Laboratory Safety

OSHA Laboratory Standard (1910.1450) requires all areas using or storing hazardous chemicals must develop a Chemical Hygiene Plan. At NCSU we use the term Safety Plan to designate a CHP. Guidelines for the preparation of a Safety Plan are available at this link, or from EH&S. The purpose of the standard is to protect laboratory employees from harm due to chemicals while working.

A. Personal Hygiene

• Wash promptly whenever a chemical or biological has contacted the skin. Know what you are working with and have the necessary cleaning/neutralization or disinfectant material on hand and readily available.
• No sandals, open toed shoes or clogs shall be worn by laboratory personnel.
• Clothing worn in the laboratory should offer protection from splashes and spills, should be easily removable in case of accident, and should be at least fire resistant. Nonflammable, nonporous aprons offer the most satisfactory and the least expensive protection. Lab jackets or coats should have snap fasteners rather than buttons so that they can be readily removed. These coats are to be fastened closed while working and removed prior to exit from the laboratory.
• Laboratory clothing should be kept clean and replaced when necessary. Clothing should be replaced or laundered using appropriate decontamination procedures whenever contamination is suspected.
• Lab coats are not to be worn outside the laboratory, especially in rest room or break facilities. Any lab coats, respirators, or other protective gear must be left in the lab areas. Employees must, as a matter of routine, be responsible for washing, cleaning, and any other decontamination required when passing between the lab and the other areas. Washing should be done with soap and water; do not wash with solvents.
• Inhalation is one of the four modes of entry for chemical exposure. "Sniff-testing" should not be done.
• Never pipette by mouth. Always use a bulb or mechanical pipetter to pipette.
• Do not drink, eat, smoke, or apply cosmetics in the laboratory or chemical storage areas.
• Do not use ice from laboratory ice machines for beverages.
• No food, beverage, tobacco, or cosmetics products are allowed in the laboratory or chemical storage areas at any time. Cross contamination between these items and chemicals or samples is an obvious hazard and should be avoided.

B. Housekeeping

As in many general safety procedures, the following listing of good housekeeping practices indicate good laboratory practices which should be implemented as a matter of course in the laboratory. These recommendations are designed for accident prevention.

THE AREA MUST BE KEPT AS CLEAN AS THE WORK ALLOWS

• Each laboratory employee shall be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of his/her area.
• Reagents and equipment items should be returned to their proper place after use. This also applies to samples in progress. Contaminated or dirty glassware should be placed in specific cleaning areas and not allowed to accumulate.
• Chemicals, especially liquids, should only be stored on the floor in a plastic container pan. Whenever possible, store chemicals in closed door cabinets suitable for the material to be stored. Do Not store large bottles (2.5l or larger) above the bench top.
• Whenever possible, reagents, solutions, glassware, or other apparatus shall not be stored in hoods. Besides reducing the available work space, they may interfere with the proper air flow pattern and reduce the effectiveness of the hood as a safety device.
• Counter tops should be kept neat and clean. Bench tops and fume hoods shall not be used for chemical storage. All work done in fume hoods shall be performed in the "Safety Zone", (6" minimum from the sash).
• Stored items, equipment, and glass tubing shall not project beyond the front of shelf or counter limits.
• Stored items or equipment shall not block access to the fire extinguisher(s), safety equipment, or other emergency items.
• Stairways, hallways, passageways/aisles and access to emergency equipment and/or exits must be kept dry and not be obstructed in any fashion, including storage, equipment, phone or other wiring.
• No combustible material such as paper, wooden boxes, pallets, etc., shall be stored under stairwells or in hallways. Hallways shall be kept free of boxes and materials so that exits or normal paths of travel will not be blocked.
• Materials stored near aisles shall be restrained to prevent their falling.
• Mats and carpeting shall be kept in good condition.
• All working surfaces and floors should be cleaned regularly.
• All containers must be labeled with at least the identity of the contents and the hazards those chemicals present to users.

