Standard Operating Procedure for the Use of Chemicals

Standard Operating Procedure for the Use of ChemicalsProcedure No. CQT_SOP_Chemicals_v2Review Date: 02/05/2012Issue Date: 2/11/2007Prepared by: Murray BarrettApproved by: Christian Kurtsiefer1. ObjectiveThis SOP is to ensure chemicals in the laboratory and used safely and disposed ofappropriately.2. Scope2.1 All Laboratories within CQT are covered under this procedure.2.2 All staff, research personnel, students and visitors associated with the laboratoriesand workshops of CQT are to comply with the requirements of this procedure.2.3 Key hazards: fire risk for flammable chemicals, chemical burns from corrosivechemicals, poisoning.3. Procedures and requirements3.1 Preparatory stepsa. All users need to develop a sensitivity of what is considered a chemical.For this purpose, a user should consult the MSDS data sheet folder, or,when in doubt, the PI. Examples of chemicals which are less commonlyidentified as such are epoxy compounds, solder agents, heat conductioncompounds, indium wire/sheets.b. For all chemicals used in the lab, MSDS data sheets can be found online onhttp://safety.quantumlah.org/index.php under Chemical Inventory for thespecific group. A hard copy of all the MSDS data sheets used by all groups canalso be found in the wetlab. If a MSDS sheet is found missing, the user whodiscovers this needs to locate an appropriate sheet from the manufacturer orthe web and place a hardcopy into the MSDS folder and inform the safetyrepresentative to upload the softcopy version to the online safety wiki.c. When introducing a new chemical into the lab, the user should exercise achoice which minimizes the hazards for the user, other users and the labd. If a chemical can not be handled safely (i.e. in accordance to the NUSguidelines or the MSDS data sheet recommendations), they are notallowed to be brought into the labs. Other places like chemical rooms needto be considered in this case.e. Users should monitor developments in the hazard assessment for the

chemicals they handle on a more frequent basis.f. A user should identify the 3 most hazardous chemicals he or she handles,and familiarize with the hazards associated with that chemical.3.2 Storage and disposalg. All chemicals brought into the laboratory must be inventoried inaccordance with OSHE/SOP/GL/03.h. Chemical waste shall be disposed of in accordance withOSHE/SOP/CS/01.i. All chemical containers with capacity >200ml (for isopropanol andethanol: >500ml) must be stored in an approved safety cabinet when not inuse. Dropper bottles may be stored in working locations whereappropriate.j. Containers with chemicals shall under no circumstances be located onmessy working surfaces or within optical setups.k. Chemical should only be stored in small quantities. A guideline for what isconsidered small for a certain chemical is the quantity which will be usedduring one month.3.3 All chemical containers must be clearly labeled with their contents. Containerswith unreadable labeling need to be disposed according to 4.2.b3.4 Usagel. Before handling chemicals, a clean working surface needs to be preparedby the user to minimize contamination hazards for unrelated equipment.m. Proper working surfaces need to be chosen for handling chemicals.Untreated wooden surfaces are not to be used for handling any chemicals.Formica surfaces or surfaces which are inert to the chemical in use have tobe used.n. Appropriate gloves are to be worn whenever chemicals are handled whichrequire this. Gloves used for handling chemicals should be removed whenhandling equipment which will be used by other users without gloves toavoid cross contamination. Authoritative resource for such a decision isthe MSDS data sheet for the chemical under question.o. Lab coat and safety goggles are to be worn when transferring chemicalsfrom storage containers to wash bottles and dropper bottles. This is aparticular concern when acids are involved.

p. Evaporation of chemicals into the room has to be avoided to minimizeexposure of the user and other users. Particularly, this is to be observedwith common volatile solvents like acetone, methanol and ethanol.q. Proper ventilation has to be ensured by a user handling evaporatingchemicals, e.g. by opening doors in case chemical vapours accumulate.r. Usage of fume hood when handling volatile chemicals.s. Whenever there is a choice of using different solvents for cleaning, thechoice with the least hazardous impact has to be made. Hazards for thisconcern are toxicity and flammability.t. Any accidental spill of chemicals needs to be removed immediately tokeep a clean working surface.u. Every user needs to ensure that no other user is unexpectedly and/orunknowingly exposed to chemicals during the normal work flow in thelab. Examples are e.g. unlabeled exposure of surfaces coated with epoxyresins, or microscope slides coated with non-fixated chemicals.3.5 Instructions for specific chemicals:v. Handling of acids and bases: When handling acids such as HCl, sulphuricacid, or bases like NaOH, KOH , goggles have to be worn. Dilution ofthese chemicals has to be done by pouring the chemical in to water, neverthe other way round.w. We should use ethanol as a first attempt and the usage of Methanol as asolvent has to be avoided wherever possible. Particularly, it should not beused in a ultrasonic cleaner.x. Gas cylinders have to be handled with the usual precautions: Properprotection against falling over (metal chain to a wall or very heavy object;example: Milling machine), usage of appropriate pressure reduction gear.3.6 Handling Mercury Spills:face1. Inform other people in the lab, your PI and your safety representative. Wear gloves andmask. Barricade spill area.2. Carefully pick up the larger pieces of broken glass and what remains of the brokendevice and place them on a paper towel. Gently fold the paper towel around these piecesso you can pick the bundle up and place it in a zipper-type plastic bag or sealable plastic-