Laboratory Safety Manual

Introduction:
Safety and health considerations are as important as any other materials taught in science curricula. Occupational injury data from industry studies indicate that the injury rate is highest during the initial period of employment and decreases with experience. Working with chemicals poses continuous challenge to one's health and to the environment. The requirements and recommendations of this "Laboratory Safety Manual" will not fully protect you unless you exercise diligence in your daily work, or at least stop periodically to assess your environment. Step back and look carefully at your laboratory environment, looking at it as a first-time visitor would. Does it look safe, neat, and orderly? Are chemicals stored properly? Are you and other personnel taking appropriate precautions? Can you see ways to make the lab safer? You are strongly encouraged to conduct assessment of your laboratory's safety practices at least once in six months (and preferably more frequent). Following certain discipline and working as a responsible human being, one can maintain a total hygiene working with chemicals. Below are few guidelines to ensure maximum safety of the organization (IISER fraternity and its properties) as well as of our society.

• General Laboratory Protocols:
  • Basic Rules:
    • Students should not work alone inside the laboratory.
    • Lab-coats are not allowed in common areas like cafeteria, restrooms etc.
    • Lab worker should be aware of the location and proper operation of laboratory safety equipment.
    • Know the exits in the laboratory and in the building.
    • Everyone while working in the lab should wear lab coats and full pants.
    • Feet should be covered completely with shoes containing reasonable heel heights.
    • Open toe sandals and half pants/shorts should be avoided in the lab.

    

  • Good Personal Habits & Behavior;
    • Students should act in a professional manner at all times.
    • Eating, drinking, gum and tobacco chewing, are not permitted in the laboratory.
    • Using mobile phone is strictly prohibited inside the laboratory.
    • Ice from the refrigerator for laboratory use shall not be used for beverages, food or food storage.
    • Do not smell or taste chemicals.
    • Skin contact with chemicals should be avoided.
    • Hands should be washed thoroughly before leaving the lab.

    

  • Housekeeping;
    • Lab areas are to be kept clean and uncluttered.
    • Spills should be cleaned up immediately from work areas and floors.
    • Equipment and instrumentation shall be cleaned to remove spillage and contamination before repair or calibration service is requested.
    • Personnel must be able to see clearly through the protective glass sashes on fume hoods.
    • Clear aisles, exits, and hallways for obstructions leading to slipping or tripping hazards (e.g., boxes, electrical cords or other items on the floor).
  • GHS (Globally Harmonized System):
    GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals that defines and classifies the hazards of chemical products, and communicates health and safety information. The goal is that the same set of rules for classifying hazards, and the same format and content for labels and safety data sheets (SDS) will be adopted and used all around the world. It is important that those working with chemicals are aware of all the signs and symbols on the chemical containers. The following is the symbol and related hazard information that are commonly encountered in research labs.
    
    Some Important GHS Symbols (Pictograms)

    

