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Chemical Safety v4 16/11/2010

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Safety Office

Chemical Safety

Safety OfficeObjectives

Legal requirements for control of hazardous and dangerous substances

www.safety.ncl.ac.uk

How hazardous and dangerous substances can be harmful to health, safety and environment at work

Risk assessment and control for hazardous and dangerous substances to protect to health, safety and environment

Safety Office

Risk Assessment



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Safety OfficeChemical Safety Law

Health and Safety at Work Act and Regulations

Environment Acts and Regulations

C t l f S b t H d t H lth R l ti


Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)

Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR)

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulator for chemical safety

Safety Office

COSHH and DSEAR Risk Assessment and Control

Responsibility of managers and principal investigators

Assess risks to health, safety and environment

Hazardous and dangerous substances

Who or what might be harmed and how


Containment and controls

Preventing or adequately controlling exposure and release

Maintenance, inspection and testing of control measures

Monitoring exposure and health surveillance

Emergency procedures and specific first aid measures

Information, instruction, training and supervision

Review and revise risk assessments

Safety Office

Standards, Guidance and Information

Websites

University Safety Office - Chemical Safety

University Occupational Health Service

Health and Safety Executive

Institution of Chemical Engineers


Institution of Chemical Engineers

Royal Society of Chemistry

International Agency for Research on Cancer

Publications

Chemistry handbooks and textbooks

Chemical safety books

Scientific papers and internet searches


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Safety OfficeHazards and Risks

Hazard

Hazardous and dangerous substances


Risk

Hazardous and dangerous substances and potential for harm to health, safety and environment

Safety OfficeHazardous Substances

Very toxic, toxic, harmful, irritant, corrosive, carcinogenic, mutagenic, sensitising, toxic to reproduction, highly flammable, flammable or dangerous to environment

Substance assigned workplace exposure limits


Substance that is carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction

Dust in substantial concentrations in air

Biological agent

Any substance which creates a hazard to health or safety

Safety OfficeDangerous Substances

Substances or mixtures of substances classified as explosive, oxidising, extremely flammable, highly flammable or flammable


Any kind of dust that when spread in air to form a cloud or an explosive atmosphere can explode

Any substances or mixtures of substances which because of their physical properties and way in which they are present in workplace create a risk to safety from fires and explosions


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Safety OfficeWhy Worry About All This?

You or other people might be injured or killed in an accident

You or other people might suffer illness or death from exposure to hazardous or


death from exposure to hazardous or dangerous substances

Serious impacts of accidents and exposure on people, organisations and society

Think about what you are doing and plan your work carefully!

Safety Office

COSHH and DSEAR Risk Assessment

1. University Safety Office website - COSHH Risk Assessment, DSEAR Risk Assessment and Carcinogen Registration

2. Complete COSHH risk assessment form


3. Complete DSEAR risk assessment form

4. Read and follow guidance (HSE)

5. Contact School Safety Officer for advice on COSHH and DSEAR risk assessments

Safety OfficeGuidance

COSHH

HSE Control of substances hazardous to health ACoP and guidance

DSEAR

HSE Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres


HSE Dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres ACoP and guidance

HSE Design of plant equipment and workplaces ACoP and guidance

HSE Control and mitigation measures ACoP and guidance

HSE Storage of dangerous substances ACoP and guidance

HSE Safe maintenance repair and cleaning procedures ACoP and guidance


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Safety OfficeCOSHH Risk Assessment Form

COSHH risk assessment form - Hazardous substances


Safety OfficeCOSHH Risk Assessment Form


Safety OfficeDSEAR Risk Assessment Form

DSEAR risk assessment form - Dangerous substances



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Safety OfficeDSEAR Risk Assessment Form


