COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Department of Chemistry

Laboratory Safety

Luis Avila455 Chandler Labsavila@chem.columbia.edu

C2507-2004

1. The Hazard Communication Standard

2. Proper Work Practices

3. Engineering Controls-Chemical fume hoods

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

5. Hazardous Chemical Waste Procedures

6. Medical Emergencies

7. Emergencies Involving Hazardous Materials

8. Fire Safety

Standards for Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories

NFPA Hazard Diamond

• Lab Safety Supply Inc. http://www.labsafety.com/

HMIG (Hazardous Material Identification Guide)

•MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)

http://www.msdssearch.com/

DBLinksN.htm

The Hazard Communication Standard

•NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Hazard Identification Systemhttp://www.nfpa.org/Home/index.asp

NFPA 704 Hazard Identification SystemNFPA Hazard Diamond

Flammability

ReactivityHealth

Special Precautions

Flammability

Aluminum chloride

Rapidly vaporize at normal conditions, or that are readily dispersed in air and that will burn readily

4

Ethyl ether Can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions.

3

Diesel fuel oil Relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur

2

Melting point apparatus oil

Pre-heated before ignition can occur1

WaterWill not burn0

ExamplePropertiesNumber

Health

Number Properties Example

0 Harmful on exposure under fire Corn oil

1 On exposure would cause irritation with minor residual injury

Chloroform

2 Intense or chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury

Ammonia gas

3 On short exposure could cause serious temporary or serious injury

Chlorine gas

4 On very short exposure causes death or major residual injury

Hydrogen Cyanide

Reactivity

Number Properties Example

0 Normally stable even under fire Liquid nitrogen

1 Becomes unstable at elevated temperature and pressures

Red or white phosphorus

2 Violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures or which reacts violently with water, or which may form explosive mixtures with water

Calcium metal

3 Detonation or explosive decomposition. Requires a strong initiating source or which must be heated under confinement before initiation or which reacts explosively with water

Sodium azide

4 Capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures

Trinitrotoluene(TNT)

Special Precautions

Symbol Properties Example

Unusual reactivity with water Alkali metals

OX Unstable at elevated temperature and pressures Ammonium nitrate

ACID Acidic material Hydrochloric acid

ALK Alkaline material Sodium hydroxide

COR Corrosive Material Chromic acid

Radioactive material Plutonium Metal

Hazard Material Identification System (HMIG Label)

Lab Safety Supply Inc.

PPE symbols used in HMIG

ApronDust respirator

Vapor respirator

Face shield

Splash Goggles

Dust and Vapor respirator

Airline hood or mask

ABCDEFGHIJKX Ask supervisor or EHRS specialist

Section 1: Chemical IdentityThe material's chemical and common names, and a list of all hazardous ingredients. Section 2: Ingredients and Occupational Exposure Limits Legal exposure limits (OSHA and other recommended limits). This frequently includes toxicity informationSection 3: Physical DataPhysical and chemical characteristics such as vapor pressure, flash point, density, boiling point Section 4: Physical HazardsFire and explosion data. Reactivity data. Signs and symptoms of exposure. Section 5: Reactivity DataSection 6: Health hazard dataCarcinogenicitySummary of RisksPrimary Entry Routes. The route(s) by which the material could most likely enter the bodySection 7: Spill, leak, and disposal procedures: Hygienic practices, protective measures required during handling of contaminated equipment, and procedures for clean-up of spills and leaks. Section 8: Special Protection dataAny control measures known to the party preparing the MSDS, such as engineering controls, work practices, or personal protective equipment. Section 9 Special Precautions and comments: Storage requirements, engineering controls, administrative controls

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

http://www.hr.columbia.edu/ehrs/html/msds.html

Toxicity Values found in MSDS

Material LD50 (mg/kg) subject, route Pointer

Sucrose 29700 rat, oral MSDS

Sodium bicarbonate 4220 rat, oral MSDS

Sodium chloride 3000 rat, oral MSDS

Ethanol 2080 rat, oral MSDS

Caffeine 192 rat, oral MSDS

Sodium cyanide 6.4 rat, oral MSDS

Sarin (nerve agent) 2.4 human, percutaneous MSDS

VX (nerve agent 0.14 human, percutaneous MSDS

Proper Work Practices in the Laboratory

Proper Handling of Chemicals and Equipment

Conduct, Behavior

Attire

Do not store chemicals or equipment on the floor Maintain adequate aisle space Know location of protective equipment

-Fire extinguisher-Safety Shower-Eye Wash-Spill Response Kit-First Aid Kit

Proper Work Practices in the Laboratory

Equipment Handling

Lasers (Power & Wavelenght)Class I < 0.9mW (CAUTION)

Class II 0.9mW (CAUTION)

Class IIIa 4mW (CAUTION)

Class IIIb 50mJ

(DANGER)

Class IV 50W (DANGER)• Avoid reflective surfaces• Wear Safety Goggles with low band pass filter (Ex. 1.064µ)• Avoid skin contact

Equipment Handling

Valve regulators

Gas Cylinders

Venting Hoods

Power Supplies  

Vacuum and High Pressure Lines  

Maintain clear access to all protection equipment Keep lab door closed

Accessibility

Keep hoods free of unneeded chemicals and apparatus Work in hoods with sash set to proper height Check that fume hood is in proper working order before using Have all required and necessary hazard placards

Chemical Fume Hoods

Store cylinders not being used in designated areas, not in the Lab

Do not secure cylinders to electric conduits or plumbing

Keep all cylinders secured and standing upright

Transport cylinders with proper hand trucks and with the cap on

Gas Cylinders

Hazardous Chemical Waste Procedures

Environmental Health and Radiation Safety (EHRS) Division at Columbia University

General EHRS Office Numbers: X4-8749, X44658

http://www.hr.columbia.edu/ehrs/html/hazardous_regulated_waste.html

Fire Safety. Combustion

Oxidizer

HeatReducer

http://www.hr.columbia.edu/ehrs/html/fire_safety.html

Reporting a Fire

Incidents not related to Columbia University Dial 911

Campus Rolm phone system Dial 99

Manual Pull Stations Located at Exits

Medical Emergencies

Incidents not related to Columbia University Dial 911

Campus Rolm phone system Dial 99

Columbia Area Volunteer Ambulance

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cava/home.html

When to Sound a Fire Alarm

ANY Fire or Smoke Condition

Dangerous Situation

Crime in Progress, Suspicious activities

For Emergency Building Evacuation

Laboratory Evacuation Procedures

Turn Off All Apparatus Within Reach That Can Be Safely Turned Off

Close All Chemical Containers That You Are Working With

Close Fume Hood Sash

Laboratory Evacuation Procedures

Know Location Of Fire Exit, Count Number of Doors

Look For Exit Sign

Use Nearest Stair

Do Not Use Elevator

Exit Building And Move Away From Door To Allow Security And Fire Department Access

Feel Door, If Hot, Do not Open

If Smoke or Heat is Present, Remain in Room, Close Door,

and Seal Cracks

If Possible Phone Security and Give Your Location

Stand at Window to Signal Security Or Fire Dept

Report any People That Might Still Be Inside

If You Catch Fire, Stop-drop-and-Roll

Never Jump Or Climb Out A Window

In the Event of a Real Fire

Fire Extinguisher Types

Class Of Fire

Class A, Combustibles, Paper

Class B, Grease And Oil

Class C,D Electrical

Extinguisher Types

Pressurized Water

Dry Chemical, B-C Or A-B-C-D Check Label.

CO2 Class B -C