General Laboratory Safety Procedures
Basic Precautions
Awareness is the most fundamental rule of chemical safety. Take time to understand the safety and health hazards of the chemicals in the workplace. Every laboratory worker should take the following precautions:
- Assume that unfamiliar chemicals are hazardous.
- Review the safety and health hazard data of all chemicals used in the laboratory.
- Know the signs and symptoms of overexposure and the physical and sensory characteristics (odor, appearance) of these chemicals.
- Know appropriate procedures for emergencies, including the location and operation of all emergency equipment.
- Avoid distracting or startling others.
- When working with hazardous materials, have a second person nearby, or, at minimum, maintain surveillance by telephone contact.
- Avoid leaving experiments unattended.
- Never use unlabeled chemicals or chemicals whose labeling is suspect.
- Always order the least amount of chemical required.
- Use appropriate personal protective equipment at all times.
- Use hazardous chemicals in a chemical fume hood, whenever possible.
- Maintain equipment and inspect it regularly for proper function.
- Use guards and shields where possible. All mechanical equipment should have adequate guarding.
- Use safety shields when there is a possibility for explosion or implosion.
- Store and handle chemicals in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Chemical Hygiene Plan or in accordance with the chemical manufacturer's guidelines.
- Store hazardous waste in a closed, labeled container in as designated satellite accumulation area.
- Dispose of hazardous waste through the University Hazardous Waste Program.
- Avoid pouring chemical waste materials into the sink.
- Do not eat, drink, smoke, chew gum or apply cosmetics in the laboratory.
- Do not store food or beverages in the laboratory or in a chemical refrigerator.
- Do not mouth pipette. Use a mechanical pipette or aspirator.
- Do not use chipped or cracked glassware.
- Report all accidents, even if they do not result in injury, to the principal investigator, Chemical Hygiene Officer, laboratory supervisor and/or EH&S immediately.
Housekeeping/Hygiene
The following housekeeping and hygiene practices should be implemented at all times to reduce the likelihood of accident or chemical exposure:
Work areas should be kept clean and free from obstruction.
Hands should be washed after every experiment, before touching any non-contaminated area or object, and before leaving the laboratory area.
Access to exits, emergency exits, aisles, and controls should never be blocked.
Emergency exits should be kept unlocked from the inside.
Stairways and hallways should not be used as storage areas.
Work areas should be cleaned at the end of the experiment and at the end of the day.
Chemical Storage and Handling
Many potential hazards are associated with the storage and handling of laboratory chemicals. These hazards may be minimized by understanding the properties of the chemicals and by developing procedures by which they may be handled safely. Simply storing chemicals alphabetically is not prudent. Flammable, corrosive, explosive, and peroxide forming agents require special precautions. Storing incompatible chemicals together may have disastrous results.
The following guidelines are prudent for all chemical storage and handling:
Chemical handling: Use bottle carriers to transport chemicals. Close caps securely.
Pour all chemicals carefully. Add acid to water, not water to acid.
Labels: Be sure all labels are securely attached and legible. Keep chemicals in their
original containers if possible. Label all secondary containers to avoid unknown
chemicals and/or inadvertent reaction. Date all chemicals, which may become unstable
over time or are peroxidizable.
Shelves: Do not store chemicals on hard-to-reach shelves. Labels on stored
chemicals should be able to be read easily. Shelves should be made of a chemically
resistant material and should have a 2-inch lip or side rails.
Incompatible chemicals: Incompatible chemicals should not be stored together. For
each chemical, the hazardous nature must be considered individually and in relation to
other chemicals in the area.
Excessive storage: Avoid stockpiling chemicals. Purchase only what is needed. Use
older stock first. Discard chemicals that are no longer needed or that have expired.
Fume hoods: In general, fume hoods should not be used for storage of chemicals,
unless the chemicals are part of the experiment being conducted in the fume hood at that time.
The exception is storage in a fume hood, which is specifically designed for that storage,
and where experimental procedures are not carried out.
Hazardous Waste Storage and Disposal
Regulations require that hazardous wastes be accumulated and stored in properly managed containers on sufficiently impervious surfaces (free of cracks, gaps, etc.).
Storage: Hazardous waste in laboratories must be stored in satellite accumulation areas.
Disposal: Once a satellite accumulation area container is filled, it must be dated and transferred to a main accumulation area or shipped off-site within 3 days. Environmental, Health and Safety is available to provide waste pick up services. Disposal of hazardous wastes and chemicals in laboratory sinks is prohibited by regulation.
Labeling: Containers that accumulate and store hazardous waste must be labeled with the following information:
- The words "Hazardous Waste;"
- The waste type in words (Spent non-halogenated Solvents, Waste Oil, etc.);
- The associated hazard in words (i.e. ignitable, toxic, etc.); and
- The date upon which the container became filled.
Containers must be labeled and situated so that labels are clearly visible.
Closure: Containers must be closed at all times, unless waste is being added or removed. Open-top funnels may not be left in open containers.
Condition: Containers must be in good condition. There may not be severe rusting, dents or other conditions that could cause leaks, etc.
Compatibility: Containers must be compatible with hazardous waste stored within them. When in doubt, use the original shipping container.
Inspections: Containers must be inspected weekly by laboratory personnel to ensure that they are properly labeled, in good condition and meet the criteria described above.
Hazardous Waste Minimization
Federal law requires generators of hazardous waste to implement measures to limit and reduce the volume and toxicity of hazardous waste. Laboratory waste minimization techniques include:
- Process/equipment adjustment or modification;
- Toxic material substitution;
- Waste segregation and separation; and
- Recycling
Where possible, microchemistry will reduce waste volume and has the added benefit of minimizing health and safety concerns. The exercise of prudence in ordering new chemicals will also ensure that excess chemical does not become subject to disposal has hazardous waste.
Emergencies
Be sure you know the location and method of operation of the nearest:
Eye wash
Safety shower
Fire extinguisher
Spill kit
Fire alarm pull station
Be sure that emergency telephone numbers are posted or otherwise accessible (Operations Center, EH&S, UHS, Poison Control, Fire Dept., Police Dept., Ambulance).
Spill
If flammables are involved, extinguish ignition sources.
Clean the spill, only if the spill is manageable, you have been trained and you have appropriate cleanup materials.
If you are unable or do not attempt to clean the spill, prevent the spread if possible, evacuate the area, close the lab door, and alert others or sound alarm.
Communicate with your supervisor, the Operations Center and EH&S.
Fire
Extinguish the fire if it is small, contained, you have been trained and you have an appropriate fire extinguisher available.
If you are unable or do not attempt to extinguish the fire, pull the nearest fire alarm and evacuate the building via the nearest exit.
If you are unable to sound the building fire alarm, contact the Operations Center immediately.
Communicate with your supervisor, the Operations Center and EH&S.
Chemical Exposure
Splash to Skin or Eyes: flush with water at least 15 minutes using a safety shower or eye wash and seek immediate medical attention.
Injection: control bleeding, wash with soap and water and seek immediate medical attention.
Ingestion: call Poison Control and seek immediate medical attention.
Inhalation: stop emission if possible, alert others or sound alarm, get fresh air and seek immediate medical attention.
Communicate with your supervisor, the Operations Center and EH&S, as soon as possible.
Resources
You will also find additional information and resources at the Department of Environmental Health and Safety web page at www.uos.harvard.edu/ehs/.
