lab safety Flashcards
What does the diamond on a chemical container tell you?
It gives a quick overview of things to consider when storing or handling the chemicals
What sections does the diamond have? What are their respective colors?
Flammability (red)
Health (blue)
Reactvity (yellow)
Special (white)
What does the “Health” rating indicate on the diamond? What does a 4 mean? What does a 1 mean?
the degree of harm that exposure to the substance would cause a person, which in turn dictates the level of protective gear necessary.
A 4 means that a lot of specialized equipment is needed
A 1 means that not a lot of equipment is needed
What does the “Flammability” rating indicate on the diamond?
the likelihood that the substance will vaporize, ignite, or burn
What does the “Reactivity” rating indicate on the diamond?
the likelihood that the substance will release energy in a chemical reaction or explosion
What does the “Special Warning” secton do?
Provide extra safety info and warnings.
What does a W crossed out mean as a “Special Warning”
the substance reacts with water - should be kept away from water
What does OXY mean as a “Special Warning”
is an oxidizer
(a substance that has the ability to oxidize other substances — in other words to accept their electrons. Common oxidizing agents are oxygen, hydrogen peroxide and the halogens)
What does ALK mean as a special warning?
The substance is an alkali (a basic, ionic salt of an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.)
What does COR mean as a special warning?
The substance is corrosive (destroy/damage/erode something slowly and chemically)
What does RAD mean as a special warning?
The substance is a radiation hazard (a risk to health resulting from the presence of ionizing radiation)
What is an SDS?
A safety data sheet for a substance, which give people info about the proper way to handle or work with a certain substance.
Do all SDS’s look the same? What must they have
No
Required info
What does the gas symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
indicated gases that are compressed, under pressure, or in other forms that require special care
What does the environmental hazard symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
indicates that chemicals contained are hazardous to the environment/aquatic life (needs special care during disposal)
What does the explosive symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
indicates potential for an explosion. could explode when in contact with fire or if it experiences shocks/friction
What does the flame symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
indicates flammable substance (no contact with anything that could start a fire)
What does the corrosive symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
substance that can cause damage to skin, eyes, potentially destroy metals
cause major damage to other substances
often strong acids or bases
avoid contact with skin, eyes, clothing, do not inhale vapors
What does the oxidizer symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
substance oxidizes (easily react w/ most organic material and intensify combustion/increase the flammable range for chemicals)
What does the irritant and sensitizer symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
indicates toxic chemicals with lower severity, causes irritation
What does the acute toxicity symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
indicates a health hazard, often means a toxic or poisonous substance
What does the chronic health hazard symbol mean? Visualize what the symbol looks like
indicates a chemical that is very harmful to the human body
may be detrimental to human health
What does the radiation symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
the substance is radioactive
emit rays or particles that are given off when atoms break apart
What does the biohazard symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
biological substance that is harmful to humans or the environment
includes medical devices
What does the laser symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
warns against included lasers, which can damage the skin and eyesight
What does the respiratory protection symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
You should wear a protective mask or other facepiece
used to ward against contaminated air
What does the hand protection symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
Gloves should be worn
What are the different kinds of protective gloves indicated by the hand protection symbol? What does each one do?
Thermal gloves (hot or cold materials) Leather gloves (rough or scratchy materials) Nitrile gloves (chemical solvents and potentially infectious substances)
What does the protective footwear symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
Wear protective boots or shoes
What does the eye protection symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
wear eye protection, such as safety goggles
What does the face protection symbol mean? Visualize what that symbol looks like
wear full face protection like a face sheild
