive Reactive Flammable
Phenol Acids Bases
Perchlorate Perbromate Periodate
Ethanol Methanol Sodium Nitric acid
Peroxides Sodium
Cyanide EB
HgCl2
I. Corrosives
What are corrosive substance?
▪ A corrosive substance is the one that will destroy and damage other substances with which it comes in contact.
▪ The major classes of corrosive chemicals are:
➢ Strong acids and bases
➢ Dehydrating agents
➢ Oxidizing agents
Examples of some commonly used corrosives
Sulfuric acid Nitric acid Perchloric acid
Acetic acid Phenols Hydroxides
▪ Wear appropriate protective equipment.
▪ Always add chemicals slowly and always add concentrated acid to water.
▪ Keep ignition sources away from inorganic acid spills (that may produce flammable hydrogen gas on contact with metals), and from glacial acetic acid, which as an organic acid is a combustible material.
▪ In case of skin contact, never wash that area with acid or base. Wash thoroughly with only water.
▪ Use fume hood while working with these chemicals as they generate significant amount of fumes.
▪ Review the MSDS before using them for proper guidance and personal protection.
Precautions
II. Reactive Chemicals
Reactive chemicals are chemicals that can, under certain conditions, release very large and potentially dangerous amounts of energy.
Examples of Reactive Chemicals
1. Oxidizers
2. Water Exposure Sensitive 3. Air Exposure Sensitive
4. Temperature Sensitive
5. Spontaneous Decomposition 6. Peroxides
Precautions
▪ Materials should only be handled by knowledgeable and trained individuals.
▪ Always use personal protective equipment.
▪ Never store these chemicals in a public area or corridor. They must be kept in a secured area.
▪ Avoid contact with skin and handle away from water sources.
▪ Do not keep excessive amounts of material in the vicinity of process; store away from organic materials, flammable materials and reducers.
▪ Store these chemicals according to MSDS rules.
▪ Make sure containers are suitably labelled before storing.
III. Toxic Chemicals
How should we work safely with toxic chemicals?
Toxic materials are substances that may cause serious harm to an individual if it enters the body.
Why should I switch to less hazardous substance when ever possible?
▪ Whenever possible, it is always best to avoid using a toxic material either by: Eliminating its use (by changing the method or process for example).
▪ Substituting the toxic material with a less hazardous material.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
▪ MSDS used to assess the physical and health hazards of the chemical or product.
▪ MSDSs must be obtained and maintained for every toxic chemical used in the workplace.
How should I store containers of toxic materials?
▪ For the storage of toxic materials, ensure that the storage area is clearly identified with warning signs.
▪ Container should not be damaged and is accessible only to trained and authorized personnel.
▪ Keep the amount of toxic material in storage as small as possible.
▪ Keep empty containers in a separate storage area. Empty containers may contain hazardous toxic residue -- keep closed.
▪ Store material within the temperature range recommended by the chemical manufacturer/supplier.
Factors Affecting Toxicity
Factors Effects
1. Dose Exposure to a small amount of highly toxic
chemical can be of greater damage than exposure to less amount of toxic chemicals.
2. Duration and Frequency One time exposure of short duration is of less concern than multiple exposure of long duration.
3. Synergistic effect Sometimes combined exposure to two or more chemicals is more hazardous than exposure to single chemical.
4. Individual characteristics Response will vary from person to person.
5. Acute and Chronic effects Acute effects occurs immediately while chronic effects occurs after significant amount of time.
How the person comes in contact with the chemicals in laboratory ?
What are the ways of exposure ? 1. Inhalation
2. Direct eye/skin 3. Ingestion
4. Injection Toxicity
Controlling chemical exposures
(a) Engineering control (b) Administrative control
(c) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
How to dispose toxic waste
The following are some general recommendations for disposal of waste toxic materials.
▪ Always review federal, provincial and local government requirements prior to disposal of toxic materials.
▪ Toxic chemical waste must NOT be flushed down. This practice is illegal and unsafe.
▪ Do not mix hazardous waste materials with regular garbage.
Basic safety procedure for toxic products
▪ Know which materials you work with are toxic materials.
▪ Read the MSDSs for all of the materials that you work with.
▪ Keep containers closed when not in use.
▪ Keep only the smallest amounts possible (not more than one day's supply) in the work area.
▪ Do not return contaminated or unused toxics back to the original container.
▪ Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment that your employer specifies for the job.
▪ Handle and dispose of toxic wastes safely.
IV. Explosives
Sudden release of pressure/ heat.
Definition
Explosives
What are explosive substance?
These are usually releasing very high heat. These may or may not have low ignition temperature.
• Explosives Equipment: Cylinders, ovens, Autoclaves.
Dust Explosives: Aluminium powder,
cotton fly, paper dust, polymer-based bomb.
Explosive chemicals: Acetylene, Azide, Ammonium nitrate, Perchlorate salts,
Benzoyl peroxide.
Uses of Explosive Chemicals
▪ Acetylene: For organic synthesis.
▪ Ammonuium nitrate: Source of nitrate.
