SOP for Safety in Laboratory

1.0  Objective :

            To provide written procedure for the Safety in Laboratory  

2.0        Scope :

This Standard Operating Procedure for Safety required .

3.0        Responsibility :

Supporting Staff / Jr. Research Officer /Research Officer: aware about the safety in Laboratory

      QA Officer/QAM: Governing the Document

4.0       Procedure:

All the laboratory activities and safe methods of working are highlighted as under.

            
General Safety Precautions

In areas where chemicals are being used, stored or handled,              strictly avoid smoking,    consuming any eatables and drinks.

Necessary standard operating procedure shall be laid down for    various activities.

Treat all chemicals with respect.

Read the labels on the containers before use. Keep the          chemicals in original container unfit used. Never put chemicals in to unmarked or mislabeled containers. Even drinking water should not be stored in container used in the laboratory.

Do not distract others attention and concentrate on your Job at all times to prevent  accident.

Always keep your work area clean and tidy. Objects lying on the ground can be hazardous.

And even small spill can be slippery hence clean it immediately.

Test requiring use of open flame shall be restricted and allowed only in designated locations.

Use hand gloves, apron and eye protection while handling acids, corrosive chemicals etc to avoid injuries.

When drawing sample of toxic and corrosive chemicals use proper protective equipment.

Chemical fires can start easily and spread quickly hence remove sources of fire sparks from areas where chemicals are stored or used.

All laboratory personnel must be familiar with location and use of fire extinguishers, eyewash, gas masks, electrical switches etc.

Fire safety equipments should not be blocked, anytime.

When there is a spill or leak of chemicals, extinguish all sources of flame or sparks. Shut off leak, if safe to do so.

Ensure proper ventilation while working in the laboratory.

Use all protective equipment precisely while handling hazardous chemicals, before using any respirator. Check for proper operation.

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling any chemical or   containers.Always wash before eating or using toilet facilities.

Laboratory electrical equipments should be properly earthed and one should ensure it before using the equipments.

No electrical equipment should be tampered by unauthorized persons.

Electrical operated equipments must be switched off immediately after use.

Water supply to laboratory condenser should be turned off at
the end of the day/shift.
Common causes  of Laboratory accidents.

Improper handling & storage of chemicals.

Improper techniques of usage & storage of laboratory equipments.

Bad housekeeping.

HANDLING & STORAGE OF CHEMICALS

Handling of chemicals

Acids

Operate under the chemical fume removal hood whenever heating acid or performing reactions, which may liberate acid fumes. When making reagents always add acid to                           water, keep acid off skin and protect eyes from splattering. Use protective safety  appliances during handling acids.

       Alkalies

Alkalies can burn skin, eyes and respirator tract severely. Wear heavy rubber gloves and face shield to protect against concentrated alkali liquids. Use effective fume removal device  or gas mask to protect respiratory tract against alkali, dusts or vapours. Protect skin and eyes when working with alkalies as solids or concentrated solution.

Flammable liquids

When using flammable, keep only required quantity in the work area for immediate needs.

Store extra flammable chemicals in a separate place.

While transferring from a large container to small container, ensure proper bonding and

earthing to avoid static electricity hazard.

Keep all ignition source away while working with flammable chemicals.

Avoid spillage of flammable chemicals and in case if there is spillage, clean the area at Once and put the waste in a bin in safe area.

Toxic Chemicals

Check up the label properly before you move or open or use the contents in it.

Use appropriate protective equipment before handling toxic chemicals.

Use only suction bulb (aspiration bulb) for drawing toxic chemicals along with pipette.

Do not suck chemicals with mouth.

Hot materials shall not be poured into a sink or drain as the presence of water in the drain might cause violent spattering. All waste toxic materials should properly disposed off before draining them.

Storage of Chemicals in Laboratory

Chemicals which might react together to give off dangerous fumes or cause fires or  explosion on accidental breakage should be stored away from one another.

Volatile liquids should not be stored near heat sources or placed in direct sun light.

Stock reagents are best stored in open shelf within easy reach.

The largest containers may be stored on the bottom of the shelf.

The corrosive materials should be stored in lead trays as near the floor level as possible.

Trays should be deep enough to hold contents of bottles if leakage occurs.

Handling & storage of Laboratory Equipment’s

Handling of Laboratory Equipment’s

Glass Apparatus

Discard irrepairable, cracked or broken glass apparatus into properly dustbin. Glass   apparatus should be supported and braced in a manner.

Do not use glass bottles for liquids having vapour pressure above 15 psi at 100 F (1 kg at 38° C.)

