Chemistry Lab Safety Project
By: Colton VanLandingham 2nd Period
Safety Data Sheets
Safety Data Sheets or SDS are forms of communicating the harmful characteristics of chemical products. All SDS follow a specific format with sixteen different sections. In section 1 you can find the manufacturer distributor's name, address and phone number. You can also find who to call in case of an emergency. It has what the product is recommended for and what you should not do with it. In section 2 or hazard identification it will tell you how dangerous the product is. It will tell you if it is flammable, and if it is harmful to your body. Section four includes first-aid measures. It will tell you the symptoms of exposure to the chemicals and its effects along with the first aid processes to take. Section 6 or the Accidental Release Measures will tell you the proper way to clean up the chemical product if it is spilled from its container. It will let you know how to properly clean up the product and what supplies you should use and what safety guides you should follow. Section 7 provides the information on how it should be stored and handled. It will tell you if it shouldn't be stored with other chemicals or if it needs to be stored in a certain temperature. Section 8 tells you the protection you should use to prevent exposure to the chemical to have a safe environment. Section 9 Physical and Chemical properties will provide you its chemical characteristics such as its odor, the temperature it will ignite at, if its an acid or alkali, etc. Section 10 Stability and reactivity will tell you if there are any certain products the chemical product should not be around as it could have a hazardous reaction with it. Finally, in Section 11 it will provide you the Toxicological information and if there effects of repeated exposures to this product. It tells you any short or long-term health affects to exposure. It concludes all the health effects of the chemical product.
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
The best ways to protect yourself from harmful products is to wear clothes that cover your body. It is very important that you keep your eyes, mouth, and nose safe from the chemicals. You should not wear shorts and sandals for they expose your body. You should leave all personal items like backpacks purses and jackets away to prevent them from becoming contaminated. For general lab procedures, a lab coat gloves and goggles are required. The gloves you wear must be resistant to the product. They have to be non-absorptive. You should change out your gloves often and wash your hands. Thermal gloves are important to use when using extremely hot or cold materials. There are also respirators that can be used to protect your respiratory system. However they require respirator training. Always remove all PPE and wash you hands before leaving the lab. Always be aware that you can spread contamination by touching anything. PPE will protect you from exposure and harm, but they aren't enough to keep you safe. Safety equipment must be used properly as well.
Safety Equipment
Before you begin any lab procedure, determine the risks, wear the correct PPE, and be aware of any protective measures and what to do in case of an emergency. When diluting acids or bases, always add the acid or the base to the solvent and not the other way around. If you pour a solvent into an acid or base can cause a harmful reaction. Never remove equipment from a lab. Use a break resistant secondary container to transport chemical to different labs. Splash goggles are much more effective at protecting your eyes regular glasses do not fully protect your eyes. All chemical splash goggles should be marked with the code Z 87.1. which indicates compliance with American National Standards institute. If using a corrosive chemical use full arm-length rubber gloves. Never smell chemicals. You should only work with toxic chemical under a fume hood. If a large chemical spill occurs, evacuate, seal off the lab, and immediately notify authorities. They must be cleaned by qualified personal. Always know the flammability and explosive potential for each chemical you are using. Keep flammables away from all ignition sources. When finished with a lab, properly expose chemicals according to federal requirements.
Behavior
Always respect the lab and your peers. Behavior goes into ensuring that the lab is a safe environment. NEVER eat, drink, chew gum or apply makeup when in the lab. You should also never work alone. That is what lab partners are for. This way you can help each other in case of an emergency. Always keep the lab clean and organized. Do not place chemical bottles on the floor. If there is a spill notify the teacher immediately. Keep only the materials you need in your work area. Store unneeded items. Keeps materials away from the edge of tables. Do not pick up glass with your bare hands. Dispose the glass in a designated broken glass container. When finished clean the desk with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. In the end, always be on your best behavior.
Cehmical Hazards
There are two tools used to identify chemical hazards: SDS and chemical labels. Know the location of the SDS in your lab and review them before using the lab. The GHS format universalizes all chemical product labels. All SDS will have the same format. The physical, health and environment hazards can be found in these. Pictograms consist of a symbol on a white background with a red border, with each pictogram representing a different hazard.