Science Lab Safety

Acid Burn

Eye Injury (Base)

Lab Safety in the News “A 17 year old was electrocuted during a 1997 classroom science experiment in GA. The experiment involved stringing a wire around the classroom and cutting away insulation at several points so students could attach probes from a voltmeter to learn how to measure electricity.” 4

Lab Safety in the News “A student received minor facial injuries when she added concentrated sulfuric acid to a wet test tube provided by her lab partner. The contents boiled out of the tube and struck her in the face. Her lab partner had not dried the tube as instructed.” 5

WHMIS

Overview of WHMIS What is WHMIS? Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System

Overview of WHMIS WHMIS was put in place to respond to the Canadian worker’s right to know more about safety and health hazards of the materials they use in their workplace. Canada-wide legislation with specific provincial input provides specific information about hazardous materials (controlled products).

Overview of WHMIS There are three parts to WHMIS: 1. Labels - alert worker to the identity and dangers of the product and to basic safety precautions. 2. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): technical documents which provide detailed hazard and precautionary information. 3. Education/Training: includes how WHMIS works, hazards of controlled substances, procedures for safe storage, use, and disposal.

Hazardous materials

Hazardous Materials: 6 Classes Class A: Compressed Gas Class B: Flammable and Combustible Material

Hazardous Materials: 6 Classes Class C: Oxidizing Material Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Material Division 1: Materials Causing Immediate and Serious Toxic Effects

Hazardous Materials: 6 Classes Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Material Division 2: Materials Causing Other Toxic Effects Class D: Poisonous and Infectious Material Division 3: Biohazardous Infectious Material

Hazardous Materials: 6 Classes Class E: Corrosive Material Class F: Dangerously Reactive Material

Whmis labels

WHMIS Labels WHMIS labels are required by WHMIS laws. They act as a “first alert” to the hazards associated with using a substance.

WHMIS Labels There are two main types of WHMIS labels:

1. Supplier Label

2. Workplace Label

Household safety symbols

Household Safety Symbols

WHMIS Worksheet

msds

MSDS What does MSDS stand for? Material Safety Data Sheet

Material Safety Data Sheet Provides workers and emergency personnel with the proper procedures for handling and working with a particular substance.

Material Safety Data Sheet MSDSs are only required for materials that are hazards: 1. Physical hazard: evidence that the chemical is a combustible liquid, compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, unstable or water reactive. 2. Health hazard: evidence shows that the chemical leads to acute or chronic health effects.

Material Safety Data Sheet A WHMIS symbol is often found on a container of a product giving you a quick idea of its dangers, while an MSDS is a detailed sheet giving a long list of safety information on the substance. Under Newfoundland and Labrador’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, it is law that every employer must make MSDSs available to any employee who may come in contact with a controlled product. These MSDSs are to be updated every 3 years, in case new safety information is found out about a substance.

Material Safety Data Sheet

Material Safety Data Sheet 1. Product Name and Information This is where the name of the controlled substance is found. Some substances have old fashioned names and these will be found here. The maker and supplier of the substance are also given here along with emergency telephone numbers. 2. Dangerous Ingredients Any nasty ingredients are listed here. 3. Physical Data This is where boiling and melting points, if it can dissolve in water, its appearance and odour are found.

Material Safety Data Sheet 4. Fire and Explosion Hazards This section is very useful in stating which type of fire extinguishers and equipment would be best for fighting a fire that involves this substance. 5. Reactivity Data This section states a lot of information about how the chemical could decompose on its own or dangerously react with another substance. 6. Toxicological Data This section lists how the controlled product is poisonous. “Route of entry” indicates how the substance may get into the body.

Material Safety Data Sheet 7. Safety Measures This allows people to know what safety precautions to take before handling the controlled substance. 8. First Aid Measures Sometimes, no matter how careful we are or how well prepared we are to handle a controlled product safely, accidents still do happen. This section of the MSDS is the source of first aid information. 9. Preparation of the MSDS The name of the official person who approved the information is listed.