Spring 2023, Level 2

Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chemical Hygiene Plan

• Must Include:
• Designation of a Chemical Hygiene Officer
• Exposure control measures
• Measures to ensure properly functioning fume hoods & equipment
• Staff training on hazard awareness & measures available to protect
themselves
• Provisions for medical consultation & examination
• Respiratory protection program
• Recordkeeping procedure
• Hazard identification system

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 Spring 2023, Level 2

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

• An MSDS Must Be on File & Available in the Lab.
• An MSDS lists:
• Product Identity
• Hazardous Ingredients
• Physical Data
• Fire & Explosion Hazard Data
• Reactivity Data
• Health Hazard Data
• Precautions for Safe Handling & Use
• Control Measures

HAZARD RECOGNITION AND CLASSIFICATION

• Physical Safety Hazards
• Chemical Health Hazards
• Chemical Classes and Their Effects

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PHYSICAL SAFETY HAZARDS

• Compressed gas – High pressure gas or mixture of gases in a container
• Combustible liquid – Pure liquid with a Flash point above 38º C but below
93º C
• Explosive – A chemical that causes a sudden release of pressure,
gas and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure
or high temperature
• Flammable liquid – Flash point below 38º C
• Flammable solid – Liable to cause fire through friction, absorption of
moisture, or spontaneous change
• Flammable Aerosol- Flame projection exceeding 45 cm at full valve opening or
flashback at any degree of valve opening
• Flammable Gas- At ambient temperature and pressure forms a
flammable mixture with air at a concentration of 13% by
volume or less; or with air greater than 12% by volume
regardless of the lower explosive limit

PHYSICAL SAFETY HAZARDS (CONT.)

• Oxidizer- A chemical that initiates or promotes combustion in
other materials
• Reactive – A chemical that will vigorously polymerize,
decompose, condense, or will become self-reactive
under conditions of shock, pressure or temperature
• Water-reactive – A chemical that reacts with water to release a
gas that is either flammable or presents a health hazard
• Organic Peroxide- Extremely flammable and sensitive to heat,
friction, impact and light as well as to strong oxidizing and
reducing agents

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CHEMICAL HEALTH HAZARDS

• Carcinogen – A chemical that is capable of causing cancer
• Corrosive – A chemical that causes visible destruction of living
tissue by direct chemical action at the site of contact
• Toxic – A substance with the potential of having the effect of a
poison or something harmful to the body
• Irritant – A chemical that causes a reversible inflammatory
effect on living tissue, skin or eyes by chemical action
at the site of contact
• Sensitizer – A chemical that causes an allergic reaction in normal
tissue after repeated exposure to the chemical

CHEMICAL CLASSES AND THEIR EFFECTS

• Acids – Corrosive to skin and mucous membranes
• Alcohols – Induces blindness and central nervous system (CNS)
depressants
• Aldehydes and ketones – Irritates and has narcotic effects via inhalation,
absorption and ingestion
• Aliphatic – Central nervous system (CNS) depressants and
asphyxiants. Some are neurotoxins
• Alkalies – Severe tissue burns and bronchial spasms
• Asphyxiants – Reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of the blood
or displaces atmospheric oxygen
• Compounds of sulfur, – Corrosive to the skin and destructive to respiratory
phosphorus, nitrogen tissues
• Halogens – Corrosive and highly irritating to tissues
• Metal fumes/vapors - Systemic poisoning

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ROUTES OF ENTRY
There are three main routes by which chemical substances
can enter the body:
• Inhalation by breathing dusts, fumes, mists or vapors
• Ingestion by eating or drinking with contaminated hands or in a
contaminated laboratory
• Absorption through the skin or eye by contact with liquid, dusts,
fumes, mists or vapors.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

General safe work practices
• Familiarize with the potential hazards of various chemical substances
• Avoid unnecessary exposure to chemicals by any route
• Identify unsafe conditions and action
• Thoroughly wash areas of exposed skin before leaving the laboratory
• Do not eat, drink, smoke , chew gum, or apply of cosmetics in the laboratory
• Do not keep food and drink in the laboratory
• Do not use laboratory glassware or utensils for food or beverages

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (CONT.)

General safe work practices
• Do not allow practical jokes
• Confine long hair and loose clothing
• Avoid wearing open-toed shoes
• Wear protective clothing and goggles
• Do not work alone in the laboratory
• Never leave an experiment unattended
• Do not use mouth suction for piping or starting a siphon
• Never taste, smell or touch chemicals unless such action is
approved by the instructor and conducted in the proper manner

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (CONT.)

Housekeeping
• Work areas must be kept clean and free from obstructions
• Cleanup at the completion of any experiment
• Deposit waste in appropriate receptacles
• Cleanup minor spills. Immediately notify the instructor prior to initiating a
cleanup procedure.
• Do not block access to exits, emergency equipment and controls
Equipment Use
• Safety equipment and supplies are available and functional according to
manufacturer’s guidelines
• Use equipment only for its designated purpose
• When inserting glass tubing observe and follow necessary precautions
• Table tops must be protected from extreme heat by using non-asbestos
insulation under burners or heated objects

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (CONT.)

