Handling and Storage of Hazardous Chemicals direct.com/assets/ite ms/c126.jpg

Handling and Storage of Hazardous

Chemicals

http://www.supplylinedirect.com/assets/items/c126.jpg

Characteristics of “Hazardous” Chemicals

• Cause harmful biological effects

• Are flammable, explosive or highly reactive

• Generate harmful vapors or dust

• Some chemicals assumed to be hazardous because of structural similarity to known hazardous chemicals

http://www.labelmaster.com/Shop/image.aspx?i=Z-PL5&w=200

http://www.safety-selector.co.uk/images/W17A%20-%20Flammable%20Hazard%20Signs.jpg

http://www.er-online.co.uk/minisumo/images/Dust_Hazard.jpg

NFPA Hazard Diamond System

http://www.wikinfo.org/upload/b/bf/Nalgene_bottles.jpg

Fire hazards

• Relates to flash point – 0: will not burn– 4: below 73 degrees F

http://murraystate.info/roundabout/uploads/image001.gif

Health hazards

0: Normal risk 4: Deadly

http://murraystate.info/roundabout/uploads/image001.gif

Reactivity hazards

0: Stable4: May detonate

http://murraystate.info/roundabout/uploads/image001.gif

Special hazards

http://murraystate.info/roundabout/uploads/image001.gif

• Oxidizer• Corrosive• Acid• Alkali• Radioactive• Use NO water

Flammable ChemicalsFlammable =

inflammable:

relatively easy to ignite and burn

http://www.signsbyyou.com/images/osha/large/DANGER69.gif

Classes of Flammables• Most common = organic

solvents– Often volatile

• Classified by their flash point– Lower flash point = more

flammable.

• Chemicals with flashpoints rated as 3 or 4 should be treated as fire hazards

Working with Flammables

• Keep away from heat and flame• Know how to put a fire out should one occur• Keep containers tightly closed when not in

use and store away from non-compatible or reactive materials

• Work in a well-ventilated area• Avoid static electricity• If a spill occurs, clean off your skin FIRST!!!• Large quantities of flammables must be

stored in an explosion-proof cabinet

Pyrophoric Chemicals

• Ignite on contact with air!!

http://www.abxair.com/hazardous-materials/images/class42_pyrophoric.gif

Reactive Chemicals• Undergo violent chemical reactions

– exothermic or gas – generating reactions– unstable chemicals– form peroxides or other oxidizing reagents– incompatible chemical mixtures

• May cause explosion – Never combine reactive chemicals in a

sealed container – Do not use glass for potentially explosive

chemical reactions.

Corrosive Chemicals• Destroy tissue and equipment on contact

– Most common are acids and bases– Will burn skin or eyes– Inhalation hazard

• Guidelines:– Work in a fume hood– Add acid to water, not reverse– Perform acid-base reactions slowly to

minimize gas and heat generation– Wear correct protective gear– Store acids and bases separately– Avoid HF

http://www.stock-xpress.com/PICS/corrind.jpg

Toxic Chemicals Can act as a poison, creating

biological harm to an organism

• Acute toxic agents cause damage in a short period of time and can be harmful in a single exposure

• Chronic toxic agents have cumulative effects or can accumulate in the body with several smaller doses.

Toxic Chemical Handling• Know acute and chronic effects

of a chemical• Be sure you wear the correct

gloves• Know that odors are not a

good guide for exposure level• Minimize exposure• Be alert to symptoms of

sensitization or toxicity• Be especially careful with

mutagens, carcinogens, and teratogens

Mutagens

• Compounds that affect the genetic material of a cell– Cumulative and chronic– Assume to be carcinogens

Carcinogens• Cancer-causing agents

http://www.nmsu.edu/safety/images/signs/sign_caution-carcin_store_author_person1-lg.gif

Teratogens• Embryotoxins that cause fetal

malformations

Storage of hazardous chemicals

1. Date chemicals2. Labels contents and hazards clearly3. Do not store flammables in standard

fridge4. Sort and store chemicals by hazard:

acidsbasesorganic oxidizersinorganic oxidizersflammable liquidsflammable solidsacute poisonswater-reactive

Storing hazardous chemicals

5. Maintain inventory

6. Inspect for leakage or deterioration

7. Keep spill kits on hand

http://www.luvmedical.com/product_files/kit1.jpg

Take-home message

• ALWAYS CHECK THE SAFETY DATA SHEET AND ALWAYS USE CAUTION WHEN WORKING WITH UNKNOWN CHEMICALS!!!!!