General Laboratory SafetyDr. Mohamed Abd-Elhakeem

Eman RashidYosra Elbanaa

Why does it matter?

Safe working protects: You Other lab workers Cleaners Visitors Your work

What are the general hazards in a laboratory?

Fire Breakage of glassware Sharps Spillages Pressure equipment &

gas cylinders Extremes of heat & cold Chemical hazards

And many more!

General Safety Rules

1. Listen to or read instructions carefully before attempting to do anything.

2. Notify your teacher if any spills or accidents occur.

Never mix chemicals together unless you are told to do so (and then only in the manner specified).

General Safety Rules

3. After handling chemicals, always wash your hands with soap

and water.4. During lab work, keep your

hands away from your face.5. Keep your work area

uncluttered. Take to the lab station only what is necessary.

X

General Safety Rules

6. Never put anything into your mouth during a lab experiment.

7. Clean up your lab area at the conclusion of the laboratory

period.8. Never “horse around” or play

practical jokes in the laboratory.

10. Never eat, drink or smoke in a laboratory

11. Never apply cosmetics

12. Never touch your face, mouth or eyes

13. Never suck pens or chew pencils14. Always wash your hands before

you leave and especially before eating

Glassware Safety Chipped or cracked glassware should

not be used. Show it to the teacher.

When pouring liquids into glassware, make sure the container you are pouring into is resting on a table at least a hands breadth from the edge.

Glassware Safety

4. Do not place hot glassware in water. Rapid cooling may make it shatter.

Chemicals Hazard

Never mix chemicals together unless you are told to do so (and then only in the manner specified).

Hazard or Risk?

This is a HAZARD

Hazards may cause a Risk to health or lab.

This is a RISK

Hazard means the potential to cause injury or illness and can apply to substances, methods or machines

Risk means the probability and consequences of occurrence of injury or illness.

Reduce the Hazard

When you know that you are dealing with a hazard, you can take action to reduce the risk.

You can substitute the hazard by something less hazardous

Substitute

Control

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Understand the Hazards!Know how you can reduce the risk.Know how you can manage the lab

Key to Working Safely

Chemicals are the most common and significant health hazards

Chemicals can be hazardous for numerous reasons and can combine with other chemicals to make new hazards

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Flammable: catches fire easily and burns rapidly

Explosive: will explode / detonate releasing hot gases

Oxidizer: Chemicals that react with other substances can result in fire or explosion

Water reactive - reacts with water to release flammable gas, causes fire or presents a health hazard

Types of chemical hazards

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Irritant: can cause inflammation of skin or eyes

Reproductive toxin: could have harmful effect on male or female reproductive system or on developing fetus

Corrosive: cause irreversible damage to living tissue.

Carcinogen: cause cancer or suspected to cause cancer

Harmful Capable of causing health problems after larger or long-term exposures

Toxic - Capable of causing death or serious health problems after exposure.

Mutagenic: Capable of changing DNA and cause mutation.

Never mix chemicals together unless you are told to do so (and then only in the manner specified).

Copyright 2006 ã Progressive Business Publications

Health hazards

Headaches, rashes and burns

Respiratory problems or lung damage

Kidney and liver damage

Reproductive damage

Cancer

Death

Hazard symbols

Toxic Biologically hazard

Corrosive

Oxidizer Flammable Explosive

X Irritant

National Fire Protection AssociationHazard Classification

0

2

4

Chemical Hazards

All chemicals have a hazard effect on our body, but they different in the minimal amount to show the obvious effect

Acids

All acids are corrosive due to their ability to absorb water from tissues.

Also acid’s vapors irritate the respiratory tract and cause lung cancer.

Acids react with metal to release flammable hydrogen gas

Bases

Potassium hydroxide: Appearance: hygroscopic white pellets Toxic, Corrosive.

Ammonia: 33% Clear, colorless liquid Toxic, Corrosive, strong irritating odor.

Solids

Solid chemicals have the lowest risk due to their low mobility and non-volatility.

Highly toxic solids Arsenic compoundsInorganic cyanidesMercury compoundsSelenium and its compounds

Ethanol hazards

Ethanol is a highly flammable and harmful substance. If ingested, it may be fatal and may cause eye damage, nausea, dizziness, headache and central nervous system depression. Ethanol may be absorbed through the skin.Ethanol is a volatile liquid its vapors can irritate the eyes.

Treat all chemicals in the lab as toxic substances. Keep them off your skin and clothes

Inhalation Ingestion Absorption: Skin Injection

How Chemicals Enter Your Body

Safe yourself

Wear:• Lab’s coat

must cover shoulders, frontal area, and extend approximately 6" below the waist• Safety Goggles• Gloves• Closed-toed shoes• Face mask if volatile

material used• Clothing made of natural

based fiber such as cotton

• Tie back long hair

• Keep your hands away from your face during the lab and wash your hands at end of the lab

Do NOT Wear:• Sandals• Jewelry• Loose or Baggy clothing• Contact lenses

Never mix chemicals together unless you are told to do so (and then only in the manner specified).

Requirements

Lab’s coat Safety goggles Gloves. Dust masks or respirators Hand cleaner Labels Marker pen Pipette filler.

First Aid

1. Inhalation:

Move victim to fresh air and give respiratory aid if needed.

2. Eyes contact:Don’t rub the eyes. Hold eyelids open and flush with water for 15 minutes

3. Skin contact:

Remove contaminated clothes, rinse skin with plenty of water for 15 minutes.

Use soap except in case of acids or bases.

Neutralize acid with sodium carbonate (powder)

Base with 5% vinegar

4. Ingestion:For Acids: do not induce vomiting. take large quantities of milk or water.

For Bases: do not induce vomiting. Take large amounts of water followed by diluted vinegar, fruit juice or egg whites beaten with water.

For organic solvents: take 2 glasses of water and induce vomiting

The final message......

You are not going to die using chemicals

... BUT you MUST be carefull and take preacutions!!!!!!!

It’s just common sense.......

... FOR YOU AND THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU!!!!!

Never mix chemicals together unless you are told to do so (and then only in the manner specified).