    
    Safety Precautions for Some Special Chemicals
    The following chemicals require special precautions due to their high dangerous structures.
    Chemical carcinogens
    Benzene, chloroform, formaldehyde which is widely used chemicals are suspected or known carcinogens.
    • Choose to use alternative chemicals with less toxic effects.
    • Use a fume hood when working with this chemical
    • Store chemicals in a safe place when not in use
    • Use the most appropriate gloves against chemicals, always wash your hands after each use.
    Mercury
    The widespread use of mercury and its compounds in the laboratories may be overlooked because of its dangerous structure.
    • Elemental mercury; severe toxic volatile vapors. Therefore, when poured, it should be cleaned very well.
    • Inorganic and organic forms of mercury are highly toxic.
    • All transactions will be made in accordance with mercury should be done in a fume hood.
    • Spills should be cleaned immediately with appropriate methods.
    • Do not heat the surface contaminated with mercury; heating increases the vapor pressure of mercury.
    • If possible, use special thermometers including non-toxic material instead of mercury ones.
    Procedure for cleaning up mercury spills
    • If people were in the room when the spill occurred, be sure that their shoes, clothing, and other articles have not been splashed with mercury before they leave the room. Keep people away from spill area.
    • Turn off the oven and similar tools and allow them to cool to room temperature. It should be known that odorless and colorless mercury vapors will be released into the air faster with increase in temperature. Turn off air conditioning or ventilating systems.
    • Close interior doors and windows leading to other rooms.
    • Avoid skin contact with mercury, breathing of mercury vapor and, using a vacuum cleaner to clean up a mercury spill. Because mercury vapors are readily absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream, they are particularly hazardous. Mercury vapors are also heavier than air and may linger in higher concentrations at the site of the spill. Ventilate the room with the spill to the outdoors by opening windows and any exterior doors. Continue ventilating the room with outside air for a minimum of two days.
    • Remove all jewelry from hands and wrists so the mercury does not bond to the metals (Put on rubber gloves, goggles, and appropriate clothes before cleaning).
    • Locate all mercury beads, then carefully use the cardboard to gather them together. Use slow sweeping motions to prevent accidentally spreading the mercury. Slowly and carefully transfer the mercury into an unbreakable plastic container with an airtight lid (such as a plastic film canister). Place the plastic containers or bags inside a second plastic container or bag to provide additional containment protection. Place the container in a zip-lock bag. Label the bag as containing items contaminated with mercury. If there are any mercury beads which could not be collected, pick them up with duct tape and be sure to carefully inspect the entire room.
    • Sprinkle elemental sulfur in powder form or fine powder zinc, if available, on the spill site, if feasible, to bind any remaining mercury.
    • Wash contact area that came into contact with mercury using alkaline soap and a paste of water and "flowers of sulfur," if available. Sulfur combines with mercury sulfide becomes insoluble. Never pour washing water into the sink and never contact with this water.
    Perchloric acid (concentrated, 70%)
    Perchloric acid can be dangerously reactive. Aqueous perchloric acid, 70% or weaker, is a strong acid at room temperature. At elevated temperatures and concentrations (above 70%) it is a strong and active oxidizing agent. Anhydrous perchloric acid is unstable and may cause explosion. Contact with oxidizing agent may cause fire or explosion.
    • Store on glass or ceramic trays that are large enough to hold the volume of the container in case of a spill.
    • Using perchloric acid at the concentration above 70% is not recommended.
    • Separate perchloric acid from sulfuric acid and metals.
    • Perchloric acid must only be heated in the perchloric acid rated fume cupboard in room.
    • Perchloric acid and organic chemicals should never be used in the same fume hood.
    Corrosives
    • Aqua must not be added onto corrosive substance. It can be diluted by adding into water.
    • They must be store in acid proof cabinet and polyethylene container.
    • They must not be stored high.
    • They must be kept away from metal cover and heat.
    • Hydrogen fluoride gas is an acute poison that may immediately and permanently damage lungs and the corneas of the eyes. Aqueous hydrofluoric acid is a contact-poison with the potential for deep, initially painless burns and ensuing tissue death. Over 50% concentration of HF is very flammable. HF must be stored in plastic bottle which is durable pressure. Take security measures while corrosive substances being used.
    Peroxides
    Ethers, liq. paraffin, olephines etc. particular chemicals formed peroxides in the presence of light and air. You must be careful by using ether (acyclic or cyclic). Ethers having peroxides can be explode by heat. Unsealed or partially empty bottle can accelerate the forming of peroxides when it exposed to light and air. So, you must take some precautions by using these chemicals;
    • The unsealed date must be written onto the bottle.
    • The unsealed ether must not be used over one year.
    • Ethers must be stored cool dry and sunlight cannot be penetrate into the bottle.
    • These chemicals must be kept away from heat, friction, impact.
    Aqua reactants (pyrophobic compounds)
    Some chemical can react with water. Therefore, these chemicals must be stored at dry places. They must not be stored under a sink to prevent unwanted accidents. Corresponded chemicals Na, Li, K, etc. must not be contact with water. While working these chemicals, the sealed syringes must be used.
    
    Some chemicals must be avoided to mix

    Chemical	Do not mix with
    Carbon	CaCl2, oxidants
    Alkaly metals (Na, K, vb.)	H2O, Hydrocarbons, aq. Solution
    Liq. Ammonia	Hg, Cl, I, Br, Ca
    Ammonium nitrate	Metals, flammable liq., S, acids, nitrites
    Aniline	HNO3, H2O2
    Acetic acid	H2CrO4, HNO3, Hydroxyl group having compounds. Ethylene glycol, acid perchloride
    Acetylene	F, Br, Cl, Cu, Hg, Ag
    Acetone	HNO3, H2SO4
    Copper	Acetylene, H2O2
    Bromine	NH3, acetylene, butane, petrol gases
    Mercury	Acetylene, ammonia
    Fluorine	All Substances
    Silver	Acetylene, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, ammonia, carbon dioxide
    Hydrofluoric acid	Ammonia
    Hydrogen peroxide	Copper, chrome, iron, metal and metal salts, inflammable liquids, aniline
    Hydrogen sulfide	Nitric acid, oxidant substances
    Hydrocarbons	Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, chromic acid, sodium peroxide
    Hydrocyanic acid	Nitric acid, alkalines
    Iodine	Acetylene, ammonia
    Calcium oxide	Water
    Chlorine	Ammonia, acetylene, butane and other petroleum gases, turpentine
    Chlorates	Ammonia, metals in powder
    Chromic acid	Acetic acid, glycerin, some alcohols, inflammable liquids, turpentine
    Sulfurous hydrogen	Nitric acid, oxidant gases
    Nitric acid	Acetic acid, chromic acid, hydrocyanic acid, hydrogen sulfide, inflammable
    Oxygen	Oils, grease, hydrogen, inflammable liquids, inflammable solids and
    Oxalic acid	Silver, mercury
    Perchloric acid	Acetic anhydride, alcohols, carbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide
    Potassium	Glycerin, ethylene glycol, benzaldehyde, sulfuric acid
    Sodium nitrate	Ammonium nitrate, other ammonium salts
    Sulfuric acid	Chlorates, perchlorates, permanganates
    Inflammable liquids	Ammonium nitrate, chromic acid, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, halogens

