Introduction

Definition of Terms:
Chemical Toxicity - ability of a chemical molecule or compound to damage susceptible sites or
cells in the human body or in other living biological systems including plants, animals, or even
ecosystems.
Acute – have short term effects like poisons, asthmagens, eg: cyanide, strychnine
Chronic – long term effects like carcinogens, reproductive hazard, eg: vinyl chloride
(liver cancer), asbestos (lung cancer), thalidomide (teratogenic effects)
Dependent on:
1) Dosage
2) Frequency of exposure
3) Duration of exposure
4) Route of exposure

Chemical Laboratory Safety - The control of exposure to potentially hazardous substances to

attain an acceptably low risk of exposure.
Hazard - the potential to harm
1) Chemical hazard like dusts, fumes, mists, vapors
2) Physical hazards like fire, electrical, radiation, pressure, explosions, implosion, vibration,
temperatures, noise, radiation,
3) Ergonomic hazard like repetitive motion (pipetting), lifting, work areas (computers,
instruments)
4) Biological hazard like pathogens, blood, and body fluids
Risk - the probability that harm will result

Chemical Laboratory Safety – based on the principle of Industrial Hygiene. The anticipation,
recognition, evaluation and control of health hazards in the work environment to protect workers
health and well-being and to safeguard the community and the environment
1) Anticipation by planning ahead the experiment/procedure, preparing the MSDS, and
consulting with the CSSO, doing a risk analysis
2) Recognition of hazards
3) Evaluation of the hazard and risk
4) Control of the risks
a. Engineering controls like enclosure, isolation, ventilations, hoods, barrier
i. Changing the process to eliminate the hazard
 ii. Substitution of non-hazardous substances for hazardous ones (toluene for
benzene)
iii. Isolation or enclosure of the process or worker
iv. Ventilation supplying enough fresh air in the work area
1. Dilution
2. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
v. Special barrier facilities like clean rooms, carcinogen rooms, weighing
rooms
vi. Safety Shields like radiation shields, hood sashes, splash guards
b. Personal protective equipment (PPE)
i. Eye protection specific to the type of hazard
ii. Gloves specific to the chemical
iii. Laboratory coats, and aprons
iv. Respiratory protection specific to the gas and particulates
v. Foot protection. Steel toe-safety shoes are not necessary for laboratory work
unless there is a serious risk from transporting or handling heavy objects.
However, open toe shoes should NOT be worn in labs
c. Administrative practices that imposes organizational safety policies that apply to
everyone
example
i. No eating, drinking, smoking in laboratories
ii. Label all chemical containers
iii. Label refrigerators, No Food
iv. Label explosion safe refrigerators
v. Require periodic fire drills
d. Operational practices that the lab follows during a procedure
example:
i. Packages opened only in labs, not receiving
ii. Receiving staff trained to look for signs of breakage and/or leaking
shipments
iii. Receiving area has spill kits
iv. Mailroom/receiving alert for suspicious shipments
v. Proper use of hood
1. Work 6” (15 cm) in from sash
2. In center of hood
3. Work with hood sash at ~18” (45 cm) high
4. Close sash when not in use
5. Don’t use for storage
e. Emergency Plan
i. Evacuation plan and posting it on visible areas
ii. Clearing and unlocking emergency passage and exits
iii. Have routine, unannounced evacuation drills.
iv. Designate a person for each area to ensure that inner rooms are evacuated.
v. Locate outside staging areas at sufficient distance from the building.
vi. Test and maintain alarms.
vii. Post a person to meet/direct emergency vehicles.
 viii. Post each room with:
1. Emergency phone numbers
2. After hour phone numbers
3. Person(s) to be contacted
4. Alternate person(s)
5. Unique procedures to be followed
ix. Centrally locate the equipment for body and eye wash
1. Remove contaminated clothing
2. Thoroughly flush with water
3. Follow chemical specific procedures (i.e. HF)
4. Seek medical assistance
x. Centrally locate spill kits for quick access
Clean-up spill only if you know the chemical hazards, have appropriate
equipment and are trained to do so.
1. Alert colleagues and secure area
2. Assess ability to clean-up spill
3. Find spill kit
4. Use appropriate PPE and sorbent material
5. Protect sinks and floor drains
6. Clean-up spill, collect/label waste for disposal
7. Report all spills.
xi. Centrally locate, inspect and maintain the following
1. First aid kits
2. Special chemical antidotes, if necessary
3. Respirators
4. Specially train emergency personnel, if necessary
5. Postdate of last inspection on equipment, including hoods.
6. Fire extinguishers and alarms

Components of Chemical Security

1) Physical security of site
a. Sources of Threats for Chemical Security
i. Outsiders – no authorized access
ii. Insiders – authorized access
iii. Collusion – secret cooperation between outsiders and insiders
b. Motivations for Threats
i. Terrorists – ideology
ii. Criminals – financial
iii. Activists – ideology
iv. Insiders – ego, ideology, revenge, financial, coercion, ulterior motive
c. Commonly Forms of Breach of Security
i. Sabotage
ii. Theft of Chemicals
iii. Theft of information
2) Personnel management
a. Installment of a security guard to guard against insider and outsider
 b. Monitoring of entry of people in the building
c. Monitoring of key distribution and turn in.
3) Information security by tracking of chemical inventory and availability to authorized
persons only
4) Management of chemical security activities
5) Allocation of chemical security responsibilities
a. Identify people responsible for various chemical security activities:
i. Physical security, building modifications
ii. Chemical tracking and reporting
iii. Personnel and access management
iv. Information management
v. Emergency planning
b. Ensure they have time and resources to do the job
c. Integrate with chemical safety responsibilities
d. Professional behavior
i. Chemical professionals use their scientific knowledge in a responsible
manner
ii. Chemical educators need to train their students to use their scientific
knowledge in a responsible manner
6) Development of emergency plans
7) Chemical security training