▪ Organic Azide: Synthesis of derivatives of organic acids.
▪ Benzoyl peroxide: Oxidizing agent.
▪ Bromate salts and Chlorate salts: Uses in metal complex formation.
Precautions
▪ Storage should be separate from the process area (where fire or leakages are more likely to occur).
▪ It should be in well ventilated area, isolated from the rest of the building.
▪ Prevent incompatible chemicals being mixed, e.g. by spillage, damage to packaging or by wetting during fire fighting.
▪ Store explosive substances in fire resistant material.
▪ Exclude sources of ignition, e.g. static electricity, unprotected electrical equipment, cigarettes and naked flames.
V. Flammable
Material that ignites easily and burns rapidly with a flame. It may be gases, liquids and solids that will ignite and continue to burn in air if exposed to a source of ignition or oxidizer.
i. A flammable gas or vapor must be at a concentration between the lower and upper flammable limits.
In order for a flammable chemical fire to occur, three conditions must be met:
ii. An oxidizing agent (e.g., the air in the room or a chemical oxidizer) must be available.
iii. There must be a source of ignition or the material is at its auto-ignition temperature.
Examples of Highly Flammable Chemicals
▪ Chlorine trifluoride is the most flammable chemical. It burns asbestos, sand, glass, concrete and even flame retardants.
▪ Ethanol
▪ Diethyl ether
▪ Acetone
▪ Toluene
▪ Cyclohexane
Precautions
▪ Use fume hoods whenever possible, particularly when transferring or heating flammable liquids.
▪ Refer to MSDS and use PPE.
▪ Control other sources of ignition and heat in the laboratory such as electric motors and ovens.
▪ Use only electrical equipment (e.g., heating and stir plates) that is labeled as explosion proof (a.k.a. intrinsically safe).
▪ Never leave solvent distillation processes unattended.
▪ Make sure you have the proper extinguishing media in the vicinity of the experiment.
II. Biological Hazards
Biological hazards means the biological substances that cause harm to the living organisms. It can cause variety of health issues ranging from skin irritation and allergies to infections (e.g., tuberculosis, AIDS) and cancer.
Sources of biological hazards
1. Bacteria 2. Viruses 3. Insects 4. Plants 5. Birds
6. Animals 7. Humans
1. Biological agents enter the body when they are inhaled, eaten (ingested) or absorbed.
2. They multiply quickly and may be passed from one person to another causing various diseases.
3. Common diseases that are caused by biological agents:
▪ bacterial diseases, such as tuberculosis, tetanus, food poisoning and blood poisoning.
▪ fungal diseases, such as ringworm and thrush.
▪ viral diseases, such as mumps, hepatitis, German measles.
▪ parasitic worms that enter the body when their eggs are ingested.
Harmful Effects of Biological Hazards
Precautions
1. Avoid the production of aerosols.
2. Safe use of sharps
3. Wear personal protective
4. Avoid hand to mouth contact 5. Vaccination & Immunisation 6. Training and supervision
7. Waste Treatment
Biological Waste Management and Disposal
1. Infectious waste must be inactivated (e.g.
autoclaved or bleach treated) before it leaves lab.
2. Non-inactivated waste must be stored in the generating laboratory – do not leave unattended.
3. Waste bio-hazardous materials must be labeled with the biohazard symbol.
4. Infectious waste must be kept covered and must be inactivated within 24 hrs.
5. Sharp wastes must be placed in red, hard plastic sharps boxes, even if unused.
III. Electrical Hazards
Electrical hazards basically defined as the dangerous condition where the person comes in contact with the electrical instrument or a conductor, and from which the person may sustain an injury from shock; and/or, - there is potential for the worker to receive an arc flash burn, thermal burn, or blast injury.
What are the harmful effects of electricity to human body ?
Muscle paralysis Harmful
Effects
Shock
Burning of tissue or organ
Death Involuntary
muscle reaction
Precautions
1. Worn out wires should be replaced.
2. Use of extension cord to be minimized.
3. Electrical equipments and connections are not to be handled with wet hands.
4. No electrical to be used after liquid has been spilled over it.
5. Unplug the cords by pulling the plug not the cord.
6. Unplug all electrical equipments after the use.
7. Know the exact location of electrical control panel for the electricity to our work area.
8. Do not overload circuits.
IV. Radiation Hazards
Radiation hazard means it can damage living tissue in the human body. It strips away electrons from molecules present in cell and disrupts the normal functioning. It also interfere with human reproduction causing sterility. It can also cause mutations in developing embryos, which are usually detrimental or even fatal.
Harmful effects of radiation hazard to human body ?
Radiation mainly enters the DNA inside the cells. It effects the human body in two ways:
1. The water in our body tends to absorb a large portion of the radiation and becomes ionized producing free radicals which can damage the DNA molecule.
2. It can collide with the DNA molecule, itself, ionizing and damaging it directly i.e causing mutations.
3. Mutations or changes in the DNA can be passed along to offsprings. Mutations are generally for the worse.
4. It can also cause severe burns that are slow to heal, sterilization, cancer, and other damage to organs. High doses are rapidly (within days or weeks) fatal.
