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Safety for the Science Teachers

Safety for the Science Teachers. Paul Davis, CIH Wednesday, July 21, 2004. Course Outline. Introduction Hazards in the Labs Biological Chemical Engineering Controls (e.g. fume hoods) Administrative Controls (e.g. MSDSs) Personal Protective Equipment (e.g. gloves) Lessons Learned

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Safety for the Science Teachers

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  1. Safety for the Science Teachers Paul Davis, CIH Wednesday, July 21, 2004

  2. Course Outline • Introduction • Hazards in the Labs • Biological • Chemical • Engineering Controls (e.g. fume hoods) • Administrative Controls (e.g. MSDSs) • Personal Protective Equipment (e.g. gloves) • Lessons Learned • Case Study: IAQ

  3. Introduction • Science may be hazardous, but can be done safely when hazards are controlled. • Everyone is responsible: students, teachers, supervisors, and higher administrators. • All safety information brought to you today applies to all science disciplines.

  4. Hazards in the LabBiological Hazards • What could be encountered? • Human blood sampling • Injured student/ faculty • Tissues, bacteria, fungi, mold

  5. Hazards in the LabBiological Controls • Universal Precautions: Assume everything is infectious. • Wear proper PPE • Use freshly prepared solution of 1part household bleach and 10 parts water to disinfect surfaces.

  6. Chemical Hazards in the Lab? • Where do you start? • Gather Information • Material Safety Data Sheets

  7. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) • MSDS’s are an important part of OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (1910.1200) • MSDS’s must be readily available to employees. • Be sure to read all sections before using a chemical, including reactivity section.

  8. An Example of the Importance of Reading MSDSs…

  9. Beamline

  10. Beamline Gasket

  11. MSDS for Cleaning Material

  12. MSDS Continued…

  13. What Was Learned? • Completely read MSDS. • Especially compatibility and reactivity section.

  14. Acids Bases Solvents Flammables Halogenated Pyrophoric Peroxide Forming Toxic Oxidizers Hazards in the LabChemical Classes Chemicals are segregated according to class:

  15. Chemical ClassesAcids • Defn: The pH range of acids is from 0.1 to 6.9. • Examples: acetic acid, nitric acid, phenol, sulfuric acid • Storage Precautions: • Store in large bottles of acids on low shelf or in acid cabinets. • Segregate oxidizing acids from organic acids and flammable and combustible materials (e.g. Acetic acid and Nitric acid) • Segregate acids from bases. • Use bottle carriers for transporting acid bottles. • Have spill kit with neutralizers and absorbant.

  16. Proper Storage for Acids

  17. Inside Look at Acid Storage

  18. Improper Acid Storage Rust

  19. Chemical ClassesBases • Defn: The pH range of basic solutions is from 7.1 to 14. • Examples: ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide • Storage Precautions: • Segregate bases from acids • Store solutions of inorganic hydroxides, in polyethylene containers • Have a spill kit with neutralizers and absorbant.

  20. Chemical ClassesFlammables • Defn: Has a flash point of 60.5 degrees Celcius (141 degrees F) or lower • Examples: acetone, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol • Storage Precautions: • Store in approved safety cans or cabinets • Segregate from oxidizing acids and oxidizers • Keep away from any source of ignition: flames, localized heat, or sparks. • Store highly volatile flammable liquids in a specially equipped refrigerator.

  21. Example of Proper StorageFlammables

  22. Chemical ClassesPyrophoric • Defn: A material which ignites spontaneously upon exposure to air (or oxygen). • Examples: Powders: calcium, zinc, lead, iron, nickel • Storage Precautions: Store in a cool, dry place

  23. Chemical ClassesPeroxide-Forming Chemicals • Defn: Organic compounds that spontaneously form peroxides by a free-radical reaction with molecular oxygen in a process of auto-oxidation. • Examples: ethyl ether, isopropyl ether, acetaldehyde • Storage Precautions: • Store in airtight containers in a dark, cook, and dry place. • Label containers with receiving, opening, and disposal dates. • Dispose of peroxide-forming chemicals before expected date of first peroxide formation. • Test for presence of peroxides periodically.

  24. Chemical ClassesToxic • Defn: Dangerous or extremely dangerous to health and life when inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed by skin contact. • Examples: phenol, arsenic, chloroform, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid • Storage Precautions: • Store according to hazardous nature of chemical, using appropriate security when necessary.

  25. Chemical ClassesOxidizers • Defn: A chemical which supplies its own oxygen and which helps other combustible material burn more readily. • Examples: nitric acid, sulfuric acid, oxygen gas • Storage Precautions: • Store in a cool, dry place • Keep away from flammable and combustible materials (such as wood, paper, etc). • Keep away from reducing agents such as zinc, alkaline metals, and formic acid.

