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SAFETY RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED AT IChO
Extracts from the Regulations of the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)§ 12 Safety(1) During the experimental part, the competitors must wear laboratory coats and eye protection.
The competitors are expected to bring their own laboratory coats. Other means of protection forlaboratory work are provided by the organizer.
(2) When handling liquids, each student must be provided with a pipette ball or filler. Pipetting bymouth is strictly forbidden.
(3) The use of acutely toxic substances (GHS hazard statement H300, H310, H330) is strictly
forbidden. The use of toxic substances is not recommended, but may be allowed if special
precautions are taken. Substances with GHS hazard statements H340, H350, H360 (provenmutagens, carcinogens, and teratogens) must not be used under any circumstances (seeAppendix B for definitions of these categories).
(4) Detailed recommendations involving students´ safety and the handling and disposal ofchemicals can be found in Appendices A 1, A 2, and B.
a) Appendix A 1: Safety Rules for Students in the laboratory.
b) Appendix A 2: Safety Rules and Recommendations for the Host Country of the IChO.
c) Appendix B contains a reference to the hazard symbols and statements of the Globally
Harmonized System of Classification of Chemicals (GHS), the use of which is expected inlabeling and classifying materials used at the IChO.

APPENDIX A
A 1: SAFETY RULES FOR STUDENTS IN THE LABORATORY
All students of chemistry must recognize that hazardous materials cannot be completely avoided.
Chemists must learn to handle all materials in an appropriate fashion. While it is not expected thatall students participating in the International Chemistry Olympiad know the hazards of every
chemical, the organizers of the competition will assume that all participating students know thebasic safety procedures. For example, the organizers will assume that students know that eating,drinking or smoking in the laboratory or tasting a chemical is strictly forbidden.

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In addition to the common-sense safety considerations to which students should have beenpreviously exposed, some specific rules, listed below, must also be followed during the Olympiad.
If any question arises concerning safety procedures during the practical exam, the student should
not hesitate to ask the nearest supervisor for direction.
Rules regarding personal protection
1. Eye protection must be worn in the laboratories at all times. If the student wears contact lenses,
full protection goggles must also be worn. Eye protection will be provided by the host country.
2. A laboratory coat is required. Each student will supply this item for himself/herself.
3. Long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended for individual safety. Long hair and loose
clothing should be confined.
4. Pipetting by mouth is strictly forbidden. Each student must be provided with a pipette bulb orpipette filler.
Rules for Handling Materials
1. Specific instructions for handling hazardous materials will be included by the host country in
the procedures of the practical exam. All potentially dangerous materials will be labeled using
the GHS symbols. Each student is responsible for recognizing these symbols and knowing their
meaning (see Appendix B).
2. Do not indiscriminately dispose chemicals in the sink. Follow all disposal rules provided by thehost country.
A 2:

SAFETY RULES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HOST COUNTRY OF
THE INTERNATIONAL CHEMISTRY OLYMPIAD

Certainly it can be assumed that all students participating in the IChO have at least modest
experience with safety laboratory procedures. However, it is the responsibility of the International
Jury and the organizing country to be sure that the welfare of the students is carefully considered.
Reference to the Safety Rules for Students in the Laboratory will show that the students carry someof the burden for their own safety. Other safety matters will vary from year to year, depending onpractical tasks. The organizers of these tasks for the host country are therefore assigned
responsibility in the areas listed below. The organizers are advised to carefully test the practical2

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tasks in advance to ensure the safety of the experiments. This can best be accomplished by having
students of ability similar to that of IChO participants carry out the testing.
Rules for the Host Country (see also A 1):
1. Emergency first-aid treatment should be available during the practical examination.
2. Students must be informed about the proper methods of handling hazardous materials.
a) Specific techniques for handling each hazardous substance should be included in thewritten instructions of the practical examination.
b) All bottles (containers) containing hazardous substances must be appropriately labeledusing internationally recognized symbols (see Appendix B).
3. Chemical disposal instructions should be provided to the students within the written instructionsof the practical examination. Waste collection containers should be used for the chemicals
considered hazardous to the environment.
4. The practical tasks should be designed for appropriate (in other words, minimum) quantities ofmaterials.
5. The laboratory facilities should be chosen with the following in mind:a) Each student should not only have adequate space in which to work, but should be in safe
distance from other students.
b) There should be adequate ventilation in the rooms and a sufficient number of hoods whenneeded.
c) There should be more than one emergency exit for each room.
d) Fire extinguishers should be nearby.
e) Electrical equipment should be situated in an appropriate spot and be of a safe nature.
f) There should be appropriate equipment available for clean-up of spills.
6. It is recommended that one supervisor be available for every four students in the laboratory toadequately ensure safe conditions.
7. The organizers should follow international guidelines for the use of toxic, hazardous or
carcinogenic substances in the IChO.

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APPENDIX B
HAZARD WARNING SYMBOLS AND HAZARD DESIGNATIONS
Chemicals used in the IChO laboratory experiments need to be labeled according to the GloballyHarmonized System of Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) standard developed by the United Nations.
The organizing country should use the locally legislated GHS system (pictograms, hazard
statements, etc.) if it exists. If such rules do not exist, the original GHS directives(http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_welcome_e.html)

andtheGHS

documentation by the chemical providers should be used

GHS HAZARD STATEMENTS
CodeHazard Statement
Physical Hazards

H225

Highly flammable liquid and vapor

H232

May form combustible dust concentrations in air

H260

In contact with water releases flammable gases which may ignite spontaneously

H271

May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer

H272

May intensify fire; oxidizer

H290

May be corrosive to metals
Health hazards

H301

Toxic if swallowed

H302

Harmful if swallowed

H303

May be harmful if swallowed

H304

May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways

H311

Toxic in contact with skin

H314

Causes severe skin burns and eye damage

H315

Causes skin irritation

H316

Causes mild skin irritation

H317

May cause an allergic skin reaction

H318

Causes serious eye damage

H319

Causes serious eye irritation

H320

Causes eye irritation
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H332

Harmful if inhaled

H333

May be harmful if inhaled

H335

May cause respiratory irritation

H336

May cause drowsiness or dizziness

H351

Suspected of causing cancer

H361

Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child

H373

May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
Environmental hazards

H400

Very toxic to aquatic life

H402

Harmful to aquatic life

H410

Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

H411

Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

H412

Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects

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