The objective of this sop is to make the people aware, of how to handle the chemical which is spilled suddenly and may harm working people in the laboratory or where applicable. The scope of this sop lies with Chemicals Industries.
All the employees or people working with hazardous chemicals follow the SOP. Department Head to implement the SOP.
>Environmental Health & Safety Procedure ManualÂ
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Procedure for Chemical Emergencies
Know as much as possible about the chemical
you are handling. Read the label on the container, material safety data sheets, and literature in the library, and consult
with your senior staff. Don’t use any
chemical material if you are unaware of the hazards associated with all avenues
of exposure
Hazardous Flammable Liquids
Vapor can form an ignitable mixture in the air. Many flammable liquids are solvents and are potentially hazardous by inhalation. Skin contact should be avoided, irritation or skin absorption are possible with some chemicals in this group.
Damage to the eyes ranges from irritation to severe damage.
Controls of Flammable liquids hazardous
Work wearing
proper PPE whenever using chemicals.
If materials will
be transferred from drums into smaller containers to ensure that proper
anti-static measures are implemented.
All spills must be cleaned up immediately and
the spill area properly decontaminated.
Immediately washing the eye shall be used when skin or eye contact occurs. Get first aid attention immediately.
Corrosive Chemicals Hazardous
Contact with the skin, eyes, respiratory, or digestive tract causes severe irritation, tissue damage, or burns. Burns may not be readily apparent after exposure to some acids (e.g., hydrofluoric).
Store concentrated acids and bases in inappropriate drip trays or plastic carriers if used frequently.
Concentrated acids
and bases should be transported in a plastic carrier.
Oxidizing acids (nitric, sulfuric, perchloric) must be stored
away from organic chemicals, paper, wood, or other flammables.
If found Drip
-tray residue must be removed daily.
Corrosive Chemicals Hazardous Controls
The following safety equipment will be utilized when handling corrosive chemicals.
In case of
splashing to the skin Flush the affected area with large amounts of water for at least 15
minutes.
Remove contaminated
clothing and discard it during the flushing process. Seek medical attention.
Never add water to concentrated mineral acids
or bases.
Reactive Chemicals
Water sensitive - react violently in the presence of water read the label direction for storage and handling of reactive chemicals.
Pyrophoric materials - ignite in air at or below room temperature without additional heat, friction, or shock. Store in an atmosphere of inert gas or under kerosene; exclude air.
Controls Reactive Chemicals
Read the container label and follow the special hazard instructions contained in the MSDS.
 Use only in a fume hood unless specifically authorized. eg Water sensitive (Sodium, Potassium, Metal alkyls, Lithium ribbons. Pyrophoric Materials (Phosphorus, Metal alkyls)
Chemical Emergency Equipment
Each laboratory employee shall be familiar with the location, application, and correct ways to operate the following equipment.
- Fire extinguisher.
- First-aid Box.
- PPE’s
- Sand pot.
Location of emergency telephone numbers and telephones.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Prevention is necessary to ensure that emergencies do not occur. No emergency plan will do all things for all emergency situations. Preventive measures include employee training, facility inspection programs, and engineering design of hazardous materials processes. Laboratory risks include accidents or injuries, chemical releases, fires, leakages, spillages, etc, or other emergency situations.
An emergency response team is formed to address the same.
Laboratory
employees must call HR/FM for any situation that is determined to be an emergency.
Laboratory
activities, which are beyond their capability to safely clean up, and which
Presents an acute fire or health hazard shall contact HR / FM to report the spill as an Emergency.
Laboratory spills,
which may be handled by lab personnel routinely exclude but are not limited
to broken thermometers, and breakage of glassware containing small quantities of
hazardous chemicals.
Employee Training for Chemical Emergencies
All laboratory employees shall be trained on the hazards of chemicals present in their work area. The Organization is responsible for assuring all lab employees are appropriately trained.
The aim of the
training program is to ensure that all individuals at risk are adequately
Informed about the work in the laboratory, its risks, and what to do if an accident occurs.
This training shall be provided at the time of an employee's initial assignment to a work area where hazardous chemicals are present. It shall also be provided before assignments involving new exposure situations.
The training shall
be arranged by the organization.
All heads of the departments must also be trained and oriented by the organization on the SOP.
>Standard Operating Procedures for the Laboratory safety