Safety Office

COSHH and DSEAR Risk Assessment Form

Section 1: Project

Section 2: Hazards


Section 3: Risks

Section 4: Controls

Section 5: Emergency Procedures

Section 6: Approval

Safety OfficeDoing a COSHH Risk Assessment

1. COSHH risk assessments must be done before starting work

2. Guidance on COSHH risk assessment and carcinogen registration on USO website

3 Managers and supervisors must provide clear advice to


3. Managers and supervisors must provide clear advice to assessors, check and sign risk assessments

4. Contact School Safety Officer if additional advice needed

5. Check workers are using controls and they are effective

6. Review and revise COSHH risk assessment and controls

7. Revise risk assessments by saving original and making changes to new versions (eg v1, v2, v3)

8. Keep records of all versions


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Safety OfficeDoing a DSEAR Risk Assessment

1. DSEAR risk assessments must be done before starting work

2. Guidance on DSEAR risk assessment on USO website

3. Managers and supervisors must provide clear advice to assessors check and sign risk assessments


assessors, check and sign risk assessments

4. Contact School Safety Officer if additional advice needed

5. Check workers are using controls and they are effective

6. Review and revise DSEAR risk assessment and controls

7. Revise risk assessments by saving original and making changes to new versions (eg v1, v2, v3)

8. Keep records of all versions

Safety OfficeCarcinogen Registration

Carcinogens must be registered before use using

carcinogen registration forms

Project Registration Form

Complete one form for each chemical


Complete one form for each chemical

COSHH category 1 and 2 carcinogens

User Registration Form

Complete one form for each person

Signed copies needed for user, School Safety

Officer and University Safety Office

Safety Office

Assess Risks to Health, Safety and Environment

People may be exposed to different types of hazardous and dangerous substances in work

Laboratories, offices, cleaning, engineering or other work

Harm to people and environment

How and to what could people be exposed


How and to what could people be exposed

Potential for exposure or release

Scale, amounts, concentrations and frequency

Processes and substances used or generated

Reactions and interactions

Routes and consequences of exposure or release

Rapid or delayed effects


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Safety Office

Risks to Health, Safety and Environment

Workers

People sharing workplace

Visitors

Public

Land

Water

Air

Microorganisms


Public

Contractors

Pregnant women

Lone workers

Young or inexperienced workers

Microorganisms

Animals

Plants

Soils

Food

Safety OfficeExposure Routes

Inhalation

Breathing solids, liquids or gases

Ingestion

Swallowing solids or liquids


Swallowing solids or liquids

Injection

Sharps injuries with solids, liquids or gases

Absorption

Contact with intact skin or mucous membranes of solids, liquids or gases

Safety OfficeInformation on Hazards and Risks

Information on labels as symbol, letter or standard words

Toxic, harmful, irritant, corrosive, oxidising, carcinogenic, mutagenic, sensitising, toxic to reproduction, flammable, explosive or dangerous to environment

Safety data sheets (SDS)


Risk phrases (R phrase)

Safety phrases (S phrase)

Workplace exposure limits (WEL)

Supplier catalogues

Reference books and research literature

Chemical safety books

Chemical safety databases (eg Sigma-Aldrich, RSC, ICSC)


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Safety OfficeHazard Symbols

Harmful / Irritant

Corrosive

Oxidising


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Toxic / Very Toxic

Highly Flammable / Extremely Flammable

Explosive

Dangerous for Environment

Safety OfficeSafety Data Sheets

Safety data sheets available for hazardous and dangerous substances and preparations (Mixtures of substances)

Suppliers must provide SDS

General information about hazards, risks and controls


General information about hazards, risks and controls

SDS do not define all risks and controls for your specific work

You have to do that in your risk assessment

No SDS for novel chemicals and many reaction intermediates produced in research

SDS available on supplier and safety websites

Safety OfficeInformation on Safety Data Sheets

1. Identification of substance and preparation

2. Hazards identification

3. Composition and information on ingredients

9. Physical and chemical properties

10.Stability and reactivity

11.Toxicological information


on ingredients

4. First aid measures

5. Fire fighting measures

6. Accidental release measures

7. Handling and storage

8. Exposure controls and personal protection

12.Ecological information

13.Disposal considerations

14.Transport information

15.Regulatory information

16.Other information


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Safety OfficeRisk Phrases

Risk (R) phrases provide important information on risks

Example R phrases

• R2 Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other source of ignition