5. It disrupts the normal functioning of the cell by producing ions inside the living organism.
Precautions
1. Increase the distance between the radiation source and personnel.
2. Close the instrument immediately after use.
3. Warning signs must be displaced near the location of radiation source.
4. Pre-plan the experiment/ procedure to minimize the exposure time.
5. Use appropriate shielding between yourself and source of radiation at all times.
6. Do not place food containers near the source of radiation.
7. Always wear personal protective instrument at all the times.
Laboratory
Safety Guideline
➢ Use small quantities of toxic chemicals.
They are easier in handling and storage.
➢ Bottle carriers or some other means of containment should be used when moving chemicals between floors.
➢ Store separately from incompatible materials.
➢ When neutralizing corrosives, always add a concentrated acid to base or a concentrated base to acid using ice for bringing down the temperature.
➢ Storage should be separate from the process area (where fire or leakage ins more likely to occur).
➢ Always add chemicals slowly and always add concentrated acid to water.
➢ Always be alert. Try to prevent large leak or spillage.
➢ Do not flush out hazardous chemicals.
➢ Mixing of waste chemicals in the drains cause a hazardous reaction or pollution?
➢ Prevent incompatible chemicals being mixed, e.g. by spillage, damage to packaging or by wetting during fire fighting.
➢Are any special first-aid facilities or equipment required?
➢ Could emergency water supplies dry up in summers?
➢ Lab should be well ventilated.
➢ Report all accidents regardless of how minor to your instructor.
➢ Remove all accessories from hand while working with chemicals.
➢ Listen to or read instructions carefully before attempting to do anything.
➢ Work in the lab only when the
instructor is present or when you have permission to do so.
➢ Use goggles and lab coat all the time inside the lab.
➢ Due to the dangers of broken glass and corrosive liquid spills in the lab, open sandals or bare feet are not permitted in the lab.
➢ Never look directly into a test tube.
➢ View the contents from the side.
➢ For minor skin burns, immediately plunge the burned area into cold water and notify the instructor.
➢ Never smell a material in a test tube or flask directly. Instead, with your hand,
"fan" some of the fumes to your nose carefully.
➢ Do not indulge in horseplay.
➢ Upon completion of work, wash and dry all equipment, your lab bench and your clean-up area.
➢ Know which materials you work with are toxic materials.
➢ Wash hands before eating, drinking or going to the toilet.
➢ Remove contaminated clothing and leather shoes or boots. Wash contaminated items immediately and thoroughly in water before re-wearing or discarding.
Personal cleanliness is important when working with poisonous substances
➢ Do not eat or drink in laboratory.
➢ There are always chances of contamination by chemicals.
➢ Avoid touching yourself (e.g.
scratching your nose or rubbing your eyes) with contaminated hands.
➢ Do not chew gum when working with toxic materials.
➢Do not use lab refrigerators for keeping food stuffs. They can contaminate food by hazardous chemicals.
➢ Wash thoroughly at the end of the workday even though you have done everything mentioned above.
Emergency
➢ Evacuate the affected area at once if you are not trained to handle the problem or if it is clearly beyond your control.
➢ Report leaks, spills or ventilation failures immediately.
➢ Obtain first aid if you have been exposed to the toxic material.
➢ The MSDS for a particular toxic material should give specific first aid instructions in case of exposure by skin or eye contact, inhalation, or swallowing.
➢ In the event of skin or eye contact, use emergency eyewash stations and safety showers.
➢ Only specially trained people, equipped with the proper tools and protective equipment, should handle the emergency.
➢ Planning, training and practicing for emergencies are important so that everyone knows what they must do under demanding situation.
➢ Kindly leave the lab if you are not
trained for emergency situations and call for help.
Common Laboratory Equipments
Equipments Uses Hazards
1. Refrigerators and freezers
Storing chemicals of low melting point
Do not store flammable liquids 2. Stirring and Mixing
devices
Mixing chemicals Blockage of the stirrer 3. Heating devices
(a) Ovens
(b) Heating mantle (c) Oil and salt bath (d) Microwave
Heating the solutions, reaction mixtures and drying the vessels
Do not heat flammable liquids, broken glassware's.
Thermal sensing devices will be attached with oil and salt baths.
4. Centrifuges Separation of different components.
Load is balanced and the lid is closed.
5. Rotatory evaporator Seperation of organic components of different boiling points.
Glass is made of Pyrex.
Rotation speed and vaccum is gradual.
6. Electrophoresis devices
Separating proteins, nucleic acids, etc.
Turn the power off before connecting the leads.
7. Vaccum Remove air and other vapors from vessels.
Vapors can escape thus can be used in fume hood.
1) Refrigerators and Freezers
2) Stirring and mixing devices
3) Heating devices
MICROWAVE HOT PLATE OVEN
HEATING MANTLE SALT AND OIL BATH
4) Centrifuge
5) Rotatory Evaporator
6) Autoclave
7) Electrophoresis
8) Vaccum Pump
9) Glasswares