The American University in Cairo

Environmental Health & Safety Department

Chemical Safety on the Job

 Introduction
The Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) issued a
standard entitled “Hazard
Communication” 29 CFR 1910.1200
The Hazard Communication Standards
gives workers the lawful right to learn
about hazardous materials in the
workplace so that they can protect
themselves against potential hazards.
We use many chemicals…
We want you to know how to use them safely
You will learn about…
 The Hazards of Chemicals
 Our Written Program
 How Chemicals are Labeled
 Safe Use of Chemicals
 Material Safety Data Sheets
 Basic Procedures for Spills
 Who you can ask for more information
Hazards of Chemicals…
There are 2 basic types of chemical hazards
– Physical Hazards
– Health Hazards
The first rule of Chemical safety is…
"Know what you are working with and
how to protect yourself and others“
Physical Hazards…
Chemicals are classified as having Physical
Hazards if they are
 Explosive
 Compressed Gas
 Combustible Liquids
 Flammable
 Unstable
 Water Reactive
 Oxidizers
Chemicals with Physical Hazards…
Used only by trained employees

Stored in a safe manner

Never mixed with other chemicals unless by

an approved procedure
Health Hazards
Chemicals are classified as being a health
hazard if they:
Can cause cancer
Are poisonous (toxic)
Cause harm to your skin, internal organs, or
nervous system
Are corrosive - such as acids
Cause allergic reactions after repeated
exposure
Chemicals can enter the body through:

your lungs if you breath

fumes, mists or dust
your skin if liquid or dust
touches or spills on you or
splashes in your eyes
your mouth if you eat after
handling chemicals
accidental swallowing of a
chemical
Health Effects…
Some chemicals affect
specific organs such
as your kidneys, liver,
reproductive or
nervous system.
A Material is Considered
Hazardous if it is:
Specifically listed in the law, 29 CFR part
1910, subpart Z.
Assigned a TLV value by the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH).
Has a physical or health hazards.
Our Written Hazard Communication
Program provides…
Written information on hazards
Lists Chemicals we use and their
hazards
System for ensuring chemicals are
labeled
Means to ensure we have a Material
Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each
chemical
Our Written Hazard
Communication Program…
Lists who is responsible for the program
Provides chemical specific safety training
methods
Tells you where to find chemical safety
information
You can see a copy of our written
program by asking your supervisor
Labeling of Chemicals…
Chemical Labels provide
information on Identity,
Hazards and Safe Use

All chemical containers

are labeled by the
manufacturer

We may place additional

labels on the containers
Labeling of Chemicals…
If chemicals are placed in another
container, this new container must
have a label placed on it.

All containers must be properly

labeled
3 Basic “Uniform Labels”
HMIS - Hazardous Material Identification
System

NFPA - National Fire protection Association

RTK - Right to Know

All types must identify the
chemical name and hazards
Uniform Labels…
Pictures may be used to
identify hazards and
required protection

This Information may also

be on the Manufacturer’s
label
HMIS & NFPA labels are very similar
Both use colored boxes to identify specific
hazards
Numbers or codes in the boxes tell you the
hazard value

higher number = higher hazard

NFPA & HMIS Label Colors
Red – Fire Hazard
Blue - Health Hazard
Yellow - Reactivity Hazard - explosive,
unstable
White - Special Hazards - corrosive,
radioactive, water reactive, acid
NFPA Label..
The purpose of the NFPA 704
labeling system is to provide a
way of quickly identifying the
various fire related hazardous
associated with a particular
material. The NFPA 704
"diamond" is commonly
found on bulk storage
containers, but is also widely
used on chemical containers
and MSDS sheets.
NFPA Flammability Codes
4 Materials that will rapidly or
completely vaporize at atmospheric
pressure and normal ambient
temperature, or that are readily
dispersed in air and that will burn
readily. Liquids with a flashpoint
below 73ºF and a boiling point below
100ºF.
NFPA Flammability Codes
3 Liquids and solid that can be ignited under
almost all ambient temperature conditions.
Liquids with a flashpoint below 73ºF and a
boiling point above 100ºF or liquids with a
flashpoint above 73ºF but not exceeding
100ºF and a boiling point below 100ºF.
NFPA Flammability Codes
2 Materials that must be moderately heated or
exposed to relatively high ambient
temperatures before ignition can occur.
Liquids with flashpoint above 100ºF but not
exceeding 200ºF.
NFPA Flammability Codes
1 Materials that must be preheated before
ignition can occur. Liquids that have a
flashpoint above 200ºF.

0 Materials that will not burn.

NFPA Health Hazard Codes
4 Materials that on very short
exposure could cause death or
major residual injury.

3 Materials that on short exposure

could cause serious temporary or
residual injury.
NFPA Health Hazard Codes

2 Materials that on intense or

continued, but not chronic
exposure could cause
incapacitation or possible
residual injury.
NFPA Health Hazard Codes
1 Materials that on exposure
would cause irritation but only
minor residual injury.