Chemical Safety and Security

• Chemical safety is practiced to protect against accidents
• Chemical security is practiced to protect against deliberate harm
• Common grounds of the two:
a) Minimize the use of hazardous chemicals by replacing hazardous substances with
no hazardous ones or down-scaling the experiment
b) Minimize supply of hazardous chemicals
c) Restrict access to hazardous chemicals:
d) Plan what to do in an emergency
• Conflicts between the two:
Safety Security
Label everything so people can recognize Labels help identify targets for theft or
hazardous chemicals. attack.
Let community and especially emergency Sharing locations of chemicals can
responders know what chemical dangers publicize targets for theft or attack.
are there.
Share knowledge about chemical hazards Sharing knowledge of chemical hazards
so people know to be alert. could inspire harmful behavior (copy-cat
criminals).
For safety, people need to be able to leave For security, you want to control exits as
the facility quickly and by many routes. well as entrances so chemicals (or
equipment) are not taken.
 Roles and Responsibilities for Safety
Purpose of CSS Program:
1) Help establish a safe and secure workplace.
2) Help safeguard the environment.
3) Prevent/reduce release of hazardous chemicals and operations.
4) Prevent/reduce exposure to staff.
5) Reduce stress.
6) Enhance community relations.
7) Comply with regulations.
8) Crisis management
Prevention and response to
a. Facility crisis such as fire, explosion, chemical release
b. Natural disaster such as earthquakes, typhoon, tsunami
c. Disgruntled personnel/employees/ex-workers/students
d. Demonstrations and protests
e. Evacuation and reoccupancy
f. Crimes and Terrorism

Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders

1) Management/Administration
a. Establish a formal CSS Program
b. Announce formation of a CSS Program
c. Create a written policy statement that documents and describes the commitment
and support from the highest management level for the Chemical Safety and
Security Program
d. Designate a Chemical Safety and Security Officer
e. Endorse a written CSS Plan (Manual)
f. Participate and intervene as needed
g. Financial support (budget)
h. Staffing
i. Response/resolution of problems by establishing a CSS Committee
j. Stipulates CSS is part of everyone's job and specifies CSS orientation for new
employees
k. Supports CSS staff
2) Director/President
a. Establish an effective CSS Program
b. Provide for a budget
c. Endorse written Policies, Plans and Manuals
d. Appoint CSS Officers
e. Ensure CSSO has responsibility, authority and accountability to perform assigned
duties
f. Establish a CSS Committee
g. Maintain support and endorsement
h. Timely response to Safety Committee recommendations
 i. Follow and set example, e.g., wears PPE
3) Faculty/Principal Investigator/Supervisor
a. to teach, model and encourage good Chemical Safety and Security practices.
b. Develop procedures with CSSO for unique hazards and chemicals (e.g.
carcinogens)
c. Develop proper control practices with CSSO
d. Participate in developing CSS Plan, CSS Committee, accident investigations
e. Ensure CSS documents and records are maintained
f. Maintain local chemical inventory for their lab
g. Ensure (M)SDS are available in the laboratory
h. Facilitate compliance with policies, guidelines and regulations
i. Develop procedures with CSSO for unique hazards and chemicals (e.g.
carcinogens)
j. Develop proper control practices with CSSO
k. Participate in developing CSS Plan, CSS Committee, accident investigations
l. Ensure CSS documents and records are maintained
m. Maintain local chemical inventory for their lab
n. Ensure (M)SDS are available in the laboratory
o. Facilitate compliance with policies, guidelines and regulations
4) Employees/Students
a. to actively support and participate in the CSS Program.
b. Follow policies/rules
c. Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
d. Report accidents, incidents/near misses, problems
e. Learn about hazards of specific chemicals
f. Suggest changes and improvements
g. Work safely
h. Do not put others at risk
i. Encourage good safety and security
j. Behave responsibly
k. Understand and act in accordance with policies and practices
l. Wear and maintain proper PPE
m. Use engineering controls properly
n. Follow good chemical safety practices
o. Participate in required training
p. Read & understand CSS related documents
q. Report accidents, incidents
r. Suggest improvements and changes to the CSS Program
s. Participate in the CSS Program
5) Chemical Safety and Security Officer (CSSO)
a. to provide expertise and information so that a safe and healthy workplace is present
b. to gain training, experience, and skills in the following:
i. Chemistry (nomenclature, physical properties, reactivities, chemical
compatibilities)
ii. Health and Safety (Industrial Hygiene)
iii. Security (Facility, chemicals, equipment, personnel)
 iv. Psychology (dealing with people)
v. Physics (ventilation, radiation, electrical)
vi. Biology (biosafety, recombinant DNA, blood borne pathogens)
vii. Administration
viii. Writing
ix. Speaking/presentations/training
c. Report directly to higher management
d. Provide leadership in safety and security
e. Draft a budget
f. Ensure Plans and Manuals are written and updated
g. Advise administration, staff, employees, students
h. Conduct inspections and audits
i. Investigate accidents and incidents
j. Respond to problems and concerns
k. Participate in Chemical Safety and Security Committee(s)
l. Ensure documentation, records and metrics are maintained
m. Develop CSS Training plans
n. Know legal regulations and ensure compliance
o. Act as a Co-Worker, not as a Policeman
6) Chemical Safety and Security Committee
a. oversee and monitor the CSS Program for management so that a safe and healthy
workplace is maintained.
b. Reports directly to senior management
c. Endorses policies
d. Meets regularly (2 – 4 times/yr) with agenda
e. Reviews accidents and incidents, may investigate, write reports with
recommendations
f. Establishes appropriate subcommittees on specific topics

