General Laboratory Safety

1
General Laboratory Safety

• Part II

2
Chemical Exposure

• Chemicals enter the body through one of the
  following exposures
• Inhalation
• Skin absorption
• Ingestion
• Injection

Most common pathways for exposure
3
Control Chemical Exposure

• Exposure is minimized
• by using
• Engineering Controls
• Administrative Controls
• Personal Protective Equipment

4
Engineering Controls
Engineering controls are an important method to
exposure minimization.

• These controls include
• Laboratory Hood
• Splash Shield
• Local Exhaust Ventilation

5
Engineering ControlsLab Hoods

• The hoods need to be available for use and
  functioning efficiently at all times.
• Volatile chemicals need to be used in the lab
  hood when feasible.

Note Laboratory Hoods are not a place to store
chemicals or equipment. Laboratory Hoods are not
designed to collect particulates
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Prior to Using a Laboratory Hood

• Check the hood certification sticker on the front
  of the hood to ensure that the air flow was
  between 80 and 120 fpm when tested.
• Check visual alarms to ensure that the hood is
  functioning properly.
• Hold a Kimwipe or tissue at the face of the hood
  to ensure air is flowing into the hood when the
  laboratory hood is turned on.
• Doing these ensures that the Lab hood is
• functioning properly

Contact Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning or
Risk Management Safety if your hood is not
functioning properly. It will need to be
repaired ASAP.
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Lab Hood Prior and During Use

• Check baffles to be sure slots are open and
  unobstructed by equipment or containers.
• Ensure that all chemicals and equipment are at
  least 6 inches behind sash.
• Elevate equipment with blocks or racks to
  maintain efficient airflow.
• Keep sash as low as possible (closed when not in
  use).

• Decrease turbulence by opening / closing sash
  slowly avoid swift movements inside / outside of
  the hood.
• Perchloric acid must be used in a downwash hood,
  which is designed for such use.
• Hydrofluoric acid needs to be used in an acid
  hood designed for such purpose.
• Verify the hood is functioning properly.

Note A video is available for viewing at the
Learning Resource Center (LRC) titled, Using
Chemical Hoods A Laboratory Safety Test. Ask
for it at the LRC desk.
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Administrative Controls(Work Practice Controls)

• Definition Procedural actions taken (e.g.,
  safety policies, rules, supervision, and
  training) in order to reduce the duration,
  frequency, and severity of exposure to hazardous
  chemicals or situations
• Examples
• Posting hazard signs on laboratory doors
• Minimizing exposure time when working with
  hazardous chemicals
• Restricting access to areas where hazardous
  chemicals are used
• Working with highly odorous chemicals during
  non-office hours
• Adoption of standard operating procedures

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Administrative Controls
Children, Pets, and Food are Not Allowed in Labs

• Children (younger than 12 yrs) and pets are not
  allowed in laboratories.
• Food must not be consumed in a laboratory, nor
  stored in a refrigerator used for storage of
  toxic materials, biohazards, or radioisotopes.

Note teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18
years cannot enter a laboratory unless prior
approval is granted by Risk Management Safety
(case by case basis).
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Administrative Controls
Clothing Requirements

• No sandals or open-toed shoes are permitted in
  lab
• Do not wear loose clothing
• No shorts in lab- long pants must be worn
• Do not wear clothing that exposes any skin other
  than your arms or face
• Use appropriate personal protective equipment

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Personal Protective Equipment(PPE)

• Includes
• Gloves
• Splash Goggles
• Lab Apron
• Arm and foot protection

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(PPE) Gloves

• The type of glove (material) used is dependent
  upon the chemical being handled
• When using corrosive or toxic chemicals the
  gloves should be long enough to protect the
  forearm
• Long gloves can be cuffed at the bottom to help
  prevent chemicals from running down the arm

• To select the proper gloves please reference the
  glove manufacturers testing information.
  Various manufacturer information can be accessed
  online at www.byu.edu/hr/risk/Gloves.htm

13
(PPE) Splash Goggles and Face Shields

• Splash Goggles must be worn whenever lab workers
  are using liquid chemicals that could injure the
  eyes (including heated liquids)
• Splash goggles must be worn in conjunction with a
  full-face shield if lab workers are using
  chemicals that could splash and corrode or burn
  the face
• (or) when using toxic chemicals that could be
  splashed and absorbed through the skin.

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(PPE) Lab Apron and Arm and Foot Protection

• An adequate Lab Apron and Arm and Foot Protection
  must be used when exposed to a potential chemical
  splash that would result in skin corrosion or
  burns, or when using toxic chemicals that could
  be splashed onto and absorbed through the skin.

