I. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE
POLICY:
Information concerning the hazards of chemicals used in the Chemistry Division of the Department of Physical Sciences of Arkansas Tech University, will be communicated to employees by means of a comprehensive chemical hygiene plan.
B. DEFINITIONS
1. "ACTION LEVEL"
A concentration designated in 29 CFR part 1910 for a specific substance, calculated as an eight (8)-hour time-weighted average, which initiates certain required activities such as exposure monitoring and medical surveillance.
2. "CARCINOGEN" (see "select carcinogen")
3. "CHEMICAL HYGIENE OFFICER"
An employee who is designated by the university, and who is qualified by training or experience, to provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of the provisions of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. This definition is not intended to place limitations on the position description or job classification that the designated individual shall hold within the university.
4. "CHEMICAL HYGIENE PLAN"
A written program developed and implemented by the university which sets forth procedures, equipment, personal protective equipment, and work practices that (a) are capable of protecting employees from the health hazards presented by hazardous chemicals used in the Chemistry program within the School of Physical and Life Sciences, and (b) meets the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1450, subsection [e].
5. "COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID"
Any liquid having a flashpoint at or above 100oF (37.8oC), but below 200oF (93.3oC), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 200oF (93.3oC), or higher, the total volume of which makes up 99% or more of the total volume of the mixture.
6. "COMPRESSED GAS"
(a) a gas or mixture of gases having, in a container,
an absolute pressure exceeding 40 psi at 70oF (21.1oC); or
(b) A gas or mixture of gases having, in a container,
an absolute pressure exceeding 104 psi at 130oF (54.4oC) regardless of the pressure at 70oF (21.1oC); or
(c) A liquid having a vapor pressure exceeding 40 psi
at 100oF (37.8oC) as determined by ASTM D-323-72.
7. "DESIGNATED AREA"
An area which may be used for work with "select carcinogens," reproductive toxins or substances which have a high degree of acute toxicity. A designated area may be an entire laboratory, an area of a laboratory or a device such as a laboratory hood.
8. "EMERGENCY"
Any occurrence such as, but not limited to equipment failure, rupture of containers or failure of control equipment which results in an uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical into the workplace.
9. "EMPLOYEE"
An individual employed by the university in a laboratory workplace who may be exposed to hazardous chemicals in the course of his/her assignments.
10. "EXPLOSIVE"
A chemical that causes a sudden, almost instantaneous release of pressure, gas, and heat when subjected to sudden shock, pressure or high temperature.
11. "FLAMMABLE"
A chemical that falls into one of the following categories:
(a) "Aerosol, flammable" means an aerosol that when tested by the method described in 16 CFR 1500.45, yields a flame protection exceeding 18 inches at full valve opening, or a flashback (a flame extending back to the valve) at any degree of valve opening.
(b) "Gas, flammable" means:
1. A gas that, at ambient temperature and pressure, forms a flammable mixture with air at a concentration of 13 percent by volume or less; or,
2. A gas that, at ambient temperature and pressure, forms a range of flammable mixtures with air wider than 12 percent by volume, regardless of the lower limit.
(c) "Liquid, flammable" means any liquid having a flashpoint below 100oF (37.8oC), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 100oF (37.8oC) or higher, the total of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture.
(d) "Solid, flammable" means a solid, other than a blasting agent of explosive as defined in 29 CFR 1910.109(a), that is liable to cause fire through friction, absorption of moisture, spontaneous chemical change, retained heat from manufacturing or processing, or which can be ignited readily and when ignited burns so vigorously and persistently as to create a serious hazard. A chemical shall be considered flammable if, when tested by the method described in 16 CFR 1500.44, it ignites and burns with a self-sustained flame at a rate greater than one-tenth of an inch per second along its major axis.
12. "FLASHPOINT"
The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off a vapor in sufficient concentration to ignite when tested in:
(a) a Tagliabue Closed Tester (ASTM D 56-79), for liquidswith a viscosity of less than 45 Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) at 100oF(37.8oC), that do not contain suspended solids and do not have a tendency to form a v surface film under test; or
(b) a Pensky-Matens Closed Tester (ASTM 93-79) for liquids with a viscosity equal to or greater than 45 Saybolt Universal Seconds (SUS) at 100oF(37.8oC), or that contain suspended solids or have a tendency to form a surface film under test; or
(c) a Setaflash Closed Tester (ASTM D 3278-78).
