Surfaces

1
SAFE LABS FOR SCIENCE

• MSDS
• and
• RISK ASSESSMENT

2
Essential Definitions

• HAZARD
• The intrinsic property of a chemical agent with
  the potential to cause harm.
• RISK
• The likelihood , should exposure occur, that the
  potential for harm will be attained under the
  condition of use and/or exposure and also the
  extent of that harm.

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Hazards, risks etc.

• Information on hazards - and control measures
• Supplier
• MSDS (MUST be provided by the supplier and MUST
  be kept close to point of use/storage)
• Label (!) (R S numbers/phrases hazard
  symbols)
• Sigma-Aldrich
• catalogue
• web site
• Handbooks
• www
• Me (!!)

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Hazards, risks etc.

• It is a legal requirement that a properly
  documented risk assessment is available for ALL
  hazardous chemical agents
• A risk assessment is MORE than just a statement
  of hazards it includes the measures required to
  MINIMIZE risks involved

6
Hazards, risks etc.

• This requires
• Up to date inventory keeping
• Details of the hazards, exposure limits, control
  measures initiated, and assessment of the
  residual risk
• Consideration of potential exposure(s) in normal
  use and in worst case accidents
• Who is at risk?
• In EVERY location!!

7
Toxic Dangerous Chemical Substances

• All chemical substances and preparations are
  toxic to some degree to humans if sufficient
  material is ingested, inhaled, injected or
  absorbed through skin. Toxic means that cells
  or sub-cellular systems are damaged by the
  chemical. Common salt (sodium chloride), sugar
  and a drug such as aspirin are toxic in large
  amounts but many compounds are toxic in very
  small amounts (nerve-gas, insecticides, cyanide,
  etc.).
• Some chemicals are explosive others are
  detonators ??KABOOM!!!

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Toxic Dangerous Chemical Substances

• Some chemicals have highly flammable properties
  a fire-ball will result from their ignition
  (petrol is an example here).
• Other chemicals have corrosive properties
  caustic soda, sulphuric acid, etc. and skin or
  mouth tissue may be destroyed upon contact.
• All departments hold stocks of toxic and
  dangerous chemical substances - no exceptions!

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Toxic Dangerous Chemical Substances

• Acute response
• Response to HIGH exposure
• One-off
• Effect is immediate

• Chronic response
• Response to LOW exposure
• Prolonged or repeated exposure
• Effect may take YEARS

10
Chemical Agents Routes for Contamination

• Routes for contamination spread
• Airborne into lungs
• By mouth
• Through skin
• Open wounds
• Conjunctivae of eyes
• Injection

11
Chemical Agents Control Measures I

• Control Measures
• Flammables kept in special storage cabinets and
  containers
• Toxic materials kept and used in fume cupboards
• No ignition sources when using flammables (naked
  lights, static electricity, electrical switches)
• Wearing of appropriate and suitable PPE (gloves,
  laboratory safety coat, goggles, respirators)
• Personal hygiene

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Chemical Agents Control Measures II

• Control measures are more or less the same for
  all hazards under the headings
• understanding of hazard and modes of spread
• understanding and use (!) of engineering controls
  available.
• having and using right PPE