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Read More At:

https://ehs.ncsu.edu/laboratory/chemical-safety/

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Reactivity Hazards
  • Reactivity hazards are not as easy to identify as other hazards
  • Managing reactivity hazards requires a preliminary screening of chemicals to find potential incompatibilities
[hover_pack img=”https://ehs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/07/Reactivity.jpg” link=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B36FhbUXVzebSHRQaWpSb2V1UE0/view” link_tab=”1″ img_title=”” img_alt=”” width=”” height=”” class=”” radius=”0″ effect=”fade” color=”#000000″ opacity=”50″ title=”Click for more information” title_delay=”03″ title_slide=”” title_rotation=”” text=”” text_delay=”” text_slide=”” text_rotation=””]

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Skin Absorption
  • Potentially significant exposure can occur through the cutaneous route, including mucous membranes and eyes
  • It is important to remember that other materials may also be absorbed through skin, when mixed with these chemicals
  • Take time to select the proper glove type for the chemical you are using is flammable
  • Flammable vapours can spread far from the liquid. This vapour can contact an ignition source and flash back to the source, sometimes hundreds of feet away.
  • Eliminate ignition sources when using flammables and close containers when they are not in use.
  • Remember to store flammables away from oxidizers. This includes flammable solids
[hover_pack img=”https://ehs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/07/Skin-Absorption.jpg” link=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwfv9WVwZC73Wl9qM2YwQ0JFS0E/view” link_tab=”1″ img_title=”” img_alt=”” width=”” height=”” class=”” radius=”0″ effect=”fade” color=”#000000″ opacity=”50″ title=”Click for more information” title_delay=”03″ title_slide=”” title_rotation=”” text=”” text_delay=”” text_slide=”” text_rotation=””]
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Flammable Liquids
  • Flammable vapours can spread far from the liquid. This vapour can contact an ignition source and flash back to the source, sometimes hundreds of feet away.
  • Eliminate ignition sources when using flammables and close containers when they are not in use.
  • Remember to store flammables away from oxidizers. This includes flammable solids
[hover_pack img=”https://ehs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/07/Flammable-Liquid.jpg” link=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0zH_IZG0_wvY204VEJuQXR0N0k/view” link_tab=”1″ img_title=”” img_alt=”” width=”” height=”” class=”” radius=”0″ effect=”fade” color=”#000000″ opacity=”50″ title=”Click for more information” title_delay=”03″ title_slide=”” title_rotation=”” text=”” text_delay=”” text_slide=”” text_rotation=””]
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Peroxidizable
  • Normally safe chemicals can evaporate over time and form peroxide crystals. These crystals are extremely shock sensitive and can cause explosions
  • These chemicals should be marked with the date they are opened and only kept for up to a year
[hover_pack img=”https://ehs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/07/Peroxide-Former.jpg” link=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0zH_IZG0_wvSDNOcjJUZ24xaUk/view” link_tab=”1″ img_title=”” img_alt=”” width=”” height=”” class=”” radius=”0″ effect=”fade” color=”#000000″ opacity=”50″ title=”Click for more information” title_delay=”03″ title_slide=”” title_rotation=”” text=”” text_delay=”” text_slide=”” text_rotation=””]
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Perchloric Acid
  • Can form shock sensitive salts when heated or concentrated (>72%)
  • Requires specially designed fume hood
[hover_pack img=”https://ehs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/07/Perchloric-Acid.jpg” link=”https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bwfv9WVwZC73eGx0WlhBOF8yUlk/view” link_tab=”1″ img_title=”” img_alt=”” width=”” height=”” class=”” radius=”0″ effect=”fade” color=”#000000″ opacity=”50″ title=”Click for more information” title_delay=”03″ title_slide=”” title_rotation=”” text=”” text_delay=”” text_slide=”” text_rotation=””]
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Safety Data Sheets
  • SDSs are required for each chemical based on the Hazard Communication Standard
    EH&S provides a free online SDS database
  • Physical copies are recommended but not required as long as you have access to the online database
[hover_pack img=”https://ehs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/11/SDS.jpg” link=”https://jr.chemwatch.net/chemwatch.web/home” link_tab=”1″ img_title=”” img_alt=”” width=”” height=”” class=”” radius=”0″ effect=”fade” color=”#000000″ opacity=”50″ title=”Click for more information” title_delay=”03″ title_slide=”” title_rotation=”” text=”” text_delay=”” text_slide=”” text_rotation=””]
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Eyewash & Safety Shower

Eyewash stations and safety showers are considered first aid measures rather than preventative.
Proper PPE should always be used regardless of their presence

Eyewash

  • Test weekly and keep a logbook
  • Drench hoses and eyewash bottles do not meet ANSI standards. Deck mounted stations are recommended
    [hover_pack img=”https://ehs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/11/Eyewash-JPG.jpg” link=”https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0zH_IZG0_wvY2VNWmtqMmcwWk0″ img_title=”” img_alt=”” width=”146″ height=”70″ class=”” radius=”” effect=”fade” color=”” opacity=”60″ title=”” title_delay=”” title_slide=”” title_rotation=”” text=”Click for more information” text_delay=”” text_slide=”” text_rotation=””]

Safety Shower

  • Typically tested annually by facilities
  • Keep access to the shower clear. Ensure the area under the shower is clear
    [hover_pack img=”https://ehs.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2019/11/Safety-Shower-JPG.jpg” link=”https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0zH_IZG0_wvVGN5R1pFVlk0ckE” img_title=”” img_alt=”” width=”146″ height=”70″ class=”” radius=”” effect=”fade” color=”” opacity=”60″ title=”” title_delay=”” title_slide=”” title_rotation=”” text=”Click for more information” text_delay=”” text_slide=”” text_rotation=””]

 

Chemical Safety webpage

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More Information

Visit our Safety Plan webpage –  https://ehs.ncsu.edu/safety-plan/

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SSC Group Comments & Questions

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