R11 Hi hl fl bl


• R11 Highly flammable

• R23 Toxic by inhalation

• R45 May cause cancer

Chemicals can have multiple risk phrases

• Phenol: R24 R25 R34 R36 R37 R38

• Hydrofluoric acid: R26 R27 R28 R35

• Hexane: R11 R20 R38 R48 R51 R53 R62 R65 R67

Safety OfficeSafety Phrases

Safety (S) phrases provide important information on controls

Example S phrases

• S16 Keep away from sources of ignition

• S23 Do not breathe in vapour


• S24 Avoid contact with skin

• S30 Never add water to this product

• S36 Wear suitable protective clothing

Chemicals can have multiple safety phrases

• Phenol: S28 S45

• Hydrofluoric acid: S26 S28 S36 S37 S39 S45

• Hexane: S16 S36 S37 S39 S45 S53

Safety OfficeWorkplace Exposure Limit

Workplace exposure limits (WEL) published for hazardous substances

HSE EH40 Workplace Exposure Limits

WEL assigned for inhalation risks


Long term exposure limit (LTEL) over 8 hour period

Short term exposure limit (STEL) over 15 minute period

Levels should not normally exceed one quarter of WEL

Levels must be calculated by method in EH40

EH40 provides LTEL, STEL, R phrases, carcinogenic and skin absorption risks


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Safety OfficeHealth and Safety Effects

Dangerous and hazardous substances may cause accidents, injury, ill health, disease, fires, explosions and death

Harm to workers and public


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Health effects may be acute, chronic or fatal

Safety effects may be temporary or permanent

Damage may occur to equipment, buildings and environment

Safety Office

Harmful Effects of Exposure or Release

Harm to organs and tissues (eg eyes, skin, lungs, brain, muscles, blood, nerves, liver, kidneys and bladder)

Independent or synergistic effects of substances

Short or long term effects

Effects may be reversible or irreversible


Effects may be reversible or irreversible

Carcinogens may cause cancer

Chemicals may cause irritant contact dermatitis

Sensitizers may cause asthma or allergic contact dermatitis

Asphyxiants can cause rapid loss of consciousness, suffocation and death

Chemicals may cause burns, fires and explosions

Environmental contamination and pollution

Safety OfficeCarcinogens and Mutagens

Carcinogens may cause cancer

COSHH category 1 or 2 carcinogenic substances

Carcinogen risk phrases R40, R45 and R49

Mutagen risk phrase R46


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IARC international classification of common carcinogens

Register project, carcinogen and users with carcinogen registration forms

COSHH risk assessment using stringent controls required


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Safety OfficeIARC Information on Carcinogens

Category 1: Agent or mixture is carcinogenic to humans. Exposure circumstance entails exposures carcinogenic to humans

Category 2A: Agent or mixture is probably carcinogenic to humans. Exposure circumstance entails exposures


probably carcinogenic to humans

Category 2B: Agent or mixture is possibly carcinogenic to humans. Exposure circumstance entails exposures possibly carcinogenic to humans

Category 3: The agent, mixture or exposure circumstance not classifiable for carcinogenicity to humans

Category 4: The agent, mixture or exposure circumstance probably not carcinogenic to humans

Safety OfficeFires and Explosions

Fires and explosions are risks of work with dangerous and hazardous substances

Substances may be flammable or explosive

Redox reactions


Redox reactions

Fire triangle (Combustion)

Fuels, oxidisers and ignition sources

Flash point (Can ignite)

Spillages and leaks of solids, liquids, gases and vapours

Deflagrations and detonations (Fires and explosions)

Ignition source

Safety OfficeFlammable Limits and Range

Lower explosive limit (LEL) and upper explosive limit (UEL) are limits of flammability