NOTE: Organic peroxides, which undergo autoacelerating thermal decomposition, are excluded from any of the flashpoint determination methods specified above.
13. "HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL"
A chemical for which there is a statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed employees. The term "health hazard" include chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic systems, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
14. "LABORATORY"
A facility where the "laboratory use of hazardous chemicals" occurs. It is a workplace where relatively small quantities of hazardous chemicals are used on a non-production basis.
15. "LABORATORY SCALE"
Work with substances in which the containers used for reactions, transfers, and other handling of substances are designed to be easily and safely manipulated by one person. "Laboratory scale" excludes those workplace whose function is to produce commercial quantities of materials.
16. "LABORATORY-TYPE HOOD"
A device located in a laboratory, enclosure on five sides with a movable sash or fixed partial enclosed on the remaining side; constructed and maintained to draw air from the laboratory and to prevent of minimize the escape of air contaminants into the laboratory; and allows chemical manipulations to be conducted in the enclosure without insertion of any portion of the employee's body other than hands and arms.
17. "LABORATORY USE OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS"
The handling or use of chemicals in which all of the following conditions are met:
(a) chemical manipulations are carried out on a"laboratory scale;
(b) multiple chemical procedures of chemicals are used;
(c) the procedures involved are not part of a production process, nor in any way simulate a production process; and
(d) "Protective laboratory practices and equipment" are available and in common use to minimize the potential for employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.
18. "MEDICAL CONSULTATION"
A consultation which takes place between an employee and a licensed physician for the purposes of determining what medical examinations or procedures, if any, are appropriate in cases where a significant exposure to a hazardous chemical may have taken place.
19. "ORGANIC PEROXIDE"
An organic compound that contains the bivalent -O-O- structure and which may be considered to be a structural derivative of hydrogen peroxide where one or both of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced by an organic radical.
20. "OXIDIZER"
A chemical other than a blasting agent or explosive as defined in OSHA 29 CFR section 1910.109(a), that initiates or promotes combustion in other materials, thereby causing fire either of itself or through the release of oxygen or other gases.
21. "PHYSICAL HAZARD"
A chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water-reactive.
22. "PROTECTIVE LABORATORY PRACTICES AND EQUIPMENT"
Those laboratory procedures, practices, and equipment accepted by laboratory health and safety experts as effective, or that the employer can show to be effective, in minimizing the potential for employee exposure to hazardous chemicals.
23. "REPRODUCTIVE TOXINS"
Chemicals which affect the reproductive capabilities including chromosomal damage (mutations) and effects on fetuses (teratogenesis).
24. "SELECT CARCINOGEN"
Any substance which meets one of the following criteria:
(a) It is regulated by OSHA as a carcinogen; or,
(b) It is listed under the category, "known to be
carcinogens," in the Annual Report on Carcinogens, published by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) (latest edition); or,
(c) It is listed under Group 1 ("carcinogenic to
humans") by the International Agency for Research on Cancer Monographs (IARC) (latest editions); or,
(d) It is listed in either Group 2A or 2B by IARC or
under the category, "reasonably anticipated to be carcinogens" by NTP, and causes statistically significant tumor incidence in experimental animals in accordance with any of the following criteria:
1. After inhalation exposure of 6-7 hours per
day, 5 days per week, for a significant portion of a lifetime to dosages of less than 10 mg/m3;
2. After repeated skin application of less than
300 (mg/kg of body weight) per week; or,
3. After oral dosages of less that 50 mg/kg of
body weight per day.
25. "WATER-REACTIVE"
A chemical that reacts with water to release a gas that
is either flammable or presents a health hazard.
C. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
(1) It is prudent to minimize all chemical exposures.
(2) Avoid underestimation of risk. Even for substances of no known significant hazard, exposure should be minimized; for work with substances which present special hazards, special precautions should be taken.
(3) Provide adequate ventilation.
(4) Institute a chemical hygiene program.
(5) Observe the permissible exposure limits (PEL's) of OSHA and threshold limit values (TLV's) of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
D. RESPONSIBILITIES
The PRESIDENT OF ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY is ultimately responsible for the chemical hygiene plan of the university.
The DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF PHYSICAL AND LIFE SCIENCES is responsible for the allocation of sufficient funds, personnel, and supplies necessary to promote a program of studies that is within the guides of this chemical hygiene plan.
The ACADEMIC CHEMISTRY FACULTY shall be responsible for maintaining the academic standards of the university and providing the leadership necessary for establishing an effective laboratory program within the scope of the chemistry curriculum. This shall include the selection of laboratory experiences for the students that are designed with each course's goals and objectives in mind while also providing an environment that is not unnecessarily hazardous to the students or other faculty and staff of the university.
The CHEMICAL HYGIENE OFFICER is an employee of the university designated by the Dean of the School of Physical and Life Sciences upon the recommendation of the head of the Department of Physical Sciences. This person shall be qualified by training and experience to provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of the provisions of this plan. The Chemical Hygiene Officer will also be responsible for an annual review of this plan and for making suggestions for the revision of portions as deemed necessary.
The CHEMISTRY LABORATORY SUPERVISOR shall be responsible for: (a) maintaining sufficient stockroom supplies to effectively run the chemistry program of the university; (b) evaluating the experiments conducted in each of the freshman level laboratories; (c) coordinating the proper collection, treatment, and disposal of all hazardous materials generated within the chemistry program; and, (d) supervising all student labor within the chemistry program of the university.
The CHEMISTRY TEACHING ASSISTANTS shall be responsible for assisting faculty and students in chemistry laboratory courses as outlined in the ATU Chemistry Teaching Assistant Handbook (See Appendix L).
II. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
A. GENERAL RULES
Full-time employees of the university should try to avoid working in the laboratory or the chemical storage areas alone, or without the knowledge of some other individual in McEver Hall. If research mandates working at times when there are no other individuals in the building, care must be taken to avoid working with reagents that could lead to unacceptable exposures or uncontrolled reactions.
Students are not to work in the laboratory unless there is at least one member of the chemistry faculty in the building.
Students involved in research projects are to follow the guidelines outlined in Appendix F.
B. LABORATORY INFORMATION AND SAFETY RULES
PERSONAL PROTECTION
1. Eye protection MUST BE PROPERLY WORN at all times while in the laboratory. The eye protection must meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z.87.1) standards for chemical splash goggles.
2. The wearing of contact lenses is discouraged.
3. Long hair must be tied back behind the back when working in the laboratory. Long sleeves should be rolled up. Ties or other loose items should not be worn in the laboratory.
4. Sandals and other open top type shoes are not to be worn in the laboratory. Bare feet are strictly forbidden in the laboratory.
5. Gloves should be worn when working with material known to cause burns, irritate the skin, or that can be readily absorbed through the skin.
6. When working with corrosive liquids, a lab coat or lab apron should be worn. Disposable aprons are available in the chemical stockroom.
7. Long-sleeved shirts or tops are preferred and strongly recommended for work in the laboratory to short-sleeved shirts. Long dresses or long pants must be worn to cover the legs. Shorts are not permitted. In either case, a laboratory apron and/or a laboratory coat should be worn while working in the laboratory.
8. A ventilation hood shall be used whenever exposure by inhalation is likely to exceed the threshold limits described in Material Data Safety Sheets (MSDS) or other reference materials.
PERSONAL HYGIENE
9. Wash hands after any chemical reagent has contacted the skin. Wash well with soap and water before leaving the laboratory. Do not wash with solvents.
10. Avoid direct inhalation of chemicals; always "waft" the vapors toward the nose so as to dilute the vapors with air.
11. Always select a pipet bulb properly matched to the size of the pipet in use. Pipetting by mouth is not permitted.
12. Do not apply any type of cosmetics in the laboratory.
13. There is not to be any food or drink of any type in the laboratory, unless it is provided as a reagent in an experiment, and under no circumstance is the food or drink to be tasted.
14. Prescription or non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs are not to be taken or administered while in the laboratory.
GENERAL SAFETY RULES
15. All equipment issued to the student is to be maintained in good condition. Should an item be broken, notify the TA, instructor, or lab supervisor and a replacement will be issued. Broken glassware is to placed in the broken glass can only. All glassware is to be kept clean and in the lab drawer when not in use. Any labels placed on a piece of equipment should be removed at the finish of the experiment.
16. When washing items, rinse the item with tap water several times to remove all traces of soap, then rinse several times with distilled water to remove the tap water.
