July Safety Moment- Chemical Segregation and Storage
You may already know that Section 10 of the SDS for each chemical lists incompatible materials. Did you also know there is a chart that summarizes incompatiblities by hazard class? This chart below published by the NIH neatly describes storage conditions for many hazard classes, gives examples, and summarizes common incompatible materials.
On Memorial Day 2022, a student researcher went to take dry ice out of a centralized container and was overcome by the oxygen deficient atmosphere inside the container. The researcher lost consciousness and fell on the ground outside the container, regaining consciousness about 10 minutes later. Remember, always use cryogenic liquids in solids in a well ventilated atmosphere and always use the buddy system when refilling. Never reach into a closed space that contained cryogenic liquids or solids.
More information about the accident and investigation can be found an the ACS's webpage, here.
Inspections Update
Safety Inspections
For the period of September 1 2022 through June 2023, the highest category by unsafe response was Chemical Safety, followed by Eyewash/Safety Shower and then Training. Many of the unsafe obervations linked to Chemical Safety are related to storage, labeling, container type or condition, and inventory. Most eyewash violations are linked to lack of weekly testing logs being maintained. Think of inspections coming up and how you think your lab would fare. Do you have chemical safety violations? Is your safety equipment working and being checked?
Is your waste container compatible?
Waste containers are not universal! Always be cognizent of the containers that you are using to store your wastes. Some rule-of-thumb guidelines that you should follow:
Corrosives should never be stored in metal containers.
Re-use manufacturer containers when possible to be sure it's compatible (if it is shipped in a glass bottle, then the waste should be stored in a glass bottle).
Red "JustRite" containers are only for specific waste streams and should only be used in labs approved by EH&S.
More information on select chemicals can be found here.