Flammable range is concentration of vapour or gas and air mixture which can be ignited to cause fire or explosion (LEL UEL)


(LEL - UEL)

Examples of flammable ranges

• Hydrogen: 6 - 71%

• Acetylene: 2 - 82%

• Xylene: 1 - 7%

Substances with broad flammable ranges are particularly hazardous


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Safety OfficeFires and Explosions

Common fire and explosion hazards are organic solvents and pressurised gases or vapours

Chemical reactions may involve flammable or explosive reactants, intermediates or products

G li d ( h d t l )


Gas cylinders (eg hydrogen, acetylene)

Dusts can combust or explode

Some substances can combust without external oxidiser

Pyrophoric chemicals combust on contact with air

Explosions may be caused by chemical or physical events

Some substances may detonate and explode on ignition, heating or impact (eg acetylene)

Safety OfficeRisk Estimation

Risk is estimated by combining severity of harm were it to

occur and likelihood of occurrence in specific circumstances

Severity of harm (severe, moderate, minor, negligible)


Likelihood of harm (high, medium, low, negligible)

Risk = Likelihood x Severity

Risk = Effectively zero, Low, Low/Medium, Medium or High

Safety OfficeRisk Estimation Matrix

Severity of Harm

Likelihood of Harm

High Medium Low Negligible

Severe High High Medium Effectively zero


Moderate High Medium Medium/Low Effectively zero

Minor Medium/Low Low Low Effectively zero

Negligible Effectively zero

Effectively zero

Effectively zero

Effectively zero


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Safety Office

Controls


Safety Office

Control of Hazardous and Dangerous Substances

COSHH and DSEAR require exposure to and release of hazardous and dangerous substances to be prevented or adequately controlled

Control measures must be proportionate to risks, practical and sustainable


Control measures must be used, monitored, maintained and regularly reviewed

Good practice in control of hazardous substances are given in COSHH to enable selection of appropriate control measures

Good practice in control of dangerous substances are given in DSEAR to enable selection of appropriate control measures

Safety Office

Principles of Good Practice for Control of Exposure

1. Design and operate processes and activities to prevent and control exposure, release and spread of hazardous substances

2. Controls must be relevant to routes of exposure

3. Control exposure by measures proportionate to health and safety risks

4. Choose most effective controls to minimise exposure


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5. Provide suitable personal protective equipment

6. Check and review regularly controls for effectiveness

7. Provide health surveillance and monitor exposure where required

8. Hygiene measures

9. Inform and train workers on hazards and risks of substances and use of control measures

10.Ensure control measures does not increase overall risk to health and safety


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Safety OfficeControl Measures

Totally enclose processes and handling systems

Partially enclose processes, general ventilation and local exhaust ventilation

Processes, systems and procedures which minimise generation or release of substances spillages and leaks


generation or release of substances, spillages and leaks

Reduce quantities of substances used or produced

Minimise number of people exposed and exposure time

Regular cleaning or disinfecting of surfaces and equipment

Safe handling, storage, transport and disposal of hazardous substances and waste

Washing, changing and storage of clothing and PPE, and prohibiting eating and drinking

Safety OfficeHierarchy of Risk Control

Fundamental concept in risk control

1. Elimination

2. Substitution


3. Engineering controls

4. Administrative controls

5. Personal protective equipment

Highest and most effective controls must be selected and

implemented before lower and less effective ones

Safety OfficeContainment and Control

Policies, risk assessments and standard operating procedures

Laboratories and other workplaces

Safe work practices for use, storage, transport, inactivation and waste disposal

Maintenance and testing of controls


Maintenance and testing of controls

Checking controls are used and are effective

Hygiene

Personal protective equipment

Health surveillance and monitoring exposure

Emergency plans and procedures

Information, instruction, training and supervision


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Safety OfficeLaboratories


Safety Office

Laboratories and Hazardous Areas

Benches, floors and walls impervious, resistant and cleanable

Design safe experiments and methods and seek expert advice

Ventilation, fume cupboards, safety cabinets and LEV

Use spill trays, screens and enclosures

Keep equipment and surfaces clean


Keep equipment and surfaces clean

Hazard signs (eg chemicals, gas cylinders)

