Chemical Hazards
Back to EH&S homepage
Page Contents
Include: Poisons permit | Health risk information | Chemical inventory | Hazard symbols and notation | Guidelines for handling chemicals | High risk chemicals | Incompatible chemicals | Reactions producing toxic gases
Also see:
- Chemwatch and links to external Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) databases
-
CHEMGOLD / CHEMFFx
FFx is a simpler version of Chemwatch with the following functionality:- Search for materials using names or CAS numbers
- View an MSDS in either LONG or SHORT versions
- View the Vendor MSDS
- View a Mini MSDS
- Make and Print Labels
- Generate Emergency Reports
- Poisons Control Plan
- Storage of Hazardous Chemicals
- Treating Chemical Spills
- Disposal of Chemical Waste
- Prohibited and Notifiable Carcinogenic Chemicals
- Database of Hazardous Substances
- Database of National Exposure Standards
Chemwatch provides NOHSC Hazardous Substances classifications and National Exposure Standards data. For further information and guidelines on hazard classifications and exposure standards, refer to the databases listed below
Poisons Permit
The Department holds a permit to purchase or obtain poisons or controlled substances for industrial, educational, advisory or research purposes. The Poisons Permit is renewed annually in December. The Departmental Manager, Ms Alida Scholtes, has the original and Ms Sharon Potter, in stores, has a copy of our Poisons Permit.
Poison Control Plan
Each workgroup is required to document their Poisons Control Plan (PCP). The PCP must be reviewed annually prior to the annual renewal of the permit.
One copy must be lodged with the EHS Co-ordinator, and the original kept, filed in the clearly labelled Risk Assessment folder in the laboratory area.
Health Risk Information
All laboratory staff should know where to obtain information about the potential hazards of the chemicals they are using. This includes reading labels on bottles of chemicals, reading all documents that are shipped with the chemicals, reading the supplier's catalogue, and seeking information from senior laboratory personnel. Published reference Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are also available on request from the supplier and from a number of websites. Chemical suppliers are bound by law to provide this information freely to any of their customers. Staff MUST also ask for a Material Safety Data Sheet when any new chemicals are ordered. The MSDS must be kept on file in the laboratory where the chemical is going to be used. This MSDS must not be older than 5 years (by the date on the MSDS, not the date it was obtained). The MSDS must be from the manufacturer/supplier that actually manufactured/supplied the chemical or product, and must refer to Australian legislation. If the manufacturer/supplier-provided MSDS does not refer to Australian legislation, keep two MSDS - one from the actual manufacturer/supplier, and another from a different manufacturer/supplier that refers to Australian legislation.
The Department Safety Officer should also be consulted if staff require information/advice regarding chemical handling, storage, hazards, etc. Information on the regulations governing handling and storage is available. Storage guidelines are also available.
Chemical Inventory
Every laboratory and work group must have a chemical inventory (list of chemicals). The minimum requirements (as of 8 February 2004) are:
- Name or product
- CAS number
- Supplier
- Pack size (sum of total package sizes, not how much is left)
- Hazardous substance (Y/N) - searchable website available
- UN number - if it is a hazardous substance (if available)
- Dangerous goods class (you can get more information) - see Departmental manager for book of lists; also look at MSDS. The bottles will have (or should have) the appropriate hazard diamond on them (see below)
- Sub risk - if it is a Dangerous Good, it may fall into 2 classes - this is the lesser of the two risks
- Packaging group (I, II, or III) - all dangerous goods will fall into one of these 3. PG I contains the most dangerous
- Poisons, drugs and controlled substances schedule number (S2 to S9) - see Departmental manager for book of lists; also look at MSDS
- MSDS expiry date (MSDS information must be less than 5 years old) - we accept the entry of "website" is address is on inventory
- Room number
- Location (shelf, fridge, freezer, desiccator, etc)
- Comments (eg., if it is a notifiable carcinogen, if special precautions are required, if lab-specific rules apply, etc)
Note that a chemical may fall under any one or more of the categories "Hazardous substance", "Dangerous goods" or "Poisons, drugs and controlled substances".
In addition to a laboratory or work group’s personalized chemical inventory, the University of Melbourne requires that all groups maintain a ChemWatch database chemical inventory. The ChemWatch inventory can be accessed by the University’s EHS or Emergency personnel in the event of an audit or emergency. For assistance in setting up a ChemWatch chemical inventory consult the Departmental Safety Coordinator.
Hazard Symbols and Notation
Chemicals will be labelled with codes and symbols indicating potential health and safety risks. These may take the form of a symbol/pictogram (eg. hazard diamonds), or as (in small letters on the label) R and S codes, meaning risk and safety phrases.
