SASS workshop Conference for School Support Staff Workshop for Science Assistants

The Science Assistant’s lot Issues Training Training Workload Workload Expectations Expectations Multi-skilling Multi-skilling Policing colleagues Policing colleagues Workplace safety Workplace safety

Training CSIS CSIS CSIS Best resource is colleagues with more experience Best resource is colleagues with more experience Chemtalk Chemtalk Working in Science Working in Science

Workload Principal assigns duties Principal assigns duties Must have completed CSIS training before working in the lab and handling chemicals Must have completed CSIS training before working in the lab and handling chemicals Local issues Local issues

Expectations

Multi-skilling Principal’s call Principal’s call Duties based on training for staff working with chemicals Duties based on training for staff working with chemicals An opportunity? An opportunity?

Policing Make colleagues aware of your concerns Make colleagues aware of your concerns Teacher is a professional with training in field Teacher is a professional with training in field Use line management Use line management

Workplace safety Everyone’s job Everyone’s job Everyone is trained Everyone is trained If in doubt check If in doubt check CSIS is our guide for the lab and chemicals CSIS is our guide for the lab and chemicals Latest advice Curriculum Support No Latest advice Curriculum Support No Latest advice Latest advice Common sense Common sense

Spill Response and Clean-up Procedures In the event of a serious spill of hazardous chemicals the following should be the priority RESCUE RESCUE CONFINE CONFINE REPORT REPORT SECURE SECURE and CLEANUP and CLEANUP

Chemical Spill Cleanup Procedures You should NOT clean up a spill if: You don’t know what the spilled material is You don’t know what the spilled material is You lack the necessary protection or equipment to do the job safely You lack the necessary protection or equipment to do the job safely The spill is too large to contain The spill is too large to contain The spilled material is highly toxic The spilled material is highly toxic You feel symptoms of exposure You feel symptoms of exposure

Develop a spill response plan Names and telephone numbers of contacts in the event of a spill. Names and telephone numbers of contacts in the event of a spill. Evacuation plans for the room or building, as appropriate. Evacuation plans for the room or building, as appropriate. Instructions for containing the spilled material, Instructions for containing the spilled material, Inventory of spill control materials and personal protective equipment. Inventory of spill control materials and personal protective equipment. Means for proper disposal of cleanup materials Means for proper disposal of cleanup materials Decontamination of the area after cleanup. Decontamination of the area after cleanup.

Spill situation Review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for spill cleanup methods, and for personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, protective clothing) Review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for spill cleanup methods, and for personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, protective clothing) Acquire sufficient quantities and types of appropriate spill control materials to contain any spills that can be reasonably anticipated. Acquire sufficient quantities and types of appropriate spill control materials to contain any spills that can be reasonably anticipated. Equipment to disperse, collect and contain spill materials should be reviewed. Equipment to disperse, collect and contain spill materials should be reviewed. Acquire recommended personal protective equipment/ train in its use. Acquire recommended personal protective equipment/ train in its use. Have spill control materials and protective equipment in a readily accessible location in the laboratory/prep area. Have spill control materials and protective equipment in a readily accessible location in the laboratory/prep area.

Protective gear 2 pairs chemical splash goggles 2 pairs chemical splash goggles 2 pairs of gloves 2 pairs of gloves 2 pairs of shoe covers 2 pairs of shoe covers 2 plastic aprons 2 plastic apronsRemember In the event of a chemical spill, the spill response is prompt and proper clean-up

Clean-up Tools Polypropylene scoop or dust pan Polypropylene scoop or dust pan Broom or brush with polypropylene bristles Broom or brush with polypropylene bristles 2 polypropylene bags 2 polypropylene bags sealing tape sealing tape pH test papers pH test papers waste stickers waste stickers floor sign - DANGER floor sign - DANGER Chemical Spill - Keep Away

Prevention Note that the majority of chemical spills can be prevented or minimised: Maintain a neat and organised work area Maintain a neat and organised work area Perform a laboratory procedure review prior to conducting new procedures Perform a laboratory procedure review prior to conducting new procedures Store liquid chemicals in secondary containment bins; Store liquid chemicals in secondary containment bins; Keep reagent chemical containers sealed, except when removing contents Keep reagent chemical containers sealed, except when removing contents Order reagent chemicals in plastic or plastic coated glass containers whenever possible Order reagent chemicals in plastic or plastic coated glass containers whenever possible Using secondary containment when moving chemicals. Using secondary containment when moving chemicals.