Electronic monitors for gas detection and warning of danger (eg H2, O2, CO2, CO, H2S and organic vapours)

Hand wash sink, emergency wash hose and shower

Chemical spillage kits

Special fire fighting equipment (eg Firetrace)

Special first aid equipment (eg Medical oxygen for CN)

Safety Office

Fume Cupboards and Local Exhaust Ventilation

Control of hazardous and dangerous substances to protect workers and environment

Total or partial containment

Air flow through cabinet contains and dilutes substances


Substances captured by air flow into LEV

LEV requires effective distance from source, capture and transfer velocities

Discharge contaminated air outside building to atmosphere

Substances may be collected using filters, scrubbers or extractors

Must be properly used and maintained


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Safety OfficeFume Cupboards

Check fume cupboards and safety cabinets are working properly before use

Use correct type of cabinet

Put clear details about experiment and reactions on cabinet


Work with sash down as much as possible

Look through screen not opening

Work in centre of cabinet

Work carefully to minimise disturbance to airflow

Deal with spillages immediately

Do not store unnecessary equipment and materials in fume cupboards and safety cabinets

Safety Office

Control of Exposure to Carcinogens

COSHH requires use of specific control measures for carcinogens

in addition to general controls

a) Totally enclosing process and handling systems if possible

b) Prohibiting eating and drinking in areas used for carcinogens or


b) Prohibiting eating and drinking in areas used for carcinogens or mutagens

c) Cleaning floors, walls and other surfaces at regular intervals and when necessary

d) Designating areas and installations which may be contaminated by carcinogens or mutagens and using warning signs

e) Storing, handling and disposing of carcinogens or mutagens safely, including using closed and clearly labelled containers

Safety Office

Carcinogen Standard Operating Procedures

1. Chemical properties, state and carcinogenicity of substances

2. Quantities to be used

3. Storage procedures

4. Where and how carcinogens are weighed and dispensed

5 Cleaning of room equipment and surfaces


5. Cleaning of room, equipment and surfaces

6. Monitoring effectiveness of procedures

7. Segregation and signage for hazardous areas

8. PPE

9. Waste disposal procedures

10.Statement of training arrangements for users

11.Summary of staff involved in project and roles

12.Emergency and spillage procedures


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Safety OfficeSharps Controls

Exercise caution with sharps to reduce risks of exposure to hazardous substances

Do not use sharps if safer alternatives exist

Use plasticware instead of glassware


Store sharps safely

Never resheath needles

Dispose of used sharps immediately after use in sharps container

Put sharps bin where sharps used

Use PPE and cut resistant gloves

Use safe procedures to prevent sharps accidents

Safety OfficeSharps Controls

G

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Ba

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Dispose of sharps immediately after use

Put sharps bins where sharps used

Dispose of sharps bins on reaching level

Do not dispose of sharps in ordinary bins

Never re-sheath needles

Do not transfer used sharps to other workers

Safety OfficePersonal Protective Equipment

PPE must be used where required by local rules and risk assessments

Body, hand, eye, face and breathing protection

Lab coats, aprons and gloves

S f t t l l d f hi ld


Safety spectacles, goggles and face shields

Respiratory protective equipment

Decontaminated if contaminated

Disposed where damaged or contaminated

Use of PPE is compulsory in laboratories

PPE must not be worn outside laboratories and buildings

PPE must be clean and cleaned by School


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Safety OfficeLaboratory Coats and Other PPE

Laboratory coats must be worn for hazardous activities

At least two for each person so can be cleaned

Wear sizes large enough to allow for flexibility


g g yand shrinkage

Should be clean and properly fastened

Aprons, visors and boots used if risk splashing with hazardous substances

Chemical protection suits for high level protection

Safety OfficeGloves

Suitable gloves must be used for hazardous activities

Select correct gloves for specific hazards using selection criteria on supplier websites