The meaning of the symbol/pictogram warnings are given below. A more complete listing is available but this is presently being reviewed.
Tables listing the R and S phrases are also available in a pdf document.
The absence of a warning on a label must not be interpreted as an indication that the substance can be used or handled without risk.
Toxic and Corrosive Chemicals
(Some hazard symbols are shown above. A more complete listing is available)
Toxic chemicals can enter the body by three routes:
- by ingestion through the mouth
- by inhalation through the lungs
- by absorption through the skin or via cuts or abrasions
While it is good laboratory practice to treat all laboratory chemicals as if they were potentially harmful, some chemicals that are used within the Department are more hazardous than others and, therefore, require additional precautions. Chemicals can exert toxic affects in a variety of ways. For example:
- by acute poisoning (ie. producing rapid deleterious affects immediately following ingestion)
- by producing chronic cumulative damage to tissues and organs after repeated exposure
- by sensitising some individuals to produce allergic reactions
- by acting in more insidious ways (eg. as carcinogens, mutagens or teratogens)
- by causing chemical burns and tissue destruction, which may be further complicated by the systemic toxic affects of substances like acids, alkalis and toxins
Remember that possible routes of entry will vary with the nature of the chemical, the presence of other chemicals, and the techniques that are being used. The use of appropriate equipment and handling techniques, backed up by wearing protective clothing (including gloves and safety glasses) is required for all toxic and corrosive materials.
Flammable Chemicals
(Some hazard symbols are shown above. A more complete listing is available)
This broad heading covers any chemical that will burn in the presence of oxygen and an ignition source (spontaneously combustible substances do not require an ignition source, and must be handled only by fully trained staff). However, the volatile chemicals, which have a low flash point, present the greatest risk.
The flashpoint is the temperature at which there is sufficient amount of vapour from the chemical to be ignited by a spark. For example, the flashpoint of diethyl ether is 40ºC, acetone is 20ºC, ethanol is 9ºC, and glacial acetic acid is 40ºC. Special caution to avoid exposure to naked flames and spark sources must be taken when handling all liquids with flash points at or below room temperatures. Remember that sparking is common in electrical switches, motors, refrigerators, etc. Volatile flammables should always be handled in fume cupboards, away from electrical equipment and naked flames. Volatile flammables must be sealed and stored in the specially provided solvent cupboards. Large stocks (> 4 litres) MUST NOT be held in laboratory areas.
Heating and distilling flammable solvents requires special procedures and training. Do not carry out such operations without approval from the Safety Committee, or someone who has extensive training in chemistry. These procedures should be carried out in a fumehood, well away from any other work being done in the laboratory. Naked flames (eg. bunsen burner) MUST NOT be used anywhere in the laboratory when a distillation is in progress.
NOTE: LIQUIDS WITH FLASH POINTS BELOW 10ºC MUST NOT BE STORED IN REFRIGERATORS, FREEZERS OR COLD ROOMS. THERE IS A REAL RISK OF FIRE AND EXPLOSION AS THESE ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT ARE NOT SPARK PROOF.
Reactive Chemicals
(Some hazard symbols are shown above. A more complete listing is available)
Many chemical reactions produce large amounts of energy in the form of heat. If these reactions are not carried out under controlled conditions, they can result in explosions, vigorous splattering of material, and ignition and/or evolution of possibly toxic gases. Examples, reactions between concentrated acids and bases, reactions between oxidising and reducing agents, and some hydrations (e.g. adding water to sodium, adding water to hydrides, mixing concentrated sulphuric acid with water, or dissolving sodium hydroxide). Inexperienced workers must be trained and supervised in the correct use of potentially reactive chemicals. See the lists below for more details.
Guidelines for Handling Chemicals
- Follow the General Safety Rules.
- Treat all chemicals as potentially harmful.
- Note hazard warnings displayed on labels, and read any literature supplied by the manufacturer. e.g. Material Safety Data Sheets.
- The handling of volatile or highly toxic chemicals (particularly in situations likely to produce aerosols or fine powders) must be carried out in a fumehood.
- When toxic or corrosive chemicals are being used, wear appropriate protective clothing, a laboratory coat, gloves and safety glasses. NOTE: Some organic solvents can penetrate rubber and/or plastic gloves. Therefore solvent proof chemical gloves may be required.
- Learn first aid procedures relevant to the chemicals being used, and know the location of safety equipment, safety showers, eye washes, spill clean up kits, and fire blankets. If you get any chemicals in your eye, wash the eye with copious amounts of water over a period of at least 15 minutes. Do not delay, every second counts! Hold the eye open, or get a colleague to do this. Seek medical advice immediately.
- Do not use needles and syringes to transfer toxic materials.