Composition of CSSC
1) Chaired by committed staff
2) CSSO is ex-officio member
Representatives from, which should rotate after a few years:
3) Facilities Management
4) Security
5) Administration
6) Faculty/Staff
7) Teaching Assistants/Graduate Students
8) Shops/Unions

Ideal Roles in CSSP

1) Culture of Chemical Safety and Security should exist at all levels of the organization.
2) Top management sets policy, provides resources.
3) Workers, students, researchers must understand and implement.
4) Many organizational interactions are important for chemical safety and security
Policy Statement
Purpose: Establish and provide for maintenance of an effective Chemical Safety and Security
Program to protect the employees, facility, neighbors, environment, compliance with regulations
Content:
1) Clear goals
2) Commitment
3) Defines employee role
4) Identification of resources and staff
5) Sign of the person in authority

Duties of the CSSO

1) Oversee procurement, use, storage & disposal of hazardous materials
2) Set criteria for exposure levels
3) Write and revise CSS Plan
4) Trains, documents and ensures training is performed
5) Performs risk assessment and monitoring
6) Conducts audits and inspections
7) Investigates and reports on accidents, incidents
8) Interacts with staff to correct deficiencies
9) Follows up to ensure correction and resolution of issues
10) Consult/advise project management on CSS concerns
11) Coordinate with Principal Investigators
12) Coordinate and facilitate medical surveillance
13) Coordinate record keeping
14) Coordinate with BSO, RSO, facilities, administration, security
15) Surveys
a. Baseline
b. Periodic (inspections)
 c. Identify potential job hazards, material hazards, and process hazards
Procedure:
a. Prepare survey form
b. Walk-through
c. Take measurements . Sample if necessary, monitor exposure (e.g.,
formaldehyde, radiation)
d. Data analysis
e. Write and deliver report
16) Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
Procedure:
a. Compile steps needed to complete job.
b. Analyze each step in detail.
i. Could exposure occur?
ii. Could an accident occur?
iii. Could a change in practice / process could create hazard?
c. Develop recommendations on precautions to eliminate/minimize hazard.
17) Inspections
a. Done by CSSO
b. Coordinate with lab supervisor/Chief/PI/occupants/safety representative
c. Team may include: Peers and Facilities representative
d. Frequency determined by hazards present and local practices 2 - 4 times/yr
e. Look for: Good and bad practices, new hazards, new security issues
• Date of Inspection:_______
• Conducted by:_______
• Location (room and building):_______
• Principal Investigator/supervisor:_______

• Laboratory Work Practices

– Smoking observed?
– Food observed/stored. In refrigerators?
– Mechanical pipetting devices present/used?
– Hazardous chemicals present/used in designated areas?
– Lab surfaces cleaned/decontaminated after use?
– PPE available/properly used, stored, maintained?
• Hazard Communication
– Warning signs, required PPE posted.
– (M)SDS available.
– Signs for storage areas, refrigerators, waste, designated work areas’
specific hazards.
– Label all containers.
– Access controlled.
• Personal Protective Equipment
– Available for each specific hazard.
– Eye protection available, when & where required & posted.
– Other PPE available as necessary.
– Visitor PPE available.
– Visitor requirements for PPE posted.
• Chemical Storage
– Area secured
– Chemicals with special security needs present?
– Chemicals inventoried
– Incompatible chemicals segregated.
– Volatile, flammable material keep away from heat.
– Corrosives, flammables keep below eye level.
– Limited quantities of flammables, or other hazardous chemicals,
stored in lab.
– Unnecessary, outdated chemicals discarded.
– Safety carriers available for bottle transport.
• Compressed Gas Cylinders
– Properly chained or secured
– Caps in place, if available
– Stored away from heat
– Cylinders properly marked with contents
– Empty and full separated
– Flammables separated from non-flammables
– Lines labeled and in good condition
– Proper valves used
– Toxic gases stored securely
• Safety Equipment
– Eyewashes & safety showers present, unobstructed, in good working
order, routinely tested and maintained.
– Fire alarms & telephones appropriately placed and labeled.
– Adequate number and type of unobstructed, routinely inspected fire
extinguishers.
– Spill kits available, maintained, labeled.
– Adequate number of fire alarm/ detection devices.
– Flammable storage cabinets available.
• General Facility
– Benches are water/chemical heat resistant.
– Sturdy furniture.
– Sinks for hand washing.
– Exits marked
– Access controls
 • Ventilation
– Hoods available and in good working order.
– All hoods marked with proper operating height and restrictions for use.
– Hoods not cluttered with chemical and equipment storage.
• Housekeeping
– Lab areas uncluttered.
– Aisles & exits unobstructed.
– Work surfaces free from contamination.
– Spills cleaned up.
– Electrical cords in good condition, equipment grounded.
– Heavy objects on lower shelves.
– Glassware free from defects.

