Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) - McMaster Department of ...

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Handling Concentrated Bases.
#1 General Process Description
To properly handle (carry, dispense, and dispose) of concentrated bases.
All work described in this SOP will have to be conducted in either room JHE 246/A, or
JHE 240 in the fume hood. You MUST have WHMIS Training before working with the
any base. Contact Person is Ed McCaffery Laboratory Manager (Room JHE 248 ext
24985). This SOP is from 11/26/2007.
#2 Hazardous Chemicals/Class of Hazardous Chemicals
Concentrated bases are very corrosive and dangerous chemicals encountered in the
laboratory. Some bases (i.e. Sodium Hydroxide) are Poison, corrosive, and may be fatal
if swallowed. Harmful if inhaled, and causes burns to any area of contact. It reacts
with water, acids, and other materials. Whenever working with concentrated bases it
MUST be done in the fume hood.
Some Common bases used frequently in Materials Science & Engineering are:
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
Ammonium Hydroxide (NH3OH)
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH)
These are not the only bases used just some of the more common.
#3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Before any base is taken out of the base-storage cabinets, ensure that you will at least
meet the following protective requirements:
1. Goggles (prescription glasses are not enough!) Must seal around glasses
2. Gloves – preferably nitrile
3. Closed-toe shoes with socks
4. Long pants (no shorts!)
5. Lab coat (Optional) or Neoprene Apron
6. Face shield if not wearing goggles
7. Chemical Spill Kit (Base)
8. No contact lenses

SOP – Handling Concentrated Bases.
Before proceeding, you must have read and are familiar with the MSDS for each of the
hazardous materials you will be using. All Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are
located in room JHE 248 top shelf East Wall.
Ensure the spill kit is available in the event of an exposure. The base spill kit is located
on the West Wall beside the door in room JHE-240. Do Not use the Acid spill kit to
absorb a Basic spill.
#4 Engineering / Ventilation Controls
All work with concentrated bases must to be done in the fume hood, with no other
persons working close enough to interfere or come into contact with the base; someone
must be in the immediate area in case of an emergency, the protective shield on the fume
hood drawn down as much as possible, but allowing to work comfortable. Make sure
when you are dispensing the bases that the bottle being dispensed in is far enough in the
fume hood so that fumes will not come back to the users face.
#5 Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements
Store all basic waste in labeled chemically compatible containers (e.g., polyethylene or
Teflon). Do not store in glass, metal, and ceramic containers, as they are not compatible
with some bases.
Store all concentrated bases containers in the base cabinets in its proper secondary
containment tray. Bases are stored under the fume hood separate from the acids.
Place a secondary containment tray in the fume hood, when handling and pouring
concentrated bases. In case you overfill or spill the solution, it will stay in this secondary
containment.
No rinse water with pH above 9 may be drain disposed.

SOP – Handling Concentrated Bases.
Please review the last page for emergency contact and notifications.
#6 Spill and Accident Procedures
If you spill your solution and the spill is an immediate threat to your health, leave
the room, call 88. Remain nearby. In the event of an exposure, follow “McMaster
University First Aid Instructions” posted in the labs.
If you accidentally spilled concentrated base (e.g., while pouring a base into the
measuring cylinder): Don’t panic! Remain calm. If the spill is minor (less than30mL,
“note a 5 inch x 7 inch paper towel will absorb 5 ml of water”), and will not pose a health
issue; use the spill-containment kit; pour the absorbent; first make a circle encompassing
the spill then pour the absorbent on top of the spill. Find a plastic/neoprene-disposal
bottle in room JHE 248 and carefully place the soaked absorbent into the bottle, and place
in Chemical Waste label on the container. To minimize contact with the base during
clean-up, use the small broom and dust pan to move the soaked absorbent into the bottle.
All of this must be done in the fume hood.
If the spill is significant; larger (> 30 mL), if the spill does not pose a health hazard;
inform any other personal in the lab; then use the Basic spill-containment kit in room
JHE 240 on the West Wall beside the door. Pour the absorbent around the spill then pour
the absorbent all over the spill.
If spill is greater than 30 ml, or cleanup takes longer than 15 minutes, document the
cleanup activity either by calling EOHSS at Ext 24352 or by notating the lab inspection
forms.
IF THE CONCENTRATED BASE IS RUNNING OUT OF THE FUMEHOOD, place
spill-containment absorbent on the spill and contact EOHSS at 24352 or call 88
(Emergency) immediately and leave the laboratory making sure you notify any personal
in that lab, but stay nearby to provide information to responders. DO NOT TRY to place
the soaked absorbent into the neoprene bottle, as fume evaporating from the concentrated
bases pose a serious health hazard. Contact Emergency Response (88), then Lisa Morine
Ext 23314 and Ed McCaffery Ext 24895.
If the spill runs underneath the fume hood, lab equipment, or if it goes down sink call
EOHSS Ext 24967.
If a fire breaks out because of the spill leave the area immediately, activate the fire alarm
dial 88. Stay close to the building to inform emergency personal of what started the fire
and what other chemicals are in the immediate area of the fire. There is a list of
chemicals on the Materials Science & Engineering Web site:
http://mse.mcmaster.ca/SAFETY/SOPs/MSDS%20Chemical%20List.pdf

