CHEMICAL SAFETY
Group 4
Introduction to
Chemical Safety
Introduction to Chemical Safety
o Wide range of chemicals are being used in research
laboratories, each with its own inherent hazards.
o Understanding the potential hazards and precautions
required in handling of chemicals should be of utmost
importance in preventing exposure to chemicals.
o Handling chemical substances without proper protection
exposes the worker to the risk of absorbing harmful amounts
of chemical through the skin. This usually happens when
handling the chemical in liquid form. ... Dangerous chemicals
can enter the body through ingestion as gases, dusts, vapours,
fumes, liquids or solids.
Chemical Safety
Guidelines
Chemical Safety Guidelines
Maintain an organized and orderly facility
Communicate hazards to everyone in the facility
Follow basic safety procedures
Use engineering controls
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as needed of required
Follow requirements for high hazard chemicals
Prepare for accidents and emergencies
Dispose of chemical wastes depending on the
university guidelines
Chemical Hazard
Chemical Hazard
Chemical manufacturers and importers should
provide a MSDS for every hazardous chemical that
they will import or produce.
Distributors must also ensure that employees will be
informed and given with a MSDS.
Chemical Hazard
A MSDS has the following information:
Ø Physical and chemical characteristics of
the hazardous chemical
Ø Known acute and chronic health effects
and related health information
Ø Exposure limits
Ø Whether the chemical is considered to be a
carcinogen by NTP, IARC, or OSHA
Ø Precautionary measures
Ø Emergency and first-aid procedures
Ø Identification of the organization
responsible for preparing the sheet.
Types of Chemical
Hazard
Types of Chemical Hazards
Chemical hazards are present
in a range of workplace and
industries.
The specific type of hazard varies according to
each workplace, sites, or industries.
How to identify a chemical hazard?
ü The specific chemical
ü Any other chemical/s in the mix, if any
ü The proportion and concentration of the chemical, mixture, or
solution
Types of Chemical Hazard
Flammable Corrosive Reactive
Materials which burn or Materials which cause Materials which are
ignite visible distractions liable to explode or react
Ex. Methanol, diesel, and/ or irreversible violently on contact
and fuel alterations at the point with air, water, or other
of contact chemicals
Ex. Acetic acid and Ex. Benzoyl peroxide,
sodium hydroxide Nitric acid, and Sodium
metal
Types of Chemical Hazard
Toxic Irritant Environmental
Hazard
Materials which cause Materials which cause Materials which are
harm if they enter the harm by irritating the toxic and/or cause harm
body, such as eyes and/ or skin, and to the environment at
carcinogens, mutagens, cause allergic reactions, large, particularly
and poisons drowsiness, lack of aquatic animals
Ex. Benzene, bromine, coordination, and/or Ex. Anthrax, arsenic,
and formaldehyde organ damage lead, mercury, and oil
Chemical Routes of
Entry
Chemical Routes of Entry
Working with chemicals can involve the
risk of exposure, becoming hazardous
to a person’s health. Those health risks
are dependent upon the toxicity of the
chemical, the types of effects, and how
the chemicals enter the body.
Chemical Routes of Entry
Inhalation Absorption
the most common route of getting chemicals onto
entry a person comes into the skin or eyes can
contact with a chemical. result in redness and
Once inhaled, chemicals are irritation all the way to
either exhaled or deposited severe destruction of
in the respiratory tract. tissue or blindness.
Ingestion Injection
chemicals that though not common,
inadvertently get into the injection of chemicals into
mouth and are swallowed the body can occur. A
do not generally harm the sharp object can be
gastrointestinal tract itself contaminated with a
unless they are irritating chemical or substance and
or corrosive. penetrate the skin.
Chemical Routes of Entry
Administrative Practices
Ø Time work so fewer workers are
exposed
Ø Work upwind of mixing operations
Ø Shower after shifts
Ø Change clothes
Ø No food or smoking in work areas
Personal Protective Equipment
Eye Protection Skin Protection
Depending on the job you are doing and Skin protection includes items such as
the type of material you are handling, you gloves, aprons, full body suits, and boots.
may need various levels of eye protection No one material acts as a barrier to all
(e.g. safety glasses, chemical safety chemicals. It is also important to consider
goggles, a face shield or some the temperature conditions and the need
combination of these). for materials not easily cut or torn.
Safe Handling and
Storage of
Chemicals
Safe Handling and Storage of Chemicals
Follow these safety precautions:
Carefully read the ingredient list of any product or chemical you use.
