General Laboratory Safety

Training

Staying safe means that you

Read labels on containers of chemicals
Read Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)
Handle chemicals with care
Use correct protective clothing and
equipment
Remember emergency procedures

Chemical Labels
Every container of chemicals is labeled by
the manufacturer.
The label will tell you
Name of chemical
Name, address and emergency phone
number of manufacturer
Physical and health hazards
Precautionary measures
First-aid instructions
Proper handling/storage instructions

Health Hazards on
a Chemical Label

Carcinogen
Highly toxic agent
Toxic agent
Reproductive hazard
Irritant

Corrosive
Sensitizer
Hepatotoxin
Nephrotoxin
Neurotoxin

Typical Precautionary Measures

on a Label
Do not breathe vapors
Use in well-ventilated areas
Keep container closed when not in
use
Avoid contact with skin
Wash thoroughly with soap and
water after handling

 Keep away from sparks, heat, and

flame
Do not store near combustible
materials
Store in tightly closed container
Remove and wash contaminated
clothing promptly
Keep from contact with clothing and
other combustible materials

Common Signal Words

on Labels
Danger Can cause immediate serious
injury or death
Warning Can cause potentially serious
injury or death
Caution Can cause potentially
moderate injury

Special Symbols Used on Labels

Helps you recognize kind of hazard a chemical
could present if you are not careful
Toxicity
Corrosivity (acids and bases)
Ignitability (flammable solvents and
certain solids)
Reactivity (sodium and various waterreactive reagents)

Special Symbols Used on Labels

Explosive (Symbol:
exploding bomb)

Flammable
(Symbol: flame)

Hazardous to the
environment (Symbol:
Dead tree and fish)

Oxidising (Symbol:
flame over circle)

Health hazard/Hazardous to
the ozone layer (Symbol:
Exclamation mark)

Corrosive (Symbol:
Corrosion)

Serious health hazard

(Symbol: health hazard)

Acute toxicity (Symbol:

Skull and crossbones)

Gas under pressure

(Symbol: Gas cylinder)

Radiation danger

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Color and Number Coded Label

Systems
NFPA-type label

3
4

National Fire Protection Association

Colors represent kind of hazard

Red = fire
Yellow = instability
Blue = health
black = specific hazard
& personal protection

Numbers show degree of hazard

0 = Minimal
1 = Slight
2 = Moderate
3 = Serious
4 = Severe

Color and Number Coded

Label Systems
NFPA-type labels

Black = specific hazard

OX = Oxidizer

3
4

ACID = Acid

2
COR

ALK = Alkali
COR = Corrosive
W = Use no water
Other symbols:

Material Safety Data Sheets

(MSDS)
Provides more detailed information about a chemical, including
Composition, information on ingredients
Hazards identification
First aid measures
Accidental Release measures
Handling and Storage
Exposure controls, personal protection
Stability and reactivity
Toxicological information

MSDS (contd)
Hazards Identification
Inhalation: Respiratory tract (lungs) through inhalation
Ingestion: Digestive tract through eating or smoking with
contaminated hands or in contaminated work areas
Absorption through the skin or eyes: Dermatitis or
damage to the liver, kidney, or other organ systems
Injection: Percutaneous injection of a toxic substance
through the skin

MSDS (contd)
Specific possible health hazards:
Acute poisoning (rapid assimilation of

substance, i.e., carbon monoxide)

Chronic poisoning (prolonged exposure, i.e.,
lead poisoning)
Cumulative poisons (numerous chronic
exposures, i.e., heavy metals)
Substances in combination (synergistic effect, i.e.,
exposure to alcohol and chlorinated solvents)

MSDS (contd)
Potential Health Effects
Eye irritation
Nausea
Dizziness
Skin rashes
Headache
Existing medical conditions possibly
aggravated by exposure

MSDS (contd)
Emergency/first-aid procedures to follow
Accidental Release Measures
What to do if substance spills and leaks
How to correctly dispose of substance
Equipment/procedures for cleaning up
spills and leaks

MSDS (contd)
Handling and Storage
How to handle and store substance safely
Any other precautions (i.e., grounding
containers during transfer of flammables)

MSDS (contd)
Exposure Controls, Personal
Protection
Respirator
Gloves
Eye protection
Protective clothing
Ventilation

Special work and hygiene practices

that should be followed

MSDS (contd)
Toxicological Information
LC50: median lethal concentration by
inhalation in a single exposure over a
specified time period
LCLO: lowest reported LC50
LD50: median lethal concentration by a route
other than inhalation

So, what is highly toxic?