18) Training
a. Determine if training is needed, e.g., JHA
b. Identify needs
c. Identify Goals & Objectives
d. Develop training activities
e. Identify resources
f. Conduct training
g. Evaluate effectiveness
h. Improve program
Possible topics for Employees:
• Determine if training is needed, e.g., JHA
• Identify needs
• Identify Goals & Objectives
• Develop training activities
• Identify resources
• Conduct training
• Evaluate effectiveness
• Improve program
19) Medical Monitoring
Sample Program for Medical Surveillance Program
a. Baseline screening
i. Medical history
ii. Past illnesses, exposures and diseases
iii. Comprehensive physical exam
iv. Assessment of limitations such the use of respirator and other PPE
b. Treatment
i. Emergency
ii. Non-emergency (e.g., first aid)
c. Periodic Medical exam
d. Termination exam
e. Confidential record keeping
Biological Monitoring
a. Identify employees with potential exposure to specific hazardous chemicals,
biological agents, working conditions.
i. Specific signs and symptoms of chemical exposure.
ii. Use of respirators [Cardiovascular, hearing (perforated tympanic
membrane), neurological (e.g., epilepsy), psychological disorders]
b. Working in noisy areas.
c. Working in Biosafety risk areas.
i. Bloodborne pathogens [Human blood and body fluids, hepatitis B
(HBV), HIV, AIDS]
ii. Infectious agents [Zoonosis, animal care, recombinant DNA]
d. Determine extent of personal and environmental exposure.
e. Take actions to eliminate/minimize exposure.
f. Confidential record keeping .
Medical Surveillance Biological Monitoring
• General program • Chemical specific signs and
• Establishes baseline symptoms
• Evaluates employees before • Known exposure levels
potential exposure • Documented exposure
• Documents past exposure and • Documented amounts of personal
existing conditions exposure
• Simpler, cheaper, less invasive • Documented environmental
medical testing exposure
• May be used in conjunction with • Most specific, most expensive,
biological monitoring more invasive
20) Investigations
Sample form for Incident Report
• Date of accident/incident_______
• Time reported_______
• Location________
• Type of incident: fire, explosion, spill, employee exposure, theft,
intruder, near-miss ________
• Date of investigation_________
• Investigation team members__________________
Nature of Incident
• Incident description, include people, task, chemicals, etc. involved
• Nature of injuries, exposures, illnesses, damages, losses
• Determination of potential causes
• PPE worn at the time
• Hazard control or access control measures in use
• Organizational policies, procedures, etc. that apply
• Was training proper and up-to-date?
• How could incident been prevented?
• Has similar incident occurred in past, when, where, circumstances?

Team recommendations to prevent reoccurrence of such incidents:

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
 Safety Facilities and Design (Engineering Controls)
Purpose of Lab design:
1. Protect the Workers
2. Enable the Work
3. Secure the Facility
4. Protect the Environment
5. Comply with Regulations

Objectives of a good lab design:

1. Provide a safe/secure workplace
2. Facilitate workplace activities
3. Efficient
4. Cost Efficiency

Good lab design is based on maximized chemical containment and minimized chemical
contamination which both needs chemical protection that is dependent on:
1. Chemistry knowledge - Workers must have knowledge and understanding
2. Containment - Safe/Secure Storage, Proper Work Practices, and Good Engineering
Controls
3. Construction – How well the facility was built based on the iterative communication of the
architect, engineer, administrator, builders, EHS professionals, lab users.

Factors to consider before Design can begin:

1. Type of Work/Research
2. Type of Hazards
3. Type of Wastes
4. Chemical
5. Biological
6. Radiation
7. High Voltage
 8. Types of Chemicals (based on physical state and properties)
9. Flammable
10. Corrosive (acid or base)
11. Reactive
12. Acutely Toxic (poisons)
13. Regulated
14. Chronically Toxic (e.g.,carcinogens, repro-toxins)
15. Chemicals of security concern
16. Controlled Drugs
17. Wastes

Architectural Features of a lab:

1. Layout of buildings and laboratories
a. Zones depending on the degree of hazards, or amounts of hazardous materials
b. Corridors to separate the movement of general population, lab personnel, chemical,
and lab materials. May include internal service corridor
c. Entrance and Exit Doors
d. Stockrooms
e. Compressed gasses – for frequently used hazardous gasses, install tanks outside the
building and then pipe into the labs. For low consumption gasses, strap well to a
wall or bench or use tank guards.
f. Chemical Wastes in large volumes should be stored away from the people.
Collection should be easily accessible and divided to compatible groups.
2. Space requirements – Analysis lab vs teaching lab lay out.
3. Spatial arrangement of equipment and benches
4. Emergency egress
5. Storage requirements
6. Waste requirements
7. Access controls
8. Security features
9. HVAC
Laboratory Chemical Hood and Ventilation Considerations
1. Determine minimum exhaust requirements
Single hood-single fan vs 3 hoods-1 fan
2. Communicate hood limitations to users.
3. Label restrictions e.g., no perchloric acid.
4. Alarm systems
5. Consider future needs.
6. Ventilation design
a. Should not blocked or deflected downward
b. Avoid re-entrainment
c. Avoid exhaust recirculation
7. Discharge
a. Height of the chimney
b. Discharge velocity
c. Configuration

