Chemical Safety

1. Chemical Safety What NOT to do! Len Stevenson, DLM, Pharmacy

2. What NOT to Do!

3. An Incident • An old, partially filled, poorly labelled bottle of Picric Acid is found, by an experienced technician, in the back of a cupboard of a Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory.

4. An Incident • What happens next? • What actually happened • What should have happened

5. An Incident (cont) • What actually happened • Unsure of what it was the technician decided to take it to the store • Bottle was picked up and removed from laboratory • Taken through corridors and down in a lift • Taken to the store, still within the building • The store man contacted the departmental H&S officer • H&S officer tried to contact the Uni H&S office for advice • All away at a conference!! • H&S officer receives conflicting information from several sources on how to deal with the chemical • The chemical is placed in a bucket and taken to an outside DG store (at last!)

6. An Incident (cont) • What should have happened? • If you aren’t sure what it is don’t touch. • Get Safety Data Sheet for it. (ChemWatch) • Contact DLM or H&S office

7. SDS Sheet • Picric acid, • 2,4,6, Trinitrophenol DANGERGazetted by ERMANZ:4.1.3A 6.1B 6.3B 6.5B 8.3A 9.1D 9.3B Solid desensitised explosives: high hazardFatal if swallowedCauses mild skin irritationMay cause allergic skin reactionCauses serious eye damageSlightly harmful in the aquatic environment or are otherwise designed for biocidal actionEcotoxic to terrestrial vertebrates

8. PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING For picric acid: • Outside or detached storage is preferred • Containers should be bonded and grounded for transfers to avoid sparks • Use non-sparking tools and equipment including explosion proof ventilation • Store in glass NOT metal containers and wet screw tops before sealing • Do not store on concrete floors or wooden pallets • Enclose all processes and employ automatic mechanical handling techniques and wet methods where possible • If handling picric acid contained in a jar, gently tilt bottle to see if crystals roll over each other - if they do the acid is dry and capable of explosion - contact personnel trained in the handling of explosives immediately • Dry crystals may be present in the threads of screw top containers and present a detonation hazard when opening the container • Containers of this material remain hazardous when empty since they retain product residues - observe all warnings for the product • Avoid all personal contact, including inhalation. • Wear protective clothing when risk of overexposure occurs.

9. PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING • Use in a well-ventilated area. • Prevent concentration in hollows and sumps. • DO NOT enter confined spaces until atmosphere has been checked. • DO NOT allow material to contact humans, exposed food or food utensils. • Avoid smoking, naked lights or ignition sources. • When handling, DO NOT eat, drink or smoke. • Avoid contact with incompatible materials. • Keep containers securely sealed when not in use. • Avoid physical damage to containers. • Always wash hands with soap and water after handling. • Working clothes should be laundered separately. Launder contaminated clothing before re-use. • Use good occupational work practice. • Observe manufacturer's storing/handling recommendations. • Atmosphere should be regularly checked against established exposure standards to ensure safe working conditions are maintained

10. PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING • In this case • GENTLY remove from cupboard and immerse in a bucket of water • Remove to a HSL • Advise H&S office

11. An Incident (cont) • What can we learn from this incident • Even experienced technicians make mistakes • Shows the value of refresher training • Ensure someone from H&S is ALWAYS available • Importance of getting rid of legacy chemicals • Importance of correct labelling