17. Glassware such as test tubes, beakers, and flasks may be dried by heating. Volumetric glassware (pipettes, burets, graduated cylinders, volumetric flasks, etc.) are never to be heated for drying. Never dry glassware by forcing a towel into the equipment.
18. To prevent burns and cuts, handle heated glassware carefully. Don't try cooling glass off by using water. The glass will shatter.
19. Whenever an experiment calls for water as a reagent, use distilled or deionized water only. Your instructor will specify during a prelab lecture which to use if one is preferred. Never use tap water unless the experiment explicitly states that tap water is to be utilized as a reagent.
20. Never return unused reagent to the supply bottle!
21. Never use a spatula or scoopula to remove a solid reagent from a stock bottle. Pour some of the solid into a secondary container and then using the spatula remove what is needed from this container.
22. Never place the stopper from a reagent bottle on the table in a way so as to contaminate the stopper. It is best to hold on to the stopper and not to place it on the table.
23. Never take a reagent supply bottle to your work bench.
24. Place all chemical wastes in the containers provided. These will be treated for proper disposal. Be sure to read the labels on the waste jars so that the waste goes into the correct jar.
25. When heating something, always have your setup under the exhaust hood.
26. If something catches fire, don't panic! If it is a small fire (most likely), allow the fire to burn itself out. If necessary, smoother the fire with a large beaker or a wet towel. Notify the TA and/or the laboratory instructor immediately.
27. If there is a large fire, your first responsibility is to evacuate the laboratory. After leaving the laboratory, pull the fire alarm located in the hallway close to doorway, or one of several located down the hallway.
28. If the flame of the burner is blown out, or if the flame is drawn into the burner, turn the gas off at the supply valve on the lab table. Allow the burner to cool, then re-light.
29. The fire blanket is located in the entrance hall to the lab in a wall mounted cabinet. In the instance of clothing catching fire remove the blanket from the cabinet and wrap the person in the blanket to smother the fire.
The blanket can also be used to provide some privacy to a person in the emergency shower as clothing is removed to ensure complete washing. In this case, one or two people should hold the blanket around the individual in the shower.
30. If a reagent is spilled on a student, the first action to take is to immediately flood the area of skin with water. Notify the TA, instructor, or lab supervisor if any irritation occurs.
31. If a reagent is splashed into the eyes, quick action is essential. The eye wash is located next to the sink on the side of the lab. The eye(s) must have contact lenses removed, and then flooded for a minimum of 15 minutes. Hold the eye(s) open during the entire washing period. Medical attention will be sought as soon as possible after a complete washing.
32. If a large spill occurs, and it is not possible to irrigate at the lab bench, the safety shower is to be used. The safety shower is located at the main entrance to the lab. Open and remove any reagent soaked clothing to ensure a complete washing. Medical attention will be sought as soon as possible after a complete washing.
33. If an acid or base is spilled on the lab bench or floor, neutralize it before attempting to clean it up. The TA and/or laboratory instructor can provide sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) for this purpose.
34. Under no circumstance is any physical or verbal "horseplay" allowed in the laboratory.
35. Do not try to "shake down" a thermometer. Doing so will cause the thermometer to break.
36. Never conduct a chemical reaction in a graduated cylinder. Transfer solutions to test tubes or beakers to conduct the reaction.
37. Whenever obtaining chemical reagents from a supply bottle, ALWAYS read the label at least two times before proceeding.
C. FUME HOODS
1. All laboratory-type hoods must be utilized whenever working with a chemical reagent that emits fumes or vapors which represent a hazard to the worker as defined in 29 CFR 1910, subpart Z.
2. The laboratory-type hoods shall be tested on a regular basis to ensure that they are functioning properly.
3. All laboratory-type hoods should have a measured air flow of 80-120 cfm (cubic feet per minute) face velocity.
4. It shall be contrary to this plan to store any chemical reagent in a laboratory-type hood.
D. INVENTORY OF CHEMICALS AND MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS
1. A complete inventory of all reagents found in the department can be found in the stockroom. A copy of the inventory list is located in Appendices A and B of this document.
2. The Laboratory Supervisor shall secure a MSDS form for each hazardous chemical in the chemistry laboratories. Employees will not be required to work with a chemical for which a MSDS form is not available.
