SAFETY IN LABORATORYAccording to Lgs.D. 81/08

The chemical laboratory can be a safe workplace if some precautions are taken in order to avoid unforeseen events and accidents.

The experiences planned for a didactic laboratory of the first year are usually simple and at low risk. Nevertheless, you can burn yourself with acids, damage your dresses or receive splash goggles of irritating substances in your eyes.

Normative ReferencesLegislative Decree 9th April 2008, n.81: implementation of article 1, law n.3 August 2007, n.123, in matter of protection of health and emergency in workplaces.Regulation dealing with norms helping to identify particular requirements of universities and institutes of university education according to the norms conveyed in D.l. 19.09.94, n. 626, and further modifications and integrations, published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 246 of 21/10/98. Guide to the safety in the chemical laboratories. Document for internal use only, DISMICGuide to the use of bottles of compressed, dissolved and liquefied gases

ResponsabilitiesUniversity: provide students with a safe workplace, education and information about dangers, adequate procedures.Workers: follow the specific formation training courses and study the supplied supporting materialsRespect the safety guidelines and information givenCompulsory test of your knowledge in matter of safety

Have knowledge of the enviromentIt is of fundamental importance to get knowledge of everything concerning with your work:RoomsInstrumentsSubstancesProceduresHazards

Risks

First entry in the labSignalsSafety devices eye washers, fire extinguishers, ect.Guidelines/operative instruction

Examples of Signals

Signals

Signals- Prohibition signals are round-shaped with red edge and red cross bar, while the pictogram is black over a white background. - Warning signals are triangular-shaped with black pictogram over a yellow background. - Limitation signals are round-shaped with white pictogram over a blue background.

Signals- Life or aid signals are square-shaped or rectangular-shaped with white pictogram over a green background. - Fire estinguisher signals are square-shaped or rectangular-shaped with white pictogram over a red background.- Information signals are square-shaped or rectangular-shaped with white pictogram over a blue background.

Signals - Pipes

SignalsThe cordless telephone is enabled for internal and emergency calls. Localize the internal means of communication of the lab.In case of emergency, you are welcome to use your mobile phone.

Emergency exitsEmergency exits are no-panic doors.It is also possible to use the common exits of the lab, if accessible.

Exodus from the labIt is required to have already in mind the evacuation paths.

Product name and descriptionProduct codeDescriptive informationRecommendations for manipulations and conservation RisksStock analysisShape of the packagingNumber of the stockRisk Pictogram (Useful to know immediately the risk related to the use of the product) Other information about the risk. CAS (Chemical Abstract Service) number, labeled if available. CAS numbers can vary with the available details of the substance. Minimum formula and molecular mass. Code bar and equivalent serial numbers. MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) available.

Behavior norms Do not run Leave always free way around the work tables and near the exits. Leave your baggage only where you are allowed to. Do not eat or taste ANY chemicals Do not smokeAvoid breathing and smelling vapours using the extractor fan when required. Keep clean and ordered your working table Use the adequate individual protection equipment supplied (overall, gloves and glasses) Under the protection equipment, wear comfortable dresses and low anti-slide shoes. The use of long dresses is not recommended. For long haired people, tie your hair in order to avoid the contact with reagents and possible flames.

Precautions and general norms for the employment of instruments:

Before using any instrument, consult the instructions you will find near them. Instructions have to be always available for any user.If you find the following symbol It points out the presence of a hot surface. Be careful not to touch it. Do not use free electrical cables, extension cables or adaptors. Never touch an instrument connected to the electric current with wet hands; never touch two electrical instruments at the same time or an electrical instrument together with a metallic superstructure (heaters, pipes, railings, etc.). Check the integrity of the supply cable of an electrical apparatus before you switch it on.In the case that a short circuit occurs, inform immediately the person responsible for the laboratory. In any case, do not try to reconnect the instrument to the electrical net. To disconnect an electrical instrument from the net, pull the plug and not the cable. It is also necessary to foresee possible power cuts and the consequences due to the restore of the operative conditions. Report immediately to the person responsible for the laboratory any breakdowns or malfunctioning of instruments, apparatuses, collective or individual protective devices etc. You are also kindly invited to inform about any deficiencies or other observations that can be useful to the overall safety of the laboratory.

Waste disposal in the lab:

Throw plastic materials, glasses and paper in the appropriate containers. Everything that is not differentiable must be thrown in the containers you will find under your working table

Do not replace the products that have not been used in the origin containers

Get rid of the solutions in the washbasin, letting much water flow, but only if you are allowed to.

Before using a reagent:

Read carefully the labelDo not touch and take solids with free hands: use spoons or spatula. Do not open more than a container at a time and not mistake the tops of the containers. Do not ever use your mouth to inhale liquids with pipettes: use instead a dropper or pipettes equipped with an aspirator. Never add water to an acid, but add slowly the acid to water. Do not to use concentrated acids and bases, but only the supplied solutions already diluted. Do not smell neither taste the substances you have handled.

