General Laboratory Safety

Presented by Prince Kumar

Roll no: 2209010

BHASKARACHARYA
JLF 9/05 COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES
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Staying safe means that you…
• Read labels on containers of chemicals
• Read Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)
• Handle chemicals with care
• Use correct protective clothing and
equipment
• Remember emergency procedures

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 Chemical Labels
• Every container of chemicals is labeled by
the manufacturer.
• The label will tell you
– Name of chemical
– Name, address and emergency phone
number of manufacturer
– Physical and health hazards
– Precautionary measures
– First-aid instructions
– Proper handling/storage instructions

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 Health Hazards on
a Chemical Label

• Carcinogen • Corrosive
• Highly toxic agent • Sensitizer
• Toxic agent • Hepatotoxin
• Reproductive • Nephrotoxin
hazard • Neurotoxin
• Irritant

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Typical Precautionary Measures
on a Label
• Do not breathe vapors
• Use in well-ventilated areas
• Keep container closed when not in
use
• Avoid contact with skin
• Wash thoroughly with soap and
water after handling
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 • Keep away from sparks, heat, and
flame
• Do not store near combustible
materials
• Store in tightly closed container
• Remove and wash contaminated
clothing promptly
• Keep from contact with clothing and
other combustible materials

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 Common Signal Words on Labels

• Danger – Can cause immediate

serious injury or death
• Warning – Can cause potentially
serious injury or death
• Caution – Can cause potentially
moderate injury

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Special Symbols Used on Labels

Helps you recognize kind of hazard a chemical

could present if you are not careful
– Toxicity
– Corrosivity (acids and bases)
– Ignitability (flammable solvents and
certain solids)
– Reactivity (sodium and various water-
reactive reagents)

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 Color and Number Coded Label
Systems
Colors represent kind of hazard
NFPA-type label
• Red = fire
• Yellow = instability
• Blue = health
3 • black = specific hazard
& personal protection
4 2
Numbers show degree of hazard
• 0 = Minimal
• 1 = Slight
• 2 = Moderate
• 3 = Serious
• 4 = Severe
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 Color and Number Coded
Label Systems
NFPA-type labels
Black = specific hazard
• OX = Oxidizer

3 • ACID = Acid
• ALK = Alkali
4 2 • COR = Corrosive

COR • W = Use no water

• Other symbols:

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 Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS)
Provides more detailed information about a chemical,
including
– Composition, information on ingredients (Section 2)
– Hazards identification (Section 3)
– First aid measures (Section 4)
– Accidental Release measures (Section 6)
– Handling and Storage (Section 7)
– Exposure controls, personal protection (Section 8)
– Stability and reactivity (Section 10)
– Toxicological information (Section 11)
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 MSDS (cont’d)
Hazards Identification
– Inhalation: Respiratory tract (lungs) through
inhalation
– Ingestion: Digestive tract through eating or smoking
with contaminated hands or in contaminated work
areas
– Absorption through the skin or eyes: Dermatitis or
damage to the liver, kidney, or other organ systems
– Injection: Percutaneous injection of a toxic substance
through the skin

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 MSDS (cont’d)
Specific possible health hazards:

– Acute poisoning (rapid assimilation of

substance, i.e., carbon monoxide)
– Chronic poisoning (prolonged exposure,
i.e., lead poisoning)
– Cumulative poisons (numerous chronic
exposures, i.e., heavy metals)
– Substances in combination (synergistic
effect, i.e., exposure to alcohol and
chlorinated solvents)
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 MSDS (cont’d)
Potential Health Effects
– Eye irritation
– Nausea
– Dizziness
– Skin rashes
– Headache
– Existing medical conditions possibly
aggravated by exposure

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 THANK YOU!

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