Biology Safety - LAB3.3 - Some useful safety information for lab workers

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	LAB3.3 - Some useful safety information for lab workers
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Useful information
LAB3.3 - safety information for lab workers

Legal requirements

Accuracy of information

Safety pictograms which feature on European chemical safety data sheets, bottle labels and catalogues, on lab doors and in corridors etc.

Internet sources of information (including chemical hazard data)

The meaning of the R (risk) phrases,

The meaning of the S (safety) phrases

Data on UK OELs (occupational exposure limits) comprising MELs (maximum exposure limits) and OESs (occupational exposure standards) of chemicals.

Glove/chemical compatibility, how to choose which glove.

Chemical incompatibilities, when mixing them.

Chemical safety information on selected chemicals including disposal of small amounts and dealing with spills.

Accuracy of information When considering the use of laboratory procedures and materials the absence of warnings, hazard symbols, risk phrases, safety phrases or occupational exposure limits must not be taken to mean that a particular procedure or substance is harmless. The information given here can change periodically. For Departmental members major changes will be brought to your attention via e-mail messages and updating this web page. If you would like additional information (or hyperlinks to remote documents) here please contact Pete Jewell.
Safety pictograms Paper copies of this document in laboratories include a colour selection of warning and information pictograms. The signs will often have additional text to explain the hazard/warning/action required.
HAZARD warnings on containers. Squares with black graphic symbols on an orange background. These mean 'beware of contents'. See the HSE leaflet "Read the label" for more hazard symbols. Example - Corrosive.
HAZARD warnings on doors and objects. Black-edged triangles with stylised black symbols on a yellow background. These mean 'beware of adjacent hazard'. *Example - Ionising radiation.*
PROHIBITION notices. A red circle and diagonal superimposed over a graphical symbol. These mean 'DON'T do something' which could be dangerous. Example - No unauthorised access.
MANDATORY instruction. Blue circle with white graphical image. These mean 'you MUST do something' to behave safely. *Example - Wear face mask.*
FIRE precaution notice. Red square with white graphical symbol. These pinpoint the positions of fire alarms or fire-fighting equipment. Example - Fire alarm call point.
EMERGENCY information. Green squares or rectangles with white graphical symbols. These indicate emergency escape routes, first aid facilities or emergency assembly points. *Example - Emergency escape to the left.*

Internet sources of lab safety information. Chemical MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets). A very useful starting point is the University of Kentucky at http://www.ilpi.com/msds/index.html. From here you can access some very good and comprehensive databases such as Cornell Uni., Oxford Uni., the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Sigma, Fisher Scientific (includes European R- and S-phrases) and BDH (Canada). Manufacturers web sites can often contain valuable safety information on individual chemicals. Oxford University Physical and Theoretical Chemistry site has information on a glossary of terms related to the safety of chemicals and many other items at http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/ Hazard categories of micro-organisms can be accessed from the UK ACDP (in the second supplement to; Categorisation of biological agents according to hazard and categories of containment) and 'MSDSs' at Health Canada. Good chemistry safety links at Bristol University and at Oxford. If you know of other good internet sources of lab safety information please let Pete Jewell know about them.
Risk Phrases Data sheets available in the UK now contain codes for certain 'risk phrases', shown as R23, R45 etc. It is current safety policy in the Department that a written Special risk assessment must be provided when a substance to be used has been assigned any of the risk phrases R45, R46, R47, R49, R61, R62 or R63. Other hazards may also dictate the preparation of a Special assessment. These meaning of these risk phrase codes can be determined by looking at the Oxford University Physical and Theoretical Chemistry site http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/risk_phrases.html (Where more than one R phrase is pertinent they are written as (e.g.) R : 22-34-43. Combinations of Risk Phrases can be built up. For example R : 26/27/28 - Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed.)
Safety Phrases. Under EC legislation, data sheets available in the UK now contain codes for certain 'safety phrases', shown as S1, S17 etc. These phrase codes have specific meanings. Combinations of S phrases can be built up in much the same way as the R phrases. Do not confuse safety phrase S1 with a Schedule 1 poison (an S1 poison). Refer to the list of S phrases at Oxford University at http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/safety_phrases.html).
Maximum Exposure Limits must be taken into account in designing safe handling procedures and shown on the relevant assessment form. Where no units are shown for MELs in the following list the figure is the long-term MEL in units of mg per cubic metre (8-hour TWA reference period). For some materials a limit is given in ppm. For an explanation of occupational exposure limits (MELs and OESs) refer to our own link or Bristol's (http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/safety/Explimits.htm). In addition the short term limits (15-minute reference period) are shown for a few materials. Data are taken from Schedule 1 of the COSHH regulations. New or revised limits for some chemicals are produced annually. [Note that the absence of a substance from this list in no way implies that use of the substance is risk-free.] Refer to the list at the Oxford Physical and Theoretical Chemistry site http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/mels.html