Liquid spills non flammable Spread chemical spill powder over the spill starting with the edges first to confine the spill to a smaller area. Spread chemical spill powder over the spill starting with the edges first to confine the spill to a smaller area. Spread enough powder over the spill to completely cover the liquid. Spread enough powder over the spill to completely cover the liquid. Use a plastic scoop to ensure that the liquid was completely absorbed by the powder. Use a plastic scoop to ensure that the liquid was completely absorbed by the powder. Pick up the powder with scoop and place in a polyethylene bag. Pick up the powder with scoop and place in a polyethylene bag. Wipe the area down with a wet paper towel. Wipe the area down with a wet paper towel. Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill clean up. Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill clean up. Seal bag with tape and dispose appropriately Seal bag with tape and dispose appropriately

Liquid spills flammable Control all sources of ignition. Remove or turn off all ignition sources such as motors, pumps, fridges Control all sources of ignition. Remove or turn off all ignition sources such as motors, pumps, fridges Lay chemical spill pads over the spill. These are designed to suppress the vapours from volatile liquids Lay chemical spill pads over the spill. These are designed to suppress the vapours from volatile liquids Allow pads to completely soak up liquid Allow pads to completely soak up liquid Pick up pads with tongs or other device to minimise direct contact with a gloved hand Pick up pads with tongs or other device to minimise direct contact with a gloved hand Place in a polyethylene bag Place in a polyethylene bag Wipe the area down with a wet paper towel Wipe the area down with a wet paper towel Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill clean up Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill clean up Seal bag with tape and dispose. Store temporarily in a fume hood is material is volatile Seal bag with tape and dispose. Store temporarily in a fume hood is material is volatile

Solid spills Use the plastic scoop to place the spilled material into a polyethylene bag. Use the plastic scoop to place the spilled material into a polyethylene bag. Do not to create dust or cause the contaminated powder to become airborne. Do not to create dust or cause the contaminated powder to become airborne. After the bulk of the material is cleaned up, wet a spill pad and wipe the area down. After the bulk of the material is cleaned up, wet a spill pad and wipe the area down. Place the pads into a polyethylene bag. Place the pads into a polyethylene bag. Wipe the area down with a wet paper towel. Wipe the area down with a wet paper towel. Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill clean up. Dispose of paper towel with the waste generated from the spill clean up. Seal bag with tape and dispose. Seal bag with tape and dispose.

Characteristics of Cryogenic Liquid Nitrogen Primary Hazards Primary Hazards Asphyxiation Asphyxiation Potential for rupture of containers, pipelines, or systems. When liquid or even cold vapor is trapped between valves there is the potential to cause a pressure buildup to a point of violent rupture to a container or piping. (Reliable pressure relief devices are used to prevent this) Potential for rupture of containers, pipelines, or systems. When liquid or even cold vapor is trapped between valves there is the potential to cause a pressure buildup to a point of violent rupture to a container or piping. (Reliable pressure relief devices are used to prevent this)

Handling Liquid Nitrogen Precautions: Precautions: Always wear safety equipment, including heavy loose fitting leather or cryogenic gloves, and eye and face protection. Always wear safety equipment, including heavy loose fitting leather or cryogenic gloves, and eye and face protection. High concentrations of escaping gas should not be allowed to collect in an enclosed area. High concentrations of escaping gas should not be allowed to collect in an enclosed area. Avoid prolonged breathing of cryogenic liquid vapors. Avoid prolonged breathing of cryogenic liquid vapors.

Example: 1 litre of liquid nitrogen will expand to 696 litres of 100% gaseous nitrogen at 25° C 1 litre of liquid nitrogen will expand to 696 litres of 100% gaseous nitrogen at 25° C The nitrogen gas can displace the oxygen in the area, leading to asphyxiation The nitrogen gas can displace the oxygen in the area, leading to asphyxiation This is why cryogenic liquids should always be stored in well-ventilated spaces This is why cryogenic liquids should always be stored in well-ventilated spaces Take particular care if transporting in a car (windows down) or in a lift Take particular care if transporting in a car (windows down) or in a lift