Discard defective bottles immediately. Wear dry rubber gloves, goggles and an apron while handling bottles of acids or other corrosive chemicals. If acid, caustic or corrosive materials are spilled on the skin or clothing, flood the affected area with larg amount of water.

Do not force glass tubes or thermometers in or out of stoppers when dismantling equipment.  If the stopper gets stuck cut them away from the tubes. One should protect his hands by a dust cloth or towel while inserting glass tubes in corks.

While using glass apparatus for heating or vacuum/pressure service, check for the quality Of glass and its withstanding capacity.

Ovens & other Heating

Check frequency, operation and accuracy of oven, heating mantles, hot plates, muffle furnace & liquid baths etc. for temperature regulators and thermometers.

Fume cupboards

Remove all non-essential apparatus and chemicals before working in the cupboards. Keep

the windows lowered except when removing or introducing apparatus or chemicals.                             Transfer of all fuming liquids, acids, toxic chemicals should be done under the fume

cupboards to avoid gaseous pollution in the lab.

Centrifuges

Centrifuges must not be operated at speed exceeding those maximum recommended by the

manufactures. If excessive vibrations occur during operations, stop the centrifuge and do

not resume its operation until the cause of the vibrations has been eliminated.

Desiccators

Keep the ground glass surface of desiccators greased. Seal and unseal desiccators by a

sliding action of the lids. Never seal a desiccators until its contents have cooled to a

reasonable temperature.

Safe Storage of Laboratory Equipment’s

Vacuum desiccators and other glassware in which vacuum is created should be protected

with a screen basket packed with asbestos wool.

Store glass tubing and rods in a horizontal position with no piece producing over the                             coping.

Store delicate glassware in separated cartons clearly marked for ready identification.

Store glassware not higher than a person can reach easily without standing on a      stepladder.

Store heavy pieces on lower shelf. Store tall pieces at the back, smaller ones towards  the front of the shelf.

Special metal or plastic containers should be used to transport bottles of acids, alkalies etc.

Housekeeping

Great care should be taken to keep the working area clean and neat.

The spillage of chemicals should be immediately cleaned and floors should be washed with wafer and mopped up with a dry cloth.

One should clean the sinks only after ensuring that broken glass pieces are not laying in

the sink.

Always keep proper labels on the reagent bottles and on sampling bottles to avoid complications.

The glassware, laboratory reagents, chemical should always be kept in their appropriate places after use.

Safe Methods of working

When distilling solvents or other liquids, do not fill a distillation flask to more than 3/4^th of its rated capacity. Use bumping stones in distillation flask where bumping may occur.

Never bring leaking sample containers into laboratory. Charged pressure sample     containers should be stored outdoors and taken into the laboratory only when it is  necessary to transfer the samples to apparatus.

Use only approved ladders in good conditions for climbing. Grip the ladder with both hands while asserting or desecrating. While using a portable ladder, stand a person at its foot to hold it. Never place the ladder in front of an unlocked door.

Consider all electric wires with defective insulation as live and dangerous. Do not overload electrical equipments or use for any purposes other than that for which it was designed. When a liquid had been spilled over electrical equipment, first of all turn off

the current and then clean the equipment thoroughly and dry. Do not tamper with electrical equipment. Consult the concerned electrical person. When you find any electrical problem.

It is always important to remember the location of first aid, fire fighting equipment, Eye wash showers, emergency safety equipment’s etc in the laboratory.

Gas burners should not be left unattended. The gas line tubing to be checked for leakage time to time.

Hot plates should not be kept in ON conditions when it is not in use. All flammable and

Combustible materials should be kept away from hot plates, burners etc.

It is always important to keep the working area neat and clean to avoid any kind of unwanted incidents because of bad housekeeping.

Avoid keeping different chemicals in the same container. The practiced of keeping  laboratory chemicals in a refrigerator along with drinking water should be avoided. Do not keep food items/drinks in refrigerator meant for storing of chemicals.

While drawing chemicals from the plants all safety precautions should be followed.

At the time of drawing liquid/gaseous samples, it is always important to drain the initial

hold up by opening the valve very slowly to avoid sudden splashing.

Before drawing samples one should ensure that the sample is sufficiently cooled in the cool pot. To  avoid cracking of sampling bottles.

After drawing samples a label should be put immediately on the sampling bottles.

The person collecting the samples should wear the personal protective equipment like handgloves, faceshield etc.

Only authorized persons should collect the samples.

Do not try to mix all the remaining chemicals after analysis for disposal. They should  be trated individually as per laid down procedure.