Highly Toxic is indicated by
LD50 50 mg/kg body wt by ingestion to albino rats
each weighing between 200 to 300 gms
OR
LD50 200 mg/kg by continuous contact for 24 hrs with
skin of albino rabbits each weighing between 2 and 3
kg
OR
LC50 200 ppm of gas or vapor inhalation (or 2 mg/L of
mist, dust, or fumes) for one hour by albino rats each
weighing between 200 to 300 gms

Handle Chemicals with Care

Dispose of chemicals, broken glass, and
other waste in approved containers
Clean up broken glass and spills immediately
Keep the lab clean and neat
Store incompatible chemicals in separate
storage areas

Chemical Storage
Labs have established separate storage areas for
Flammable and combustible organic liquids and solvents
Acids
Dry poisons, salts, and oxidizers
Bases

Chemicals are stored in

Chemical storage cabinets
Flammable storage refrigerators (No food)
Chemical storage refrigerators/freezers (No food)
On shelves with retaining barriers

Storage Fundamentals
Identify incompatible chemicals check the Material
Safety Data Sheet
Isolate and separate incompatible materials
Isolate by storing in another area or room
Degree of isolation depends on quantities, chemical
properties and packaging
Separate by storing in same area or room, but apart
from each other

Storage of Flammable and

Combustible Liquids
Storage must not limit the use of
exits, stairways, or areas normally
used for the safe regress of
people
Storage must be in:
closed metal containers
inside a storage cabinet, or
safety cans, or
an inside storage room

Inside storage room

Storage Cabinets
Not more than 60 gal of Class I
and/or Class II liquids, or not more
than 120 gal of Class III liquids
permitted in a cabinet
Must be conspicuously labeled,
Flammable - Keep Fire Away
Doors on metal cabinets must
have a three-point lock (top, side,
and bottom), and the door sill
must be raised at least 2 inches
above the bottom of the cabinet

Use correct protective clothing and equipment

Eye Protection
Safety glasses flying particles, chemical splashes,
dust
Splash goggles corrosive liquids, solvents, powders
Face Shields high pressure systems
Respiratory Protection

normally not needed at LUC

Skin and Body Protection

Gloves see the MSDS
Aprons and lab coats strong acids and bases
Shoes always worn in lab, closed toe and closed
heel
Hearing Protection normally not needed at LUC

Do not
Use damaged glassware
Store chemicals near heat, sunlight, or other
substances with which they might react
Store materials on floors or other places where
people could trip over them
Leave equipment unattended when its operating
(unless it is designed to do so or you have an SOP)
Put custodians and fellow workers in danger

If Overexposed to a Hazardous
Substance

Get medical help immediately!

Inform your lab supervisor
Check MSDS for first-aid instructions.
Some general guidelines are
Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes
Ingestion: Follow label and MSDS instructions
Skin Contact: Stand under emergency shower and
remove contaminated clothing immediately
Inhalation: Get to fresh air and get prompt medical
attention

Other Emergency Procedures

1. If the spill presents an immediate danger, leave the spill site and warn
others, control entry to the spill site, and wait for safety officer.
2. Attend to any persons who may have been contaminated. Remove
contaminated clothing. Flush skin/eyes with water at least for 15 min to 30
min; use soap for intermediate and final cleaning of skin areas.
3. If flammable vapours are involved, do not operate electrical switches. Try
to turn off or remove heat sources, where it is safe to do so.
4. Do not touch the spill without protective clothing. Where the spill does
not present immediate personal danger, try to control the spread or volume
of the spill. It means shutting a door, moving nearby equipment to prevent
further contamination, repositioning an overturned container or one that has
a hole in the bottom or side, creating a dike by putting an absorbent around
a spill.
5. Absorbents should be used to collect substances. Reduce vapour
concentrations by covering the surface of a liquid spill with absorbent.
Control enlargement of the spill area by diking with absorbent.