SOP – Handling Concentrated Bases.
#7 Waste Disposal
If you’ve spilled your basic solution and soaked up the basic solution using absorbent,
make sure it is disposed into neoprene bottle (4L). These containers will be labeled with
a Chemical Waste Label. Any waste are to be dispensed in the Chemical Waste Buckets
located in the fume hoods. Any glassware used needs to be rinsed three times prior to
washing.
#8 Training requirements
Prior to entering and working in the laboratory, you must have completed WHMIS
training, Chemical Spills Training, Chemical Handling Training; you are required to also
take Specific Workplace Training through EOHSS. You must have written and have
signed the safety reports by your supervisor. After each year the safety report must be
updated. Any person conducting work in rooms JHE-246/A or JHE-240 using this SOP
must receive training on the contents of this SOP.
#9 Approval Required
All research staff must have WHMIS Training; and Specific Workplace Training prior to
starting work with concentrated bases.
Always ask a second person to be in the lab with you when working with concentrated
bases. If you have to work with concentrated bases and you are alone, you have to ask for
approval from your supervisor and the Person In-charge, Laboratory Manager Ed
McCaffery.
#10 Decontamination
All glassware and measuring cylinders that have been used during the process of mixing
of basic solution should be thoroughly rinsed with Distilled water (3 times) and then soap
and water (1 time). Collect first three rinseate as hazardous waste.
#11 Designated Area
Concentrated bases are only allowed to be handled in the fume hoods. Filling and rinsing
of the bottles should only be done near a sink, but with secondary containment tray in the
sink.
Upon leaving a designated work area, remove any personal protective equipment worn
and wash hands, forearms, face, and neck. After each use (or day), wipe down the
immediate work area and equipment to prevent accumulation of chemical residue. At the
end of each project, thoroughly.
Decontaminate the designated area before resuming normal laboratory work in the area.

SOP - Handling Concentrated Bases.
#12 Precise Process Description
1. Verify that emergency eyewash/shower is accessible and tested within last
month.
2. Verify that fume hoods are currently certified and alarms are working.
3. Check the location and expiration of the Base Spill Kit and that a copy of the
MSDS for the concentrated base being used is available.
4. You have read and understood the contents of this SOP.
5. It is essential that you wear a face shield over your safety glasses, nitrile
gloves (preferable), and the neoprene aprons to ensure proper protection
for concentrated base spills.
6. Most bases in the Materials Science and Engineering are made from salts.
7. Weigh out the salt into a weigh boat using a digital balance. Wear gloves and
safety glasses. Once the salt is weighed out take it back to the fumehood to
add water.
8. Mix the solution thoroughly in the fumehood, place any glassware being used
to collect the base is in a secondary containment tray.
9. Wash any glassware which was used with the base, rinse them 3 x with
Distilled water, and collect the first three washes as hazardous waste.

SOP – Handling Concentrated Bases.
Laboratory Spill Response Procedures
Health Threatening Situation - In the event of an imminent or actual health-threatening
emergency (threatening local or public health, safety, or welfare; or the environment
outside the immediate area):
1) CALL 88 FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND REMAIN IN THE AREA
TO ADVISE RESPONDERS.
2) ACTIVATE LOCAL ALARM SYSTEMS
3) Once personal safety is established, call EOHSS at Ext 24352 and proceed with
local notifications, below.
Non-Health Threatening Situation – In the event of a spill or release which may or has
impacted the environment (storm drain, soil, air outside the building) or spill or release
that cannot be cleaned up by local personnel:
1) Notify McMaster Responders: Call 88 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week), then
2) Provide local notifications:
Name Phone Number Title
Ed McCaffery Ext 24985 Lab Manager/ Principal Investigator
Lisa Morine Ext 23314 EOHSS
Local Response Situation – In the event of a minor spill or release that can be cleaned
up by local personnel using readily available equipment (absorbent, available from
EHOSS in Spill Kit):
1) Notify personnel in the area and restrict access. Eliminate all sources of
ignition.
2) Wear gloves and protective eyewear. Clean up using absorbent. Put the
contaminated absorbent in a labeled hazardous waste container.
3) If greater than 30 ml, or cleanup takes longer than 15 minutes, make a
record in your lab inspection report, or call 88 Emergency Response to record
the spill, and notify your supervisor.
4) Submit online waste pickup request to EHOSS at: waste@mcmsater.ca
Disclaimer: The SOP as written contains our best understanding at this time on how to
work safely with this piece of equipment. When new information is found that would
improve the safe use of this equipment it will be added in a timely manner. As it stands
we cannot be held liable for misuse or abuse of these instructions through negligence on
the user’s part or based on the content of these notes.