SAFETY IN THE GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

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SAFETY IN THE GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

• Science Learning Center, June 2001
• Written by Bette Kreuz
• Produced by Ruth Dusenbery and Dawn Wisniewski

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Slide 1a-Introduction
Successful work in the chemistry laboratory
involves not only mastery of chemical concepts
and techniques, but also knowing

• what the safety requirements are,
• what equipment is available, and
• when and how to use each piece of equipment.

Safety regulations are established for each
laboratory by Federal, State, and University
mandates.
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Personal Safety Requirements
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Slide 2a-Personal Safety Requirements
It is mandatory that NO FOOD or DRINK items be
taken into the laboratory. In addition to not
eating, drinking or smoking in the laboratory,
each person working in a chemistry laboratory
needs to observe ALL RELEVANT SAFETY
REGULATIONS.
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Eye Protection
O
Z87 Type Goggles
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Slide 3a-Eye Protection

• Whenever anyone is working with chemicals or
  apparatus in the laboratory, safety goggles are
  required for ALL persons in the laboratory.
• In the University of Michigan chemistry
  laboratories, these must be goggles, not glasses.
  
• They must have a Z87 imprinted on them to
  indicate they meet flammability and chemical
  resistance requirements.
• They cannot have any type of open perforations.
• In addition, contact lenses are not allowed in
  the laboratory, even while wearing goggles.

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Proper Clothing
Tie back loose hair!
Avoid floppy clothing!
Store belongings out of the way!
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Slide 3a-Proper Clothing

• Wearing correct attire is essential to help avoid
  laboratory accidents.
• Floppy sleeves should be avoided.
• Shoes that cover the entire foot are required.
• Shorts are not acceptable in the laboratory.
• Long hair should be tied back.
• Lab coats are recommended but not required.
• All backpacks, book bags, and coats should be
  placed on the coat rack and shelves provided or
  stored in a drawer-NOT ON THE BENCHES.

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Gloves
Whenever handling corrosive or toxic materials,
protective gloves should be worn.
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Slide 4a-Gloves
Whenever handling corrosive or toxic materials,
protective gloves should be worn. Gloves made
of vinyl, latex, and nitrile are available. Be
sure to wear the proper type of glove for the
specific chemical hazards encountered in each
experimental situation. Gloves should never be
worn outside the lab.
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Washing Hands
Always wash your hands thoroughly to remove any
potential chemical residues before you leave the
lab.
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Lab Safety Equipment
In case of an emergency, you should know the
location and proper use of all the safety
equipment provided in the laboratory. Always
immediately inform the instructor of any accident.
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Fire Extinguishers
(3) Squeeze handles.
(2) Pull out locking key.
(1) Aim nozzle at base of fire.
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Slide 7a-Fire Extinguishers
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are suitable
for many of the potential fire hazards in the
general chemistry laboratories. To operate this
type of fire extinguisher, aim the nozzle at the
base of the fire, pull out the locking key and
depress the handles together. This will release
a discharge of carbon dioxide that will smother
the fire. Always inform the instructor of the
use of a fire extinguisher so that it can be
recharged.
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Safety Eyewash
Any chemical contacting ones eyes should be
immediately and thoroughly rinsed out using the
safety eyewash found in every laboratory.
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Push handle to start the flow of water!
Position head between spigots.
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Slide 9a-Safety Eyewash

• Position the head with eyes open between the
  spigots.
• Push the handle to start the flow of water.
• Flushing for 15 minutes is standard (minimum)
  procedure.

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Safety Shower
Any chemical spill on a person should be washed
off immediately and thoroughly using the safety
shower.
Pull the chain to start the flow of water!
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Slide 10a-Safety Shower

Any chemical spill on a person should be washed
off immediately and thoroughly using the safety
shower.

• Remove all contaminated clothing and stand under
  the shower.
• Pull the chain to start the flow of water.
• Washing should continue long enough to insure
  complete removal of the chemical, at least 15-20
  minutes.

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Fire Blanket
In case of a clothing fire, a fire blanket should
be used. Remove the fire blanket from its
container using the straps. Wrap it around the
person to completely cover the person and smother
the fire.
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Emergency Gas/Electrical Shut Off
Locate the controls in your laboratory. Be sure
to understand how they operate.
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Slide 12a-Emergency Gas/Electrical Shut Off
In most laboratories a single valve and circuit
breaker assembly will allow for the complete shut
off of gas to all outlets and power to most
outlets. Locate the controls in your laboratory
and be sure that you understand how they operate.
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Sand Ansul and Bicarbonate
ACID
METAL
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Slide 14a-Bicarbonate, Sand, Ansul Containers
Located on lab benches are containers of sodium
bicarbonate to neutralize acid spills, plus sand
and Ansul containers for small fires. These
work by covering either the spill of acid or the
fire with a solid. Each needs to be cleaned up
and disposed of in a specific manner. Be sure
that the instructor is notified if any of these
materials have been used.
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Safety Card
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Slide 15a-Safety Card
In each laboratory emergency instructions are
enumerated on a regulation safety placard. Find
and read the one in your laboratory. The 911
number can be dialed from any campus phone. It
rings directly to the Campus Safety Department,
to provide you with emergency assistance or
instructions at any time. There is a phone
located in or near each lab. Locate the one in
your laboratory.
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Special Caution-Handling Glassware
Protect hands.
Lubricate glass surfaces.
NEVER force the glassware!
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Slide 16a-Special Caution Handling Glassware
Many laboratory accidents involve cuts or
puncture wounds due to improper manipulation of
glassware. Never force a piece of glassware
when constructing experimental apparatus! Use
proper hand protection and lubricants such as
glycerin or soapy water when possible.
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Waste Disposal
Discard waste as needed, during and at the end
of each laboratory period.
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Waste Disposal
Specific guidelines need to be observed for
waste disposal.
Waste Basket
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Paper Products
Paper products that do not contain chemicals can
be placed in the waste baskets.
Waste Basket
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Broken Glassware Crock
Broken glass or single-use glassware should be
placed in the broken glassware crocks after any
disposable contents have been removed.
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Solid and Liquid Chemicals
Solid and liquid chemicals need to be placed in
appropriate containers. The exact means will be
given in the lab procedure or specified by the
instructor.
Never rinse chemicals down the drain!
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Material Safety Data Sheets
MSDS information for chemicals can also be
accessed from the UM Web site at
http//www.umich.edu/oseh/msdslink.html
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Learning to work safely in the laboratory is as
important as learning the chemical concepts and
techniques involved in each experiment.