2/27/2024
Mzuzu University
Faculty of Science, Technology and
Innovation.
Department of chemistry
Chemistry Laboratory.
Presented By
Paul Watson Kaunda
[email protected]
+265 882827796
INTRODUCTION
A laboratory - a place where chemicals and
equipment are used.
Some properties of chemicals:
(a) toxic, i.e. poisonous and can therefore kill.
(b) corrosive, e.g. strong acids and alkalis
(c) carcinogenic (cancer causing)
1
2/27/2024
INTRODUCTION cont’d
(d) teratogenic (causing mutation)
(e) flammables and can cause fire
Long exposure to chemicals can cause
dermatitis (skin rash) and tumour development.
OBJECTIVES
to sensitise students to some of the hazards
associated with chemicals and equipment used in
laboratories
to minimize accidents that may occur due to
human error.
2
2/27/2024
GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE
Procedures vary depending on the type of
experiment done but the following are the
general guidelines for most laboratories
and students should observe them:
(a) Follow all safety instructions
carefully
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 5
GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE cont’d
(b) Before undertaking any laboratory work, students should
be familiar with the hazards associated with the:
(i) chemicals involved and know the safety
precautions and emergency procedures that
protect them from those hazards.
(ii) apparatus and operations involved and know what
to do to protect themselves from hazards arising
from their use.
3
2/27/2024
WHY ACCIDENTS OCCUR
(a) Indifferent attitude of some students.
(i) Safety -a collective responsibility that
requires the full co-operation of everyone in
the laboratory.
(ii) All laboratory users should therefore think
and encourage safety as a habit.
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 7
WHY ACCIDENTS OCCUR cont’d
(b) Ignorance of the hazards associated
with the chemicals and equipment involved.
(c) Failure to follow instructions: Safety
procedures should be followed.
(d) Failure to use common sense. Basic rule
of safety is to be alert and stay alert.
4
2/27/2024
LIKELY ACCIDENTS IN CHEMICAL LABORATORIES
In the laboratory, the accidents most likely to occur
are:
Splashes of chemicals on skin and clothes
Splashes in the eye
Inhalation of gases, fumes or dusts
Ingestion of chemicals
Heat burns
February 27, 2024 [email protected] 9
WAYS CHEMICALS CAN BE INGESTED
Inhalations of chemical dust, powder or
vapour through mouth, nose and lungs.
Absorption through the skin.
Ingestion from contaminated inadequately
washed hands especially after
experiments.
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 10
5
2/27/2024
WAYS CHEMICALS CAN BE INGESTED cont’d
Absorption from contaminated clothes,
benches, floors and apparatus through
damaged and undamaged skin.
Through improper use of syringe and
needle (injection), e.g. in HPLC, GC
Multiple Routes
Chemicals may enter the body by more than
one route at the same time or consecutively.
If there is risk of absorption by more than
one route, the priority should be to
terminate the exposure that will most quickly
cause harm.
6
2/27/2024
CHEMICAL TOXICITY
Chemical hazards can take significant time to
reveal their effects on the body
Acute
Chronic
Chemical Toxicity
(a)Acute toxicity (effects)-Has immediate effect,
e.g. ingestion of Potassium cyanide (KCN), termic,
etc.
(b)Chronic toxicity (effects)- Result from low
doses repeated over long periods, e.g. cancer or
tumour development. Therefore it is important
to know the hazards associated with the
chemicals we use.
February 27, 2024 [email protected] 14
7
2/27/2024
Hazards classification
Irritant
Toxic
Corrosive
Harmful
Carcinogenic
Flammable
Oxidising
Explosive
Dangerous to the Environment
Should also mention:
Sensitisers
Respiratory (asthmagens)
Dermal
Assign: March these symbols with these hazards
SOURCES OF INFO ON CHEMICAL HAZARDS
AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
(a) Labels on containers (bottles) with
danger symbols plus other important
information.
(b) Manufacturers`catalogues for
chemicals, e.g. SARRCHEM, BDH
(c) Chemical hazards books
(d) Material Safety data Sheets (MSDS).
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 16
8
2/27/2024
What the MSDS tells you
Chemical Identity.
Ingredients.
Hazards associated with the chemical .
First aid procedures.
Fire fighting.
Accidental Release Measures/Spill Clean-up.
Handling and storage - Exposure controls and
Personal Protection.
Physical and chemical properties.
Proper disposal.