Chemicals which are required to be stored in dark area, should not get exposed to sunlight.

Safety glass/faceshield should be used while working with corrosive chemicals such as acids and alkalies so that a splash to the eyes can be avoided.

While cutting glass rods using glasscutters, wear a face shield. Towels may be placed over the rod to protect the finger and the hands before breaking the piece.

Glassware to be heated by an open flame should be rested on an iron wire mesh with an asbestos centre to prevent the flame form coming in contact with the glass above the level to liquid. This will avoid cracking of the vessel.

Pressure should be released from an applied to glass vessels slowly.

It is generally unsafe to put pressure on laboratory glassware to expel its contents.

Fill reagent and other bottles not more than 3/4^th of their capacity at room temperature leaving one-fourth the capacity storage to allow for expansion.

Carry breakers and all usual shaped flaks and bottles with the finger around the body of the vessel. Do not grasp or hold by the tip or edge. Hold the volumetric and other long neck flasks at both top and bottom when their contents are being agitated.

In washing glassware, not more than gentle pressure should be applied in wiping the insides.

Creaked glassware, no more than gentle pressure should be applied in wiping the insides.

Cracked glassware or glassware with sharp or broken edges should be either fire polished or destroyed.

The procedure for inserting glass tubing in stopper or rubber tubing is as follows.

Never attempt to insert glass tubing having a jagged end.

Use water, soap solution, glycerin or Vaseline as lubricant to force the tube into the hole by rotating motion.

The stopper should be grasped firmly in one hand and the glass tubing with the other.  Always aim tubing away from the palm of the hand holding the stopper or rubber. Use napkin cloth to protect palm/fingers.

Handling of Gas cylinders in Laboratory

Keep all the gas cylinders outside the laboratory building in a ventilated roofed cylinder house. Required gases should be drawn in the laboratory through a well-designed gas distribution system.

While operating with compressed cylinders proper care should be taken by taking appropriate spanner for opening and closing the valves. Using wrong tools for this purpose is forbidden.

Do not apply greases, wax or any oil etc. to compressed gas cylinder valves for      lubrication.

Use soap water for checking the leakage in the valves of the cylinder/gas distribution system. Note down pressure of cylinders at regular intervals to notice the leaks, if any.

Do not drop the cylinders while handling. Use only cylinder trolleys for transferring, Do not try to tamper or damage the regulator valves of the cylinder. Bring it to the notice of the concerned person in case you find any problem with the regulator.

Do not keep oxygen cylinder along with flammable gases like hydrogen, acetylene etc.

Waste Disposal

It is always important to dispose off chemicals after the experiments are over as it is  dangerous to keep them exposed for long time.

Acids

All waste acidic chemicals should be neutralized with soda ash or lime or caustic soda solution before throwing them into drain.

Alkalies

All alkaline chemicals should be neutralized using acids before disposing them off to  drain.

Toxic Chemicals

No toxic chemical should be drained before destroying its effect. They should be disposed off  using the specified procedure given.

Flammable and combustible chemical

Any spill or waste combustible and flammable chemicals should be collected in a   container             and send them for BOD reduction to Effluent Treatment Plant time to time.