Purchase the proper personal protective equipment like gloves or goggles. Clean and care for them properly.
Be aware of the hazardous materials you come in contact with.
Follow safe procedures when you handle hazardous material. Don't take shortcuts.
Handle, store, and get rid of hazardous materials safely. Never pour them down sewers or drains.
Don't mix or combine hazardous materials unless you know you can do so safely.
Transferring flammable liquids like gasoline, from one container to another can make
static electricity that could ignite the fumes.
Always carry chemicals in approved containers.
Safe Handling and Storage of Chemicals
Rules for Chemical Storage:
Label all chemical containers fully. We recommend including the
owner’s or user’s name along with the date received.
Provide a specific storage space for each chemical, and ensure return after each use
Store volatile toxics and odoriferous chemicals in ventilated cabinets. Please check with
your environmental health and safety personnel for specific guidance.
Store flammable liquids in approved flammable liquid storage cabinets. Small amounts of flammable
liquids may be stored in the open room. Check with your local authority (e.g., fire marshal, EH&S
personnel) for allowable limits.
Separate all chemicals, especially liquids, according to compatible groups. Follow all precautions regarding storage of
incompatible materials.
Use appropriate resistant secondary containers for corrosive materials. This protects the
cabinets and will catch any leaks or spills due to breakage.
Seal containers tightly to prevent the escape of vapors
Use designated refrigerators for storing chemicals. Label these refrigerators
CHEMICAL STORAGE ONLY—NO FOOD. Never store flammable liquids in a
refrigerator unless it is specifically designed and approved for such storage. Use only
explosion-proof (spark-free) refrigerators for storing flammables.
Chemical Labelling
Chemical Labelling
Requirements for labeling of chemical
containers come from the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Hazard Communication and Laboratory
Safety standards. All hazardous chemicals
are required to be properly labeled (full
chemical name) unless they are exempted by
this standard.
Chemical Labelling
OSHA either exempts or does require labeling for certain chemicals
that are covered under other regulations (they have there own
labeling requirements).
These chemicals include: pesticides; Toxic Substance Control Act chemicals; Food,
Drug & Cosmetic Act chemicals; spirits; consumer products; chemicals regulated
under the Department of Agriculture; hazardous waste; tobacco products, wood
products; ionizing radiation; biological hazards.
If chemicals are not exempted or covered under other regulations as
indicated above, OSHA then says labels are required for them if they
are hazardous chemicals.
OSHA defines a hazardous chemical as anything that is a physical or health
hazard. Physical hazards are pretty straight forward.
Health hazards are a little harder to determine, however OSHA indicates they include
the following: carcinogens; reproductive toxins; sensitizers; irritants; corrosives;
neurotoxins; hapatotoxins; nephrotoxins; agents that act the hematopoitic system;
and agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes or mucus membranes.
Dram vials and other small containers can be difficult to label because of
their size. In this instance, we recommend that you place these items in test
tube racks, boxes or other containers, and label these items instead.
Chemical Safety
Tips
Chemical Safety Tips
These tips allow laboratories to
maintain effective chemical hygiene
plans that will minimize spills, leaks,
and potentially harmful chemical
exposures.
Chemical Safety Tips
01 Use General SOP’s
A standard operating procedure (SOP) that addresses the use of
correct personal protective equipment, safe handling, safe use, and
proper disposal can cover all chemicals in a laboratory.
02 Air Flow
Air quality can quickly become compromised in
laboratories, making ventilation an important factor in
minimizing exposure.
03 Housekeeping
Keeping floors clean and dry will help prevent slip and fall. Stocking
absorbent mat pads and wipers in spill-prone locations helps employees
clean up spills quickly.
04 Storeroom Safety
A well-organized stockroom promotes safety and is more efficient.
Establish a plan for new chemicals. Before a chemical enters a lab, have
a plan for properly handling, storing, and disposing of it.
Chemical Safety Tips
05 Tools
Checking glassware and equipment prior to each use should be
part of the SOP.
06 Spill Response
Spill response plans should address spill prevention strategies,
containment procedures, proper ventilation, when to evacuate,
how to obtain medical care, and reporting requirements.
07 Safety Equipment
Signs and container labels reinforce safety and serve as a
constant reminder of specific handling, use, and disposal
procedures.
08 Training
“
“A person who never
made a mistake never
tried anything new.”
Thank You!
Group 4
Acbang, Herbert
Dizon, Cilyn
Jaudita, Ralph
Lantin, Elijah
Macaraig, Jhaun
Manio, Lynx
Puri, Adrian
Reyes, Vian
