Unattended Operation of Equipment
All visitors must wear eye-protection no matter the duration of the visit
Persons who are not authorized to be in a lab should be denied permission to enter
A clean environment is a safe environment.
Drawers and cabinets should remain closed.
Floors and aisles should remain clean and clear of chemicals, broken glassware, scraps of paper, and obstructions such as boxes, chairs, and waste receptacles.
Slipping hazards can be avoided by keeping the floor clear of ice, stoppers, glass beads or rods, other small items and spilled liquids.
Clean glassware at the lab sink or in lab dishwashers
Use soap and other detergents and avoid strong cleaning agents, such as nitric acid, chromic acid, sulfuric acid or other strong oxidizers.
Always use appropriate gloves for the chemicals you are cleaning up.
Chemicals should be transported using a container within-a-container concept.
Containers of corrosives should be transported in a container designed for this purpose.
Elevators should not be used for transporting chemicals, unless indicated specifically.
If elevators are used, do not ride with the chemicals.
When flammable liquid is withdrawn from a drum, or when a drum is filled from other sources, both the drum and equipment must be wired to each other and to the ground to avoid static buildup.
When flammable liquids are transferred to a glass container from metal, the metal container should be grounded.
The handling or, reaction by-products, waste and surplus chemicals, and contaminated materials is an important part of safety procedures for laboratories.
Waste materials must be disposed of promptly.
Keep different classes of chemicals in separate labeled disposal containers.
Never put chemicals into a sink or down the drain unless they are deactivated or neutralized and they are allowed by local regulations to be put into sanitary sewer systems.
Waste paper needs to be put in a separate container from the chemical wastes. If they chemicals get on anything else that item must be treated as chemical waste.
Broken glass belongs in its own marked waste container.
Peroxide disposal requires expert assistance. Ask instructors what they think best.
Wastes are classified by their reaction characteristics by the EPA. The major classifications are:
- Ignitability - Substances which include flammable solvents and certain solids. They must never be poured the drain. Approved containers must be used.
- Corrosivity - Acids and bases are included. Glass or plastic containers must be used for waste because they will not corrode and leak. Neutralization of acids with bases may be allowed.
- Reactivity - Reactive metals such as sodium and various water-reactive regents. Compounds such as cyanides or sulfides are included. If the materials can readily evolve toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide or sulfide, special care must be given to the disposal of these materials.
- Toxicity - All chemicals may be toxic in certain concentrations. Appropriate procedures should be established in each lab for collection and disposal.
Unattended Operation of Equipment
Reactions left unattended are sources for fires, spills and explosions.
Equipment such as power stirrers, hot plates, heating mantles and water condensers should not run overnight without fail-safe provisions.
Unattended reactions must be checked periodically.
Phone numbers and accurate instructions should be left on a note by the reaction.
Some substances which present respiratory hazards should be dispensed and handled only where there is adequate ventilation, such as a hood.
Adequate ventilation is defined as ventilation that is sufficient to keep the concentration of a chemical below the threshold limit value (TLV) or permissible exposure limit (PEL).
Household refigerators should not be used for storage of chemicals.
These fridges should be clearly labeled "No Food."
Conversely, food fridges should be outside of the chemical work area and should be labeled "Food Only."
Chemicals should be sealed, doubled packaged, if possible in a refigerator. They should also have the name of the material, date placed in the fridge, and the name of the person who is storing the material.
A current inventory should be maintained.
Old chemicals should be disposed of after the specified storage period.
Stored radioactive materials should be marked with the radioactive symbol and lettering.