Transcript Managing Health and Safety in the Laboratory

Health and Safety in the Laboratory –
some suggestions
Chemical Education Conference
UCC 22 Oct 2011
Miriam Horgan
Inspectorate
Department of Education and Skills
Learning Outcomes

Legislative background

Safety Statement

Hazard – definition, types

Risk –definition, assessment, control

Safe Laboratory – rules

Chemical Hazards – storage, labelling, MSDS
sheets
– Circular Letter 14/2011
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Health and Safety Act 2005

Act - main provisions for securing and improving
the safety, health and welfare of people at work

Schools – employer BOM or VEC
– responsibilities may be delegated

Duties of employer include
– procedures needed to ensure that legislative
requirements are met
– carry out risk assessments
– prepare and implement a safety statement

Duties of teachers (employees) include
–
–
–
–
take reasonable care to protect own/others’ safety
report hazards to management
take account of safety training
use PPE
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Safety Statement



Written
Details of management of health and safety
Based on identification of hazards and risk assessments
(section 19 Act) and controls
Excerpt from Managing Health and Safety in Post-Primary Schools,
Available at www.hsa.ie
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Elements
of safety
statement
Excerpt from Managing Health and Safety in Post-Primary Schools, Available at
www.hsa.ie
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Recent Chemical Legislation



Chemicals Act 2008 -July
Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010 -December
The main purpose of the 2008 and 2010 Acts is
to facilitate the enforcement of certain EU
Regulations concerning chemicals. These
Regulations include the:
– Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction
of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation (No. 1907/2006) ),
– Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances
and Mixtures (CLP) Regulation (No. 1272/2008)
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
E.U. Hazard Labelling Symbols
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Hazards

A hazard is anything that has the potential to
cause harm to people, property or the
environment.
– material, equipment, work method or practice.
– situational hazards e.g. obstacle in corridor little threat
during class time but may be serious during break time

Types of hazards
– Physical –e.g. slips, trips, hot objects, gas, electrical,
fire, falling objects
– Health –e.g. noise, harmful dust, radiation, unsuitable
light
– Chemical –e.g. physical, chemical and toxic properties
– Biological –e.g. bacteria, viruses, infection
– Human-factor –e.g. stress, bullying
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Hazards in Schools


Where and what are the potential hazards in
schools?
What are the potential hazards in
laboratories?
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Potential Hazards in Schools




Kitchen -e.g. slippery floors, hot surfaces, sharp
objects
Classroom -e.g. damaged seats, trailing cables,
broken sockets
Sports hall -e.g. gym equipment, manual
handling
Laboratory – varied, extensive list including
– corrosive or poisonous chemicals, chemical fumes,
bunsen burners, hotplates, dissecting kits, glassware,
gas, electricity, radiation, fire, slips, trips, falls
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Risks

Risk
– Risk is the likelihood that someone will be harmed by
the hazard together with the severity of harm suffered.
Risk also depends on the number of people exposed to
the hazard. -e.g. fumes from chemicals

Controls/control measures
– Controls/control measures are the precautions taken to
ensure that the risk is eliminated or reduced.

Risk assessment
– identify the hazard
– estimate the severity and likelihood of harm arising from
such a hazard.
– put in place control measures to minimise the risk or
weigh up whether he or she has taken enough
precautions to prevent harm.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Laboratory Rules for Students
Safety in School Science (2001) Department of Education and
Skills (appendix K)

Display in Laboratory

1. DO NOT enter the laboratory without permission.

2. DO NOT use any equipment unless permitted to do so
by the teacher. Make sure you know exactly what you are
supposed to do. If in doubt, ask the teacher.

3. Long hair MUST always be tied back securely.

4. ALWAYS wear eye protection when instructed to do so.

5. ALWAYS check that the label on the bottle is EXACTLY
the same as the material you require. If in doubt, ask the
teacher.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Laboratory Rules for Students ctd.


6. NOTHING must be tasted, eaten or drunk in the
laboratory.
7. Any substance accidentally taken into the mouth must be
spat out IMMEDIATELY and the mouth washed out with
plenty of water. The incident must be reported to the
teacher.

