This document details the procedure for laboratory safety of the intended users or concerned personnel. It is the policy of Pharmaceuticals /Chemicals Ltd. that a written procedure shall be followed for laboratory safety by the intended users or concerned personnel for awareness and implementation.
This
SOP is applicable at the time of an accident or mishappening in the
laboratory.
RESPONSIBILITY
Persons
along with their responsibilities are given below:
|
S. No |
Designation |
Responsibility |
|
01 |
Executive
- Corporate Quality Assurance |
To
prepare and follow the SOP accordingly. Maintain the record as per SOP. |
|
02 |
Trainee
Analyst/ Jr. Analyst/ Analyst/ Sr. Analyst |
To
follow the SOP accordingly |
|
03 |
Manager
- Quality Control |
To
ensure implementation of SOP. |
|
04 |
Manager
– Quality Assurance |
To
ensure implementation of SOP. |
|
05 |
Manager
-Corporate Quality Assurance |
To
ensure implementation of SOP. |
PROCEDURE
{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}
LABORATORY SAFETY
5.1.1 Working with chemicals and equipment in a chemical laboratory presents a series of potential health risks to all persons exposed to the working environment. The laboratories in Institutions/Industrial establishments are places, which are more prone to chemical hazards. Therefore the persons working in the laboratory are often the more liable to be exposed to the chemicals and physical dangers. In the laboratory, safety is necessary because many sensitive, poisonous, dangerous/hazardous substances/chemicals and microorganisms surround it. Frequently changing activities, requiring the use of a variety of chemicals and the simultaneous use of several incompatible and hazardous chemicals in small quantities make the chemical laboratories a vulnerable target for accidents
5.1.2
The laboratory chemicals are intended to be used exclusively to carry out
laboratory procedures. It is taken for granted, therefore that anyone handling
such chemicals is conversant and experienced in the use of these chemicals. To
work safely with a chemical one needs to have a thorough appreciation and
awareness of its properties potential risks it carries and the safety
measures that must be observed, especially while handling hazardous chemicals.
5.1.3
As a general rule however most of the chemicals are marked with hazard symbols.
By observing the hazard symbols, risks involved, and safety precautions mentioned
on the labels, most of the health hazards could be avoided.
5.1.4
Essentially, there are two types of risks in any laboratory:
5.1.4.1
Properties of the chemicals themselves being used.
5.1.4.2
The hazards associated with the work being carried out by the laboratory
personnel.
5.1.5
The risks are there and come from factors such as:
5.1.5.1
Flammability of the solvents/hazardous nature of chemicals.
5.1.5.2
Inhalation of toxic gases, fire, explosive, and toxic properties of the gases.
5.1.6
Basic safety measures observed before an experiment is started to make a
direct and major safe working practice. Working with chemicals be they
solvents, gases, or routinely used reagents, carries a potential risk, which can
be minimized by the laboratory personnel being aware of the properties of the
substances being handled and being properly equipped for the experiment or job.
5.1.7
It is advised that the following safety rules may be observed, even if
there are no hazard warnings on the label:
5.1.7.1
Whenever working in a laboratory or a storage area, wear safety glasses, a laboratory coat, and protective gloves must be worn.
5.1.7.2
Work wherever possible under an efficient regulation, compliment fume hood at the
very least and if the experiment allows, in a well-ventilated work area.
5.1.7.3 Does not allow chemicals to come in contact with skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. If
it happens accidentally then rinse splashes from the skin with plenty of cold
water. Never use organic solvents, as the body may absorb them.
5.1.7.5 If corrosive substances have entered the eye, take the person immediately to an eyewash station and rinse the eye thoroughly immediately the injured person spreads the eyelids, looks up and down and from side to side. Consult a physician or an ophthalmologist immediately. Also, name the chemical involved.
5.1.7.6 Remove
the contaminated clothing immediately.
5.1.7.7 In case of an accident or if one feeds well, seek medical advice, immediately,
stating the cause of the accident and the name of the chemical involved.
5.1.7.8 Do not smoke, eat, drink, or chew in the laboratory work areas.
5.2 Standard Laboratory Procedures
5.2.1
The safety measures that are generally to be implemented in the laboratory must
be formulated in the form of written, instruction or operating procedure,
containing a brief account of the relevant safety considerations:
5.2.1.1
Work area, workplace, activity
5.2.1.2
Hazard warning, classification
5.2.1.3
Risk to personnel and the environment
5.2.1.4
Safety measures, rules of behavior
5.2.1.5
What to do in an emergency.
Proper safe disposal
These
considerations relate not only to the safe, handling of hazardous materials but
also in general terms, to safe working practices and the execution of
potentially hazardous activities in the laboratory
WITHDRAWL AIDS AND SAFETY
Safe
handling of hazardous chemicals and reagents calls for experience and caution on
the part of the laboratory personnel.
While
the usual way of dispensing/transferring liquids is by pouring, there are
various possibilities when it comes to removing them there may be spillage,
which may affect the safety of the person handling them. It is advised that safe
withdrawal aids such as adapters, dispensers, droppers, withdrawal tops/pumps, etc., which can be directly screwed onto the full bottles and also can be
connected directly to the automatic analyzers may be used.
5.5 Pipetting Aids
Generally, the chemical reagents/solutions are being dispensed with the classic pipetting
by mouth. This practice involves the constant risk of laboratory personnel
sustaining corrosive burns, intoxication, or infections. The general
recommendation is “Do not pipette by mouth”. It is advised to use different
pipetting aids such as rubber bulbs, automatic dispensing pipettes, etc. to
avoid any risk factors.
