2. Standard Operating Procedures

The GSO has developed standard operating procedures relevant to safety and health considerations when laboratory work involves the use of hazardous chemicals. Where the scope of hazards are not adequately addressed by this general document, P.D.s must develop written standard operating procedures for work area specific operations. Standard operating procedures must be provided to all affected laboratory employees. The Standard Operating Procedures in this document specify minimum regulations and recommendations.

2.1 General Safety Principles

The following guidelines have been established to minimize hazards and to maintain basic safety in the laboratory:

1. Examine the known hazards associated with the materials being used. Never assume all hazards have been identified. Carefully read the label before using an unfamiliar chemical. When appropriate, review the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) (see Appendix A) for special handling information. Determine the potential hazards and use appropriate safety precautions before beginning any new operation.
2. Be familiar with the location of emergency equipment - fire alarms, fire extinguishers, emergency eyewash and shower stations and know the appropriate emergency response procedures.
3. Avoid distracting or startling other workers when they are handling hazardous chemicals.
4. Use equipment and hazardous chemicals only for their intended purposes.
5. Always be alert to unsafe conditions and actions and call attention to them so that corrective action can be taken as quickly as possible.
6. Wear eye or face protection, lab coat, and closed shoes.
7. Always inspect equipment for leaks, tears and other damage before handling a hazardous chemical. This includes fume hoods, gloves, goggles, etc.
8. Avoid tasting or smelling hazardous chemicals.

2.2 Health and Hygiene

The following practices have been established to protect laboratory employees from health risks associated with the use of hazardous chemicals:

1. Avoid direct contact with any hazardous chemical. Know the types of protective equipment available and use the proper type for each job.
2. Confine long hair and loose clothing and always wear footwear which fully covers the feet.
3. Do not mouth pipette.
4. Use appropriate safety equipment whenever exposure to gases, vapors or aerosols is suspected and ensure exhaust facilities are working properly.
5. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling chemicals, before leaving the laboratory and before eating or drinking.
6. Replace personal protective equipment as appropriate.
7. Laboratory employees shall be familiar with the symptoms of exposure for the chemicals with which they work and the precautions necessary to prevent exposure.

2.3 Food and Drink in the Laboratory

The following statement is the accepted practice on food and drink in laboratories and should be followed at all times:

"There shall be no food, drink, smoking or applying cosmetics in laboratories which have radioactive materials, biohazardous materials or hazardous chemicals present. There shall be no storage, use or disposal of these 'consumable' items in laboratories (including refrigerators within laboratories). Rooms which are adjacent, but separated by floor to ceiling walls, and do not have any chemical, radioactive or biohazardous agents, present, may be used for food consumption, preparation, or applying cosmetics at the discretion of the project director responsible for the areas."

2.4 Housekeeping

Safety results naturally from good housekeeping practices. Use the following guidelines to maintain an orderly laboratory:

1. Keep work areas clean and uncluttered with chemicals and equipment. Clean up work areas upon completion of an operation or at the end of each work day.
2. Dispose of waste as per the WIS Waste Disposal regulations.
3. Clean spills immediately; use "vermiculite" (absorbing agent) for large spills.
4. Do not block exits, emergency equipment or controls or use hallways and stairways as storage areas.
5. Assure hazardous chemicals are properly segregated into compatible categories (see Appendix B).

2.5 Chemical Handling and Storage

The decision to use a hazardous chemical should be a commitment to handle and use the chemical properly from initial receipt to disposal.

1. Information on proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals and access to related Material Safety Data Sheets should be made available to all laboratory employees prior to the use of the chemical.
2. Always purchase the minimum amount necessary to maintain operations.
3. Chemical containers with missing or defaced labels or that violate appropriate packaging regulations should not be accepted.
4. Chemicals utilized in the laboratory must be appropriate for the laboratory's ventilation system.
5. Chemicals should not be stored on high shelves and large bottles should be stored no more than two feet from floor level.
6. Chemicals shall be segregated by compatibility.
7. Chemical storage areas must be labeled as to their contents (see Section 4.1.2 of this document).
8. Storage of chemicals at the lab bench or other work areas shall be kept to a minimum.
9. Any chemical mixture shall be assumed to be as toxic as its most toxic component.
10. Substances of unknown toxicity shall be assumed to be toxic.

2.6 Transferring of Chemicals

When transporting chemicals outside the laboratory, precautions should be taken to avoid dropping or spilling chemicals.

1. Carry glass containers in a leak resistant, unbreakable secondary container.
2. When transporting chemicals on a cart, use a cart that is suitable for the load and one that has high edges to contain leaks or spills.
3. When possible, transport chemicals in freight elevators to avoid the possibility of exposing people on passenger elevators.

2.7 Compressed Gasses

Special systems are needed for handling materials under pressure. Cylinders pose mechanical, physical and/or health hazards, depending on the compressed gas in the cylinder.

1. It is forbidden to keep cylinders containing dangerous gasses (e.g. hydrogen, acetylen) in the laboratory.
2. Cylinders with regulators must be individually secured. Only cylinders with valve protection caps securely in place may be safely gang-chained (chained in groups).
3. When storing or moving a cylinder, have the valve protection cap securely in place to protect the stem.
4. Cylinders must be secured in an upright position at all times. Use suitable racks, straps, chains, or stands to support cylinders against an immovable object, such as a bench or a wall, during use and storage. Do not allow cylinders to fall or lean against one another.
5. Use an appropriate cart to move cylinders.
6. Never bleed a cylinder completely empty. Leave a slight pressure to keep contaminants out.
7. Oil or grease on the high pressure side of an oxygen cylinder can cause an explosion. Do not lubricate an oxygen regulator or use a fuel gas regulator on an oxygen cylinder. Use an oxygen approved regulator.
8. Always wear goggles or safety glasses with side shields when handling compressed gases.
9. Always use appropriate gauges, fittings, and materials compatible with the particular gas being handled.
10. When work with a toxic, corrosive, or reactive gas is planned, the user should be aware of information concerning specific handling requirements. Generally, these gases will need to be used and stored with local exhaust ventilation, such as a lab hood or a gas cabinet designed for that purpose.

2.8 Unattended Operations

At times, it may be necessary to leave a laboratory operation unattended. Follow these basic guidelines in the design of an experiment to be left unattended:

1. Always check with your laboratory supervisor to determine if it is necessary to leave a laboratory operation unattended. If necessary, develop a protocol with your laboratory supervisor for the unattended operation of potentially dangerous equipment or methods. Develop a protocol for potential interruptions in electric, water, inert gas and other services and provide containment for toxic substances as part of the protocol.
2. A warning notice must be posted in the vicinity of the experiment if hazardous conditions are present.

2.9 Working Alone

Avoid working alone whenever possible.

2.10 Storage and Disposal of Hazardous Waste

For guidelines on the storage and disposal of hazardous wastes from laboratory operations at WIS, refer to the WIS Waste Disposal regulations. See Section 5.