LABORATORY CHEMICAL SAFETY PLAN

 

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Produced by

 

Indiana University

Department of Environmental Health and Safety

In cooperation with

Research and University Graduate School

The Laboratory Chemical Safety Committee

December 1996

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revised By

 

Indiana University

Office of Environmental, Health, and Safety Management

In cooperation with

Office of the Vice President for Research

The Laboratory Safety Compliance Committee

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Emergency Information...................................................................................................................... iii

Laboratory Safety Personnel Contacts............................................................................................... iv

 

1.0    Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1-1

1.1     Regulatory Basis.......................................................................................................... 1-1

1.2     Responsibility for Implementation.................................................................................. 1-1

1.2.1 University Office of Environmental Health and Safety........................................... 1-1

1.2.2 Academic Departments....................................................................................... 1-2

1.2.3 Faculty Members................................................................................................ 1-2

1.2.4 Laboratory Workers........................................................................................... 1-2

1.3     Organization and Content............................................................................................. 1-3

2.0    Control Measures............................................................................................................... 2-1

2.1     Administrative Controls................................................................................................ 2-1

2.1.1 Prior Approval of Hazardous Operations............................................................. 2-1

2.1.2 Laboratory Entrance Signs.................................................................................. 2-2

2.2     Engineering Controls.................................................................................................... 2-3

2.3     Procedural Controls..................................................................................................... 2-3

2.4     Personal Protective Equipment..................................................................................... 2-3

2.4.1 Eye Protection.................................................................................................... 2-3

2.4.2 Face Protection................................................................................................... 2-4

2.4.3 Hand Protection.................................................................................................. 2-4

2.4.4 Foot Protection................................................................................................... 2-4

2.4.5 Body Protection.................................................................................................. 2-4

2.4.6 Respiratory Protection......................................................................................... 2-4

3.0    Standard Operating Procedures......................................................................................... 3-1

3.1     General Laboratory Safety Procedures......................................................................... 3-1

3.2     Procedures for Proper Labeling, Storage, and Management of Chemicals...................... 3-2

3.3     Chemical Fume Hood - Procedures for Proper and Safe Use........................................ 3-4

3.4     Corrosive Chemicals - Procedures for Safe Handling and Storage................................. 3-6

3.5     Flammable and Combustible Liquids - Procedures for Safe Handling and Storage......... 3-7

3.6     Oxidizing Agents - Procedures for Safe Handling and Storage....................................... 3-9

3.7     Reactive Chemicals - Procedures for Safe Handling and Storage................................. 3-10

3.8     Carcinogens, Reproductive Toxins, and Acutely Toxic Chemicals - Procedures

for Safe Handling and Storage.................................................................................... 3-12

3.9     Compressed Gases - Procedures for Safe Handling and Storage................................. 3-14

3.10   Cryogenic Liquids - Procedures for Safe Handling and Storage................................... 3-16

3.11   Electrical Safety Procedures....................................................................................... 3-18

3.12   Glassware and Sharps - Procedures for Safe Handling and Disposal........................... 3-19

3.13   Chemical Spill Response Procedures.......................................................................... 3-20

3.14   Glass Apparatus and Plasticware Assembly................................................................ 3-21

3.15  Solvent Stills - Procedures for Set-Up, Use, and Neutralization................................... 3-24

3.16  Personal Protective Equipment - Procedures for Selection and Use............................. 3-28

 

4.0    Information and Training.................................................................................................... 4-1

4.1     Required Training Content............................................................................................ 4-1

4.2     Training Resources....................................................................................................... 4-2

4.3     Training Documentation................................................................................................ 4-3

5.0    Medical Consultations and Examinations......................................................................... 5-1

5.1     Examination Criteria..................................................................................................... 5-1

5.2     Information to the Physician.......................................................................................... 5-1

5.3     Physician’s Written Opinion.......................................................................................... 5-1

5.4     Campus Medical Services............................................................................................ 5-2

5.5     Promptcare Urgent Care Clinic..................................................................................... 5-3

6.0    Laboratory Safety Equipment............................................................................................ 6-1

6.1     Chemical Fume Hoods................................................................................................. 6-1

6.2     Safety Showers............................................................................................................ 6-1

6.3     Eyewash Stations......................................................................................................... 6-1

