STANDARD LABORATORY PRACTICES

CONTENTS

Basic Safe Work Practices

Basic Practices and Prohibitions (DOs and DON‟Ts) for Work With Chemicals

DOs

DON‟Ts

Laboratory Hygiene

Housekeeping

Laboratory Door Signage

After Hours Work

Unattended Experiments

Guides on the Safe Handling of Chemicals

Methods for the Transfer of Chemicals

Precautions When Using Glassware

Potentially Explosive Chemicals

Heat of Reaction

Rate of Reaction

Transportation of Chemicals Between Laboratories

Handling of a Container of an Unknown Chemical

Actions For Dealing With a Container of an Unknown Chemical

Work Environment Group 1

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
Basic Safe Work Practices

The basic or routine work practices and attitudes in the laboratory can significantly
contribute to the level of safety, the prevention of accidents and incidents, and to limit
risks to health and the environment.

The correct attitude and practices in the laboratory incorporate the following:

Know your capabilities and limitations

Everybody has a limitations to their skills, and there are some tasks
that each person should realise they can‟t do. Tasks should only be
attempted by persons who possess the appropriate knowledge and
skills. If in doubt, ask for help.

Follow regulations
Regulations, instructions, Standard Operating Procedures, „red tape‟
etc. exist for everyone‟s protection. Although it might be tempting to
cut corners or use shortcuts, these lead to accidents in many cases.

Pace yourself
Rushing around or over-tiring yourself (e.g. by working very long
hours) to complete tasks is risking an accident or injury. By working at
a steady, comfortable pace, more will be completed in the long run.
For example, just consider the time involved in cleaning up a chemical
spill.

Respect safety guards

Equipment should only be used for its intended purpose - with any
safety guards in place. Safety guards and interlocks are there to
prevent accidents.

Expect the unexpected

Stay alert. Consider all of the equipment and items being utilised in
the experiment or work you‟re doing. If something looks like a
potential hazard - minimise or eliminate it! If in doubt, ask for
assistance.

Attitude
An attitude of familiarity, indifference or ignorance to chemical safety
can result in exposures and accidents. Respect all chemicals and
processes, and take care!

Basic Practices and Prohibitions (DOs and DO NOTs) for Work With Chemicals

Always follow the established DOs and DO NOTs of laboratory practice. The
development of these lists is based on a history of laboratory accidents, and therefore

Work Environment Group 2

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
the items on these lists are there to protect your health and safety by minimising the
chances of previous incidents from recurring.

DOs
 Understand the procedures that you intend to perform
 Conduct risk assessments when using hazardous chemicals
 Know the location of emergency equipment (fire extinguishers, safety showers etc),
how to use them and how to summon assistance in the event of an emergency.
 Ensure equipment is maintained appropriately
 Highly toxic chemicals should only be used by people involved in the experiment,
and in designated areas
 Be considerate of neighbours when working with hazardous materials and using
laboratory equipment
 Communicate space and equipment needs with your laboratory partners to avoid
conflicts
 Communicate the use and properties of hazardous materials with your neighbours
 Only use equipment for its intended purpose(s)
 Be vigilant, and report all unsafe conditions and actions of co-workers – their
accidents may affect you
 Cover working surfaces with absorbent material (where appropriate)
 Appropriately label chemical containers
 Clean glassware thoroughly and promptly
 Dispose of chemicals and their wastes according to relevant guidelines
 Dispose of broken glassware appropriately
 Clean-up your own mess
 Decontaminate containers after use
 Avoid working alone
DON’Ts
 Don‟t wear apparel that may become contaminated or caught on equipment
 Don‟t mouth pipette
 Don‟t allow maintenance work or repairs on equipment, until decontamination is
complete
 Don‟t leave naked flames unattended in a laboratory
 Don‟t leave equipment running or experiments overnight, unless they are labelled
“please leave on” with date, name, and telephone number of the person responsible
 Don‟t exceed the quantities of flammable solvents and corrosives allowed by the
Budget Unit
 Don‟t store Winchesters or other chemical bottles on the floor
 Don‟t ride in lifts with liquid nitrogen
 Don‟t run in laboratory areas
 Don‟t carry hazardous material in stairwells, unless in appropriate secondary
containment
 Don‟t use fume cupboards as storage areas
 Don‟t distract or startle others who are using chemicals

Work Environment Group 3

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
Laboratory Hygiene
There are also lists of things to do and not do in order to maintain appropriate levels of
hygiene in a laboratory.
 Always wash your hands thoroughly after using any chemical (and before leaving the
laboratory)
 Always use Personal Protective Equipment when required (eye protection must
always be worn when hazardous chemicals are being used)
 Wear an appropriate hair style or restrain/tie back hair
 Cover any wounds in the skin with a waterproof dressing
 Clean up spills immediately
 Don‟t bring food or drink into chemical areas
 Don‟t eat, or drink in chemical areas
 Don‟t apply cosmetics in chemical areas
 Don‟t smoke in hazardous areas
 Don‟t smell or taste chemicals
 Don‟t wear laboratory coats or gloves outside hazardous areas. They should be
stored in the laboratory and not taken into other areas (eg. tea rooms)
Housekeeping