Uses of Ventilation
1. Keep gas / vapor concentration below Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL)
2. Air movement to reduce heat stress
3. Keep toxic contaminants below OEL
4. Confined space entry
5. Limit CO2 buildup
6. Control clean room or hospital environments

Parts of Local Exhaust Ventilation:

1. Hood
2. Duct Work
3. Optional Air Cleaning Devices
4. Fan
5. Discharge
 Types of Hood:
1. Canopy
2. Slot
3. Booth
4. Enclosures (Glove box, chemical weighing station, powder transfer station, ductless hood)
5. Floor Hood
6. Walk-in Fume Hood
7. Biological safety cabinets

Engineering Controls for Hoods

1. Snorkels
2. Vented enclosures
3. Special containment devices such as glove box and isolation chambers
4. Flanges

Problems arising from the hood design

1. Insufficient air volume
2. Too much air flow
3. Wrong location
4. Wrong configuration
5. Bad hood design
6. Duct velocity too low
7. Insufficient make up air
8. Clogged system
9. Noise

Duct Design
1. Should have adequate capture velocity of 0.4-0.6 m/s
2. Maintain duct transport velocity/pumping rate of 1.2 m 3/s

Hood Location across the room:

1. As near to contamination source as possible
2. So contamination moves away from operator
3. Minimize cross-drafts
4. Don’t place near windows and doors
5. Don’t place near air conditioning/heater diffuser
6. Doesn’t interfere with other workers
7. Locate out of traffic flow
8. Place near rear of laboratory
Principles of Hood Design and Operation
1. Enclose as much of the operation as possible
2. Place utility controls (gas, electric) outside or as near hood front as possible
3. Hood lights should be vapor tight
4. Mount hood motor outside building and away from building air intakes
5. Don’t use hoods for uses not intended (e.g., perchloric acid digestion, radioisotopes)
6. Ensure duct material compatible with exhausts
7. Don’t use without indication it is working properly
8. Don’t put your head in the hood.
9. Use proper PPE (gloves, eyewear, etc)
10. Place large equipment above surface on 5 cm blocks to allow uniform air flow
11. Lower sash height to 30 - 50 cm during operation
12. Keep sash fully closed when not in use
13. Use liner or tray inside hood to contain spills
14. Work in the center of hood and 15 cm in from hood sash.
15. Don’t store chemicals or equipment in hood.
16. Don’t block baffles (slots).
 17. Maintain hood regularly (check fan belt, lubricate motor).
18. Regularly evaluate hood (flow rate, mark operating sash height).
19. Reports problems, concerns, malfunctions immediately.

Hood Evaluation
1. Face Velocity, a necessary but not sufficient condition.
2. Smoke Tubes
3. Smoke Candles
4. Incense
5. ASHRAE 110-1995 Test (SF6)
6. Protection Factors (300-10,000):
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑥ℎ𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝑃𝐹 =
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑏𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑒

Lab Lay-out
1. Locate hoods and utilities in same relative position for all labs
2. Locate sinks centrally
3. Space between benches should allow 2 people to pass (1.5 m for research lab, 2m for
teaching lab, 3.0 m2 floor space/student)
4. Safety eyewashes and showers should be at 10 seconds away from walking

Vacating a lab for reoccupation

1. Chemicals have been safely moved to another lab, returned to the stockroom, or properly
disposed of.
2. Any contamination has been removed from the:
a. Room (floor, ceiling, walls)
b. Furniture
c. Equipment and fixtures
d. Plumbing system
e. HVAC ductwork

Eye and Face Protection

1. Safety glasses
2. Goggles
3. Face shield
Hazard assessment

Eyewashes and Showers

• Consider drainage, freezing or heating, contamination of the water.
• Know their locations and should be easily accessible ~1 m from the floor and 15 cm from
the wall.
• Perform regular maintenance and testing program
• Eyewash should eject water at 1.4-13.2 L/min for 15 mins for both eyes.
• Portable eyewashes should be cleaned and refilled every 6mos-2yrs
• Shower should be accessible at 17 m away or 10 seconds away
• Pull lever should be reachable and highly visible
• Should flush 76-114 L/min of tepid water
• Consider drains, and blankets/modesty curtains
• Avoid electrical outlet

Hand Protection
1. Considerations:
a. Chemicals (splashes vs immersion)
i. Permeation (“silent killer”) - Substances pass through intact material on a
molecular level.
ii. Penetration - Substances pass through seams, zippers, stitches, pinholes, or
damaged material.
iii. Degradation - Substance damages material making it less resist or resulting
in physical breakdown.
iv. Contamination - Substances transferred inside material (improper doffing
or decontamination)
b. Thermal (extreme heat/cold)
 c. Abrasion; cuts; snags; splinters; punctures
d. Grip: oily, wet, dry
e. Comfort, fit, size
f. Ergonomics
g. Latex allergy
h. Proper steps of removing the gloves
2. Types of Gloves
a. Polyethylene/Ethylene-vinyl Alcohol {“Silver Shield®”} - Resists permeation and
breakthrough with chemicals. Use with aromatics, esters, ketones, and chlorines.
b. Butyl - Highest permeation resistance to gas or water vapors.
Uses: ketones (MEK, acetone) and esters (amyl acetate, ethyl acetate).
c. Viton - Highly resistant to permeation by chlorinated and aromatic solvents
Can be used with water/water-based solvents
d. Nitrile (acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber) - Good replacement for latex. Protects
against acids, bases, oils, aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents and esters, grease, fats
Resists cuts, snags, punctures and abrasions.
e. Neoprene - Protects against acids, caustics, DMSO. Resists amines, alcohols,
glycols. Limited use for aldehydes and ketones.
f. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) - Protects against acids, caustics. Resists alcohols,
glycols. Not useful for aromatics, aldehydes and ketones.