CHEMICAL SPILLAGE AND BREAKAGE
5.6.1
All the safety measures in the laboratories must be directed towards avoiding
accidents involving chemicals. However, when accidents have occurred the aim
must be to master the situation rapidly and confidently and to contain any
direct consequences such as fire and avert further danger such as that of
intoxication.
5.6.2
Hazardous materials that are explosive, oxidizing, extremely flammable, highly
flammable, very toxic, harmful, irritant, or corrosive must be handled with
greater care than usual way when they are not in unbreakable containers. If a
flammable liquid has been spilled or flammable gas is escaping, the first
thing to do is to turn off all the sources of ignition. If a corrosive or
fuming chemical has been spilled, it is best to take it up immediately in
chemical inert absorbent materials such as activated charcoal, silica sand,
bentonites/active earth, kieselguhr, soda ash, sodium bicarbonate as spillage
aid, which may absorb the spilled material. For example:
5.6.2.1 Spilled
acid and alkalis, acid chlorides, aqueous solutions, organic solvents, etc.
should be covered with an absorbent aid and mixed well to assist absorption.
5.6.2.2 Liquid
Bromine: react with thiosulphate solution before covering with absorbent aid
like a chemisorbed range of absorbent aids from Merck.
5.6.3
Oil/Oil bath – use absorbent aids like chemosorb range of absorbent aids from
Merck, powder to absorb viscous oils rapidly and reliably.
SAFE STORAGE OF CHEMICALS
Chemicals,
especially hazardous ones, must be stored in such a way that they do not pose
any risk to human health and the environment. All possible or reasonable measures
must be taken to prevent as far as possible any deliberate or accidental
misuse. Keep chemicals in tightly screwed/closed containers in a cool dry place
with protection against light.
5.7.1
Preventive measures while handling hazardous chemicals:
5.7.1.1The
laboratory personnel are to wear suitable protective equipment like protective
clothing (lab. coat), safety glasses, safety shoes, protective gloves face
protection masks, etc
5.7.1.2 Fire,
naked lights, and smoking should be banned.
5.7.1.3 Materials should be handled in such a way as to prevent the packaging from being damaged and chemicals leaking out.
5.7.1.4
Bulging or deformed containers indicate decomposition/deterioration has
occurred and must be handled with greater care and caution before rejection.
5.7.1.5
Escape routes, emergency exits, and access to the emergency services must be
properly signposted (identified) and possibly kept free at all times for easy
movement.
5.7.1.6
Suitable fire extinguishers, first aid kits, eyewash bottles, etc. must be
available at all times.
GASES – COMPRESSED
5.8.1 Laboratory gases come in cylinders. The laboratory personnel
working with the compressed gases must be thoroughly conversant and trained
in the potential risks involved:
Fire
and explosion risk.
5.8.1.2 Inhalation risk
5.8.1.3 Toxic properties
5.8.1.4 Risk of uncontrolled release through the use of the wrong or faulty
valves, fitting, etc.
5.8.2 To discharge a gas safely, use only the proper approved fittings including the
needle walls with or without a pressure gauge. Be sure to close the cylinder
valve again after use. Open the delivery valve to relieve pressure on the
system. To attach the delivery system first, close the delivery valve, just
screw it onto be cylinder outlet, and open the main cylinder valves just as far as
necessary. Then slowly open the delivery valve or regulate until the desired
rate of delivery is achieved.
EXTINGUISHING OF BURNING GASES
Fires
involving liquefied or compressed gases escaping from compressed cylinders in
which the valve can no longer be closed should be extinguished with a dry
powder extinguisher. The carbon dioxide gas cylinder may also be used.
5.10 STORAGE OF COMPRESSED GASES
5.10.1 Always store gases in a dry, well-ventilated fire-resistant location.
5.10.2 Guard against heat, including direct sunlight.
5.10.3 Never roll or throw a gas cylinder
5.10.4 Keep only those gases in the laboratory that are needed for
immediate use, put a warning notice “Beware – Gas cylinder”
Always
use a reducing valve to discharge the gases.
Always
close the cylinder valve after use and open the delivery valve to relieve the
pressure on the entire delivery system.
When
handling toxic and corrosive gases, always use an efficient fume hood.
On
completion of the work, it is advisable to move the cylinder to a safe place.
DISPOSAL OF LABORATORY WASTE
It
is very necessary to neutralize or deactivate hazardous laboratory waste,
spent, or leftover chemicals. The objective is to convert the reactive
chemicals for safe collection and disposal. Always special care should be taken
when neutralizing reactive chemicals as they can sometimes react very violently.
All procedures must therefore be carried out by a person conversant with all
the procedures under strict observance of the necessary safety
measures.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Despite
the greatest diligence and best-made preparation and arrangements, there is
always the likelihood that something, unforeseen will happen, with
irreversible consequences. In such events, the inevitable effects of panic and
helplessness must not be underestimated. Notwithstanding, help must be organized
quickly and effectively to reduce the after-effects of an accident or incident
to an obsolete minimum. Available aids include safety signs, and first aid posts,
which must be adhered to.
In emergencies, it is advised to: Stay calm
Make
emergency calls/alarms
Without
placing yourself at risk, rescue the victims from the area of immediate danger.
Position
injured persons appropriately and comfort
Prevent
any further danger
FIRST AID
The
main prerequisites to the ability to render effective aid are the availability of
several persons in the laboratory or storage area who have received formal
first aid training and secondly of first aid facilities of the prescribed types
of laboratories and storage areas. The best type of first aid is the
standardized first aid kit as recommended or approved by the agency.