HF Safety

HF Safety

HF Safety HYDROFLUORIC ACID IS one of the MOST ACUTELY TOXIC CHEMICALS There is no concentration of HF which can be relied upon as safe! As little as 7 ml of anhydrous HF in contact with the skin untreated can bind all the free calcium in an adult With burns involving greater than 25 square inches significant and sometimes fatal hypocalcaemia can occur There is no material that is completely resistant to HF degradation Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

HF Safety PROPERTIES How Is HF Different from other acids? Colorless liquid with strong irritating odor Very strong corrosive inorganic acid Nonflammable How Is HF Different from other acids? HF is readily absorbed into skin binding to calcium and magnesium in the body to form insoluble salts that interfere with cellular metabolism causing cellular death and necrosis Immediate necrosis and pain at high concentrations Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

HF Safety EXPOSURE Liquid exposure (splash) Gas exposure (lungs, skin & eyes) Severe burns Opacification of cornea Blindness Coughing/Choking Cyanosis (blue lips) Worker Airborne Exposure Regulations Irritation to nose and throat at 3 ppm Short-term exposure limit 15 min - 2 ppm 30 ppm is considered immediately dangerous to life and health Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

HF Safety SAFE WORK PRACTICES Never use HF alone Training Always Wear Personal Protective Equipment Documentation & Signs Always use HF in the lab hood Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

HF Safety PPE Neoprene gloves (Resistant for more than 8 hours) Saranex coated coveralls Face shield Foot protection Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.

HF Safety Do not panic! Think Think Think Assistant response EMERGENCY PROCEDURE Do not panic! Think Think Think Assistant response Help individual to eyewash/safety shower flush the area with large amounts of water for 5 minutes. Have the person remove all contaminated clothing while under the shower. DO NOT CONTAMINATE YOURSELF HF first aid treatment is not limited to washing off the skin (Calcium Gluconate Antidote). Baird D. and Cooper C., “Hydrofluoric Acid Safety”, Fermilab.