6.4     Fire Extinguishers......................................................................................................... 6-2

6.5     Fire Blankets................................................................................................................ 6-2

6.6     Flammable Liquid Storage Cabinets.............................................................................. 6-2

6.7     Safety Cans................................................................................................................. 6-3

6.8     Explosion-Proof and Laboratory-Safe Refrigeration Equipment..................................... 6-3

6.9     First Aid Kits............................................................................................................... 6-3

6.10   Chemical Spill Kits....................................................................................................... 6-4

6.11   Portable Safety Shields................................................................................................. 6-5

 

FIGURES

2-1   Laboratory Entrance Sign...................................................................................................... 2-2

 

APPENDICES

A.     OSHA Laboratory Standard................................................................................................. A-1

Air Contaminants (Permissible Exposure Limits)........................................................... A-8

B.     Standard Forms

Form LCS-1 EH&S Laboratory Safety Audit.............................................................. B-1

Form LCS-2 Laboratory Safety Review...................................................................... B-2

Form LCS-3 Laboratory Safety Training - Individual Documentation............................ B-3

Form LCS-4 Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Assessment Form ....................... B-4

C.     Chemical Lists

Select Carcinogens...................................................................................................... C-1

Reproductive Toxins.................................................................................................. C-11

Acutely Toxic Chemicals........................................................................................... C-12

Chemicals That Can Form Peroxides Upon Aging...................................................... C-13

Chemical Incompatibilities - Partial List...................................................................... C-14

International Building Code (IBC) Maximum Allowable Quantity of Hazardous Chemicals Per Control Area Posing a Physical or Health Hazard...................................................................... C-16

Examples of Liquid & Solid Oxidizer Classifications................................................... C-18

Center for Disease Control (CDC) Select Agents....................................................... C-20

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Biological & Animal Agents......................... C-21

Chemicals that Require Skin Protection...................................................................... C-22

D.     Chemical Safety Summaries (MSDSs)

E.     Hazardous Waste Management Guide

F.     Department/Building Information

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

 

 

 

Major Emergencies

 

In the event of an accident in the laboratory which involves an uncontrolled fire, explosion, or a large release of a hazardous chemical:

 

·        Evacuate the building by activating the nearest fire alarm.

 

·   Call 911 and give the details of the accident including the location, types of hazardous material involved, and whether there were any personal injuries.

 

If the accident involves serious personal injury or chemical contamination, follow the above steps as appropriate and at the same time:

 

·   Move the victim from the immediate area of the fire, explosion, or spill (if this can be done without further injury to the victim or you).

 

·   Remove any contaminated clothing from the victim and flush all areas of the body contacted by chemicals with copious amounts of water for 15 minutes.

 

·   Administer first aid as appropriate.

 

 

 

Minor Emergencies

 

In the event of an accident in the laboratory which involves a minor chemical release or spill (with no personal injuries):

 

·   Follow the Chemical Spill Response Procedures - SOP 3.13 (page 3-20 of this plan).

 

·   Call EH&S at 855-6311 for advice or assistance (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday). 

 

·   After hours, call the IU Police Department at 855-4111.

 

LABORATORY SAFETY

PERSONNEL CONTACTS

 

 

Office of Environmental Health and Safety                         http://www.ehs.indiana.edu

 

Office               E-mail

Carole Baynes              Receptionist/General Information                       855-6311         cbaynes

Ted Alexander              Director                                                            855-6316         tealexan

Mike Jenson                 Associate Director                                            855-3231         mjenson

Dan Derheimer             Environmental Manager                                     855-3234         dderheim

Rex Howard                 Hazardous Material Specialist                           855-7907         rehoward

Susan Howard              Environmental Health & Safety Specialist          856-2351         suhoward

Chris Kohler                 Chemical Hygiene Officer                                 855-5454         cekohler

Beth Reeves                 Biosafety Officer                                               855-9333         bereeves

 

Office of the Vice President for Research                                       http://www.indiana.edu/~ovpr

 

Greg Crouch                Radiation Safety Officer                                    855-3230         gcrouch

 

 

Departmental Contacts

 

Dept. or Room No.      Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer                     Phone               E-Mail    

                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                  

 

1.0 INTRODUCTION

 

The Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan (LCSP) is a written program for ensuring the safe use of chemicals in laboratories at Indiana University.  It describes policies, procedures, and control measures that must be understood and observed by all individuals involved in the laboratory use of chemicals.

