Heating Devices Laboratories commonly use heating devices such as ovens, hot plates, heating mantles, oil baths, salt baths, sand baths, air baths, hot-tube furnaces, hot-air guns, and microwave ovens. Steam heated devices are generally preferred whenever temperatures of 100 °C or less are required because they do not present shock or spark risks and can be left unattended with assurance that their temperature will never exceed 100 °C. Ensure the supply of water for steam generation is sufficient prior to leaving the reaction for any extended period of time. A number of general precautions need to be taken when working with heating devices in the laboratory. When working with heating devices, consider the following: The actual heating element in any laboratory heating device should be enclosed in such a fashion as to prevent a laboratory worker or any metallic conductor from accidentally touching the wire carrying the electric current. If a heating device becomes so worn or damaged that its heating element is exposed, the device should be either discarded or repaired before it is used again. The external of all variable autotransformers have perforations for cooling by ventilation and, therefore, should be located where water and other chemicals cannot be spilled onto them and where they will not be exposed to flammable liquids or vapors. Fail-safe devices can prevent or explosions that may arise if the temperature of a reaction increases significantly because of a change in line voltage, the accidental loss of reaction solvent, or loss of cooling. Some devices will turn off the electric power if the temperature of the heating device exceeds some preset limit or if the flow of cooling water through a condenser is stopped owing to the loss of water pressure or loosening of the water supply hose to a condenser. Distillation and Solvent Purification Systems The process of thermal solvent distillation is inherently dangerous. If not handled properly, fire, explosion, and/or personnel exposure can result. A few common chemicals distilled in laboratories include tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, diethyl ether, toluene, dimethylformamide, benzene, and hexanes. The guidelines below should be followed while thermal distillation of organic solvents is conducted in the lab: The thermal solvent distillation system should be installed inside of a chemical fume hood if possible. Ensure that all heat generating equipment has a shut-off device installed.
Laboratory PPE Policy Purpose The purpose of this Laboratory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy is to ensure that all Purdue lab employees are aware of the PPE requirements and procedures to adequately protect themselves against chemical, radiological, biological, or mechanical hazards. This policy has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the OSHA PPE regulations (29 CFR 1910.132 - 29 CFR 1910.140, 29 CFR 1910.95). As briefly discussed in Chapter 4 of the CHP, PPE should never be used in place of engineering and administrative controls. Scope This Laboratory PPE Policy applies to all personnel that work with or around hazardous chemicals or other safety and health hazards. This policy is a part of the larger, Purdue PPE Policy that applies to all areas (not just laboratories) of the West Lafayette Campus, regional campuses, research farms and agricultural centers and related facilities and operations. This Laboratory PPE Policy does not cover all potential hazards (e.g., confined space entry, welding operations, and high voltage) in all operations or settings. If a laboratory encounters hazards not covered in this Laboratory PPE Policy, then refer to the Purdue University personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy for more information or contact REM at (765) 49-46731 for assistance. () Hazard Assessment The hazard assessment is a process of identifying the hazards associated with a defined task, and prescribing PPE along with other relevant protection measures that must be employed to minimize the risk from the hazards. Hazard assessments are performed by completing a certification of hazard assessment, which is a written document detailing the hazard assessment process for defined tasks. The Laboratory Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that hazard assessments are performed and the certification(s) is written, signed, dated, and readily available or posted in each location. The Laboratory Supervisor is also responsible for ensuring that all lab personnel receive documented training on applicable hazard assessments. The certification of hazard assessment should be reviewed at least annually and updated any time a process is modified or when a new task which presents a hazard is introduced into the lab.
Methylene Chloride / Dichloromethane Print a copy and insert into your Lab-Specific Chemical Hygiene Plan. Section 1 – Lab-Specific Information Department: Date SOP was written: Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor: Principal Investigator: Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager: Lab Office Phone: Emergency Contact: Emergency Contact: (Name and Phone Number) Location(s) covered by this SOP: Section 2 – Type of SOP: Process Hazardous Chemical Hazardous Class Section 3 – Physical / Chemical Properties Physical / Chemical Properties: CAS#: 75-09-2 GHS Classification: Acute toxicity (oral and dermal), Skin and eye irritation, Carcinogenicity, Specific target organ toxicity – single exposure: respiratory system and central nervous system, Specific target organ toxicity – repeated exposure: inhalation and central nervous system Molecular Formula: CH2Cl2 Form (physical state): Liquid Color: Colorless
>1 g “chemical requiring designated area”’ (list at REM website/appendix G) NOTES (a) Being within reach of potential hazards: "within reach" varies widely depending on scale and conditions of work and will be judged by affected staff in each room. (b) Unshielded: not behind a drawn hood sash or blast shield. (c) Corrosive: pH 12 or pH 2.5 (d) having any poisonous or irritating effects to human tissue or human health. (e) Chemical resistant gloves: glove thickness, length, and material must be chosen carefully and will be specific to the chemicals/mixtures used and the process conditions. (f) Hood: 100% exhaust to outside, current approval for "all work" and functioning properly. (g) Chemicals requiring designated areas: full list is in Appendix G. Assistance performing Hazard Assessment and writing the Hazard Assessment Certification is available. Contact the REM Laboratory Safety specialist. Supervisor (print): Timothy Zwier Dept.: Chemistry Assessment Date(s):9/15/2014 Signature: Posted: Building: BRWN Room(s): BRWN 5175 Hazards Task: work or being within reach(a) of potential hazards of described activity/items: Minimum Requirements Skin/eye damage, poisoning, inhalation of vapor or aerosol Volume > 10 mL any unshielded(b) corrosive(c) liquids, organic liquids or liquid mixtures, or toxic(d) inorganic liquids/mixtures Splash goggles, chemical resistant gloves(e),FR lab coat, skin cover to knees/elbows/throat, closed shoes with socks. Work in hood(f). Shower and eyewash must be available in work area. Volume > 1 L Same, but to ankles/wrists/throat Skin/limb injury Machine operation activities likely to catch clothing, hair, or jewelry Bind vulnerable clothing/hair, remove jewelry Eye impact Metalworking, woodworking, other operations likely to throw particles Safety glasses No clothing or jewelry Skin/eye damage Cryogenic liquids Splash goggles, skin cover to elbows/ankles/throat, closed shoe easily removed, socks. Cryogloves for dispensing.