Respiratory Protection Program

1. Types of respirators
a. Air purifying – must have at least 19.5% oxygen. Never used in oxygen-defficient
atmosphere.
filters the air using particulate filters to remove the aerosol, cartridges and canister
to remove the gases and vapours
i. Half-face (HEPA)
ii. Full face
iii. Powered air purifying respirator – uses a blower to force air to enter a
purifying element
iv. Dust masks and hospital masks
b. Air supply
i. Air line (Type 1 Grade D air)
ii. SCBA
2. Maintenance and Storage
a. Write expiration date (current date +estimate) making sure to keep entire label
legible
b. Discard cartridges based on expiration date, end-of-service life indicator or
calculated service life
c. Clean
d. Dry
e. Place in sealable bag (write your name on bag)
f. Contact Safety Office for repairs
g. Consider single use, personal use, or shared usage
Body Suits
Used for hazardous chemicals, potentially infectious materials, intense heat, splashes of
hot fluids.
1. Types of suits:
a. Type A
i. Greatest level of skin, respiratory, and eye protection.
ii. Positive-pressure, full face-piece Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
(SCBA) or positive pressure supplied air respirator with escape SCBA.
iii. Totally encapsulated (air-tight) chemical and vapor protective suit.
iv. Inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves, and boots.
b. Type B
i. Atmospheric vapors or gas levels not sufficient to warrant level A
protection.
ii. Highest level of respiratory protection, with lesser level of skin protection.
c. Type C
i. Concentration or contaminant known
ii. Full-face air purifying respirator permitted with a lesser skin protection
iii. Inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves, hard hat, escape mask,
disposable chemical-resistant outer boots
d. Type D
i. Minimum protection.
ii. No respiratory or skin protection.
iii. Used only if no known or suspected airborne contaminants present.
iv. May include gloves, coveralls, safety glasses, face shield, and chemical-
resistant, steel-toe boots or shoes.

Foot protection
1. Types
a. Impact,penetration, compression, steel toe, etc.
b. Non-skid, with slip resistant soles.
c. Chemical resistant (rubber, vinyl, plastic, with synthetic stitching to resist chemical
penetration).
d. Anti-static
e. Temperature resistant (high or low extremes).
f. Electrical protection (non-conducting).
g. Water resistant
h. Combination shoes
i. Slippers are never worn in the lab

Head Protection
1. Types
a. Bump caps - don’t meet ANSI standard, provide minorprotection
b. Electrical protection 2200-22,000 V, depends on class)
 c. Mining protection
d. Classic-- high impact general purpose protection. Impact 850-1000 pounds (386 -
454Kg) Penetration 3/8” (~1cm)

Labeling of Chemicals
Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH)
• 2007 EU regulation; replaces 40 existing acts to create a single system for all chemicals
• requires authorization to use, manufacture and import
• to track and manage chemical risks and provide safety information
• proposes to integrate REACH with GHS
• creates European Chemical Agency (ECHA, Helsinki, Finland)

Steps of REACH
1. Registration - Importers and manufacturers of substances in quantities over 1 ton/yr must
register their substance with ECHA
2. Evaluation - Authorities will review registration and request further information or testing
to determine the impact of the substance on human health and the environment
3. Authorization - Decisions on what substances require an authorization or restriction are
carried out for substances that pose the most concern, such as carcinogens and mutagens
4. Restriction – limit uses or ban substances

Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for classification and labelling of chemicals

• International UN standardization for classification, safety data sheet format, and labeling
of chemicals using pictograms, signal words, and hazard warnings
• MSDS now named: “SDS” (Safety Data Sheet)
• Labels will be standardized with:
Pictograms
Signal words
Hazard statements
Precautionary statements and pictograms
Product identifier
Supplier information
Materials Safety Data Sheet
GHS name: Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
• Format:
– 16 sections required in specified order (as per ANSI MSDS format in US
Regulations presentation)
• Reclassification:
– (MSDS) Health & Physical Hazards
– (SDS) Environmental Hazards
• Building Block Approach
– each country can select portions of GHS to adopt
– Not every country will require all categories or all hazards

Common Laboratory Hazards

Fire
1. Fire classification
a. A Ordinary combustibles: Extinguish by cooling or smothering. (water)
b. B Flammable/combustible liquids: Extinguish by inhibiting release or combustible
vapors (CO2 or dry powder: monoammonium phosphate)
c. C Energized Electrical equipment” Extinguishing agent must not be conductive.
(CO2 or dry powder)
d. D Combustible metals – Na, Mg Extinguishing agents must absorb heat and not
react with the metal. (special dry powder, sand)
 e. K Restaurant grease fires (Special liquid chemicals)
2. Fire Extinguisher
a. P – pull the pin
b. A – aim at the base of the fire
c. S – squeeze the handle
d. S – sweeping motion
3. Practices to prevent Fire or escape a fire
a. Well-constructed egress route and egress manner
b. Emergency lighting system
c. Proper storage of flammables. Limit the storage if possible
d. Ventilation to avoid build up of combustible fumes
e. Grounding to avoid sparks from static electricity
f. Central location of emergency paraphernalia and clearing of its way
g. Proper electrical connections

