CHEMICAL SAFETY IN THE

LABORATORY
 SESSION OBJECTIVES
At the end of this session, you will be able to:
• Define chemical safety;
• Identify the different environmental hazards in the laboratory
and the different hazard controls;
• Explain the definition and importance of Safety Data Sheet
(SDS)’
• Identify the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) symbols and
NFPA Hazmat Diamond used for chemical identification and
labeling; and
• Enumerate common ways in maintaining industrial hygiene in
the laboratory.
 CHEMICAL SAFETY
Chemical safety is the control of exposure to
potentially hazardous substances to attain an
acceptably low risk of exposure.
 HAZARDS VS. RISKS
Hazard is a chemical or physical condition
with potential for causing damage to
people, property, or environment.

Risk is a measure of the likelihood and

magnitude of accidents caused by
hazards.
 Chemical
TYPES OF HAZARDS IN THE
LABORATORY
Ergonomics Physical

Biological
 PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Physical hazards include:
» Excessive noise
» Inadequate illumination
» Extreme pressure
» Poor ventilation
» Radiation
 ERGONOMIC HAZARDS

Ergonomic hazards include:

» Manual handling
» Repetitive motion
» Forceful motion
» Awkward posture
» Static posture
 CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Chemical hazards arise from excessive
airborne concentration of:
» Acids/mist
» Gases
» Vapors
» Particulates
» Fumes
 BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

Biological hazards include:

» Bacteria
» Virus
» Fungi
» Molds
» Microorganisms
» Animals
FACTORS FOR DETERMINING CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL HAZARADS
• TOXICITY - measures how much
substance is required to cause harm

• ROUTE OF ENTRY

• DOSE - measures how much enters the

body

• DURATION - lenght of exposure

FACTORS FOR DETERMINING CHEMICAL AND
BIOLOGICAL HAZARADS
• INTERACTION - other substances to which
the body is exposeds.

• RESPONSE - how the body reacts the

substances

• SENSITIVITY - measures how a person

reacts to the substance compared to the
reactions of the other people.
HIERARCHY OF HAZARD CONTROL

ANTICIPATE

RECOGNIZE
HAZARDS
EVALUATE

CONTROL
 DIFFERENT CHEMICAL HAZARD
CONTROLS
1. ELIMINATION
- designing or modifying work activities or
processes that do not require use of
chemicals.
- Example:
Use of autoclave for sterilizing instead
of using sterilizing chemicals
 DIFFERENT CHEMICAL HAZARD
CONTROLS
2. SUBSTITUTION
- use of less hazardous chemical or a
chemical in a less hazardous form. A
substitute chemical should not
introduce new risk.
- Example:
Use of detergent in place of
chlorinated solvent for cleaning
 DIFFERENT CHEMICAL HAZARD
CONTROLS
3. ISOLATION
- separating people from the chemical by
distance or barriers to prevent or
reduce exposure.
- Example:
Use of closed system, such as during
processing or transfer of
flammable liquids
 DIFFERENT CHEMICAL HAZARD
CONTROLS
4. ENGINEERING CONTROLS
- physical controls that eliminate or reduce
the generation of chemicals, suppress or
contain chemicals, or limit the area of
contamination in the event of spills and
leaks
WHAT ENGINEERING CONTROLS DO WE HAVE
IN THE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY?

EXHAUST FAN
- keeps gas and
vapor concentration
below exposure
limit.
WHAT ENGINEERING CONTROLS DO WE HAVE
IN THE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY?

FUME HOOD
- a suction device
that encloses,
captures, or
removes
contaminants.
 DIFFERENT CHEMICAL HAZARD
CONTROLS
5. ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS
- systems of work or safe work practices
which help to reduce employee
exposure to hazards
Example:
- Standard operating procedures in the
lab
- Good housekeeping
 DIFFERENT CHEMICAL HAZARD
CONTROLS
6. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS
- PPE’s should be:
- properly selected for task
- readily available
- cleaned and maintained
- correctly used
- removed before leaving the
laboratory
WHAT ARE SOME PPEs WE USUALLY
ENCOUNTER IN THE LABORATOR?
Eye and Face Protection
WHAT ARE SOME PPEs WE USUALLY
ENCOUNTER IN THE LABORATOR?
Eye and Face Protection
WHAT ARE SOME PPEs WE USUALLY
ENCOUNTER IN THE LABORATOR?
Lab Coat/Lab Gown
WHAT ARE SOME PPEs WE USUALLY
ENCOUNTER IN THE LABORATOR?
Hand Protection
 SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a summary of the
important health, safety and toxicological
information on the chemical or the mixture
ingredients.
SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
hhhhh
 SAFETY DATA SHEET (SDS)
SDS should be available from:

» Chemical suppliers
» Pollution Control Office
» Laboratory Workplace
» Environmental Health and Safety
Committee
 CHEMICAL LABELING
“Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for
Identification and Labeling of Chemicals”

An international system for standardizing and

harmonizing the classification and labeling of
chemicals
 What is it like a world without GHS?

Indonesia Mexico Japan

Racun
Dañino si se ingiere.
Jangan makan, minum,
dan merokok selema
bekerja.

�
Thailand
Korea Russia

자 위해관련 문구들 눈에 심한
극
물
손상을 입을 위험 삼키면 유해 Вредно при
проглатывании
GHS Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
Pictograms

Hhhh
 CHEMICAL LABELING
“National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Hazmat
Diamond”
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Hazmat Diamond
“
 ENCOURAGING SAFETY IN THE
LABORATORY
 Anticipate, recognize, evaluate and control
hazards.
 No unauthorized experiments should be
conducted.
 Lab in-charge personnel should have
substantial knowledge in dealing with
spillage of hazardous chemicals.
 ENCOURAGING SAFETY IN THE
LABORATORY
 Everyone who is working in the laboratory
should be aware of the proper usage and
location of fire extinguisher and first-aid
kit.
 No smoking in any portion of the lab.
 No eating or drinking in any form in the lab.
 ENCOURAGING SAFETY IN THE
LABORATORY
 There should be an information bulletin of
the antidotes for poisons in the lab.
 Never return used chemicals to stock
bottles.
 The workspaces should be clean and tidy.
 ENCOURAGING SAFETY IN THE
LABORATORY
 When a fire alarm should occur, place the
chemical and equipment safely to the
nearest possible table or bench, and exit
the building calmly.