Dry Ice Dry ice is frozen Carbon Dioxide, or CO2, which is a gas under standard temperature and pressure conditions. Dry ice is frozen Carbon Dioxide, or CO2, which is a gas under standard temperature and pressure conditions. The atmosphere contains about.035% of this gas. The atmosphere contains about.035% of this gas. At normal atmospheric pressure on this planet, frozen CO2 doesn't melt into a liquid, but rather evaporates directly into its gaseous form. This process is called sublimation. At normal atmospheric pressure on this planet, frozen CO2 doesn't melt into a liquid, but rather evaporates directly into its gaseous form. This process is called sublimation. Dry ice is cold – minus 78 ° C Dry ice is cold – minus 78 ° C

Storing and Transporting Dry Ice Storing and Transporting Dry Ice Dry ice continuously sublimates as heat enters it from its surroundings. The CO2 gas that evolves must be vented from the container. Dry ice continuously sublimates as heat enters it from its surroundings. The CO2 gas that evolves must be vented from the container. Do not seal dry ice into a container except as detailed below, because an explosive bursting of the container can result. A Styrofoam (polystyrene foam) ice chest with a loose fitting lid makes a good container for transporting dry ice. Do not seal dry ice into a container except as detailed below, because an explosive bursting of the container can result. A Styrofoam (polystyrene foam) ice chest with a loose fitting lid makes a good container for transporting dry ice.

Transport Carbon dioxide in high concentrations is poisonous (6%) Carbon dioxide in high concentrations is poisonous (6%) Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. When it sublimates there is a large volume increase >600 times. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. When it sublimates there is a large volume increase >600 times. Transport and store in a ventilated environment Transport and store in a ventilated environment In the car wind the windows down In the car wind the windows down

Handling Dry Ice Due to its extremely cold temperature dry ice can cause damage to the skin if handled. Due to its extremely cold temperature dry ice can cause damage to the skin if handled. Use tongs or insulating gloves when handling dry ice. It is also important when crushing or grinding the solid not to get any of the dust into your eyes. Wear protective goggles. Use tongs or insulating gloves when handling dry ice. It is also important when crushing or grinding the solid not to get any of the dust into your eyes. Wear protective goggles.

Gas leak Leaking Gas Cylinders or Natural Gas Cylinder gas is often Liquefied petroleum gas Cylinder gas is often Liquefied petroleum gas LPG is heavier than air. LPG is heavier than air. Leaked LPG will move downwards and stay on the ground. Leaked LPG will move downwards and stay on the ground. LPG will accumulate in any low-lying area such as depressions in the ground, drains or pits over time. LPG will accumulate in any low-lying area such as depressions in the ground, drains or pits over time.

LPG leaks An LPG leak may not be seen (because LPG is colourless), unless the leak is of big enough to be seen shimmering in the air. An LPG leak may not be seen (because LPG is colourless), unless the leak is of big enough to be seen shimmering in the air. When a LPG gas leak occurs, the gas release will be seen as a patch of ice around the area of the leak, or as a jet of white liquid. When a LPG gas leak occurs, the gas release will be seen as a patch of ice around the area of the leak, or as a jet of white liquid. The white appearance is due to the cooling effect created by the rapid expansion of the LPG liquid into a gas. Condensing atmospheric moisture makes the leak visible. The white appearance is due to the cooling effect created by the rapid expansion of the LPG liquid into a gas. Condensing atmospheric moisture makes the leak visible.

Gas leaks Evacuate personnel, and contact the Fire Emergency Number. Evacuate personnel, and contact the Fire Emergency Number. Turn off ignition sources Turn off ignition sources Most cylinder leaks occur in areas such as the valve threads, valve stem, valve outlet, and loose or damaged hose connections. Most cylinder leaks occur in areas such as the valve threads, valve stem, valve outlet, and loose or damaged hose connections. A gas monitor, soapy water or other leak-detector solution may be used to verify a leak. A gas monitor, soapy water or other leak-detector solution may be used to verify a leak. Attempt to seal leaks around valves by tightening. Attempt to seal leaks around valves by tightening. If the leak cannot be remedied by tightening the valve, consider moving the cylinder to an isolated, well- ventilated area (chemical fume hood, if possible). If the leak cannot be remedied by tightening the valve, consider moving the cylinder to an isolated, well- ventilated area (chemical fume hood, if possible).

Gas leak (cont) Keep oxidizers away from flammables and combustibles Keep oxidizers away from flammables and combustibles Post signs that describe the hazards and state warnings. Post signs that describe the hazards and state warnings. Never attempt to repair a leak at the valve threads or safety device. Never attempt to repair a leak at the valve threads or safety device. Notify the gas supplier. Notify the gas supplier.

Steps toward a safer lab Suggestions

Please be SAFE You are valued THE END