Other Hazards in the lab

1. Asbestos in gloves, hoods, benches, and piping
2. Centrifuges. Don’t overload, set it up right, keep it clean, check for cracks, always balance
the load, wait for a full stop before retrieving the contents.
3. Cryogenics – do not store in tight containers, use Dewar flask. Do not store dry ice in
freezer. Use in well-ventilated area.
4. Housekeeping – no food in the lab. Do not apply cosmetics or take meds. Separate the
utensils from the lab apparatus. Do not use the hood for storage Don’t block the ways. Put
on your PPE. Remove the PPE before leaving the lab.
5. Ergonomic – avoid awkward positions. Beware of repetitive motion disorders.
6. Office
7. Physical stress/strain
8. Construction
9. Noise – sonicators, pumps,
10. Freezers – use PPE, temp may reach -20 to -80oC
11. Radiation – may be in the form of ionizing radiation that can produce ions upon interaction
with matter. Comes from SEM, TEM, X ray diffractors, UV lamp, microwave, infrared.
RF. Protect by time exposure, distance from the source, shields and filters.
 12. Mechanical – drive belts, wrenches, oil drippings, robotics, and mechanizations.
13. Electrical – no Octopus wiring. Consult the electrician for current ratings of the equipment.
Label 110V and 220V plugs. Avoid rattling wires, secure them in a corner.
14. Spills/trips – alert the colleagues and use appropriate spill kit.
15. Glassware Handling - may be hazardous specially at high temp, if broken, used improperly,
16. Autoclave – may reach 400oC temp. high pressure, always operate with water.
17. High pressure reactions – reactions at more than 1atm. May explode. Check leaks by soapy
water test or gas detector
18. Vacuum reactions – may implode and such things in the vicinity. Check leaks by ethanol
test.
19. Magnetic fields - from NMR, MRI. Also uses cryogenics, and high voltage. Avoid using
magnetic materials near the equipment
20. Sharps – dispose of in proper labeled container

Emergency Response
1. Anticipation (weather disturbances, fire, earthquake, security breaches, distraught
employees, medical emergency, student unrest, political unrest, explosion, implosion,
evacuation, terrorism)
a. Step-by-step procedures
b. Assess resources available
c. Coordinate with all responding agencies
d. Chain of command
e. Roles & assignments
f. - Clearly spelled out and understood
g. Accident prevention strategies
h. First aid – inspect, date, replacements
i. Site maps – update
j. Train & practice
k. Evaluate & improve
2. Recognition
3. Evaluation
4. Control

Emergency Action plan

1. Have a written plan and distribute it to all employees, especially new employees:
a. Emergency escape/evacuation procedures & routes
b. Critical process emergency shutdown procedures
c. Procedures to account for evacuated employees
d. Rescue or medical duties if employees required to perform them
e. Procedure for reporting emergencies
f. Contact information for Q&A
2. Alarm systems
3. Training
Emergency Response Plan
1. Comprehensive employee training
- General employee training
- Specialized & emergency responders
- Annual refresher training or drills
2. Spill & emergency response plans
3. Contingency plans
4. Medical response/first aid
5. Personal Protective Equipment
6. Safety Data Sheet’s
7. Site maps
8. Clean up procedures
9. Decontamination techniques
10. Have an evacuation plan and let it be known to all
11. Do not block passage ways
12. Clear all exits
13. Have routine unannounced emergency drill
14. Test and maintain alarms
15. Have the CSSO sweep the floor for total evacuation
16. Back up power
17. Emergency directory on hand

Spill clean up.

1. Preparation
a. Internal communication/alarm system
i. Telephones (Label all phones with emergency numbers)
ii. Alarm pull boxes
b. External communication/alarm system
c. Fire extinguishers
d. Emergency eyewash and showers
e. Spill stations – maintain complete spill kits
i. Absorbent material (Absorbent pillows or powders, Activated carbon for
organic solvents)
ii. Neutralizing agents
Acid Neutralizers –e.g., sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) powder
Base Neutralizers-e.g., citric acid powder
Solvent Spills-activated carbon
iii. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
pairs of chemical splash proof goggles
Several pair of disposable gloves
Disposable, charcoal (volatile, aerosol) respirators
Disposable aprons or jump suits
Disposable shoe covers (for floor spills)
f. Additional materials
 i. - Plastic pail/bucket(s) with lids (large enough to contain spill and cleanup
material)
ii. - Plastic dust pan
iii. - Broom or brush
iv. - Plastic bags
v. - Sealing tape
vi. - pH paper
vii. - Sign(s): Danger Chemical Spill, Keep Out
2. Anticipate
a. What is the worst thing that could happen if a chemical was dropped/spilled, etc.?
b. Know the worst case scenario for a spill.
c. How you would respond to a spill, emergency situation?
d. What are the appropriate clean-up and decontamination procedures?
3. Evaluation
a. What are the chemical, physical and toxicological properties of the chemicals you
are using?
b. What is the amount of chemical?
c. What are your knowledge and skills?
d. What are possible locations/conditions of a spill, accident?
e. Ask for assistance if you are unsure
f. Route of exposure
4. Control
a. Eliminate clutter
b. Purchase only amount of chemical required
c. Understand work practices and procedures
d. Use unbreakable secondary containers
e. Store chemicals properly
f. Dispose of waste and excess chemicals properly and timely