In case of accident:

In case of accident never lose control and inform the person responsible for the laboratory who will be able to help you. Usually, if you have been in contact with acid, basic or irritating chemical, it is better to wash immediately the hurt zone with abundant water. Then pull off the contaminate clothes. If you get burns, wash with cold water as soon as possible and inform the person responsible for the laboratory who will be able to help you. If your eyes are injured, use the proper eye washer for at least 15 minutes and inform the responsible. If some chemicals pour on your working table, wear a pair of gloves and mop them up. If a glass bottle breaks off, pick it up wearing gloves with the help of a broom. Do not do it with free hands.In the case of fire, keep calm, switch off the general plug and reach the emergency exits, as shown in the signals in the lab. The person responsible for the lab will be able to guide you and use fire extinguishers.

A LIST OF SOME RISK STATEMENTS (R) R1: Explosive when dry R2: Risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition R3: Extreme risk of explosion by shock, friction, fire or other sources of ignition R4: Forms very sensitive explosive metallic compounds R5: Heating may cause an explosion R6: Explosive with or without contact with air R7: May cause fire R8: Contact with combustible material may cause fire R10: Flammable R11: Highly flammable R12: Extremely flammableR14: Reacts violently with water R15: Contact with water liberates extremely flammable gasesR18: In use, may form flammable/explosive vapour-air mixtureR20: Harmful by inhalation R21: Harmful in contact with skin R22: Harmful if swallowed R23: Toxic by inhalation R24: Toxic in contact with skin R25: Toxic if swallowed R26: Very toxic by inhalationR31: Contact with acids liberates toxic gas R32: Contact with acids liberates very toxic gasR34: Causes burnsR35: Causes severe burns R36: Irritating to eyes R37: Irritating to respiratory system R38: Irritating to skin

A LIST OF SOME SAFETY STATEMENTS (S)

S1: Keep locked up S2: Keep out of the reach of children S3: Keep in a cool place S4: Keep away from living quartersS7: Keep container tightly closed S8: Keep container dry S9: Keep container in a well-ventilated placeS12: Do not keep the container sealed S13: Keep away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffsS15: Keep away from heat S16: Keep away from sources of ignition - No smokingS17: Keep away from combustible material S18: Handle and open container with care S20: When using do not eat or drink S21: When using do not smokeS24: Avoid contact with skin S25: Avoid contact with eyes S26: In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical adviceS29: Do not empty into drains S30: Never add water to this product S33: Take precautionary measures against static discharges S35: This material and its container must be disposed of in a safe way S36: Wear suitable protective clothing S37: Wear suitable gloves S38: In case of insufficient ventilation wear suitable respiratory equipment S39: Wear eye/face protectionS41: In case of fire and/or explosion do not breathe fumesS47: Keep at temperature not exceeding ... C (to be specified by the manufacturer)S48: Keep wet with ... (appropriate material to be specified by the manufacturer) S49: Keep only in the original container S50: Do not mix with ... (to be specified by the manufacturer)S56: Dispose of this material and its container at hazardous or special waste collection point S57: Use appropriate containment to avoid environmental contamination S59: Refer to manufacturer/supplier for information on recovery/recycling S60: This material and its container must be disposed of as hazardous waste S61: Avoid release to the environment. Refer to special instructions/safety data sheet S62: If swallowed, do not induce vomiting: seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label S63: In case of accident by inhalation: remove casualty to fresh air and keep at rest

A LIST OF SOME DANGER SYMBOLS

Explosive (E)Danger: This symbol indicates those chemicals that can explode under certain conditions. Precautions: Avoid crashes, frictions, sparks and heat.Oxidizing(O)Danger: Oxidizing substances that can ignite combustible substances or fan already existing fires letting the fire extinction more difficult. Precautions: Keep away from combustible materials.Extremeley Flammable (F+)Danger: Liquids with flash points lower than 0C and boiling points not higher than 35C. Precautions: Keep away from ignition sources.Danger: Gaseous flammable substances in contact with air at room temperature and pressure. Precautions: Avoid the formation of flammable air-gas mixtures and keep away from ignition sources.

Toxic (T)Danger: Chemicals very dangerous for health if inhaled, swallowed or come in contact with skin. They can cause death. Possible irreversible effects due to occasional, repeated and extended exposures. Precautions: Avoid getting in touch with skin and also do not inhale the related vapours. In case of sickness, contact a doctor. Harmful (Xn)Danger: Harmful for inhalation, ingestion or contact. Possible irreversible effects due to occasional, repeated and extended exposures. Precautions: Avoid getting in touch with skin and also do not inhale the related vapours. In case of sickness, contact a doctor. Irritant (Xi)Danger: This symbol indicates substances that can irritate skin, eyes and the breathing apparatus. Precautions: Do not inhale the related vapours and avoid to getting in touch with skin. Corrosive (C)Danger: Chemicals that if touched destroy human tissues and equipments. Precautions: Do not inhale the related vapours and avoid to getting in touch with skin, eyes and clothes.

A LIST OF SOME PROHIBITION SIGNALS

Do not smoke and use free flamesAccess denied to not authorized peopleDo not douseDo not touchDo not smokeUndrinkable water

A LIST OF SOME WARNING SIGNALS

Generic hazardRadioactive materialsPoisoning substancesCorrosive substancesOxidizing materialsIrritant and harmful materials