• Chemical Procurement & Storage:
  • Procurement:
    All material safety data sheets (MSDS) of non-catalogue compounds that are received with shipments to the lab are maintained on file. For regular catalogue items (e.g. Aldrich, Alfa Aesar, TCI etc.) the corresponding supplier home page is consulted.
  • Hazardous Chemical Inventory:
    Each laboratory should annually conduct and document hazardous chemical inventory. While no standardized format is required, the inventory should include, at minimum: the chemical name, container size, and the room number. Unused or unwanted chemicals should be disposed.
  • Storage:
    • Stored and working amounts of hazardous chemicals shall be kept to a minimum.
    • Bulk store (in liters quantity) place for flammables should be away from working laboratory.
    • All containers must have a legible and firmly attached label.
    • Acids, bases, flammables, strong reducing and oxidizing agents should be segregated within the laboratory. Water reactive materials must be separated from all other chemicals.

    

• Electrical Safety:
  Electrical equipment and wiring comprises a major part of the laboratory, thus posing a new set of possible laboratory hazards. Periodic laboratory inspections should pay particular attention to electrical safety.
  

  

  
  A list of possible wiring hazard are as follows:
  • Spliced cables
  • Worn-out cables
  • Tripping hazards from poorly draped cables near hot plates etc.
  • Sliced cables near sinks or other wet locations.
  Should you be concerned with high voltage or high current? In fact, it is a bit of both! If the voltage is not high enough, it may be relatively safe to touch an electrical circuit which can deliver high current. On the other hand, if the voltage is very high, but the current that the supply can deliver is very low, you might still be safe. Let us see why! The electricity is nothing but the flow of charged particles. In most of our everyday life situations, it is the flow of electrons. The electrons flow from a high potential to a lower potential. What happens when you get a shock is that the electricity flows through your body from an electrical circuit carrying a high potential to the ground.
  
  Your body has certain electrical resistance. From the tip of your finger to your feet, it is about 100 k? under normal circumstances. However, if you are wet, the resistance can drop to about one kilo-ohm! Thus, if you are touching a 100 V terminal, the current that can flow through your body is about one milliamp under normal conditions. The resultant shock is barely perceptible (See the table below)! However, once the current passes through the body, its resistance decreases and more current starts flowing, which is indeed dangerous. If your body is wet, the initial current can be up to 100 mA, which is indeed fatal! However, if the power supply can deliver a maximum of one milliamp of current, and if it is not faulty, you are very likely safe! If there is some failure in the grounding of the power supply, the resultant current can be lethal! Therefore, do not touch any electrical terminals that look suspicious.
  
  

  

• Waste Disposal:
  Ensure proper segregation, containment and storage of wastes. Liquid wastes are to be segregated according to halogenated, non-halogenated and aqueous wastes. Solid wastes are to be segregated as silica waste, heavy metals (palladium, Ra-nickel) waste and miscellaneous other contaminated solids wastes such as papers, cottons, gloves, facemask etc. Disposable plastic syringes and plastic chemical containers should be collected separately. Sharp objects like syringe needles and broken glass pieces (Chemically contaminated broken glassware?s should be segregated) should be separately collected in appropriate containers. The waste containers should be labeled properly and disposed through an agency. Give special attention to avoid mixing of incompatible wastes to minimize disposal costs.
• Fire Safety:
  Fire is the most common safety hazard in any organization. Therefore, it is very essential for everyone to know how to survive a building fire and what to do in case of a fire. The following section briefly explains some common protocols and procedures that may be followed during a fire emergency.
  
  How to Survive a Building Fire
  • Go out of the building immediately through the nearest exit.
  • Always use stairs, not an elevator.
  • Close doors from outside in case of severe fire to prevent the fire from spreading.
  • In case of heavy smoke, crawl low and if possible tie a wet cloth on your nose.
  • Use a fire extinguisher, if the fire is very small and you know how to use it safely
  If you are on fire - Stop, Drop and Roll
  If you get trapped:
  • Close the door
  • Open the windows if safe
  • Do not jump out of a tall building
  • Signal for help and call to teachers