 

1.1   Regulatory Basis

 

The development and implementation of a Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan (or Chemical Hygiene Plan) is a central requirement of the federal rule entitled “Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories,” more commonly referenced as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) “Lab Standard” (Appendix A contains a copy of the standard).  The Lab Standard was published as a “final rule” in the January 31, 1990 issue of the Federal Register and was required to be fully implemented by January 31, 1991.  Of particular importance in understanding the applicability of this standard are the definitions it contains for “hazardous chemical,” “laboratory,” “laboratory scale,” and “laboratory use of hazardous chemicals.”  From a review of these definitions, it is clear that the Lab Standard applies to essentially all chemical use laboratories at Indiana University.  For laboratories that are not covered by the Lab Standard (i.e., those that do not meet the above definitions for hazardous chemical use) or for non-laboratory uses of chemicals, safety issues are typically governed by other state and federal regulations such as OSHA’s “Hazard Communication Standard.” Assistance in determining which regulatory requirements apply to specific work environments is provided by the University Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

 

1.2   Responsibility for Implementation

 

It is the policy of Indiana University to support the use of chemicals and other potentially hazardous materials for purposes of research and teaching.  At the same time, the University is committed to ensuring the safety of its students, employees, and visitors and to complying with all regulatory requirements which impact its facilities and operations.  Toward this end, Indiana University has designated the following specific responsibilities for developing and implementing the Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan.

 

1.2.1  University Office of Environmental Health and Safety

 

The University Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) is an administrative unit under the Vice President for Administration, which has responsibility for the development and implementation of all university programs concerning safety and environmental quality. EH&S developed the Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan and has the primary role in overseeing its implementation.  This role is accomplished by EH&S staff through the provision of a range of safety services including project reviews and consultations, formal training sessions, and periodic laboratory audits (see Appendix B, Form LCS-1 EH&S Laboratory Safety Audit)

1.2.2  Academic Departments

 

The chair of each academic department (or head of each academic unit) is responsible for the safety of all individuals working in the department’s laboratories.  The chair fulfills this responsibility, in part, by ensuring that all departmental faculty members understand and take seriously their roles in implementing the Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan. To facilitate this process, each chair must appoint a departmental Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer (LCSO) who will coordinate and monitor the implementation of the LCSP within the department.

 

1.2.3  Faculty Members

 

Each faculty member (or principal investigator) is responsible for the safety of individuals working within his or her laboratories.  Toward this end, faculty members must work with the respective departmental Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer to adapt and implement the provisions of the Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan.  This includes ensuring that each individual working within the lab is provided with appropriate training on safety and regulatory requirements; that required safety equipment and personal protective devices are provided, maintained, and used; that specific standard operating procedures incorporating safety considerations are developed and observed; and that prompt action is taken to correct any unsafe acts or conditions which have been observed or reported.

 

1.2.4  Laboratory Workers

 

Each laboratory worker is responsible for implementing the requirements of the Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan.  This includes participating in required training, utilizing appropriate safety equipment and personal protection devices and apparel, observing standard operating procedures, and informing the supervisor (i.e., principal investigator or lab supervisor) of any accidents or unsafe conditions.

1.3   Organization and Content

 

The Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan is intended to serve as an operational guide for the incorporation of prudent safety practices into the day-to-day use of chemicals within laboratories.  It was developed and issued in a general form which should be adapted and expanded by particular departments and research groups to meet their specific needs. The LCSP was organized in a format that should enable desired information to be quickly found and readily updated.  The content of the LCSP was established directly from the requirements of the Lab Standard and includes the following general types of information:

 

·   Designation of the personnel responsible for the implementation of the Laboratory Chemical Safety Plan.

 

·   Criteria that the employer will use to implement control measures to reduce individual exposures to chemicals. These measures include administrative controls, engineering controls, procedural controls, and the use of personal protective equipment.

 

·   Standard operating procedures (SOPs) relevant to safety and health considerations which are to be observed for the use of hazardous chemicals in the laboratory.  A number of generic SOPs have been included in the LCSP. However, each laboratory group should develop and add specific SOPs, which are appropriate for their particular uses of chemicals.

