Chemical handling procedure | Safe Chemical handling procedure |
- SOP Covers below points:
- Handling of Chemicals
- Types of Hazardous Chemicals
- Handling of Hazardous Chemicals
- Handling of Poisonous substances
- Handling of Acids / acid chlorides and related compounds
- Handling of Inflammable liquids / organic solvents
- Storage of Hazardous Chemicals
1.0 OBJECTIVE :
- To provide the procedure for Handling of Hazardous Chemicals.
2.0 SCOPE :
- This procedure applies for Hazardous chemicals used in Quality Control Department.
3.0 RESPONSIBILITY :
- Quality Control Chemist and above
4.0 ACCOUNTABILITY:
- Quality Control Head
5.0 PROCEDURE :
5.1 HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazardous chemical means any chemical which is a physical hazard or a health hazard.
- Physical Hazard means a chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive) or water-reactive.
- Health Hazard means a chemical for which there is statistically significant evidence based on at least one study conducted in accordance with established scientific principles that acute or chronic health effects may occur in exposed individuals. The term “health hazard” includes chemicals which are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents which act on the hematopoietic system, and agents which damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes.
- Some example of hazardous chemicals are as below,
- Corrosive minerals acids: such as Hydrochloric acid, Sulphuric acid, Nitric acid, Phosphoric acid.
- Corrosive compounds like phosphorous oxychloride, phosphorous trichloride, phosphorous pentoxide.
- Organic acids such as Formic acid, Acetic acid etc.
- All Aldehyde, Formaldehyde, Ammonia, Hydrogen peroxide etc.
- Inflammable liquids and Organic solvents: Solvent ether, Petroleum ether, Hexane, Benzene, Alcohol, Methanol, Chloroform, Carbon tetra chloride, Carbon disulphide.
- Gases : LPG.
- The chemical which are labeled as per following category and symbol are considered to be hazardous.
5.2 POISONOUS SUBSTANCES :
- Weigh poisonous/hazardous substances in fuming hood on a separate top pan balance.
- Use Gloves, mask and safety glasses as a precautionary measure to ensure that there is no skin contact with chemicals.
- Avoid handling of these chemicals in case of any injury especially a cut on the skin.
- Wash all the glassware, hand gloves etc. used while handling of Cyanogen Bromide (CNBr) by treating with saturated Ferrous Sulphate solution to convert into non-toxic substances.
- Only after neutralization the solutions are to be discarded.
- After the testing is over, wash the hands with solution of Ferrous Sulphate and then thoroughly with water.
- In case of skin contact wash the skin with Ferrous Sulphate solution and water.
5.3 ACIDS / ACID CHLORIDES AND RELATED COMPOUNDS:
- Store these compound separately.
- Handle the compounds only using protective tools like gloves, safety goggles and mask.
- Handle the concentrated acids in fuming hood only.
- Use suction bulb during pipetting of solutions.
- In case of minor eye injury use eye wash station available in department.
- In case of skin contact wash the affected area with plenty of water and act as per the First Aid Chart available in the Quality Control Department.
- In case of material such as acid anhydrides, i.e., Acetic anhydrides (which comes under narcotics) the record of receipt, issue and use is maintained and it is checked by Quality Control Head.
- Cool the bottle of Ammonia before opening.
5.4 INFLAMMABLE LIQUIDS / ORGANIC SOLVENTS:
- Ensure when handled they are away from the open flame and electrical spark.
- Care must be taken while distilling / evaporating the solvents.
- Carry it under the fuming hood.
- Use water bath for heating.
- Never apply direct heat from flame or hot plate.
- In case of accidents refer First Aid chart.
5.5 STORAGE :
- Keep the duly labeled Hazardous material isolated from regular chemicals and away from heat.
- Issue the chemical to analytical chemist only after authorization from Quality Control Head.
- Always handle the hazardous chemicals as per the MSDS file available in Quality Control Department.
6.0 ABBREVIATIONS:
| Abbreviation | Expanded form |
| MSDS | Material Safety Data Sheet |
| LPG | Liquefied Petroleum Gas |
| CNBr | Cyanogen Bromide |
7.0 ANNEXURES:
Nil
8.0 SOP REFERENCES
GLP Guideline
END OF THE SOP