Disposable nitrile gloves offer good protection against many chemicals

Thicker gloves may be required for work with many hazardous chemicals

Special gloves for specific chemical and physical hazards

Use cut resistant gloves for work with sharps

Safety Office

Spectacles, Goggles and Face Shields

Eye protection must be worn for hazardous activities to protect against splashes, aerosols and explosions

Normal prescription glasses do not give protection

Suitable safety spectacles


Suitable safety spectacles

Goggles

Face shield visors to protect whole face

Specialist spectacles, goggles and face shields for chemical and physical hazards


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Safety OfficeEye Protection is Essential

Glassware explosion accident

Small glass fragments ejected everywhere

Person’s eyes were protected because


they used lab spectacles

Chemicals or other materials in eyes could cause serious eye damage or blindness

Wear your lab spectacles!

Safety OfficeRespiratory Protective Equipment

RPE may be required for some hazardous activities

Disposable mask (FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3)

Half or full face respirator

Powered respirator


Powered respirator

Breathing apparatus

RPE must be face fit tested to each individual person

Information and training in use required

RPE must be clean and properly maintained and stored

Safety OfficeGood Personal Practices

Safety glassesNo eating, drinking or chewing

Long hair tied back


No dangling clothingor jewellery

Sensible flat shoes

Legs covered

Laboratory coat(clean)


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Safety Office

Health Surveillance and Monitoring Exposure

University Occupational Health Service provides health surveillance for occupational diseases or conditions for research workers

Check people not harmed by exposure to hazardous b t ( i t i iti )


substances (eg carcinogens, toxins, sensitizers)

Diseases and conditions (eg dermatitis, asthma and cancer)

Monitoring exposure to substances where required

New and expectant mothers (Contact Occupational Health)

Questionnaire, interview, risk assessment, examination, tests, biological monitoring and clinical referrals

Safety OfficePersonal Hygiene

Never do any of the following in laboratories and anywhere you could be exposed to hazardous substances

Eat Drink


Drink Chew Apply cosmetics Store food or drink Avoid touching the face

Do not store personal possessions in laboratories (eg outdoor clothes and bags)

Safety OfficeHand Washing

Hands must be washed if contaminated and when work completed

Handwash sink should be near doors

Should operate without using hands


Should have emergency wash hose

Liquid soap

Paper towels

Handwash sink must not be used for lab work

Hand creams may be useful to protect hands

Emergency wash hose for cleaning eyes, mouth, skin or body in case of injury or personal contamination


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Safety Office

Storage of Hazardous and Dangerous Substances

Store properly to prevent accidental exposure or release of hazardous and dangerous substances

Minimise quantities of chemicals purchased and stored

Label samples, containers and cabinets


Segregate incompatible chemicals (eg acids, bases, oxidisers, organic solvents, flammables)

Use suitable robust containers and bunded cabinets

Store flammables in flame resistant cabinets (eg solvents, gas cylinders)

Do not overfill cabinets, fridges and freezers

Dispose of unwanted chemicals

Safety Office

Internal Transport of Hazardous and Dangerous Substances

Transport properly to prevent accidental exposure or release of hazardous and dangerous substances

Use bottle carriers for large bottles

Use multiple containment for transporting


Use multiple containment for transporting hazardous chemicals

Use suitable robust containers with hazard warning sign labels

Use trolleys where necessary

Take spill kit if necessary in case of accidents

Safety Office

External Transport of Hazardous and Dangerous Substances

Complex legal requirements for carriage of dangerous goods

HSE Carriage of Dangerous Goods Manual

UN hazard classes 1 - 9

Use UN approved packaging containers


Package carefully and provide documentation

Use competent carriers (eg Dangerous Goods International or World Courier)

Communicate details of shipments to recipients

Ensure consignment is acceptable to carrier and recipient


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Safety OfficeUN Hazard Classes