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 17
LABORATORY PROTOCOL/ACCEPTABLE
BEHAVIOUR
Things to Observe Before entering a laboratory
(a) Put on laboratory coat
(b) Put on safety spectacles or other protecting
equipment as required.
(c) Study and comply with the information on the check
list (rules) that are usually mounted on entrances to
labs. These are DOS and DON’TS while in the lab
and the list may include the following:
9
2/27/2024
(i) No open shoes, e.g. sandals or pair of slippers in the
lab.
(ii)No shorts or mini skirts whilst in the lab.
(iii)No high heeled shoes.
(iv)No neck-ties unless worn under lab coats
(v)Long hair and dreads should be tied at the back
(vi)No loose clothing.
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 19
(vii) No jewellery (rings, necklaces) as some
chemicals react with some metals.
(viii) No eating, drinking or even smoking while in the
lab.
(ix) Not acceptable to use lab glassware and other
apparatus outside the lab for non-lab purposes,
e.g. using beakers as drinking cups.
10
2/27/2024
Things to observe after entering a
laboratory
(i) Never touch or meddle with any material or
equipment before you are told to do so.
(ii)Observe any warning signs and do not interfere with
main services of any kind.
(iii)Know the emergency route and assembly points.
(iv) Do not use any mechanical or electrical
equipment without proper instructions.
(When in Doubt……Ask. When don’t know….Don't.
Never Guess)
(v) Never make unauthorised adjustments.
(vi) Never remove guards or other safety
devices without authority.
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 22
11
2/27/2024
(vii) Do not place apparatus or furniture
where it will obstruct doors, passages or
access to emergency equipment or exit.
(viii) Avoid slippery floor finishes.
(ix) Deal with breakages and spillages
immediately they occur.
USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Always wear protective clothing when
applicable.
Anyone may be excluded from lab if his
clothing is deemed unsafe!
REMEMBER: Any PPE is the last line of defence
Good practice is the surest defence.
12
2/27/2024
Types of PPE
Head protection
Hard hats
Bump caps
Eye and face protection
Safety glasses
Goggles
Face shield / visor
Hand and arm protection
Gloves
Gloves with a cuff
Gauntlets/sleeves/long
gloves
Sleeving/arm protection
Foot and leg protection
Safety shoes (steel toe-capped)
Boots
Rubber (water resistant) boots
Laboratory coats
Should be well fitting and correctly (securely) buttoned
at the front.
Loose clothing is dangerous.
If any spillage occurs on a lab coat, shoes or clothes
must immediately be changed and the skin well-
washed. If possible, a bath or shower should be taken.
Must be washed
February 27, 2024
separately from other clothes.
[email protected] 26
13
2/27/2024
HAIR/HEAD PROTECTION
Loose long hair and dreads must be tied at the
back when working in the laboratory.
Curls are discouraged because the oil used can
catch fire.
Eye Protection
Safety goggles:
To be worn whenever you are in the lab for
experiments unless you are told not to.
They must not be worn on foreheads
14
2/27/2024
Face shields
These protect the entire face and should be
worn when handling corrosives e.g. acids,
bases and explosive material.
All laboratory users must wear safety
spectacles/goggles at all times whilst
in a laboratory even if there is no
possibility of a safety hazard.
February 27, 2024 [email protected] 29
Foot Protection
Open-toed sandals and slippers are not
allowed to be worn in the lab.
Pairs of shoes that cover full feet are
recommended.
15
2/27/2024
HAND PROTECTION
Gloves should be worn depending on the
chemicals and equipment used.
Disposable gloves, e.g. latex gloves need to be
changed.
Rubber and plastic gloves must be well washed
appropriately after being used.
February 27, 2024 [email protected] 31
SOME PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Respirators
These must be worn in experimental work that involves toxic
gases and vapours.
Dust masks:
These protect the user against dust and not chemical
vapours and must be changed often.
Cartridges:
They protect
February 27, 2024
against vapours and toxic gases.
[email protected] 32
16
2/27/2024
Explosives
As far as possible, work behind safety
screens or in fume hoods or explosion boxes
If you work with unstable materials, it is
preferable to wear a full-face shield over a
safety spectacle.
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 33
FUME HOODS
Do not work near the edge.
Place apparatus at ~ 15-20 cm inside
Do not work with your head inside the fume
hood.
Do not use fume hoods as storage areas.
They are to be closed when not in use
17
2/27/2024
THIS IS THE END
OF
PRESENTATION
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 35
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ATTENTION
AND
PARTICIPATION
February 27, 2024
[email protected] 36
18