3. MSDS's for all chemical reagents are kept in the Laboratory Supervisor's office. Only the latest revision of a MSDS sheet is kept on hand for any specific reagent. The MSDS forms will be available for inspection at anytime.. Also a website is bookmarked on the Chemistry Division’s laboratory home page for direct student review of MSDS’s at any time.
E. PURCHASE OF REAGENTS
1. Chemicals are to purchased in small quantities as needed for use in the laboratory, to minimize storage and disposal problems.
2. Reagents are to be labeled with the date of their receiving and categorized according the Flinn and Baker (see F #2 below) systems before storing the reagents.
F. STORAGE AND LABELING OF REAGENTS
1. There are two principle storage areas for chemical reagents.
All inorganic reagents are to be stored in the chemistry stockroom.
Due to the flammability hazard and other health hazards associated with most organic reagents, all organic reagents are to be permanently stored in the organic reagent stockroom, which is located in a separate building, adjacent to the organic chemistry laboratory. Access to the organic stockroom is from outside of the main building. Only limited quantities of organic reagents are to be stored in the solutions preparation room, and only in NFPA approved containers. (See section F, #7.)
2. Chemicals which are stored in the main chemical stockroom are to be categorized by the system developed by the Flinn Scientific Company, Batavia Illinois, (to be hereafter referred to as the "Flinn System") and also by the color coding system developed by J. T. Baker, Inc., Phillipsburg, New Jersey (to be hereafter referred to as the "Baker System"). Complete descriptions of each system can be found in Appendices C and D.
The reagents found in the organic stockroom are to be classified by main functional group found in Appendix E.
3. The storage facilities must have controlled access with use restricted to authorized personnel only. Sufficient secured wooden shelving must be available for uncrowded storage. Adequate ventilation, lighting, heating and cooling (cooling only in the organic stockroom) must be provided. Exits must be easily accessible and walk space is to remain clear of obstructions at all times.
4. A map of all chemical storage areas is to be posted in the main chemical stockroom. Copies of the map are to kept in the office of the Dean of Physical and Life Sciences, the ATU Security Office, and the Russellville Fire Department.
5. Entrances to the chemical storage areas are to be marked with permanent signs indicating (a) restrictions to access; (b) how to contact the Chemical Hygiene Officer; (c) a NFPA placard indicating the most hazardous chemical(s) present.
6. All reagents must be stored in containers that are free from defects which could allow contamination of the reagent. Containers which show signs of possible failure (i.e., rust, cracked glass, etc.) shall be replaced with new containers only if the transfer of the reagent involved can be conducted without contamination of the reagent. If a clean transfer is not possible, the reagent is to be removed from the active inventory and marked for proper disposal.
7. Flammable liquids, when in the laboratory and in quantities of 1 L or more shall be stored in metal safety cans which have flame arresters installed. Short term (less than one month) storage of small quantities (5 gal or less) flammable liquids may be stored temporarily in the laboratory providing: (1) the liquid is in an NFPA and OSHA approved safety can, and (2) the containers are stored in a NFPA and OSHA approved flammables storage cabinet equipped with an automatic door closure device.
Permanent storage of all flammable organic liquids shall be in the organic stockroom which is located on the west side of McEver Hall, just outside of the organic laboratory.
8. Reagents taken into the laboratory for student use are to be removed from the laboratory and either stored or disposed of properly as soon as the experimental work for which they are intended has been completed.
G. TRANSPORTING AND TRANSFERRING CHEMICAL REAGENTS
1. Reagents are to be transported so that the personnel safety and the structural integrity of the container are insured.
2. Stock bottles of concentrated acids, alkalis, solvents, etc. (approximately 2.5-4 L bottles) are to transported only in a rubber safety bottle carrier.
3. Larger containers of reagents are to transported only on a laboratory cart.
4. Reagents which emit hazardous fumes are to be transferred only in a laboratory-type hood so as to avoid exposure to the fumes.
H. DISPOSAL OF BROKEN GLASSWARE AND CHEMICAL REAGENTS
1. All broken glassware is to be placed into the metal can in the general chemistry lab labeled for broken glass.
2. All experiments are to be evaluated prior to their being carried out by the students for the use of hazardous chemicals. If non-hazardous chemicals, or chemicals of a reduced hazard can be substituted for more hazardous chemicals, this shall be done.