Glove/chemical compatibility
A recent case in the USA (where a researcher died as a direct result of a trace of methyl-mercury compound which spilled on her glove) highlights the need to appreciate that not all materials that lab gloves are made of provide suitable protection from all chemicals. You are referred to the useful chart produced by Ansell-Edmont which can be seen on the Departmental safety notice board (adjacent to room 0.14). That gives specific information on the compatibility of a range of chemicals with nitrile, neoprene, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PVC (vinyl or polyvinyl chloride) and latex (natural rubber).On the chart a simple colour (green, orange or red) indicates suitability, or otherwise, of a particular material with a specific chemical, based on any chemical degradation, the permeation breakthrough time and the permeation rate. The permeation rate can be more significant that the permeation time in determining suitability. Internet databases do provide some limited data. Try Ansell-Edmont. There is also some useful information available from Bristol University.

Incompatible chemicals
A wide variety of chemicals react dangerously when mixed with certain other materials. Some of the more widely-used incompatible chemicals are in the links below, but the absence of a chemical from these lists should not be taken to indicate that it is safe to mix it with any other chemical!

Please refre to Bristol's http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/safety/incompatibles.htm or the Oxford Physical and Theoretical Chemistry site http://physchem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/incompatibles.html.

Practical Chemical Safety Information.
This table details some basic practical information on some specific chemicals.In the 'Disposal' column, reference to 'lab smalls' is explained in this link. Use that link also to access the web pages of the University Contaminated and Hazardous Waste Service.

Name and Hazard

R-phrases

S-phrases

Disposal of 'small' amounts

Dealing with spills

Acetone Highly flammable (flash point -20^oC)

R : 11

S : 9-16-23-33

Non-chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with red label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

Acetonitrile Highly flammable (flash point +2^oC), Toxic

R : 11-23/24/25

S : 16-27-45

Non-chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with red label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

strong Acids (e.g. hydrochloric acid) Corrosive

R : 34-37

S : 26-36/37/39-45

Dilute gradually to water (always add acid to water, never add water to conc. acids), neutralise with solution of sodium carbonate and pour to drain.

Neutralise and absorb with sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate, leave until effervescence subsides and flush residue to drain.

Acrylamide (consider buying as a solution) Carcinogen (CHIP category 2)

R : 24/25-45-46-48/23/24/25

S : 45-53

Dissolve and polymerise the solution. Bag the gel and dispose in non-hazardous waste stream.

Transfer any solid material to a bag and dispose of with ethidium bromide waste (see below).

Alcohol (ethanol) Highly flammable (flash point +13^oC)

R : 11

S : 7-16

Less than 50 mls to drain. Larger volumes to non-chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with red label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

strong Alkalis (bases) (e.g. sodium hydroxide) Corrosive

R : 35

S : 26-37/39-45

Dissolve gradually in water, neutralise with sodium hydrogen sulphate solution and flush to drain.

Neutralise with sodium hydrogen sulphate or citric acid, leave until effervescence subsides and flush residue to drain.

Ammonia solution (specific gravity 0.88) Corrosive

R : 34-37

S : 7-26-36/37/39-45

In a fume cupboard carefully neutralise with acetic acid and dispose to sink in a fume cupboard.

Neutralise with citric acid, leave until effervescence subsides and flush residue to drain.