Emergencies can happen, so

Avoid working alone in the lab
Know where emergency phone numbers are posted
Review MSDS
Know where to go and what to do in an emergency
Know the location of the closest safety showers,
eyewashes, and fire extinguishers

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

Outlines specific work practices for all work
involving hazardous substances in the lab
Gives procedures to follow when working
with hazardous chemicals
Provides details on how your chemical exposure
will be monitored and limited
Assures that you have the right personal protective
equipment (PPE)
Specifies that some hazardous tasks to be
approved in advance by the PI

Disposal
1. Safe disposal of chemicals is a specialized field.
2. In many cases the method of disposal is substance
specific.
3. The chemical properties, hazards, incompatibles, etc,
should be studied and expert advice should be
sought.
4. Planning for safe disposal has to be meticulous and
the procedure should be approved by the competent
authority.
5. Execution should be under the guidance of experts.
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General Guidelines
1. Liquid and solid wastes should be kept separate.
2. Chemicals for disposal must be placed in a non-reactive, sealed
container with a screw type cap.
3. Waste container must be kept closed.
4. Attach a tag to each and every container of the chemical waste.
5. The outside of the containers must be clean and free of chemical
contaminants and residues.
6. Date and label each container with the following information:
1) Hazardous waste;
2) Full name(s) of chemical contents and approximate percent if necessary;

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7. Separate wastes into the different waste categories that collect

acids in a separate container from solvents, etc.
8. Incompatible materials should not be mixed in the same container.
9. Corrosive or reactive chemicals should not be put in metal cans.
10. For liquids, fill containers to about 90 percent of container volume.
Containers should not be filled to the brim.
11. Metal barrels should not be stored outside where they will rust.
Smaller containers of chemicals should not be packed into a
large drum for disposal.

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Regarding some of the specific substances, the following must be noted

while planning disposal.
1) Ignitable liquids and organic solvents
Halogenated wastes should be separated from non-halogented solvent
wastes. Separate organic solvents from aqueous solutions. Keep acidified
solvents separate from other solvents and acid wastes.
2) Acids, bases, and aqueous solutions
Strong inorganic acids or oxidizers with organic compounds should not be
mixed . Keep acids, bases or aqueous solutions containing heavy metals
separate from other wastes. Avoid mixing concentrated acids and bases
together in the same container.
3) Wastes containing mercury salts should be separated from all other
wastes.
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4. Corrosive materials
Corrosive liquids shall not be mixed with any other hazardous waste
under any circumstances.
5) Perchloric acid and perchlorates
Keep perchloric acid and perchlorate wastes separate from other wastes.
6) Toxic wastes Separate toxic wastes from other hazardous wastes.
7) Paint and paint thinner Separate solid sludge from paint thinners by
pouring off thinners into a separate waste container. Brushes, rollers,
paper or other debris should not be put in paint wastes. Water and waterbase paint wastes should be separated from oil-base paint wastes. Label
wastes as paint stripper waste or paint sludge.
8) Oils, lubricating fluids and cooling fluids
Flammable solvents, halogenated solvents (degreasers), water or
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antifreeze
should not be mixed with waste oils.

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Special Treatments

Hydrogen fluoride, hydrofluoric acid or related compounds

a) Splashes in the eye
Immediately flood with large volumes of gently running water from a tap
for at least 15 min.
b) Splashes on the skin

All contaminated clothing should be removed and flood the skin with
large volumes of running water.

Thereafter 2 % calcium gluconate gel should be applied liberally to the

affected parts and massaged into the

If nails have been penetrated by the acid the gel be liberally applied over
and around the nail and the area, and massaged continuously for at least
15 min.

Must be referred to hospital after washing the skin and starting the above
treatment
with the ointment.
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Hydrogen cyanide inhalation:

a) Care should be taken so that rescuer does not fall a victim to the same
gas.
b) If conscious and breathing, remove the patient immediately to the
hospital.
c) If breathing stops, place the casualty in the prone position with the
mouth down with a clear breathing passage.
Do not use the mouth-to-mouth method because the first-aider may
inhale the hydrogen cyanide gas himself. Artificial respiration should be
given by a trained first-aider.

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Electric Shock
Power supply should be isolated. If the victim is unconscious or has
stopped breathing, begin artificial respiration without delay. The patient
is to be shifted to hospital for treatment of,
a) Unconsciousness Always victims should be placed on their sides
to prevent suffocation.
b) Broken bones, dislocations Keep the victim still. Do not
manipulate the injury.
c) Shock, heart attack If the face is white, place upper part of the
body in low position. If the face is red, place upper part of the body in a
high position.
d) Convulsions/fits Patient should be laid down carefully, protecting
his head with a pillow or clothing.
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