3. Bottles labeled for particular types of chemical wastes are to be placed in each laboratory generating the wastes. There are to be sufficient bottles to collect all waste generated. The bottles are to be labeled sufficiently to indicate the composition of the waste.
The waste bottles are then to be taken to the waste treatment laboratory for preparation for disposal.
III. HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
A. Extra care must be taken when handling hazardous chemicals that pose additional health hazards. Quantities should be selected for use which minimize the exposure of the worker to the hazardous chemical. The use of gloves, a lab coat or apron, face shield (in addition to goggles) and other personnel protective equipment are strongly suggested for use by the worker.
If necessary, a respirator should be worn if the chemical in use exceeds the threshold limit value or the permissible exposure level as established by ACGIH 5, NIOSH6, or 29 CFR 1910 subpart Z, which ever has the lowest value.
B. Recognizing that active research by both faculty and students is an integral part of the academic chemistry program, but also realizing that extra care must be taken whenever research involves hazardous chemicals, specific safety procedures and guidelines must be developed to insure the safety of all in the laboratory. Such information must be included in Appendix F of this document. At a minimum, this information will include the following:
(1) Procedure and containment devices that are designed to keep exposure within permissible limits.
(2) Specification of area for handling severe hazards. These designated areas must be clearly posted and their boundaries marked.
(3) The level of training needed to be authorized to work with the severe hazard and the criteria by which the Chemical Hygiene Officer will determine eligibility for handling such materials.
(4) The storage area for the severe hazard. Such areas must be separate from the main chemical storage areas and must have controlled access.
(5) Plans for the proper disposal of wastes and decontamination of work areas. Such plans must be made before work with the severe hazard begin.
IV. TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL WASTES
A. The treatment of waste material will be according to appropriate references.1,2,3,4.
Miscellaneous heavy metal (except mercury) salt solutions will be neutralized and evaporated to solid form. Oxidizing agents will be reduced prior to evaporation.. All acids and bases will be neutralized prior to disposal. Heavy metals in high oxidation states will be reduced prior to evaporation. All mercury compounds will be segregated from all other waste.
Organic solvents will be segregated by state of halogenation. Non-halogenated solvents will be stored in a fluorinated polyethylene jerrican while halogenated solvent will be stored in a separate fluorinated polyethylene jerrican. Both jerricans are to be stored in a flammable liquids storage cabinet.
B. The treated wastes must not be allowed accumulate more than 100 kg of hazardous waste or 1 kg of acutely hazardous waste per calendar month. The total amount of treated waste stored must not exceed 1000 kg.
C. Upon approaching the 1000 kg limit of stored waste, chemical waste disposal companies shall be contacted considering the proper disposal of all accumulated wastes.
D. Student workers involved in the treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes must undergo training from the Laboratory Supervisor related to the work involved prior to the beginning of such activities.
E. All protective laboratory practices and equipment must be utilized during the treatment of all hazardous chemical wastes.
F. The waste treatment laboratory shall be the designated area for treatment of all hazardous chemicals. Those substances which are classified as hazardous chemicals according to 29 CFR 1910.1450, will be taken to the waste treatment laboratory in appropriately labeled container for conversion to a safe form for disposal.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
12. On the waste treatment inventory sheet, record the following information:
13. HEAVY METAL SOLUTIONS (no As, Hg, Pb, Cr, or Ag)
14. Hg & As SOUTIONS
15. Cr(III) SOLUTIONS
16. Pb, Cd or Sb SOLUTIONS
a. Pb solutions: Neutralize solution. Precipitate metal using Na2SiO3.9H2O. Allow solution to stand overnight. Check for complete precipitation.. Evaporate to dryness. Record dry mass.
b. Cd and Sb solutions: follow same procedure as for Pb, except reaction must be heated to 80oC for 15-30 minutes. Check for complete precipitation.
17. HIGH OXIDATION STATE METALS (i.e., Mn(V), Mn(VI), Mn(VII), Cr(VI), etc. solutions)
18. OXIDIZING ANIONS (NO3-, CLO3-, CLO4-, etc.)
19. Water soluble Cyanides (CN-)
20. HALOGENATED & NON-HALOGENATED SOVENTS
21. ACIDIC ORGANIC SOLUTIONS WITH METAL SALTS.
22. BASIC ORGANIC SOLUTIONS
23. CRESOLS
V. EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
All responses to emergency situations will be in such a manner as to ensure a safe environment for all persons in the area. All student teaching assistants will receive training in the proper responses to different situations.