8. Any cut, burn or other accident MUST be reported at
once to the teacher.

9. Any chemicals spilled on the skin or clothing MUST be
washed at once with plenty of water and report to teacher.

10. Always WASH your hands after practical work.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Chemicals
Hazards and Controls
Laboratory hazards
may be caused by
– unauthorised
access
– cluttered
environment
– inadequate
fumehood
maintenance
– lack of or poor PPE
21/07/2015
Controls
– lock laboratory
when not in use
– organisation and
clean up
– fumehood fit for
purpose – not
storage
– face shield, safety
goggles, gloves,
safety screen etc.
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Chemicals
Hazards and Controls
Chemical hazards may be
caused by
– fire
– lack of knowledge of
risks in relation to
experiments
– limited information on
hazardous chemicals
– chemical
ingestion/absorption
21/07/2015
Controls
– Fire, smoke, heat
detectors fitted in stores,
fire extinguishers, fire
blankets, sand buckets
– Identify risks and safety
practices to be
communicated to
students
– MSDS sheets, Safety in
school lab (DES),
correct, legible labels
– Adequate hand wash,
eyewash facilities,
gloves
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Chemicals
Hazards

Storage hazards may
be caused by
– Incorrect storage
– out-of-date chemicals in
use
– reaction in storage
– Spills
– poor labelling
– fire accessing
flammable chemicals
21/07/2015
Controls
– Store in well ventilated
areas, correct
classifications stored in
separate areas
– Inspect regularly, buy
small quantities, dispose
correctly
– correct classifications
stored in separate areas
– anti-roll lips on shelves,
chemicals below eye
level
– clear labels with hazard
symbols
– Flame resistant press
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Material Safety Data Sheets

16 headings

Most useful information on MSDS
–
–
–
–
–

Hazard Identification
First Aid
Handling and Storage
Personal Protection
Disposal
The MSDS should be obtained from the
chemical suppliers
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Hazard Symbols
Toxic
Highly Flammable
Corrosive
Explosive
n
21/07/2015
Harmful
Oxidising
Dangerous for Environment
i
Irritant
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Labelling of Chemicals

Dangerous substances should comply with EU labelling
regulations
– CLP LEGISLATION

In general labels should include the following data:
– Name of sample. Sodium hydroxide
– Concentration when appropriate.
– A word or symbol to indicate the hazard if necessary.
– In the case of dangerous chemicals the risk and safety
phrases.
– Name of the teacher/the date.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Sample Label for Sodium Hydroxide
NaOH 1.0 M
 R 35 Causes severe burns.
 S 26 In case of contact
with eyes, rinse
immediately with plenty of
water and seek medical
advice.
 S 36/37/39 Wear
suitable protective
clothing, gloves and
eye/face protection. Wear
suitable protective
clothing, gloves and
eye/face protection.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
CHEMICAL STORAGE GROUPS
RED Flammable
storage
 GREY General
chemicals no
particular
storage hazard

21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
CHEMICAL STORAGE GROUPS




BLUE Toxic or
health hazard
YELLOW Oxidising
chemicals
GREEN Corrosives –
alkaline
WHITE Corrosives –
acids
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Further Segregation

Segregation of Flammables
– Flammable liquids should
be stored separately from
flammable solids. Two fire
resistant cupboards would
be ideal, one larger one
for bottles of flammable
liquids and a smaller
version for the flammable
solids.

Keep oxidisers away from
flammable chemicals
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Further Segregation


Toxic chemicals
should be stored away
from flammables and
oxidising agents
Corrosive substances
– burn skin and eyes and
– may also react with
incompatible packaging
or metals like storage
racking.
– Store away from
flammable liquids and
gases, oxidising agents
and organic peroxides
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Further Storage Precautions

Chemicals should not be stored in
alphabetical order as this can result in
incompatible neighbours e.g.
– NH3(g) and Br2 :- unstable NBr3 is formed,
explosion may result

Chemicals should not be stored according
to poorly chosen categories: all acids or all
organics together.
– some acids - also reducing agents (CH3COOH)
– some acids also oxidising agents (HNO3).
– some oxidising agents incompatible with each
other e.g. H2O2 and KMNO4.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Further Storage Precautions

