School Lab Chemicals

1. School Lab Chemicals How to avoid having this happen to you. Information and pictures provided courtesy of the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection

2. Objective of this presentation • Making your routine storage and handling of lab chemicals as safe as possible.

3. Today’s Situation: • Aging and unused hazardous chemicals which pose safety hazards should be removed. • Some lab storage areas are unsafe due to poor storage and handling methods.

4. What happened? • Abundance of Chemicals • Over-estimated necessary quantities • Better prices for ordering in bulk • Manufacturers or other businesses donated their excess or “exotic” chemicals • No regular stockroom inventory • Poor labeling or no labeling

5. Acquisition Recommendations • Order the smallest quantity possible for each chemical • No discounts, but final cost is less • Never accept “left-over” or “donated” chemicals • There’s no guarantee of its purity • If you don’t normally use it, you probably don’t need it

6. Chemicals may out last you! • Experiments and instructors can and do change • Textbooks, manuals & procedures change • A new instructor may not follow your teaching plan • Labels are for everyone’s information

7. Safe Storage & Handling VS.

8. Recommended Practices • Examine your currently available storage space.

9. Avoid floor clutter

10. Avoid shelf clutter

11. Avoid desk clutter

12. Consider inexpensive storage containers for small or loose items.

13. Arrange containers based on compatibility

14. Keep your containers in good condition

15. Re-package containers which are not in good condition

16. Use durable waterproof labels and markers to clearly indicate what is in the container.

17. Order and use the smallest containers appropriate for your labs

18. Food jars are designed to hold food. Store hazardous lab chemicals only in containers designed to hold them.

19. Your chemical storage area is not a kitchen—no food storage please!

20. Sturdy shelving units with edging to prevent containers from falling off.

21. Acids should be stored in an Acid Cabinet

22. Flammables should be stored in a Flammables Cabinet

23. Avoid overhead storage

24. Additional Safety Measures • An eye wash unit and / or emergency shower nearby (but not in the storage room)

25. Additional Safety Measures • Insure Adequate Ventilation for: • Chemical storage areas • Chemical preparation areas • For volatile compounds use a fume hood! • Chemical use areas

26. Additional Safety Measures • Emergency gas shut-off valve

27. Additional Safety Measures • Retractable electrical outlets

28. Future Cost Minimization Things to consider: • annual chemical disposal budget • annual chemical pick up and disposal • chemical hygiene officer • chemical usage review for science labs • sign off sheet for extra-cost items

29. Remember these costly phrases: • “Frequently used chemicals should be ordered in bulk.” • “Ordering in bulk is the best deal for the money.” • “Accept any donated chemicals…” • “Labs will always do the same experiments and demonstrations…” • “I’ll remember what I put in that jar.”

30. Goals for Chemicals in Schools • Aim for removal of hazardous or excess chemicals • Assure no future accumulation of excess or hazardous chemicals • Assure all personnel are adequately trained in proper safety procedures

31. L -- Label everything clearly • A -- Appropriate containers in good condition • B -- Be neat and orderly • S -- Store only what you will use • A -- Always wear protective clothing • F -- Food allowed in eating areas only • E -- Everything in its place on a shelf • T -- Time to inventory & organize • Y -- Your safety is important