 

·   Provisions for personnel training.

 

·   Provisions for medical consultations and examinations.

 

·   Circumstances under which a laboratory procedure shall require prior approval before implementation.

 

·   Provisions for additional personnel protection for work with carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and chemicals with high acute toxicity.

 

·   A requirement that fume hoods and other protective equipment function properly and that measures will be taken to ensure this.

 

2.0 CONTROL MEASURES

 

The OSHA Lab Standard requires that laboratory personnel implement appropriate control measures to ensure that chemical exposures are maintained below regulatory limits and as low as reasonably achievable.  In general, control measures can be categorized as administrative controls, engineering controls, procedural controls  (i.e., standard operating procedures), or personal protection.

 

2.1   Administrative Controls

 

Administrative controls consist of various policies and requirements that are established at an administrative level (e.g., by the principal investigator, laboratory supervisor, department chair, department safety committee, or University Office of Environmental Health and Safety) to promote safety in the laboratory.  They may include:

 

·   Ensuring that all laboratory personnel have been provided with adequate training to enable them to conduct their duties safely (see Section 4.0 Information and Training).

 

·   Requiring prior approval and additional control measures for certain particularly hazardous operations or activities.

 

·   Restricting access to areas in which particularly hazardous chemicals are used.

 

·   Posting appropriate signs to identify specific hazards within an area.

 

·   Requiring that various standard practices for chemical safety and good housekeeping be observed at all times in the laboratory.

 

2.1.1  Prior Approval of Hazardous Operations

 

The OSHA Lab Standard requires that activities involving certain particularly hazardous chemicals be reviewed and approved in advance by an appropriate individual or group.  Depending upon the specific department, this approving entity could be a department safety committee, the Laboratory Chemical Safety Officer, or the department chair.  At the time of approval, any additional required control measures for the project should be specified.  Examples of the types of operations that should receive prior approval are those involving the use of select carcinogens, reproductive toxins, acutely toxic chemicals, highly reactive or shock sensitive chemicals, or highly corrosive or oxidizing chemicals (see Appendix C).  In addition, any operation that produces unknown, but potentially hazardous results, should receive prior approval.

2.1.2  Laboratory Entrance Signs

 

The entrance to each laboratory in which chemicals are used or stored shall be posted with the names and phone numbers of the principal investigator (or lab supervisor) and any other designated personnel who can be contacted in the event of an emergency.  In addition, laboratory entrance postings should indicate the presence of certain specific hazards (see Figure 2-1 below).

 

 

 

 

Figure 2-1.  Laboratory Entrance Sign

2.2   Engineering Controls

 

Engineering controls consist of various measures for reducing a hazard at its source or for separating personnel from the hazard. In the laboratory, examples of engineering controls include the substitution of less hazardous chemicals in an operation, isolating a particular chemical operation, enclosing a potentially explosive reaction, or utilizing local exhaust such as a fume hood for an operation that produces airborne chemicals (see Section 6.1 Chemical Fume Hoods).  Because engineering controls function to reduce or eliminate a hazard at its source before it is created, they should be fully considered and utilized whenever possible as the first step in chemical hazard control within the laboratory.

 

2.3   Procedural Controls

 

Procedural controls (or work practice controls) are typically in the form of standard operating procedures (SOPs) that define the manner in which certain types of chemicals are to be handled, or the manner in which specific operations involving chemicals are to be conducted, in order to minimize hazards.  Section 3.0 of this Plan contains a number of SOPs, which are generally applicable to all laboratories.  It is the responsibility of personnel in each laboratory, however, to develop (and incorporate into the LCSP) specific SOPs that reflect the operations and experimental protocols performed in their laboratory.

 

2.4   Personal Protective Equipment

 

For many laboratory operations, the risk of chemical exposure cannot be totally eliminated through the use of engineering and procedural control measures.  For this reason, it is necessary to supplement such measures with the use of personal protective equipment and apparel (PPE). Because PPE functions as a barrier between the laboratory worker and the chemical hazard, rather than by actually reducing or eliminating the hazard, its use should always be in addition to (and never as a substitute for) appropriate engineering and procedural controls.  It is the responsibility of the principal investigator (or supervisor) of the laboratory to ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is provided to, and used by, all laboratory personnel.  Such equipment should be adequate to ensure personnel are protected from chemical exposure to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract.