A. FIRE
In most cases, fires are on a small scale and can be handled very efficiently by the instructor or student teaching assistant by smothering the fire with a piece of equipment, or a wet towel once the source of the ignition been eliminated. There are fire extinguishers located in each laboratory. The teaching assistants will receive training in the proper time, selection, and use of a fire extinguisher.
If necessary, the teaching assistants will evacuate all students from the laboratory and then will sound a fire alarm, which is located in the main hallway, outside of the laboratories.
B. CHEMICAL SPILLS
Spills are to be reported to the instructor of the laboratory or the student teaching assistant as soon as possible. The action required will depend on the type and amount of chemical involved. The personnel responsible for the cleanup should use their knowledge of the substances involved in deciding which procedure to follow. If the personnel is not sure as to which procedure to follow, the Chemical Hygiene Officer, another member of the academic chemistry faculty, or another qualified individual should be contacted to direct the cleanup.
Spills on the body of an individual require immediate flooding with water as a first treatment. Small spills can be flooded in a sink but if necessary, the emergency shower will provide the needed flooding.
Contamination of the eyes requires prompt action to wash the contamination out of the eye at the eye wash.
C. EVACUATION
On the spot evaluation of circumstances will determine when evacuation of the laboratory is necessary. The principle guiding factor shall be the safety of those individuals in the laboratory who might be at greatest risk of harm or injury.
Evacuation routes shall be through the emergency exits at the rear of each lab, into the main hallway, or into adjacent laboratories (rooms 23 and 27 only). The evacuation pathways are to be kept clear of obstructions at all times.
Evacuation routes shall be posted in each of the laboratories.
D. DOCUMENTATION
The Chemical Hygiene Officer is to be informed of any use of emergency equipment and the reporting individual shall complete an accident report form, found in the chemical stockroom. The completed report will be kept on file in the chemistry department. (See Appendix H)
VI. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
A. The following equipment is to be located inside each laboratory:
(1) a fire extinguisher (4) an eye wash
(2) a fire blanket (5) a ventilation hood
(3) a safety shower (6) a broom and dust pan
NOTE: The unified chemistry laboratory (McE 21) is not equipped with a ventilation hood. Work requiring a ventilation hood is to be performed in one of the ventilation hoods in the organic laboratory (McE 20).
B. The Chemical Hygiene Officer will supervise the inspection of all safety equipment and keep records of all inspections and any corrective measures taken (Appendix G).
VII. TRAINING OF EMPLOYEES
A. SCHEDULING OF TRAINING
All employees that will enter into any area in which hazardous chemicals are known to exist will receive training upon their initial employment and then will receive refresher training annually. The training will be appropriate to the level of the use by the employee. The Chemical Hygiene Officer will be responsible for the scheduling of the training and of distributing the necessary information regarding the training sessions to the employees.
B. TRAINING INFORMATION TO BE DISTRIBUTED
Each of the employees shall be given the following information on a level appropriate to their job assignment:
(1) The location of the Chemical Hygiene Plan and its availability.
(2) A general description of the physical and health hazards in the work area. Supervisors will give more detailed information to those employees directly involved with specific hazards in their areas.
(3) References listing the permissible exposure limits for OSHA regulated substances or recommended exposure limits for the hazardous chemicals where there is no applicable OSHA standard. (See 29 CFR 1910, subpart Z, and 29 CFR 1910.1000. An alternate reference can be found as item 5 in the references.)
(4) The signs and symptoms associated with exposures to hazardous chemicals used in the laboratories.
(5) The location and availability of known reference materials on hazards, safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals found in the laboratory, including, but not limited to Material Safety Data Sheets.
(6) The measures that employees can take to protect themselves from these hazards including, protective clothing, emergency equipment and locations, and work practices that should be followed.
(7) The procedures that are to be followed in the event of an exposure that exceeds the limits for that chemical or in the case an employee recognizes some of the symptoms likely to have arisen from overexposure.
C. INCIDENTS OF EXPOSURES EXCEEDING LIMITS
(1) The Chemical Hygiene Officer will promptly investigate all suspected cases of employee-reported incidents in which there is a possibility of employee over-exposure to a hazardous substance.
