Purchase of F

1
Purchase of FE

• Consider whether item is safe before purchase
  (e.g. chemicals, electrical equipment, plants
  animals)
• Specifications of the EMB Reference List of FE
• By Tenders / Quotation (EMB Cir 30/1999)
• Place order on approval by Principal
• Inspect items on delivery
• Record Keeping Stock cards / Spreadsheets

2
Reference Lists of F/E

• http//www.emb.gov.hk/Building

3
Safer Alternatives

• Reduce breakage of glassware
• Plasticware (e.g. dropper, beaker, funnel)
  polypropylene, polymethylpentene (TPX))
• Thermometers
• Non-mercury filled
• Plastic coated
• Digital
• ???????????
• Inhalation of gases
• Microscale chemistry apparatus

4
Procurement of Chemicals

• Before purchase, assess the hazardous nature of
  chemicals, check your inventory, whether it will
  be used in experiments in the near future
• Acquire safer alternatives e.g. Volasil 244
  instead of CCl4
• Avoid over-stocking of chemicals
• Keep quantities to a minimal especially for
  hazardous chemicals e.g. Na, K, Ca2C, SiCl4, Br2
  (ampoule package), P, peroxide, flammable liquids
  (ether, ethanol, etc), conc. acids and alkalis
• Clearly labelled and date-stamped the date of
  arrival
• Keep a clear and updated record of chemical
  stocks (locations)

5
CLEAPSS
6
Scottish Schools Equipment Research
Centrehttp//www.sserc.org.uk
7
Controlled Chemicals

• Prevent diversion of chemicals to illicit (??)
  manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic
  substances e.g. heroin (???)
• Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Cap. 145)
• Acetylating Substances
• Ethanoyl chloride (???), ethanoic anhydride (???)
• Licence
• Potassium Permanganate (????)
• Storage approval
• List of Controlled Chemicals (Customs Excise
  Dept, Tel. [phone])

8
Asbestos

• Naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals
• May cause lung cancer, mesothelioma (???)
  abestosis (?????)
• Asbestos-containing products should not be used
  in schools
• Beware of equipment with heat insulating
  materials e.g. wire gauzes, bench mats, ovens
• Bench mats should be made of glass reinforced
  cement. Wire gauzes should be with ceramic
  centres.
• Do not dispose of asbestos-containing products as
  common garbage.

9
Other Issues

• Obtain animals e.g. healthy rats for dissection
  from licensed animal traders (registered with
  AFCD, Tel. [phone]) or the University Animal
  Units
• Plant materials may contain irritants
• 3-pin adaptors and extension units comply with
  safety standard (BS546 or BS 1363)
• Class II laser (lt 1 mW)
• 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol (Picric Acid ???)