Some incompatible chemicals

Sr. No.	Chemical	Incompatible chemical
1	Acetone	Bromine, Chlorine, Nitric Acid, Sulphuric Acid
2	Acetylene	Bromine, Chlorine, copper, Fluoride, Mercury, and Silver
3	Alkaline Material (NaOH, KOH)	Caron monoxide, Chlorinated, hydrocarbons Water and the Halogens.
4	Ammonia (Anhydrous)	Bromine, calcium, hypochlorite, chlorine, Hydrofluoric Acid, Iodine Mercury and Silver
5	Chlorine	Acetone, Acetylene, Ammonia Benzene, Butadiene, Butane and other Petroleum gases.
6	Flammable liquids	Ammonia nitrate, Chromic Acid, hydrogen peroxide, Nitric Acid, Sodium peroxide & the Halogens
7	Hydrocarbons such as Benzene, butane, propane, gaosolene, turpentine etc.	Bromine, Chlorine, Chromic Acid, Flourine, Hydrogen peroxide & sodium Peroxide.
8	Hydrazine	Hydrogen peroxide, Nitric Acid & other Oxidant
9	Oxygen (Liquid or enriched air)	Flammable gases, liquids or solids such as Acetone, Acetylene, Grease, Hydrogen, Oils and Phosphorus
10	Sulphur	Any oxidizing materials
11	Sulphuric Acid	Chlorates, Perchlorates & Permanganates. Combustibles.
12	Water	Acetyl Chloride, carbides, Chromic Acid. Phosphorous oxychloride, phosphorous pentachloride, sulphuric Acid & Sulphur trioxide
13	Alkaline metals such as powdered Aluminum sodium potassium etc.	Carbon tetra chlorides or other Chlorides or other Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, Carbon dioxide and the Halogens.
14	Acetic Acid	Chromic & Nitric Acids. Hydroxyl Compounds, Ethylene glycol, Perchloric acid, Peroxides Permanganates.
15	Aniline	Nitric Acid, Hydrogen Peroxides.
16	Carbon activated	Calcium, Hypo Chloride, All Oxidizing Agents.
17	Copper	Acetylene, Hydrogen peroxide.
18	Chlorates	Ammonia salts, Acids Metal powders, Sulphur, Finely divided organic or combustible materials.
19	Chromic Acid	Acetic Acid, Naphthalene, Camphor, Glycerin, Turpentine, Alcohol and Flammable liquid in general.
20	Fluorine	Isolate From everything.
21	Hydrochloric Acid	Nitric Acid, Alkalies
22	Hydrochloric Acid	Ammonia, Aqueous
23	Hydrogen sulphide	Fuming Nitric Acid, Oxidizing gases
24	Iodine	Acetylene, Ammonia, Hydrogen
25	Mercury	Acetylene, Fulminic acid, Ammonia
26	Nitric Acid	Acetic Acid, Aniline, Chromic acid, Hydrocyanic Acid, Hydrogen Sulphide, Flammable liquids and Gases.
27	Oxalic Acid	Silver, Mercury
28	Potassium Chlorate	Sulphuric and other Acids
29	Potassium Perchlorate	Sulphuric and other Acids
30	Potassium Permanganate	Glycerin, Ethylene Glycol, Benzaldehyde , Sulphuric Acid
31	Sodium Peroxide	Ethyl & Methyl alcohols, Glacial Acetic Acid, Acetic anhydride, Benzaldehyde, Carbon, Disulphide, Glycol, Ethyl & Methyl Acetates, Furfural.
32	Phosphoric Acid	Chlorides, Nitro methane, Sodium Tetrahy- Droborate
33	Perchloric Acid	Acetonitrile, Alcohols, Dehydrating agents.
34	Potassium Nitrate	Powdered metals, Organic materials Reducing agents, Sodium Benzene trichloroethylene, Zinc etc.
35	Sodium Nitrate	Organic Matter, Cyanides Butadine, Reductants, Urea, Wood, Sodium amide, Sodium disulfide etc.
36	Chloroform	Dinitrogen, tetraoxide, Flurin, Metals Triisoproply phosphine
37	Pyridine	Oxidizing materials
38	Trichloroethylene	Al, Ba, N2O4, Li, Liquid O2, O3, KOH, Na, NaOH, Ti
39	Phenol	Oxidizing Materials, Formaldehyde, Buta Dine
40	Carbon Tetra Chloride	Aluminum Trichloride, Dibenoyl Peroxide, Potassium tert-butoxide
41	Formaldehyde	NO, Per formic
42	Methanol	Beryllium, Dihydride, Oxidatns, Potassium, Tetrabutoxide, Dichloromethane
43	Solvent Ether	Powerful oxides
44	Kerosene	Oxidizing Materials
45	Hydrogen Peroxide	Charcoal, coal, Metals, Metal Oxides, metal salt, Dimethyl Phenylphorphin, Hydrogen Salenide, Lithium tetrahydroluminate, Phosphorous
46	Oxalic acid	Ag, Nacl03, NaOH
47	Boric acid	K(CH3CO)2O

5.0       Biological Safety :

            Biohazardous materials (infectious agents & cultures)  require special safety precautions & procedures.

Employess working with biohazard must be aware of the hazards associated with their work.

These workers must be trained & proficient in biosafety procedures.           

Always wash hands thoroughly after working with any biohazard.

Always wear a wrap-around gown or suit, gloves & a surgical mask, gloves when working with cultures or infectious agents .

Do not wear potentially contaminated clothing outside the laboratory area.

Limit access to microbiological areas .

Decontaminate work surfaces daily & after each spill.

Decontaminate all potentially contaminated equipments.

Use secondary leak proof containers when transporting samples , cultures, inoculated petriplates, & other containers of biohazardous materials.

Handle all bacterial & fungal cultures with care.

6.0       History of Revision:

Revision No.	Effective Date	Revision details	Reason for revision