(2) Events or circumstances that might reasonably constitute overexposure include:
a. a hazardous chemical leaked, spilled or was otherwise rapidly released in a uncontrolled manner into the area where an employee was working.
b. a laboratory employee had direct skin or eye contact with a hazardous chemical.
c. a laboratory employee manifests symptoms, such as rash, nausea, coughing, tearing, irritation or redness of the eyes, dizziness, headache, etc., and the symptoms disappear when the employee is taken away from the exposure area and is allowed to breath fresh air, but reappear when the employee returns to the work area.
d. two or more employees in the same laboratory work area have similar complaints.
D. DOCUMENTATION OF EXPOSURE INCIDENT
All complaints and their disposition, no matter what the ultimate disposition may be, are to be documented. If the exposure is a result of an accident which occurs in the laboratory, an accident report form (Appendix H) shall be completed.
If no further assessment of the event is deemed necessary, the reason for that decision should be included in the documentation. If the decision is to investigate, a formal exposure assessment will be initiated. All memos, notes, and reports related to the exposure incident are to be retained as a part of the record.
E. ASSESSMENT OF EXPOSURE
NOTE: It is not the purpose of an exposure assessment to determine that a failure on the part of the victim, or others, to follow proper procedures was the cause of the exposure. The purpose of the exposure assessment is to determine that there was or was not an exposure that might have caused harm to one or more employees and, if so, to identify the hazardous chemical or chemicals involved. Other investigations might well use results and conclusions from an exposure assessment, along with other information, to derive recommendations that will prevent or mitigate any future overexposures. However, exposure assessments determine facts; they do not make recommendations.
An exposure assessment may include any or all of the following steps:
1. Interview the complainant and also the victim, if not the same person.
2. List the essential information about the circumstances of the complaint; including where possible,
a. the chemical under suspicion
b. all chemicals being used by others in the immediate area
c. other chemicals stored in that area
d. symptoms exhibited or claimed by the victim
e. how these symptoms compare to symptoms stated in the Material Safety Data Sheets for each of the identified chemicals
f. how control measures, such as personal protective equipment and hoods were used
g. what air sampling or monitoring devices were in place and if in use, what measurements from these devices were available.
3. Monitor or sample the air in the area for suspect chemicals.
4. Determine whether the victim's symptoms compare to the symptoms in the MSDS or other pertinent scientific literature.
5. Suggest whether the present control measures and safety procedures were adequate.
F. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS OF MONITORING
Within 15 working days of receipt of the results of any monitoring , employees will be notified of those results.
G. MEDICAL CONSULTATION AND EXAMINATION
The details of medical consultations and examinations are determined by the physician.
The purpose of a medical consultation is to determine is a medical examination is warranted. When, from the results of an exposure assessment, it is suspected or known that an employee was overexposed to a hazardous chemical or chemicals, the school will provide the employee free medical consultation from or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician.
The following provisions apply to medical consultations and examinations.
1. All employees who work with hazardous chemicals must be provided an opportunity to receive medical consultation when:
a. The employee develops signs or symptoms associated with a hazardous chemical to which the employee may have been exposed in the laboratory.
b. Employee comes into contact with a spill, leak, or other uncontrolled release of a hazardous chemical.
2. The physician is to be provided with:
a. The identity of the hazardous chemical or chemicals to which the employee may have been exposed.
b. The exposure conditions.
c. The signs and symptoms of exposure the victim is experiencing, if any.
3. Ordinarily, the physicians will furnish to the employer in written form:
a. Recommendations for follow-up, if determined to be pertinent.
b. A record of the results of the consultation and, if applicable, of the examination and any tests that were conducted.
c. Conclusions concerning any other medical condition that could put the employee at increased risk.
d. A statement that the employee has been informed both of the results of the consultation or examination and of any medical condition that may require further examination or treatment.
4. These written statements and records should not reveal specific findings that are not related to an occupational exposure.
VIII. RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES
A. INFORMATION
Employees who may be exposed to hazardous chemical shall be informed of the hazard of such exposure and shall have access to MSDS's for the chemicals and to information and training described in this plan.
B. PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
The university shall not penalize an employee who has requested information or filed a complaint under the provisions of this plan.