0 Materials that on exposure

under fire conditions would
offer no hazard beyond that of
ordinary combustible material.
NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes
4 Materials that in themselves are readily
capable of detonation or of explosive
decomposition or reaction at normal
temperatures and pressures.
NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes
3 Materials that in themselves are
capable of detonation or explosive
decomposition or reaction but
require a strong initiating source or
which must be heated under
confinement before initiation or
which react explosively with
water.
NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes
2 Materials that readily undergo violent
chemical change at elevated temperatures
and pressures or which react violently with
water or which may form explosive
mixtures with water.
NFPA Reactivity Codes
1 Materials that in themselves are normally
stable, but which can become unstable at
elevated temperatures and pressures.
NFPA Reactivity Codes
0 Materials that in themselves are normally
stable, even under fire exposure conditions,
and which are not reactive with water.
NFPA Special Hazard Codes
ACID = Acid Products
ALK = Alkali or Bases
COR = Corrosive Products
OX = Oxidizer
W =Reacts with water
Radioactive
NFPA LABELS
NFPA LABELS
NFPA LABELS
HMIS SYSTEM
HMIS LABELS
HMIS LABELS
RIGHT TO KNOW SYSTEM
RTK labels offer an
easy – to – understand,
complete labeling
system.
Personal Protection
pictorials can be added
to RTK system for
additional worker
awareness.
RTK LABELS
Supplier’s Label
TOLUENE
PRODUCTSULFONIC
IDENTIFIER
ACID
RISK PHRASES:
Highly irritating to skin, eyes, and nose
HEALTH HAZARD DATA:
Supplier
ABC Chemicals
123 Chemical Drive
Strong Acid: Treat as sulphuric acid Chemical City
EFFECTS OF OVEREXPOSURE: ACUTE
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
identifier
1-800-CHE-MICAL
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
EYE: Face shield and goggles
GLOVES: Rubber
OTHER CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT:
Rubber apron, rubber boots

FIRST AID:
EYES: Flush with water for 15 minutes. Consult
with physician
Refer to Material Safety
SKIN: Flush with water as per sulphuric acid Data Sheet
INGESTION: Treat as per sulphuric acid. Consult
with physician FRANCAIS AU VERSO
Warning Labels
What do I do…
if there is no label or I cannot read the
label?
STOP - do not use the chemical
TELL your supervisor
READ the MSDS and have another label
put on the container
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Show chemical safety information
Each chemical has a separate MSDS
MSDS is written by the chemical
manufacturer
MSDS are kept in the workplace for your
use
If you can't find an MSDS, ask your
supervisor
Material Safety Data Sheets
Supplier must provide
Accessible to ALL
workers in the
workplace
Must be kept up to date
Must be made available
to doctor in the event
of exposure
Material Safety Data Sheets…
are provided by the chemical
manufacturer to provide
additional information
concerning safe use of the
product.
Each MSDS tells you…
1. Common Name and Chemical Name of
the material
2. Name, address and phone number of the
manufacturer
3. Emergency phone numbers for
immediate hazard information
4. Date the MSDS was written
MSDS…
5. Hazardous ingredients
6. Physical & Health Hazards of the
chemicals
7. Identification of chemical and physical
properties
8. First Aid / Emergency Information
9. Safe handling and use information
MSDS…
have specific hazard information on
 Fire & Explosion
 Chemical Reactions
 Control Measures
 Health Hazards
 Spill & Leak Procedures
 MSDS Fire & Explosion Information
Material Flash Point, auto-
ignition temperature and
upper/lower flammability
limits

Fire extinguishing agents to be

used

Fire fighting techniques

Any unusual fire or explosive

hazards
MSDS Reaction Information
Stability of Chemical..

Conditions and other materials which

can cause reactions with the chemical

Dangerous substances that can be

produced when the chemical reacts
MSDS Control Measures
Engineering Controls required for safe
product use

Personal protective equipment required for

use of product

Safe storage requirements and guidelines

Safe handling procedures

MSDS Health Hazards
 Permissable Exposure and Threshold Limits
(PEL & TLV)
 Symptoms of exposure
 Routes of entry into the body
 Medical conditions that can be made worse
by exposure
 Cancer causing properties
 Emergency & First Aid Procedures
MSDS Spill & Leak Procedures
 Clean up techniques

 Personal Protective Equipment to be

used during cleanup

 Disposal of waste & cleanup material

Chemicals can be safely used if…
you know the hazards and how to
protect yourself

they are used only for approved

purposes

they are stored properly

you use the correct personal
protective equipment
Chemicals can be safely used if…
you do not eat in areas where
chemicals are used

you wash immediately if you come in

contact with chemicals
Chemical Disposal…
Each chemical and container must be
disposed of properly

No container is truly "empty" unless

properly cleaned

Follow MSDS requirements for

container disposal
Chemical Disposal…
Recycle unused chemicals

Do not place hazardous

chemicals in normal trash
receptacles.