Housekeeping is a general term used to describe the state of cleanliness and

organisation of an area. An untidy, cluttered work area is, in itself, a potential hazard.
Items could be easily knocked over while stretching across a messy bench to reach
other items.
 Work areas (benches, fume cupboards etc) should be cleaned at the end of each
process, or at the end of the day.
 There are other areas in a laboratory that should be regularly checked and
cleaned:
o Sinks
o Cupboards
o Shelves
 Should be sturdy
 Should not have bottles near the edge
 Heavier bottles should be located near waist height
 No heavy or awkward shaped bottles should be located above
shoulder height
o Floors
o Apparatus
 If you find a leak or a spill, cleaning it up quickly prevents the material becoming
airborne, drying-out, or destroying the surface.
 Waste materials should be placed in the appropriate disposal container
immediately.
 The regular housekeeping should also involve checks for leaks, deteriorating
containers or labels, damaged containers etc.
 Emergency exits should NEVER be blocked.

Work Environment Group 4

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
  Corridors, hallways and stairwells should not be used as storage areas.
 Hoses in a sink should not reach the bottom of the basin, to prevent back-flow
contamination.
o This may occur when a hose is running with little pressure and is
positioned in a bath of chemicals, washing up trough, or coiled in the
sink. If another tap in the building demands more water, the drop in
pressure may suck contaminated water back into the pipes. This is
important because not all laboratories at the ANU are fitted with back-
flow prevention devices.
Laboratory Door Signage

Laboratories should have an appropriate sign affixed to the door(s) of the laboratory,
indicating the types of hazards contained within the laboratory (chemical, biological,
radioactive etc). The ANU has a laboratory door sign that is recommended for all
laboratory doors (An example of this sign is shown in Figure 1, below). Copies of the
laboratory door sign template are available from the Work Environment Group.

After Hours Work

Area management is responsible for controlling various aspects of after hours work.
The common aspects include:
 Having appropriate signing in / out procedures
 Categorising the type of work to be undertaken after hours (i.e. via risk
assessments)
 Restricting or prohibition some types of work after hours, including distillation
of large quantities of flammable liquids, and high-level radiation work.
Ideally two persons should be working in close proximity, if working after hours.

All Budget Units should have „After Hours Work Procedures‟ that are prepared in
conjunction with consultation and implemented.

Work Environment Group 5

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
 Figure 1 Example of ANU Laboratory Door Sign

Work Environment Group 6

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
Unattended Experiments

There are many occasions when reactions, experiments or instruments will need to be
left operating overnight, during weekends, or at other times when the laboratory is
unattended. If a procedure is left running when the laboratory is unattended, the
procedure should be designed such that there will not be any adverse events that result
due to loss of services (electricity, water etc).

Guides on the Safe Handling of Chemicals

Methods for the Transfer of Chemicals

Common methods for the transfer of liquids are indicated below:

Pouring
When pouring adequate control needs to be maintained of the container,
to prevent spillage. The label should be kept on the uppermost portion of
the bottle, to prevent the chemical running down the bottle and
damaging the label.

Gravity-flow
This should be performed through a valve or tap. When dealing with
Class 3 (flammable) dangerous goods this valve must be self-closing.

Pressure
This uses the container‟s own pressure (eg, liquid nitrogen transfer), or
pressure from compressed air or nitrogen gas. This technique must not
be used for flammable liquids.

Pumping
An appropriate pumping device should be used.

The method most likely to prevent leakage and spillage should be selected and used.

When flammable liquids are transferred between two conductive containers (eg. a metal
drum and a metal solvent dispensing container), there is a risk of a static electricity
discharge occurring. Grounding wires should be used to prevent a spark occurring and
causing a fire or explosion. The two containers should be connected and individually
earthed. For further advice, contact the Work Environment Group.

Precautions When Using Glassware

Laboratory glassware, particularly round bottom flasks, can be expected to develop

cracks and chips over time. Some cracks will be very difficult to see. Star-cracks, for
instance, are a common cause of implosions in glassware that is placed under a vacuum.

Work Environment Group 7

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
Cracks in glassware can also fail due to heating and / or cooling. This is often because
the crack was not identified before the experiment was commenced.

All glassware should be visually inspected for cracks before it is used in an experiment.
A more thorough visual inspection is required if the glassware is to be placed under
vacuum, heated or cooled. If a crack is identified, or if you are in doubt, do not use the
glassware in question.

Cracks commonly form when glassware bumps together in a drawer that is being
opened or closed. The installation of dividers (usually wooden) within drawers can
reduce the amount of damage to glassware in this situation.

N.B. Regardless of the presence of cracks, any glassware placed under vacuum has the
potential to implode.

Potentially Explosive Chemicals

Inherently Explosive Chemicals

All laboratory workers should be aware that there are many laboratory chemicals that
are inherently potentially explosive. For examples of potentially explosive laboratory
chemicals and chemical families, see the Explosive Chemicals List. If unsure, or if further
advice is required, contact the Work Environment Group.