Class 1: Explosive

Class 2: Gases

Class 3: Flammable liquids

Class 4: Flammable solids


Class 4: Flammable solids

Class 5: Oxidizing substances and organic peroxides

Class 6: Toxic and infectious substances

Class 7: Radioactive substances and articles

Class 8: Corrosive substances

Class 9: Miscellaneous dangerous substances

Safety Office

Transport Methods and Packaging Systems

Categorise substances or materials into UN hazard class

Get advice from transport carrier company and Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA)

Use correct UN approved packaging system containers


suitable for hazards

Containers must be robust, with seal and leakproof

Containers must be properly labelled

Double or triple packaging systems may be required for some hazards

Shipping documents and contact details

Safety OfficeExample Packaging System



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Safety OfficeWaste Management

Hazardous and dangerous substances must be safely handled using appropriate containers and waste route

Put into clearly labelled waste containers

Do not mix incompatible chemicals


Use sharps containers for sharps

Do not overfill containers

Do not put waste down sinks unless previously agreed with Safety Officer

Do not stockpile chemical waste and dispose regularly

Use specialist chemical waste contractors

Waste must be safely stored, transported and disposed

Safety OfficeEmergency Procedures

Emergency procedures must be prepared in risk assessment and standard operating procedures

Accidental spillages and release of hazardous and dangerous substances

Workers must be able to implement emergency procedures


Workers must be able to implement emergency procedures

Assess situation before taking action

Inform others of accidents and isolate area or evacuate

Seek assistance and use PPE

Seek first aid and medical treatment if required

Decontaminate area or laboratory

Report accidents and incidents immediately to manager

Complete USO accident report form

Safety OfficeChemical Accidents

Spillage of liquids or solids

Release of gases

Fire

Explosion


Explosion

Accidental exposure

Acute toxicity

Allergic sensitisation or reaction

Pharmacological effect


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Safety OfficeSpillages

Spillage standard operating procedure

Spillage kits and PPE

Notify other workers and isolate area

Evacuate lab if serious risks


Contain spills with tissues or granules

Allow sufficient contact time before clean up

Gather debris but do not use brush

Pick up broken glass carefully (eg forceps or swabs)

Put debris in suitable container for safe disposal

Clean and decontaminate area, surfaces and equipment

Safety Office

Contained Chemical Spillages and Releases

Spillages in fume cupboard or spill tray

Be prepared in advance

Wear appropriate lab coat, gloves and spectacles

N t li ( id d b )


Neutralise (eg acids and bases)

Destroy (eg reactives)

Absorb onto solid (eg paper, absorption granules)

Transfer to specified chemical waste

Safety Office

Uncontained Chemical Spillages and Releases

Chemical spillor gas release

Minoror Minor Major


Major

Evacuatebuilding

Phone 6666

Highhazard

As forcontainedspillage

EvacuatelaboratorySeek Help

No Yes


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Safety OfficeFire Safety Actions

Ensure safe to fight fires and escape route is not compromised

Small fire

1. Smother with beaker or fire blanket


2. Tell others

3. Use appropriate fire extinguisher

Large fire

1. Activate fire alarm

2. Call Fire and Rescue Service (Security x 6666)

3. Evacuate building immediately

Safety OfficePersonal Contamination or Injury

Remove contaminated clothing quickly and leave in lab

Remove contamination from eyes, mouth and skin by washing with water

Minor cuts and small puncture wounds should be encouraged to bleed


Wash wounds and contaminated skin with water

Dress wounds

Use PPE when helping injured persons

Seek help if required (eg First aider, GP or Hospital)

Emergencies should go to hospital

Call ambulance if required (Security x 6666)

Explain incident and hazards substances to medical staff

Safety OfficeEmergency First Aid

Skin contact

Remove contaminated clothing

Rinse with flowing water

Seek first aid

Ingestion

Rinse mouth with flowing water

Seek first aid

Seek medical assistance


Seek first aid

Safety shower


Eye contact

Rinse with flowing water using eye wash station

Seek first aid



Injection


Inhalation

Remove from source

Seek first aid



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Safety OfficeEmergency Wash Hose or Shower

