Lab Safety Flashcards
RAMP
Recognize hazards
Assess risks (risk=severity X likelihood)
Minimize risks (use less hazardous chemical/use lower concentrations/use lower temperature)
Prepare for emergencies
The safety ethic
Value safety
Work safely
Eliminate risky behavior
Promote safety
Accept responsibility
Safety data sheet
16 sections
Look at first 7 sections to assess hazards
Section one has identification
Registry number on bottle and sds must match
Section two has hazard identification
Signal word and precautionary statements
Section four is first aid measures and how chemical can enter through body (eyes, nose, mouth, and skin)
Section eight contains exposure control terms such as TWA (time weighted average) and PEL (permissible exposure limit)
Low TWA numbers means more dangerous
Section nine is chemical and physical properties (flashpoint: vapor forms and can ignite fire and flammability)
Section ten is stability and reactivity shows what should not interact with the certain chemical
Section eleven offers information about toxicity of an element and how it can harm you whether short term or long term effects (LD:lethal dose or LC: lethal concentration)
SDS is not that reliable because it is for a wide audience and some information is not available
SDS concerns
Not always accurate
Vary between suppliers
Sometimes unhelpful
Use Pubchem LCSS (laboratory chemical safety summary)
Or fire hazard diamond
Red: fire hazard
Yellow: instability hazard
Blue: health hazard
White: special hazard (oxidation)
Chemical hazards
Chemicals can be toxic, corrosive, reactive, or flammable
Difference between hazard and risk
Hazard is a source of potential harm and is intrinsic
Risk is the product of severity and likelihood
Examples of quantitative measures of hazards: LD50, and permissible exposure limit
Likelihood of exposure depends on your level of experience in the lab
Ways chemicals can enter the body
Inhalation
Direct contact through skin or eyes
Ingestion
Injection
Hierarchy of controls
Elimination
Substitution
Engineering controls (using fume hoods)
Administrative controls (risk minimization rules)
PPE (natural fibers better than synthetic materials)
Titrations
Observe glassware for any cracks
Prepare for emergencies
By taking note of location of emergency equipment
Four lab emergencies
1. Fire
2. Spills on people (for eyes rinse for 15 minutes)
3. Spills in the lab
4. Broken glass (if on floor isolate the area and notify instructor)
If powder spills then scrape off and then rinse with water
If spills occur inform instructor and notify other students to make sure area is isolated
3 things needed to start fire
- Fuel source (see if flammable)
- Oxidizing agent (oxygen in air)
- Ignition source (flame from match or Bunsen burner)
Small fires can be contained by putting beaker or watch glass over it.
Fire extinguishers work on everything except active metal fires
PASS
PULL PIN
AIM AT BASE OF FIRE
SQUEEZE HANDLE
SWEEP ALONG BASE OF FIRE
When evacuating: turn off electrical equipment, gas burner, close sash of fume hood, and exit