Azide (e.g. sodium azide) Toxic

R : 28-32

S : 28-45

Dispose as 'lab smalls' via Departmental procedures.

Wipe up solid and solutions with tissues. Bag and dispose as 'lab smalls' via Departmental procedures.

Bleach (10% or 12% available chlorine) Corrosive

R : 31-34

S : 26-28-36/37/39-45

Flush to drain (avoid mixing with acids)

Absorb onto paper towels, bag and dispose to 'red-label' bins.

Butan-1-ol Harmful, flammable

R : 10-20

S : 16

Non-chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with red label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

Chloroform Harmful

R : 22-38-40-48/20/22

S : 36/37

Chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with yellow label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

Cyanides (e.g. potassium cyanide) Toxic (schedule 1 poison)

R : 26/27/28-32

S : 7-28-29-45

Dispose of solid as 'lab smalls'. Solutions can be treated as described under 'spills' ;

Dissolve and complex with dilute neutral ferrous sulphate or oxidise with hypochlorite solution (bleach).

Diethyl ether Extremely flammable (flash point -40^oC)

R : 12-19

S : 9-16-29-33

Non-chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with red label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

Diethyl pyrocarbonate Harmful

R : 22

S : 24/25

Dispose as 'lab smalls' via Departmental procedures.

Wipe up with tissues. Bag and dispose as 'lab smalls'.

Dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) (Stench)

S : 24/25

Dispose as 'lab smalls' via Departmental procedures.

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

Dithiothreitol (DTT) Harmful

R : 22-36/38

Dissolve in water and flush to drain.

Absorb onto paper towels, bag and dispose to 'red-label' bins.

Ethidium bromide Toxic (mutagen)

R : 22-26-36/37/38-40

S : 26-28-36/37-45

Place all materials in the labelled yellow 30 litre Medibins

Wipe up solid and solutions with tissues. Place all contaminated materials in the labelled yellow 30 litre Medibins

Formaldehyde solution (about 40%) Toxic, flammable (flash point +62^oC)

R : 23/24/25-34-40-43

S : 26-36/37/39-45-51

Less than 500mls to drain. Dispose of larger volumes as 'lab smalls'

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate, bag and dispose to 'red-label' bins.

Formamide Toxic

R : 61

S : 24/25-37-45-53

Less than 5 mls to drain. For larger volumes dispose as 'lab smalls' via Departmental procedures.

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate, bag and dispose to 'red-label' bins.

Glutaraldehyde solution (about 50%) Corrosive

R : 22-34-43

S : 26-36/37/39-45

<500mls to drain. Larger volumes as 'lab smalls'

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate, bag and dispose to 'red-label' bins

Liquid nitrogen Very cold (boiling point -196 ^oC)

Evaporate in fume cupboard.

Leave to evaporate but not in confined spaces.

2-Mercaptoethanol Toxic (also stench)

R : 22-23/24-34-51/53

S : 26-36/37/39-45-61

Dispose as 'lab smalls' via Departmental procedures.

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate, bag and dispose to 'red-label' bins.

Mercury Toxic

R : 23-33

S : 7-45

Dispose as 'lab smalls' via Departmental procedures.

Collect and store under water.

Methanol Highly flammable (flash point +12^oC), toxic

R : 11-23/25

S : 7-16-24-45

Less than 50 mls to drain. Larger volumes to non-chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with red label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

Phenol (consider buying solution) Toxic, corrosive

First-aid - See Departmental LAB2.1.

R : 24/25-34

S : 28-45

Less than 5g to drain. Larger amounts as 'lab smalls'. Phenol/chloroform to chlorinated solvent bottle (yellow label)

Wipe up solid and solutions with tissues. Bag and dispose as 'lab smalls' via Departmental procedures.

Propan-2-ol Highly flammable (Flash point +12^oC)

R : 11

S : 7-16

Non-chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with red label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

Xylene Harmful, flammable (Flash point +25^oC)

R : 10-20/21-38

S : 25

Non-chlorinated waste solvent bottle (with red label)

Soak up with tissues and leave in fume cupboard to evaporate.

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