• Materials to protect arms and feet vary depending
  upon what chemicals are being used (selection is
  similar to glove selection).

Lab aprons are typically made of neoprene or
nitrile rubber
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(PPE) Storage

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be
  stored in a manner that protects the equipment
  from
• Dust
• Sunlight
• Excess moisture
• Extreme temperatures
• Deformation
• Chemical degradation

Improper Storage

• We recommend storing personal protective
  equipment (PPE) in a designated cabinet that
  satisfies these requirements.

If you are responsibe for selecting PPE for your
laboratory Click here to review the PPE
training module
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Clean Release / SpillsWhat Can and Cannot be
Cleaned up

• Some chemical releases can be cleaned up, whereas
  other releases create an emergency (evacuate).
• Laboratories must determine what can and cannot
  be cleaned up should a release occur.
• Materials used to clean-up chemical spills must
  be treated as hazardous waste, placed in the
  proper container, labeled, and provided to
  Chemicals Management.
• Do not place paper towels or other materials used
  for clean-up in the trash.
• Oily rags must be placed in a metal safety can
  that has a self closing lid until provided to
  chemicals management in a proper waste container.

For help contact Risk Management and Safety
(422-4468) or Chemicals Management (422-6156).
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Chemical Releases / SpillsBE PREPARED

• A spill kit, adequate with supplies needed to
  clean up materials that may spill, needs to be
  created and ready to use in the lab at all times.
  

• A basic spill kit generally consists of
• Spill Pillows
• Inert Sorbent Material (sand will usually work)
• Dust Pan Broom
• Splash Goggles
• Pair of Chemical Resistant Nitrile Gloves
• Pair of Booties
• A Lab Apron
• Properly Labeled Waste Disposal Bags

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Disposing of Chemical Waste

• Use waste containers provided by Chemicals
  Management
• Label waste containers with the proper labels
  (those provided by Chemicals Management)
• When needed, place waste containers within
  adequate secondary containment to keep chemicals
  from entering the environment (i.e. place the
  container in a plastic tub if there is a floor
  drain)
• Have waste containers removed from the lab as
  they are filled

Contact Chemicals Management (422-6156) for waste
disposal
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Other Safety Concerns

• Emergency Equipment
• Compressed Gas Cylinders
• Housekeeping

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Emergency EquipmentEyewash/ Shower
Suitable

• Suitable eyewash/shower stations must be
  immediately accessible and usable to lab
  personnel that are using chemicals that could
  injure the eyes/skin.

Not Suitable
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Do Not Block Emergency Equipment
Sprinklers (At Least 18 of Clearance)
Fire Extinguishers
Electrical cut-off switches (Such as circuit
breakers)
Pull Stations
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Compressed Gas Cylinders

• In accordance with FEMA recommendations,
  compressed gas cylinders should be secured at
  roughly 1/3 and 2/3 high. Secure cylinders to
  stationary objects (like a wall). Chains are
  preferred over straps.
• www.fema.gov/fima/how2009.shtm
• Toxic gases must be stored within a properly
  ventilated gas cabinet.
• Regulators must be removed and valve protection
  caps installed when cylinders are not in use.

Whats Wrong?
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Housekeeping
A well kept lab coincides with better research
and a safe work environment

• Dispose of trash when it is generated. Prevent
  accumulation of trash within the laboratory.
• Dont place empty bottles and other trip hazards
  in a walkway.
• Keep chemicals and glassware away from the edge
  of counters.
• Spills need to be cleaned up when generated.

Good Housekeeping
Poor Housekeeping
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Specific Laboratory Training

• Specific lab training must include
• The physical and health hazards of the chemicals
  being used in the laboratory
• How individuals can protect themselves while
  using the hazardous chemicals
• How to detect a release of the chemicals
• What to do if a chemical release occurs (clean-up
  or evacuate the lab/building?).

• This level of training is provided by those in
  charge of the lab and instruction is specific to
  the lab in use.

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Additional Training

• HF training is mandatory for individuals who will
  use hydrofluoric acid.
• Risk Management Safety offers hydrofluoric acid
  (HF) training.
• To sign up click on the Following link
• http//www.byu.edu/hr/cal.php?dep5

• Live training is available from Risk Management
  Safety for the following
• Biohazards
• Lasers
• Contact Risk Management Safety at (422-4468)

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End of Part IIDocument Your Training

• Document and receive credit for your training by
  completing the General Laboratory Safety Part II
  Quiz and turning it into your supervisor.
• All questions should be answered Correctly
• Lab specific training must also be documented.

Thank You!