  26. Chemical Hazards • Key issue in use, storage, and disposal is CHEMICAL COMPATIBILITY!!

  27. Chemical Compatibility Chart

  28. Chemical Hazards -Labeling • Issue when transferring from primary container to secondary. • Ensure proper compatible 2nd container • Name and principle hazard on 2nd container.

  29. Engineering ControlsFume Hoods • Used when working/mixing substances with vapors (e.g. acids, solvents) • Ventilation survey annually • Sash at working height. • Not a storage area.

  30. Chemical Fume Hood

  31. Hood Survey Label for Chemical Fume Hood

  32. Important Information… • Hood survey sticker • Window sash height stickers

  33. Laboratory Fume Hoods -Common Problems • Apparatus/chemicals blocking lower ventilation slot. • Chemwipes/rags etc. sucked into system, clogging blower vanes • Motor turning backwards - easy to do with 3-phase wiring. • Blower vanes severely corroded when using a lot of acids.

  34. What is Wrong with This Picture? • Excess storage • Hood sash too high.

  35. Administrative Controls • Read MSDSs • Safety briefing with students re: hazards involved in each experiment. • Ensure everything is labeled appropriately.

  36. Personal Protective Equipment • Gloves • Eyewear • Eyewashes/safety showers • Footwear

  37. Personal Protective EquipmentGloves • Glove selection fits the hazards working with. • Some students/faculty may have allergic reactions to some types of gloves (e.g., latex or powdered). Have alternatives (e.g. nitrile) • If using disposable gloves and you have splashed something on them, replace them immediately. In addition, gloves do fatigue over time.

  38. Glove Selection Chart

  39. Glove Selection Gone Bad… • Researcher working with dimethylmercury wearing rubber latex gloves. • Drop of chemical on her gloves. • Study shows dimethylmercury quickly passes through latex without damaging them. • Should have worn neoprene gloves with long sleeves and cuffs.

  40. Personal Protective EquipmentEyewear • When Required? • Any time the individual is engaged in an activity or is observing the use of hazardous substances likely to cause injury to the eyes (e.g. corrosive chemicals) • Eye-protective devices shall meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). • Eye-protective devices: • Goggles: primarily intended for eye protection against impact and splash. Can also serve to reduce the dust and fumes reaching the eye. • Face shield: for partial personal face protection against splash or impact. Used in conjunction with goggles. • Safety glasses with side shields

  41. Eyewash Stations • An eyewash station should be provided in any classroom or stockroom in which a chemical splash into eyes is a possibility. They should be able to be reached within 10 seconds. • Eyewash Testing: Eyewashes should be flushed weekly and recorded on a eyewash check sheet.

  42. Example of Eyewash Station

  43. Eyewash Testing Record Sheet

  44. Footwear/Lab Clothing • Footwear: • No sandals in the laboratory. • Lab Clothing: • Wear lab coat. • Shorts allowed, but with long lab coat to cover legs.

  45. In Summary… • The following controls are in order of importance and priority: • Engineering Controls (e.g. facility design, fume hood, etc) • Administrative Controls (e.g. training, safety plans, MSDSs, etc) • Personal Protective Equipment (e.g. gloves, safety glasses, etc)

  46. Lessons Learned #1 • Wrong Gloves Lead to Chemical Burn • Post-Doctorate Fellow was working with concentrated Sulfuric Acid. She splashed some on her latex gloves and it quickly burned a hole and caused a small 2nd degree burn. • What to do to Prevent it Next Time: • When setting up experiment, thoroughly investigate the properties of the materials involved.

  47. Lessons Learned #2 • Chemical Splash to the Eyes in Spite of Goggles. • Student was working on an experiment in hood. She moved something and the solution splashed. In spite of her goggles, the solution managed to go past the seal and into her eyes. • What to do to Prevent it Next Time? • Make sure fume hood sash at working height prior to starting work.

  48. Lessons Learned #3 • Chemical Storage Hazards • Researcher blended 2% potassium dichromate into one-gallon plastic product container of concentrated sulfuric acid to make an effective glass cleaner. • Stored it under sink with no secondary containment. • Also under sink were several other containers, including aerosol cans of WD-40 (flammable petroleum distillate) and glass cleaner with flammable propellants next to the plastic jug. • Container of acid/dichromate solution developed a leak. • Lab occupants on vacation.

  49. Lessons Learned #3 continued… • So… what happened next??? • Coworker came into lab to borrow lab equipment. • Saw the solution on the floor, opened the under sink cabinet and saw the liquid chemical. • Called ES&H Staff for support.

  50. Photos of Spill Plastic bottle of sulfuric acid and potassium dichromate Leakage onto the floor.

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