Use handwash sink to wash contaminated hands

Use emergency wash hose to clean eyes, mouth, skin and body for personal contamination or injury


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Use emergency drench shower to decontaminate body for serious personal contamination

Safety Office

Cyanides and Nitriles - Example Acetonitrile

Highly toxic, moderate irritant and possible systemic effects

Medical effects:

Ingestion: Burning sensation in throat, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rapid breathing, unconsciousness and convulsions


convulsions

Skin: May be absorbed through skin

Eye: Irritation, redness, pain and corneal burns

Respiratory tract: Severe irritant, shortness of breath, chest pains, agitation, unconsciousness and convulsions

Systemic effects: Metabolism: cyanide effect, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath; and Kidney, Liver and Bone: possible long term effects

Safety OfficeCyanides and Nitriles First Aid

Medical assistance should be sought immediately

Onset of symptoms may be delayed 1-12 hours

Medical oxygen must be available before works starts

Skin contact: Remove all contaminated clothing immediately d i ith d t


and rinse with soap and water

Eye contact: Rinse with flowing water and transfer to hospital

Ingestion: Give 100% medical oxygen by mask, do not perform mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose ventilation, and transfer to hospital

Inhalation: Give 100% medical oxygen by mask, do not perform mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose ventilation, and transfer to hospital


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Safety OfficeAcetonitrile Poisoning

Case 1

Adult male, 60kg. Suicidal ingestion of ~5 mL of acetonitrile. No severe symptoms of intoxication. Elimination t½ = 32 hrs for acetonitrile and 15 hrs for cyanide

Case 2


Case 2

Adult female. Post-mortem blood concentrations of 31 and 56 mg/dL of acetonitrile and 4.4 ug/mL of cyanide

Case 3

Adult female. Self-poisoning resulting in cyanide poisoning 11 hrs later. Conversion t½ = 40 hrs. Harmful blood cyanide levels for 24 hrs after ingestion

Conclusion: Monitoring of acetonitrile poisoning for 24-48 hrs

Safety OfficePhenol and Phenols

Highly toxic and corrosive

Medical effects:

Ingestion: Abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea

Skin: Burning redness and may be major route of entry


Skin: Burning, redness and may be major route of entry

Eye: Pain, redness, watering and blurred vision

Respiratory tract: Irritant, sore throat and shortness of breath

Systemic effects: CNS: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, collapse and coma; Kidney: extensive damage; and Skin: ochronosis

Safety OfficePhenol First Aid

PEG-300 solution and protective gloves must be available before work starts

Skin contact: Remove all contaminated clothing immediately, rinse with PEG-300 for 30 minutes and


ytransfer to hospital

Eye contact: Rinse with flowing water not PEG-300 and transfer to hospital

Ingestion: Transfer to hospital

Inhalation: Transfer to hospital


29

Safety OfficeHydrofluoric Acid and Fluorides

Very highly toxic, corrosive and possible long term effects

Medical effects:

Ingestion: Abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhoea

Skin: Deep burns and may be delayed


Skin: Deep burns and may be delayed

Eye: Severe eye damage

Respiratory tract: Severe irritant, cough, difficulty breathing and possible systemic effects

Systemic effects: Lungs: pulmonary oedema (delayed), adult respiratory distress syndrome; and Bones: fluorosis

Safety OfficeHydrofluoric Acid First Aid

Calcium gluconate gel must be available before works starts

Skin contact: Remove all contaminated clothing immediately, rinse with water, apply calcium gluconate gel


y pp y g gand transfer to hospital

Eye contact: Rinse with flowing water and transfer to hospital

Ingestion: Transfer to hospital

Inhalation: Transfer to hospital

Safety Office

Any questions?

Documents

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