Safe Handling and Storage of Chemicals
• All chemicals must be properly, clearly labeled and inventoried
• Store all chemical by compatibility. Keep incompatible chemicals
separated
• Only chemicals that are used should be kept in storage
• SDS sheets must be available for all chemicals
• Review the hazards and personal protective equipment
required before using any chemical. Study the precautionary
label, SDS and review its contents frequently before using any
chemical product.
• Ensure neutralizing chemicals, spill kit, absorbent and other spill
control materials are readily available.

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (CONT.)

• Secure compressed gas cylinders upright to the wall, with valve
protection caps in place.
• Flammables must be stored in flammable storage cabinet
• Avoid storing chemicals on the floor , on top of lab benches, out in
open, or in shelves above eye level
• Storage in hoods is not recommended
• Chemicals must be stored in approved, properly labeled cabinets that
can be locked when not being accessed for laboratory use and where
chemicals are stored by compatibility.
• An ABC extinguisher in good working order must be available in
chemical storage/working areas

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (CONT.)

Warning Signs and Labels
• Signs to identify the location of safety showers, eyewash stations,
exits, fire blankets, and fire extinguishers. Extinguishers must be
labeled to show the type of fire for which they are intended.
• Labels on chemical containers must contain information on the
hazards associated with the use of the chemical, identity of the
chemical, and name and address of the chemical manufacturer,
importer or supplier.
• Unlabeled bottles of chemicals must not be opened or moved and
disposed of promptly and will require special handling procedures

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HAZARD CONTROLS
• Minimize all chemical exposures, general precautions for handling all
laboratory chemicals
• General laboratory ventilation
• Safe work practices
• Engineering controls
• Fume hoods
• Personal protective equipment -Use appropriate PPE such as aprons,
laboratory coats, laboratory aprons, gloves, goggles, face shields
• Administrative controls
• Laboratory Storage-Use only those chemicals in quantities whose chemical
concentrations can be controlled by the existing ventilation system
• Order should not exceed what is expected to be used in one year
• Fire protection and prevention
• Accident and Spill Responses

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LABELING AND DISPOSAL

Containers shall be labeled with the following information:
• Used-chemical category
• Name of chemical(s) in the container
• Approximate percentage of each chemical (if mixed)
• Date prepared
• Name of teacher or room number

Chemical Waste Disposal

• All hazardous waste containers must be properly labeled with name
and address of school, composition and physical state of the waste,
and accumulation date.
• It is unlawful to store hazardous wastes at school sites for longer than
90 to arrange for the pickup of hazardous materials and/or wastes.

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LABELING AND DISPOSAL (CONT.)

Chemical Waste Disposal
If used chemicals become reclassified as hazardous waste, their containers will
be relabeled as such and segregated into the following classes for disposal
(EPA categories):
• Ignitable: Materials capable of causing fire.
• Corrosive: Aqueous solutions with a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or
equal to 12.5.
• Reactive: Substances that are unstable, explosive, water reactive, or generate
toxic gases.
• Toxic: Substances that are harmful to human health such as arsenic, barium,
cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, silver.
• Other waste not falling into one of the above classes should be identified by
chemical names.

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SPILLS
• Clean-up minor spills of diluted chemicals, nonvolatile or toxic using
procedures listed on the MSDS
• Wear appropriate protective apparel such as gloves and aprons
• Evacuate the area if a volatile, flammable, toxic and/or concentrated
material is spilled.

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RECORDKEEPING
Chemical Inventory Records
• Inventory information includes the following: chemical name,
quantity, hazard information, and storage location. Computer
software may be used for keeping the inventory, if desired.
• Inventory and chemical order records are to be maintained by the
Chemical Safety Coordinator
Chemical Hygiene and Safety Training Records
• Annual Chemical Hygiene and Safety Training for Science staff and
Hazard Communication Training for all staff conducted by the
Chemical Safety Coordinator (CSC)
• Document all trainings and maintain all records on site for at least 5
years

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RECORDKEEPING (CONT.)
Medical Examination and Exposure Records
• Do not regularly handle large quantities of acutely or chronically toxic
materials. Therefore, regular medical surveillance is not required.
• In the event of an employee exposure to a hazardous chemical
exceeding the established Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) or Threshold
Limit Values (TLV), or exhibits signs or symptoms of such exposure, the
employee shall have the opportunity to receive a medical consultation
to determine the need for medical examination.
• Medical exams and consultations performed at a reasonable time and
location without the cost to the employee.
• The physician will be provided with: identity of the chemical(s) to which
the employee may have been exposed, exposure conditions; and
employee's signs and symptoms of possible exposure.

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