The Plan represents a minimum set of guidelines for the handling of toxic chemicals on campus. Individual administrative units, laboratories or research groups are required to develop more detailed procedures as their situations warrant. Acceptable lab safety references of this document may be adopted in whole or may be useful in developing additional procedures. In all situations, individual faculty or staff will be responsible for enforcing adequate safety and hygiene measures in laboratories they supervise. If necessary, additional assistance from the Center for Environmental Health and Safety is available.

• Unattended experiments. Leaving hazardous systems unattended is not good practice.

• Working alone. When working with hazardous materials, it is advisable to have a second person present, or at a minimum, maintain surveillance via telephone contact.

• Housekeeping. Exits, aisles and safety equipment must NOT be obstructed in any way with equipment, furniture, etc. Work areas and floors are not to be used for excessive storage. No unauthorized items shall be stored in the corridors. The Center for Environmental Health and Safety may be contacted for permission to store items in the corridors.

• Food, drink cosmetics. Eating, drinking, and the application of cosmetics is forbidden in areas where hazardous chemicals are used and shall be done only in well-defined designated nonchemical areas. Do not store food in the same refrigerator with chemicals, biohazards or radioactive materials.

• Horseplay. Horseplay is forbidden.

• Equipment. Use proper equipment that is in good condition. For example, never use chipped or cracked glassware. Shield pressurized or vacuum apparatus and safeguard against bumping or overheating.

• Disposal of chemicals. Disposal of all laboratory waste shall follow the procedures outlined in a guide entitled Chemical Waste Management Guide, a copy of which is available at the Center for Environmental Health and Safety. In general, contact Biological and Chemical Management Section of the Center for Environmental Health and Safety to request a pickup.

• Chemical spills and accident response. Consult the Chemical Waste Management guide concerning chemical spills. For large spills/leaks call 911.

• Mouth pipetting. Mouth pipetting is forbidden.

• Mercaptans. To avoid false reporting of natural gas leaks, logs of mercaptan use should be kept when mercaptans will be used in a laboratory in such a manner that persons outside of the laboratory could smell the mercaptan and suspect a natural gas leak in the building.

• Attire. Wear a lab coat or apron, cover feet (no sandals or open-toe shoes), and confine loose clothing and long hair.

• Gloves. Gloves are essential when working with hazardous substances. The proper gloves will prevent skin absorption, infection, or burns. All glove materials are not equally effective in protection from chemical hazards. Consult a chemical resistance chart such as the one found in Appendix 3 or contact the Center for Environmental Health and Safety for assistance in appropriate selection. Gloves must be removed before leaving the laboratory.

• Eye protection. It is state law and campus policy that personnel including students, stuff, and visitors in laboratories wear safety glasses, goggles, or face shields at all times where eye hazards are a possibility. Goggles are recommended when chemical splashes are possible.

• Face shields. Face shields which cover the neck and ear areas should be worn when conducting a procedure which may result in a violent reaction.

• Glass tubing. When inserting tubing into stoppers, lubricate tubing and protect hands from being cut in the event of the tubing slipping and breaking.

• Chemical storage. Chemicals ideally should be stored by compatibility, not by alphabetical arrangement. Oxidizers should be separated from organics, air/water reactives must be kept dry and cyanides should be stored away from acids.

Volatile toxic substances shall be stored in volatile storage cabinets adequate to the purpose or in hoods when storage cabinets are unavailable. If volatile substances are stored in a hood, other uses of the hood shall be restricted to activities compatible with the chemical and physical properties of the stored or used chemicals. When volatiles must be stored in a cooled atmosphere, explosion-proof refrigerators or cold rooms designed for this purpose must be used.

• Chemical handling. Use bottle carriers for transporting chemicals which are in glass containers. Close caps securely and avoid storing chemical containers in hard to reach areas. Pour chemicals carefully, and never add water to concentrated acid. Metal containers and nonconductive containers (e.g., glass or plastic) holding more than five gallons must be grounded when transferring flammable liquids.

• Cylinder storage. Cylinders must be stored in well-ventilated areas with their protective caps screwed on and the cylinder secured (e.g., strapped or chained down) to reduce the chance of the cylinder being knocked over. Do not store cylinders near heat or highly trafficked areas. Do not store flammables and oxidizers together. Do not store empty and full cylinders together. Storage of large quantities of cylinders must be done in an approved gas cylinder storage area.

• Cylinder handling. Use appropriate handcarts to move cylinders. Cylinders must be secured to the cart during transport. Highly toxic gases should not be moved through the corridors, particularly during business hours. Always consider cylinders as full and handle them with corresponding care.

• Labels. Make sure all labels are legible. Label all secondary containers with the chemical name and appropriate hazards. Date all peroxidizable and other chemicals which may become unstable over time; test and/or dispose of them when appropriate.

• Containers. Check the integrity of containers. Observe compatibilities, for example, hydrofluoric acid must not be stored in glass and some oxidizers should not be stored in plastic containers.