Do not pour chemicals into

sinks, onto the ground or
in storm drains
Safe Storage…
Store incompatible chemicals in
separate areas

Limit the amount of flammable material

to the minimum needed

Store flammable liquids in approved

flammable storage lockers
Safe Storage…
Store acids in separate acid storage
lockers

Do not store chemicals in a refrigerator

used for food storage

Do not store food in refrigerators used

for chemical storage
In case of an emergency…
Implement the proper Emergency Action Plan

Evacuate people from the area

Isolate the area- keep other from entering

Turn off ignition and heat sources

Only trained employees are permitted to clean

up spills
Protecting Yourself…
Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) may be needed to
protect yourself from
chemical hazards
Use the PPE our Company has
required for each chemical
Check the PPE before use to
make sure it is not damaged
Protecting Yourself…
Use face shield and Goggles if there is
a splash hazard

Use the proper respirator for dusts,

mists and fumes
Protecting Yourself…
Use the right gloves when handling
chemicals

Properly clean and store your PPE

after use

Don't take PPE home - why risk

exposing your family?
Stay safe when using chemicals…
Know what you are working with

Know where MSDS are located and how to

use them

Ask your supervisor if you have questions

Only trained employees may use chemicals

Stay Safe…
Make sure all containers
are properly labeled
Use the proper protective
equipment
Store chemicals only in
approved areas
Immediately report leaks
and spills
Dispose of used chemicals
and containers properly
Definition: Flash Point

The flash point is the lowest

temperature at which a liquid
produces enough vapour to ignite
in the presence of a source of
ignition.
The lower the flash point, the
greater the risk of fire.
 Definition: LD50

LD50 (Lethal Dose50) is the

amount of a substance that,
when administered by a
defined route of entry (e.g. oral
or dermal) over a specified
period of time, is expected to
cause the death of 50 per cent
of a defined animal population.
 Definition: LC50

LC50 (Lethal Concentration50) is

the amount of a substance in
air that, when given by
inhalation over a specified
period of time, is expected to
cause the death in 50 per cent
of a defined animal population.
 Common Chemicals forming
Peroxides
Diethyl ether
Tetrahydrofuran
Dioxane
Methyl isobutyl ketone
 Pyrophoric Materials

•Air reactive
•White phosphorus, diborane,
diethyl aluminum chloride,
lithium
•Store under an inert
atmosphere such as nitrogen
 When a Spill Strikes
1) Assess the risk
– Minor Spill, handled by personnel within lab or
department
– Major Spill, isolate area, Safety Team required
– Provide Safety Team with MSDS for spilled material,
quantity spilled
 When a Spill Strikes
2) Select personal protective equipment
– consult MSDS and other literature sources
3) Confine the spill
– Speed Counts
– Limit the spill area by blocking, diverting, or confining
spill
– Use absorbents, drain plugs, dikes
 When a Spill Strikes
4) Stop the Source
5) Evaluate the Incident & Implement
Clean-up
– Used absorbents should be considered
hazardous waste
 When a Spill Strikes
6) Decontaminate
– Decontaminate site, personnel, & equipment
by removing or neutralizing the hazardous
materials
7) Complete Incident Report
While Working in the Lab:
Shoes with full
coverage and good grip
soles
Restrain long hair,
loose clothing and
jewelry
Use appropriate eye,
skin, and hand
protection
Eye protection
Protects against risk of
flying objects or dust
particles, splashes of
hazardous materials or
harmful rays
Safety Glasses

Unbreakable lenses of
plastic or tempered
glass
For light-to-moderate
work
Can be prescription
lenses
Do not interfere with
contact lenses
Goggles
Work with significant
risk of splash of
chemicals or projectiles
Can be worn over
prescription glasses
Face Shield
Work with significant
risk of splash on face or
possible explosion
Face shield protects
face adequately but not
eyes
Hand Protection
Protects against risk of
cuts, abrasions, burns,
or exposure to
hazardous materials.
Requires selection of
the appropriate
chemical resistant
gloves
While Working in the Lab:
Follow universal
precautions

Handle unknowns as if
they were hazardous
While Working in the Lab:

Handle volatiles in a
chemical fume hood

Contain
bioaerosols in a
biological safety
cabinet
While Working in the Lab:

Use mechanical
transfer devices
While Working in the Lab:
Authorized persons
only
Identify
EVERYTHING!
No food, beverages,
tobacco products, or
application of cosmetics
 While Working in the Lab:
Report all:
Accidents
Injuries
Fires
Spills
Close calls
Before Leaving the Lab:
Turn off:
Gas
Water
Power supplies
Vacuum lines
Compression lines
Heating apparatus
Before Leaving the Lab:
Identify and package
waste, dispose properly
Lock/out and tag/out
defective equipment
Decontaminate work
surfaces and equipment
Before Leaving the Lab:
Return unused
equipment, apparatus,
etc.
Leave lab coat in the
lab
Wash
Close and lock door
Evaluating Lab Hazards
Regular review of the
types of hazards:
chemical
physical
biological
ergonomic
mechanical
Weekly Lab Checks
Eye wash (purge)
Fire extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Fume Hood
Tubing, pressurized
connections
Chemical storage