chemical safety in the workplace
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Chemical Safety in the Workplace
Stewart Sampson Safety Services Nova Scotia
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It can happen!! Hazard Communication MSDS Understanding Hazards Chemical Storage Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Chemical Spill Response Waste Disposal General Safety Rules
Outline
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Small tubes of petroleum ether were stored in an ordinary domestic freezer.
The tubes were not sealed well and the PE evaporated to a concentration exceeded the lower explosive limit, about 1.0%◦ Flash point of PE is -50 °C
A spark from an internal component of the freezer caused the PE to ignite
$500 000 in damage
What caused this?
It Can Happen!!
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Anaerobic hood — an oxygen-free chamber used for working with bacteria that can't survive in oxygen
Lab personnel ignored a "warning system" designed to tell researchers when too much hydrogen enters the chamber and becomes flammable
An explosion resulted when the gas came into contact with an ignition source
Four people injured One critically
What caused this?
University of Missouri (2010)
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Hazard Communication ◦ Allows workers to know the hazards and identities
of the chemicals they are exposed to while working. Describes measures they can take to protect themselves.
Hazards are communicated by:◦ Labels◦ Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)◦ Education and Training
Hazard Communication
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MSDS – a document prepared by the chemical manufacturer that describes the:◦ physical and chemical properties◦ physical and health hazards◦ routes of exposure◦ precautions for safe handling and use◦ emergency and first-aid procedures◦ control measures
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
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Pop Quiz
Flammable and Combustible Material
Poisonous and Infectious Material
Compressed Gas
Oxidizing Material
Corrosive Material
Dangerously Reactive Material
What are the WHMIS Hazard Classes?
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Globally Harmonized System Classes
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Toxicity◦ the ability of a chemical to cause harm◦ Like “Hazard” in general safety terms
Risk◦ likelihood a material will cause harm under the
conditions of use With proper handling, even highly toxic
chemicals can be used safely Less toxic chemicals can be extremely
hazardous if handled improperly
Toxicity and Risk
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Inhalation – breathing (e.g., powders, fumes) Absorption – skin or mucus membranes Ingestion – entry through mouth Injection – through skin by foreign body
Acute Exposure (short term): eye irritation, nausea, dizziness, skin rash, burns, headache
Chronic Exposure (long term): long-term illness
Routes of Chemical Exposure
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In 2008, Sangji was working with a bottle of t-butyl lithium dissolved in pentane
While using a syringe to withdraw a quantity of the reagent, it seems she accidentally pulled the plunger all the way out, introducing air and creating a flash fire◦ “Sangji was not familiar enough with the material and
delivery means to be doing the experiment on her own” Sangji was wearing nitrile gloves, safety glasses rather
than goggles, and a synthetic sweater with no lab coat When the fire ignited the gloves and the sweater, she
sustained second and third degree burns over 40 per cent of her body and was immediately hospitalized
She died 19 days later
Sheharbano Sangji - UCLA
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eliminate the hazard;◦ Not using high shelves
substitute other materials, processes, or equipment;◦ Toluene for benzene
engineering controls; ◦ Fume hoods, engineered sharps◦ Eye Wash
Eye wash station; Disposable Eye Wash systems that increase awareness of potential hazards; administrative controls
◦ training and procedures, instructions, scheduling; Personal protective equipment
◦ Gloves, lab coats/uniforms, eye protection, safety shoes, respirators, face shields
◦ Gloves Use proper size Use proper glove material
Protection MeasuresHierarchy of risk controls
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Glove Selection
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Simpler Chart
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Professor of chemistry at Dartmouth College specialized in toxic metal exposure
A few drops of dimethylmercury was accidentally spilled onto her hands◦ Protected only by latex glove◦ Tests later showed that DMM can rapidly permeate latex
gloves and enter the skin within 15 seconds Single exposure to DMM had raised her blood
mercury level to 80 times the toxic threshold◦ Delayed neurotoxic effects caused her to be hospitalized
after 5 months, and she died 10 months after the accident She was 48
Karen E. Wetterhahn
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Chemical Storage
White = OKRed = Incompatible
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Do not respond beyond your training level! Stop, think – Is this a Major spill?
◦ No Remove contaminated clothing Use proper PPE Contain spill Notify workers in your area Seek MSDS for advice Notify supervisor / security
◦ Yes Rescue Avoid the chemical Find the MSDS Telephone for help
Chemical Spill Response
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Stop, think – Can I extinguish this fire?◦ Yes
Extinguish open flames Turn off gas / electricity Notify workers in your area Ventilate work area Notify supervisor / security
◦ No Evacuate area immediately and pull alarm Call emergency number
Chemical Fire
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Minimize waste in the first place Do not pour chemical waste down the drain Know your chemical classification Use flame resistant container with label Don’t leave funnel on top of waste container Use proper mercury disposal (broken
thermometers) Call for pick up
Hazardous Waste
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Store chemicals in their original containers Always wear appropriate safety gear and
work in a controlled environment Always dispose of chemicals properly Use care in handling contaminated
glassware or needles Always dispose of chemicals properly
General Safety Rules
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Don’t buy chemicals you do not need Don’t eat, drink, smoke, chew gum or apply
cosmetics near chemicals Don’t mouth pipette Don’t use unlabeled containers Know chemical properties as well as toxicity
General Safety Rules
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Any final questions? Thoughts?
Questions???