Clean Up responsibilities
Laboratory Staff:
• Ensuring timely spill reporting and cleaned up
• Cleaning up nuisance spills in their area, even if someone else spills them (janitors, service
people)
• Knowing the properties of what they work with
• Taking reasonable steps to prevent spills
Specially trained Safety Cleanup Team:
• Assist researchers not comfortable cleaning up spills (including nuisance spills)
• Clean-up serious/major spills
Nuisance Spill Procedure for clean up
1. Alert people in immediate area
2. Post area
3. Confine spill
4. Absorb excess, surround area with absorbent material
5. Wear appropriate PPE
6. Avoid breathing aerosols
7. Use forceps, etc., to pickup broken glassware, etc.
8. Work from outer edge toward center to cleanup
9. Do not dry sweep
10. Clean spill area with soap & water, specific solvent or neutralizing material (if known)
11. Collect contaminated absorbent, gloves, residues in plastic bag(s)
12. Label, with chemical name if possible, and dispose of waste properly

Mercury Spill
1. Avoid spills by using tray under the equipment where mercury is used
2. Commercial spill powders can be used as temporary controls or mix 85g Na2S2O3 with
15g EDTA powder.
3. Cover spill from perimeter toward the center.
4. Remove debris:
Dispose of as hazardous waste and cleanup material (gloves, towels, etc).
All waste should be placed in labeled, sealed, leak-proof,
containers.
Never dispose of mercury waste in sewer system.
5. Special vacuum cleaners designed to pick up mercury safely are available for cleanup.
6. NEVER sweep up spill or use a regular vacuum.
Chemical Management
Basic Concepts:
1. Separate incompatible chemicals
2. Separate flammables/explosives from ignition sources
3. Use flammable storage cabinets for large quantities of flammable solvents
4. Separate alkali metals from water
5. Separate acids and bases
Practices for Storage of Chemicals
1. Limit access
2. Store in cool and ventilated area
3. Secure storage shelves to the wall
4. Shelves should have a ¾” front lip plus a rod several inches above shelf
5. Don’t use chemical containers for food
6. Don’t use food containers for chemicals
7. Be sure all containers are properly closed
8. Wipe-off outside of container before returning to storage area

Suggested shelf storage groups (Organics)

1. Acids, anhydrides
2. Alcohols, amides, amines
3. Aldehydes, esters, hydrocarbons
4. Ethers, ketones, halogenated hydrocarbons
5. Epoxies, isocyanates
6. Azides, peroxides
7. Nitriles, sulfides, sulfoxides
8. Cresols, phenols

Suggested shelf storage groups (Inorganics)

1. Metals, hydrides
2. Halides, halogens, phosphates, sulfates, sulfides
3. Amides, azides, nitrates, nitrites
4. Carbonates, hydroxides, oxides, silicates
5. Chlorates, chlorites, perchlorates, peroxides
6. Arsenates, cyanides, cyanates
7. Borates, chromates, manganates
8. Acids
9. Arsenics, phosphorus, sulfur
 Chemical Waste Management and Disposal
Non-hazardous waste
1. Used oil (uncontaminated) is not considered hazardous waste. Label Containers "USED
OIL", not "hazardous waste."
2. Uncontaminated PPE (gloves, wipes)
3. Triply rinsed glassware (bottles, droppers, pipettes)
4. Salts (KCl, NaCl, Na2CO3)
5. Sugars - Amino acids
6. Inert materials (uncontaminated resins and gels)

Storage of Waste Guidelines

1. Container should not react with the waste being stored (e.g. no hydrofluoric acid in glass).
2. Similar wastes may be mixed if they are compatible
3. Whenever possible, wastes from incompatible hazard classes should not be mixed (e.g.
organic solvents with oxidizers).
4. Containers must be kept closed except during actual transfers. Do not leave a funnel in a
hazardous waste container.
5. Chemical containers that have been triple-rinsed and air-dried in a ventilated area can be
placed in the trash or recycled.
6. Certain metals cause disposal problems when mixed with flammable liquids or other
organic liquids
7. Pressure can build up in a waste vessel
8. Corrosion can occur in storage vessel
9. Secondary containment is necessary
10. Glass waste containers can break
11. Laboratory wastes are packaged in small containers packed with absorbent materials

Waste management
1. Recycle, reuse, redistill, if possible
2. Dispose by incineration, if possible
3. Incineration is NOT the same as open burning
Methods of Minimizing waste
1. Flush to drain if mostly non-hazardous (titration products)
2. Reduce volume by solvent distillation, adsorption, or precipitation
3. On-site treatment or chemical conversion

What should not be recycled?

• Gas cylinders past their pressure testing date
• Used disposable pipettes and syringes
• Chemicals and assay kits past their expiration
• Obviously degraded chemicals
• Used tubing, gloves and wipes
What should be recycled or redistributed?
• Excess unopened chemicals
• Excess laboratory glassware (unused or clean)
• Consumables with no expiration
• Solvent that can be purified. Lower purity solvent are suitable for secondary use.
• Precious or toxic metals like Hg, Ag, Pt, Pd, Au, Os, Ir, Rh, Ru by reduction, electroplating,
or ion-exchange then ashing.

Relevant Laws and Regulations on Chemical Waste Management

(see DENR Administrative Order No. 36 series 2004. Key word: Revised DAO 04-36. Read all
13 chapters/article.)