GENERAL

LABORATORY
SAFETY
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 Corrosive

Highly toxic agent Sensitizer

Toxic agent Hepatotoxin

Irritant Nephrotoxin

Reproductive hazard Neurotoxin

TYPICAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ON A LABEL

Do not breathe vapors

Use in well-ventilated area

Keep container closed when not in use

Avoid contact with skin

Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling

TYPICAL PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES ON A LABEL

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 LABEL

DANGER – can cause immediate serious injury or death

WARNING – can cause potentially serious injury o death

CAUTION – can cause potentially moderate injury

 SPECIAL SYMBOLS USED ON LABELS
Helps you recognize the 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 water-reactive
reagents)
COLOR AND NUMBER CODED LABEL SYSTEMS

Colors represent kind of hazard

• Red = fire

3
• Yellow = instability
• Blue = health

4 2
• Black = specific hazard & personal protection

Numbers show degree of hazard

• 0 = Minimal
• 1 = Slight
• 2 = Moderate
NFPA-type label • 3 = Serious
• 4 = Severe
COLOR AND NUMBER CODED LABEL SYSTEMS

Black = specific hazard

3 • OX = Oxidizer
• ACID = Acid
4 2 • ALK = Alkali
COR • COR = Corrosive
• W = Use no water

NFPA-type label
 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

SECTION 1 – Identification: Product identifier, manufacturer or distributor name,

address, phone number, emergency phone number, recommended use, and restrictions
on use.

SECTION 2 – Hazard Identification: All hazards regarding the chemical and required
label elements.

SECTION 3 – Composition: Information on chemical ingredients and trade secret

claims.

SECTION 4 – First-aid measures: Information on chemical ingredients and trade

secret claims.
 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)
SECTION 5 – Fire-fighting measures: The techniques and equipment recommended
for extinguishing a fire involving the chemical and hazards that may be created during
combustion.

SECTION 6 – Accidental release measure: Steps to take in the event of a spill or

release involving the chemical. Includes: emergency procedures, protective equipment
and proper methods of containment and cleanup.

SECTION 7 – Handling and storage: Precautions for safe handling and storage,
including incompatibilities.

SECTION 8 – Exposure controls/Personal protection: OSHA’s permissible exposure

limits (PELs), threshold limit values (TLVs), appropriate engineering controls, and personal
protective equipment (PPE).
 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

SECTION 9 – Physical and chemical properties: The chemical’s characteristics.

SECTION 10 – Stability and reactivity: Chemical stability and possible hazardous

reactions.

SECTION 11 – Toxicological information: Routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion,

or absorption contact), symptoms, acute and chronic effects, and numerical measures of
toxicity.

SECTION 12 – Ecological information: How the chemical might affect the environment
and the duration of the effect.

SECTION 13 – Disposal considerations: describes safe handling of wastes and

methods of disposal, including the disposal of any contaminated packaging.
 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

SECTION 14 – Transportation information: includes packing, marking, and labeling

requirements for hazardous chemical shipments.

SECTION 15 – Regulatory information: indicates regulations that apply to chemical.

SECTION 16 – Other information: indicates regulations that apply to chemical.

 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

Specific possible health hazards:

Acute poisoning (rapid assimilation of substance e.g. carbon monoxide)

Chronic poisoning (prolonged exposure e.g. lead poisoning)

Cumulative poisoning (numerous chronic exposures e.g. heavy metal)

Substances in combination (synergistic effect e.g. exposure to alcohol
and chlorinated solvents)
 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

Potential Health Effects

Eye irritation

Nausea

Dizziness

Skin rashes

Headache

Existing medical conditions possibly aggravated by exposure

 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

Emergency/First-aid procedures to follow

What to do if substance spills leaks

How to correctly dispose of substance

Equipment/procedures for cleaning up spills and leaks

 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

Handling and Storage

How to handle and store substance safely

Any other precautions (e.g., grounding containers during transfer of

flammables)
 MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS)

Exposure controls, Personal protection

Respirator
Gloves
Eye protection
Protective clothing
Ventilation

Special work and hygiene practices that should be followed

 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 neat and clean
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 MSDS

• 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
Safety cans
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 EQUIPMENT

• Eye protection
Safety glasses – flying particles, chemical splashes, dust
Splash goggles – corrosive liquids, solvents, and
powders
Face shields – high pressure systems

• Skin and body protection

Gloves
Aprons and lab coats
Shoes
Glove material Intended use
Latex NOT allowed in labs

Disposable ones for incidental contacts only. Latex

Nitrile
Thicker reusable ones can be used for extended contact.

Nitrile
 Most aggressive chemicals including aldehydes,
ketones, esters, and concentrated mineral acids. Butyl
Butyl Rubber Rubber
 Gasoline and aliphatic, aromatic, and halogenated
hydrocarbons
 Acids, bases, alcohols, funnels, peroxides,
hydrocarbons, and phenols. Good for most hazardous
Neoprene
chemicals
 Halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons

Protect hands when handling extremely cold materials Neoprene

Cryogenic
down to -300°F
Cryogenic
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 it is operating (unless it
is designed to do )
Put custodians and fellow workers in danger
IF EXPOSED 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 instruction

• Skin Contact: Stand under emergency shower and remove

contaminated clothing immediately

• Inhalation: Get to fresh air and get prompt medical attention