Harmful chemicals can be further isolated by using (i)
plastic tray/boxes or (ii) outer container.
– (i) Plastic Trays/Boxes
A number of compatible chemicals are placed in a
plastic tray or plastic box and a label put on the outside of
the tray/box to indicate what chemicals are stored within.
– (ii) Outer Container
Put the container in a heavy duty plastic bag (freezer
bag),tie the bag, place it in an outer container (an unused
paint can or a snap open secure container) with some
absorbing agent and securely fix on the lid.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Further considerations for safe storage
of chemicals
Include:

Only authorised persons should have access to chemical
stores, which should be locked when not in use.

Chemicals that are no longer required should be carefully
disposed of according to MSDS/Department guidelines.

The chemical store should be well ventilated

Shelves should have anti-roll off lips

Chemicals should not be stored in shelves above eye level.
– If necessary - smaller bottles, steps

Avoid floor chemical storage, if possible.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Shelf Lives of Chemicals

Many chemicals, e.g. Al2O3, have extremely long shelf

Some chemicals may have short shelf lives

Deterioration in storage could
– health and safety issue
– harmless, with change in composition

Risk of contamination

Risk of oxidation

Risk of peroxide formation and detonation

Buy small quantities
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Extra Safety Apparatus

The following safety apparatus should be
available in the laboratory.
– Safety screen
– Face shield (for teachers only)
– Eye wash/shower – an eye wash stand or eye wash
bottle or a fixed rubber tube on a convenient tap.
– Fire extinguishers (CO2 /dry powder)
– Fire blankets
– Fire buckets
– Chemical spill Clean up kit
– First aid kit.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Spill Control

A chemical spill clean up kit should contain:– 1. A bucket of dry sand.
– 2. A bucket of an absorbing agent.
– 3. A bucket of anhydrous sodium carbonate (for acid
spills).
– 4. Plastic dust pan and brush.
– 5. Heavy duty plastic bags.
– 6. Two warning notices


Provide precautions against skin and eye contact.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), and the Department
of Education and Science publication “Safety in the School
Laboratory” will detail any specific precautions.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Discontinued Use of Chemicals –
Substances of very high concern

Circular 0014/2011
– Sodium Chromate, Sodium Dichromate,
Potassium Chromate, Potassium
Dichromate, Ammonium Dichromate,
Copper Chromate, Copper(II) Dichromate
and all other chromium(VI) compounds;
– Cobalt(II) Chloride, Cobalt(II) Nitrate and
all other Cobalt(II) compounds; any other
chemically related compounds
– Use of cobalt chloride paper should also
cease.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Discontinued Use of Chemicals –
Substances of very high concern




Circular 0014/2011
Curriculum implications are being examined in
collaboration with the NCCA & SEC
Further communication will issue in due course.
In the interim,
– these topics will remain as part of the syllabus in terms
of the theoretical knowledge of the experimental
procedure, and its outcomes, but students will not be
required to have physically undertaken the procedure.
These topics will, as heretofore, remain examinable in
the Leaving Certificate Chemistry Examinations until
notice to the contrary is given.
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Resources

www.PDST.ie
– PP Science and Applied Maths section
– Chemistry Resources
– Safety Docs









Safety in School Science (DES)
Safety in School Laboratory (DES)
Safety Legislation (PSI)
Storage of Laboratory Chemicals (PSI)
Chemical Shelf Lives (PSI)
Stock Control (PSI)
Material Safety Data Sheets
Safety in the School Laboratory (HSA)
www.HSA.ie
– Education





Managing Health and Safety in Schools
Teacher Support and Classroom Resources
Safety and Health Training for Teachers
Safety and Health Initiatives in Education
http://echa.europa.eu
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
Recap






Legislative background
Safety Statement
Hazard – definition, types
Risk –definition,
– assessment, control
Safe laboratory rules
Chemical Hazards – handling, disposal, storage,
Labelling, MSDS sheets
21/07/2015
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills
 Thank
21/07/2015
You
Miriam Horgan, Department of Education and Skills