Note that chemicals classed as explosive dangerous goods must not be used at ANU
without first consulting the Work Environment Group.

Peroxide Formation

Many laboratory chemicals, especially ethers, when left exposed to air and light will form
peroxides over time (See the Peroxide Forming Chemicals document). 1 Peroxides are
potentially explosive, and procedures should be in place to prevent the formation of
explosive concentrations of peroxides. In particular, but not exclusively, the chemicals
listed in the Peroxide Forming Chemicals document should be tested for peroxides as
per their recommended timeframes. 1 Commercially available peroxide test strips / sticks
are the simplest method of determining the peroxide concentration of a chemical.

To minimise the amount, and rate, of peroxide formation, peroxide forming chemicals
should be stored in the original dark glass or plastic containers with a tight fitting cap.
These containers should be stored in a cool, dry and dark location. Containers with
ground glass stoppers of loose fitting lids must not be used

Each chemical that may undergo peroxide formation should be labelled (see Figure 1 for
an example) to indicate:
 The date that the chemical was received
 The date the container was opened
 The time period between tests for peroxides

Work Environment Group 8

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
  The date and result of each test for peroxides
Peroxides should not be allowed to form in non-peroxide chemicals in concentrations
exceeding 100ppm. Where the peroxide concentration has been determined to exceed
100ppm, the chemical should be disposed of, or the local budget unit‟s Hazardous Waste
Safety Officer or the Work Environment Group. contacted for advice on the treatment of
the chemical. 2

WARNING: Upon exposure to air, explosive concentrations of peroxides

may form in this chemical. Check peroxide concentration before distilling
or concentrating.

CHEMICAL NAME:

DATE RECEIVED:

DATE OPENED:

Test or dispose of ____ months after receipt, or ____ months after

opening.

DO NOT use if peroxide concentration in excess of 100ppm is detected.

TEST RECORD

Test Date __________ Test Result ________ ppm

Test Date __________ Test Result ________ ppm

Figure 1: Example Of A Label For Containers Of Peroxide Forming Chemicals

Distillation of peroxide containing chemicals should be avoided, and must not be

conducted if the peroxide concentration exceeds 100ppm.

Heat of Reaction

As two materials are mixed, a heat-producing reaction may occur. Such a reaction is
said to be exothermic. If during a reaction, energy is absorbed and the mixture cools,
the reaction is said to be endothermic.

Exothermic reactions are more common and are usually more hazardous. If the heat of
reaction is great, or the two materials are mixed too quickly, rapid heating can occur
and cause the mixture to erupt from the vessel. Should this occur in a in a vessel such
as a test tube, the contents may be „fired‟ into your face.

Work Environment Group 9

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
Rate of Reaction

The rate of a chemical reaction is influenced by physical and chemical properties of the
reagents and the reaction, including:
 concentration
 proportions of reactants
 rate of addition
 purity of materials
 presence of catalytic impurities
 reaction temperature and pressure
 degree of agitation.
The rate and order of addition of the reactants are significant factors in controlling the
rate of a reaction.
 Reactants should always be added slowly and cautiously.
 External cooling should be provided where an exothermic reaction can generate
enough heat to significantly increase the rate of the reaction.
Particular care should be taken when mixing acids with water (or aqueous solutions),
ALWAYS add the acid SLOWLY to the water – NEVER add water to an acid. Water
has a much higher high specific heat than acids (i.e. water can absorb a larger amount
of heat and experience a much smaller change in its temperature) and is therefore able
to better dissipate the generated heat.

When liquids are heated to their boiling point, anti-bumping granules (porcelain chips)
or stirring must be used. If a liquid is allowed to cool and then re-heated to its boiling
point, fresh granules must be added or the stirring resumed.

There are many sources of heat available for the heating of liquids, including Bunsen
burners, water baths, oil baths, steam baths, microwave ovens, heating mantles and RF
heaters. Choose the safest method relevant to the chemistry involved, for example, do
not use a Bunsen burner for heating flammable liquids.

Transportation of Chemicals Between Laboratories

When transporting chemicals between laboratories a secondary container should be

used to hold the chemicals, in order to minimise the risk of spillages occurring. The first
container or sample is placed inside a second container that is sealed (usually by a push
sealed or screw top lid). This is a very common procedure in the transport of biological
samples and carcinogenic materials.

As well as for protecting chemical containers, secondary containers may be used to

make it easier to carry certain containers (e.g. Winchester carriers).

Secondary containers are also appropriate for storage. For example it is common to
store hydrofluoric acid in a second plastic container to prevent damage in the event of
breakage.

Work Environment Group 10

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division
References

1. National Research Council, Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and

Disposal of Chemicals, National Academy Press, Washington D.C. (1995).

2. Bretherick, L., Bretherick‟s Handbook of Reactive Chemical Hazards, 4th Edition,

London: Butterworth. (1990).

Work Environment Group 11

Version 1: June 2011
HR Division