General Laboratory Safety

Training
Presented by Martina Schmeling
Adapted from UC Davis

Staying safe means that you

Read labels on containers of chemicals
Read Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)
Handle chemicals with care
Use correct protective clothing and
equipment
Remember emergency procedures

Chemical Labels
Every container of chemicals is labeled by
the manufacturer.
The label will tell you
Name of chemical
Name, address and emergency phone
number of manufacturer
Physical and health hazards
Precautionary measures
First-aid instructions
Proper handling/storage instructions

Health Hazards on
a Chemical Label

Carcinogen
Highly toxic agent
Toxic agent
Reproductive hazard
Irritant

Corrosive
Sensitizer
Hepatotoxin
Nephrotoxin
Neurotoxin

Typical Precautionary Measures

on a Label
Do not breathe vapors
Use in well-ventilated areas
Keep container closed when not in
use
Avoid contact with skin
Wash thoroughly with soap and
water after handling

 Keep away from sparks, heat, and

flame
Do not store near combustible
materials
Store in tightly closed container
Remove and wash contaminated
clothing promptly
Keep from contact with clothing and
other combustible materials

Common Signal Words

on Labels
Danger Can cause immediate serious
injury or death
Warning Can cause potentially serious
injury or death
Caution Can cause potentially
moderate injury

Special Symbols Used on Labels

Helps you recognize kind of hazard a chemical
could present if you are not careful
Toxicity
Corrosivity (acids and bases)
Ignitability (flammable solvents and
certain solids)
Reactivity (sodium and various waterreactive reagents)

Color and Number Coded Label

Systems
NFPA-type label

3
4

Colors represent kind of hazard

Red = fire
Yellow = instability
Blue = health
black = specific hazard
& personal protection

Numbers show degree of hazard

0 = Minimal
1 = Slight
2 = Moderate
3 = Serious
4 = Severe

Color and Number Coded

Label Systems
NFPA-type labels

Black = specific hazard

OX = Oxidizer

3
4

ACID = Acid

2
COR

ALK = Alkali
COR = Corrosive
W = Use no water
Other symbols:

Material Safety Data Sheets

(MSDS)
Provides more detailed information about a chemical, including
Composition, information on ingredients (Section 2)
Hazards identification (Section 3)
First aid measures (Section 4)
Accidental Release measures (Section 6)
Handling and Storage (Section 7)
Exposure controls, personal protection (Section 8)
Stability and reactivity (Section 10)
Toxicological information (Section 11)

MSDS (contd)
Hazards Identification
Inhalation: Respiratory tract (lungs) through inhalation
Ingestion: Digestive tract through eating or smoking with
contaminated hands or in contaminated work areas
Absorption through the skin or eyes: Dermatitis or
damage to the liver, kidney, or other organ systems
Injection: Percutaneous injection of a toxic substance
through the skin

MSDS (contd)
Specific possible health hazards:
Acute poisoning (rapid assimilation of

substance, i.e., carbon monoxide)

Chronic poisoning (prolonged exposure, i.e.,
lead poisoning)
Cumulative poisons (numerous chronic
exposures, i.e., heavy metals)
Substances in combination (synergistic effect, i.e.,
exposure to alcohol and chlorinated solvents)

MSDS (contd)
Potential Health Effects
Eye irritation
Nausea
Dizziness
Skin rashes
Headache
Existing medical conditions possibly
aggravated by exposure

MSDS (contd)
Emergency/first-aid procedures to follow
Accidental Release Measures
What to do if substance spills and leaks
How to correctly dispose of substance
Equipment/procedures for cleaning up
spills and leaks

MSDS (contd)
Handling and Storage
How to handle and store substance safely
Any other precautions (i.e., grounding
containers during transfer of flammables)

MSDS (contd)
Exposure Controls, Personal
Protection
Respirator
Gloves
Eye protection
Protective clothing
Ventilation

Special work and hygiene practices

that should be followed

MSDS (contd)
Exposure Limits
Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
TLV-C
TLV-STEL
TLV-TWA

Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)

Recommended Exposure Limit (REL)

MSDS (contd)
Toxicological Information
LC50: median lethal concentration by
inhalation in a single exposure over a
specified time period
LCLO: lowest reported LC50
LD50: median lethal concentration by a route
other than inhalation

So, what is highly toxic?