 

2.4.1  Eye Protection

 

Appropriate PPE for the eyes is required whenever there is a reasonable probability that the eyes could be exposed to chemicals.  Vented safety goggles are the preferred eye protection to be worn when chemicals are handled in the laboratory.  These should be worn over prescription glasses.

 

All protective equipment for the eyes must bear the stamp Z87, which indicates that it meets the performance guidelines established by the American National Standards Institute in ANSI Z87.1 “Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection.”

2.4.2  Face Protection

 

A face shield is required whenever there is a potential for severe chemical exposure from splashes, fumes, or explosions. Because a face shield alone does not adequately protect the eyes, it must be worn over safety goggles.  In general, any operation that requires a face shield should be conducted inside a hood with the sash down as an additional barrier.

 

2.4.3  Hand Protection

 

Because the hands are typically the part of the body in closest contact with chemicals in the laboratory, they are particularly vulnerable to chemical exposures.  For this reason it is essential that laboratory personnel select appropriate protective gloves and wear them whenever handling chemicals.  Because different glove materials resist different chemicals, no one glove is suited for all chemical exposures.  Glove selection guides are available from most manufacturers and should be consulted before choosing a glove.

 

2.4.4  Foot Protection

 

Safety shoes or other specialized foot protection are generally not required for most laboratory operations.  However, footwear that completely covers the skin of the feet must be worn whenever chemicals are being used (sandals and open-toed shoes are prohibited in the laboratory).

 

2.4.5  Body Protection

 

By virtue of its large surface area, the skin is at considerable risk of exposure to chemicals in the laboratory.  To lessen this risk, it is essential that laboratory personnel wear clothing, which, to the extent possible, covers all skin surfaces (shorts and skirts are inappropriate attire for the laboratory).  In addition, a fully buttoned lab coat should be worn during chemical manipulations.  Clothing and lab coats should be regarded, not as means of preventing exposure, but as means of lessening or delaying exposure.  The effectiveness of clothing as a protective barrier for the skin depends upon its prompt removal in the event that it becomes contaminated.

 

2.4.6  Respiratory Protection

 

The implementation of appropriate engineering and procedural controls should always be the preferred strategy for ensuring that any airborne levels of chemicals within the laboratory are well below regulatory limits.  However, in rare circumstances where such control measures are not sufficient, laboratory personnel may need to utilize respirators for a particular operation.  In such instances, personnel must participate fully in the university’s Respiratory Protection Program, which requires a medical exam, respirator fit-testing, and training prior to respirator use. Contact the University Office of Environmental Health and Safety for more information.

 

GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY PROCEDURES

 

DO

 

·        Know the potential hazards of the materials used in the laboratory.  Review the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and container label prior to using a chemical.

·        Know the location of safety equipment such as emergency showers, eyewashes, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, spill kits, first aid kits, and telephones.

·        Review emergency procedures to ensure that necessary supplies and equipment for spill response and other accidents are available.

·        Practice good housekeeping to minimize unsafe work conditions such as obstructed exits and safety equipment, cluttered benches and hoods, and accumulated chemical waste.

·        Wear personal protective apparel when working with chemicals.  This includes eye protection, lab coat, gloves, and appropriate foot protection (no sandals).  Gloves should be made of a material known to be resistant to permeation by the chemical in use.

·        Wash skin promptly if contacted by any chemical, regardless of corrosivity or toxicity.

·        Label all new chemical containers with the “date received” and “date opened.”

·        Label and store chemicals properly.  All chemical containers should be labeled to identify the container contents (no abbreviations or formulas) and hazard information.  Chemicals should be stored by hazard groups and chemical compatibilities.

·        Use break-resistant bottle carriers when transporting chemicals in glass containers that are greater than 500 milliliters.

·        Use fume hoods when processes or experiments may result in the release of toxic or flammable vapors, fumes, or dusts.

 

DON’T

 

·        Eat, drink, chew gum, or apply cosmetics in areas where chemicals are used and stored.

·        Store food in laboratory refrigerators, ice chests, cold rooms, or ovens.

·        Drink water from laboratory water sources.

·        Use laboratory glassware to prepare or consume food.