INTEGRATED CHEMISTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

RECOMMENDED COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR

CHEMICAL TECHNICIAN

COURSE TITLE: Chemical Laboratory Safety

COURSE NUMBER: ChT 50
NUMBER OF UNITS: 3u
Prepared by: Dr. Glenn Alea

A. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will cover the fundamentals of chemical safety in a laboratory. It will include
the roles and responsibilities of laboratory personnel for ensuring safety, safety laboratory
protocols, safety facilities and design, labeling of chemicals and chemical wastes,
laboratory emergency response, proper storage of chemicals, and disposal of chemical
wastes in a chemical laboratory.

Prerequisites: General Chemistry (ChT 10), Organic Chemistry (ChT 40)

B. LEARNING OUTCOMES

After taking the course, the students should be able to:

1. Identify the role and responsibilities of different stakeholders for ensuring safety in the
laboratory.
2. Identify and know how to operate laboratory safety equipment.
3. Know the different laboratory protocols to minimize risks and ensure safety.
4. Learn how to properly label chemicals and wastes.
5. Familiarize and interpret correctly the contents of the safety data sheets (SDS).
6. Know how to properly handle chemical spills.
7. Learn the proper response and management of emergencies and accidents in the lab.
8. Learn the requirements for proper storage of chemicals.
9. Learn how to properly dispose chemical wastes.
10. Implement relevant regulations on chemical waste management

1
COURSE OUTLINE
Topics Number of
Hours
1. Introduction: Roles and Responsibilities for Safety
3
2. Safety Facilities and Design (Engineering Controls)
• General
• Personal Protective Equipment
• Laboratory Chemical Hoods
8
• Safety Showers/ Eyewashes
• Chemical Storage
• Electrical Hazards

3. Laboratory Protocols
• Eye Protection/Laboratory Clothing
• Food and Beverages
• Personal Hygiene
7
• Unattended Operation of Equipment
• Working alone
• Housekeeping

4. Labeling of Chemicals; GHS

4
5. Safety Data Sheets
4
6. Common Laboratory Hazards
• Flammable Liquids
• Toxic Substances 3
• Electrical Hazards

7. Laboratory Emergency Response

• Emergency Action-Dealing with Emergency
• Preparing for Medical Emergencies
6
• Chemical Spills/Spill kits
• Fires/Fire Extinguishers

8. Storage of Chemicals
• Requirements for proper storage
4
• Chemical Compatibility

9. Disposal of Wastes
• Waste Classification and Labelling
• Collecting and Storing Waste
• Compatibility of Waste Mixtures and Containers 6
• Waste Disposal options and protocols
• Relevant laws and regulations on chemical waste management

TOTAL 45

2
C. READINGS AND REFERENCES
Chemical Safety Manual for Small Businesses, 3rd edition, American Chemical Society,
Washington DC, 2009.
Prudent Practices in the Laboratory: Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, National
Academy Press, 1995. Available online:
http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=4911
Safety in Academic Laboratories, Vol.1 & 2. American Chemical Society, Washington
DC, 2003. Available online:
https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/about/governance/committees/chemicalsafety/
publications/safety-in-academic-chemistry-laboratories-faculty.pdf
Chemical Laboratory Safety and Security: A Guide to Prudent Chemical Management,
National Academy of Sciences, c 2010 .
School Chemistry Laboratory Safety Guide, Available online as pdf file:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-107/ .
Less is Better, American Chemical Society, Washington DC, 2003, available online:
https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/about/governance/committees/chemicalsafety/
publications/less-is-better.pdf?_ga=1.170715360.1586036592.1475047226