C. Electrical

The typical laboratory requires a large quantity of electrical power. This increases the likelihood of electrically-related problems and hazards. One must address both the electrical shock hazard to the facility occupants and the fire hazard potential. The following recommendations are basic to a sound electrical safety program in the laboratory.

• All electrical equipment shall be properly grounded.
• All electrical equipment shall be U.L. listed and/or F.M. approved.
• Sufficient room, minimum of 3 feet, for work must be present in the area of breaker boxes. All the circuit breakers and the fuses shall be labeled to indicate whether they are in the "on" or "off" position, and what appliance or room area is served. Fuses must be properly rated.
• Equipment, appliance and extension cords shall be in good condition.
• Extension cords shall not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. Building code only allows <90 days of continuous use of an extension cord.

Electrical cords or other lines shall not be suspended unsupported across rooms or passageways. Do not route cords over metal objects such as emergency showers, overhead pipes or frames, or metal racks. . Do not run cords through holes in walls or ceilings or through doorways or windows. Do not place under carpet, rugs, or heavy objects. Do not place cords on pathways or other areas where repeated abuse can cause deterioration of insulation.

• Multi-outlet plugs shall not be used unless they have a built-in circuit breaker.
• All building electrical repairs, splices, and wiring shall be performed by the Facilities Operations' Electrical Department.
• Electrical standards may be obtained by referencing NFPA 70 - NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE.

D. Handling Glassware

• Glass breakage is a common cause of injuries in laboratories. Only glass in good condition should be used.
• Discard or send for repair all broken, chipped, starred or badly scratched glassware. Hand protection should be used when picking up broken glass.
• Clean all glassware before sending for repair.
• When using glass tubing, all ends should be fire polished. Lubricate tubing with glycerin or water before inserting into rubber stoppers or rubber tubing.
• Protect hands with leather gloves when inserting glass tubing. Hold elbows close to the body to limit movement when handling tubing.
• Do not store glassware near the edge of shelves. Store large or heavier glassware on lower shelves.
• Use glassware of the proper size. Allow at least 20% free space. Grasp a three-neck flask by the middle neck, not a side neck.
• Do not attempt to catch glassware if it is dropped or knocked over.
• Conventional laboratory glassware must never be pressurized.

E. Safety Showers

If all protective measures fail and an employee receives a chemical splash to their body, then safety showers should be provided throughout the laboratory for immediate and thorough washing of the body.

• Employees should familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest safety shower.
• Employees should be familiar with the operation of the safety showers.

Safety showers are designed to flood the entire body in the event of a clothing fire or a major spill of a chemical. In either case, an employee should simply stand under the shower and activate the shower. Flood the affected area for a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes.

In the case of a corrosive liquid spill, the employee should remove the affected portion of clothing to reduce potential contact. Removal of clothing should be done while the individual is under the activated shower.

F. Eyewash Fountains

If all protective measures fail and an employee receives a chemical splash to their eyes, then eye wash fountains should be provided throughout the laboratory for immediate and thorough washing of the eyes.

• Employees should familiarize themselves with the location and operation of the nearest eyewash fountain.
• Always flood the eyes for at least 15 to 30 minutes to be sure there is no residue of the corrosive liquid. Flush from the eye outward.

After thorough washing, notify the laboratory supervisor and Campus Police - subsequent medical care for the employee should be seriously considered. This is because serious damage may have already occurred before the eye was thoroughly rinsed and/or the damage may not be immediately apparent.

Eyewash fountains shall be tested weekly by laboratories for proper operation and to prevent formation of rust and ensure proper operation. All testing will be documented with the date tested and the initial of the person doing the test.

G. Explosion-Proof Refrigerators

If there is a need to refrigerate a substance that is flammable, it shall be refrigerated in an U.L. listed or F.M. approved explosion-proof refrigerator. This refrigerator is designed so that any flammable vapors in the refrigerator do not contact sparks.

• This refrigerator must not be used for the storage of food.