Highly Toxic is indicated by
LD50 50 mg/kg body wt by ingestion to albino rats
each weighing between 200 to 300 gms
OR
LD50 200 mg/kg by continuous contact for 24 hrs with
skin of albino rabbits each weighing between 2 and 3 kg
OR
LC50 200 ppm of gas or vapor inhalation (or 2 mg/L of
mist, dust, or fumes) for one hour by albino rats each
weighing between 200 to 300 gms

How can an MSDS be

Decoded?
See the glossary produced by CCOHS
http://ccinfoweb.ccohs.ca/help/msds/msdstermse.html

Handle Chemicals with Care

Dispose of chemicals, broken glass, and
other waste in approved containers
Clean up broken glass and spills immediately
Keep the lab clean and neat
Store incompatible chemicals in separate
storage areas

Chemical Storage
Labs have established separate storage areas for
Flammable and combustible organic liquids and solvents
Acids
Dry poisons, salts, and oxidizers
Bases

Chemicals are stored in

Chemical storage cabinets
Flammable storage refrigerators (No food)
Chemical storage refrigerators/freezers (No food)
On shelves with retaining barriers

Storage Fundamentals
Identify incompatible chemicals check the Material
Safety Data Sheet
Isolate and separate incompatible materials
Isolate by storing in another area or room
Degree of isolation depends on quantities, chemical
properties and packaging
Separate by storing in same area or room, but apart
from each other

Storage of Flammable and

Combustible Liquids
Storage must not limit the use of
exits, stairways, or areas normally
used for the safe regress of
people
Storage must be in:
closed metal containers
inside a storage cabinet, or
safety cans, or
an inside storage room

Inside storage room

Storage Cabinets
Not more than 60 gal of Class I
and/or Class II liquids, or not more
than 120 gal of Class III liquids
permitted in a cabinet
Must be conspicuously labeled,
Flammable - Keep Fire Away
Doors on metal cabinets must
have a three-point lock (top, side,
and bottom), and the door sill
must be raised at least 2 inches
above the bottom of the cabinet

Use correct protective clothing and equipment

Eye Protection
Safety glasses flying particles, chemical splashes,
dust
Splash goggles corrosive liquids, solvents, powders
Face Shields high pressure systems

Respiratory Protection

normally not needed at LUC

Skin and Body Protection

Gloves see the MSDS
Aprons and lab coats strong acids and bases
Shoes always worn in lab, closed toe and closed
heel

Hearing Protection normally not needed at LUC

Do not
Use damaged glassware
Store chemicals near heat, sunlight, or other
substances with which they might react
Store materials on floors or other places where
people could trip over them
Leave equipment unattended when its operating
(unless it is designed to do so or you have an SOP)
Put custodians and fellow workers in danger

If Overexposed to a Hazardous
Substance

Get medical help immediately!

Inform your lab supervisor
Check MSDS for first-aid instructions.
Some general guidelines are
Eyes: Flush with water for 15 minutes
Ingestion: Follow label and MSDS instructions
Skin Contact: Stand under emergency shower and
remove contaminated clothing immediately
Inhalation: Get to fresh air and get prompt medical
attention

Other Emergency Procedures

Fire: call 911, activate building fire alarm; safely use fire
extinguisher on small fires
Hazardous Chemical spill (over 1 pint): evacuate the
room; close door; call 911; consider evacuation of building

Emergencies can happen, so

Avoid working alone in the lab
Know where emergency phone numbers are posted
Review MSDS
Know where to go and what to do in an emergency
Know the location of the closest safety showers,
eyewashes, and fire extinguishers

Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP)

Outlines specific work practices for all work
involving hazardous substances in the lab
Gives procedures to follow when working
with hazardous chemicals
Provides details on how your chemical exposure
will be monitored and limited
Assures that you have the right personal protective
equipment (PPE)
Specifies that some hazardous tasks to be
approved in advance by the PI