- Label all reagents clearly, and identify special hazards. Labelling diamonds are obtainable from the stores.
- Carcinogenic or highly toxic chemicals should be stored in sealed double containers in the lockable "poisons cabinet" in the laboratory. The outer container should be of an unbreakable material (eg. plastic or tin), and both containers should be fully labelled with the name of the chemical and the associated risk. Exceptions are chemicals that are corrosive, flammable, or a gas, which should be stored in appropriate conditions (see Departmental Safety Officer).
- Do not store corrosive chemicals at or above eye height, nor on the floor where they may be knocked (eg. by cleaners).
- Do not store strongly interacting chemicals next to each other. For example concentrated acids should be stored away from strong bases, oxidising agents should be stored away from reducing agents, etc. Chemicals that react to release toxic gases should also be stored separately. See below for more details.
- Do not hold large stocks of flammable solvents in laboratory areas. Laboratory stocks should be kept in the specially provided metal solvent cupboards. Do not store volatile solvents in refrigerators, freezers or cold rooms. NOTE: Solvent cupboards must not be used for storage of concentrated acids.
- Dilution of strong acids: Acid into water (A comes before W). Putting water into strong acid may result in a violent explosion with splashing of acid.
- Use Winchester carriers for transporting >1 litre bottles of solvents or corrosive liquids.
- Clean up all chemical spills immediately, using decontamination procedures where appropriate.
- Never pipette by mouth. Always use a suction pump, aspirator bulb or safety pipette.
- Information on regulations controlling handling and storage is available. Storage guidelines are also available.
High Risk Chemicals
Examples of high risk chemicals used in the Department are given below. Approval to conduct experiments involving such chemicals must be obtained from the Departmental Safety Officer.
The purchase, storage, dispensing and disposing of such chemicals may also require special care. See the Departmental Safety Officer if you are unsure of any procedure that may be your responsibility.
Carcinogens/mutagens/teratogens (confirmed or suspected)
There is a list of prohibited and notifiable carcinogenic substances. Check this list and comply with the notification regulations.
- Benzidine
- Benzene
- Chemicals which bind to or modify DNA (eg. Ethidium bromide)
- Formaldehyde (paraformaldehyde)
- Glutaraldehyde
Acutely toxic (possibly fatal)
- Hydrogen cyanide - do NOT use this chemical unless you are well aware of all the safety procedures, including the provision of antidote, rescue arrangements and warning procedures
- Diisopropylfluorophosphate (DIFP)
- Dimethyl sulphate
- Cyanogen bromide
- Sodium azide
- Phenol, etc
Chronic toxicity
- Mercury
- Acrylamide
- Acetonitrile
- Chloroform and other chlorinated solvents, etc
Explosion danger (depending on use)
- Diethyl ether
- Acetone, etc
Corrosive
- Hydrochloric acid
- Sulphuric acid
- Nitric acid
- Sodium hydroxide
- Phenol, etc
Incompatible Chemicals
The following substances may react violently with one another and must be kept apart. The list, which is merely a summary of the most important examples taken from the whole array of hazardous materials, is offered as a modest contribution to safety in the laboratory. A graphic guide can be downloaded.
| Substance | Incompatible Chemicals |
|---|---|
| Acetic Acid | Chromium (VI) oxide, nitric acid, alcohols, ethylene glycol, perchloric acid, peroxides, permanganates |
| Acetylene | Chlorine, bromine, fluorine, copper, silver, mercury |
| Activated Carbon | Calcium hypochlorite, oxidising agents |
| Alkali metals | Water, carbon tetrachloride and other halogenated alkanes, carbon dioxide, halogens |
| Aluminium Alkyls | Water |
| Ammonia, laboratory gas | Mercury (in pressure gauges), chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, Iodine, bromine, hydrogen fluoride |
| Ammonium nitrate | Acids, powdered metals, flammable liquids, chlorates, nitrates, sulfur, fire-particulate organic or combustible materials |
| Aniline | Nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide |
| Bromine | As for Chlorine |
| Chlorates | Ammonium salts, acids, powdered metals, sulfur, fine-particulate organic or combustible substances |
| Chlorine | Ammonia, acetylene, butadiene, butane, methane, propane, hydrogen, petroleum benzine, benzene, powdered metals |
| Chromium (VI) oxide | Acetic acid, naphthalene, camphor glycerol, petroleum benzine, alcohols, flammable liquids, copper acetylene, hydrogen peroxide |
| Cumene hydroperoxide | Acids, both organic and inorganic |
| Cyanides | Acids |
| Flammable liquids | Ammonium nitrate, chromium (VI) oxide, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid, sodium peroxide, halogens |
| Fluorine | Store fluorine separately |
| Hydrocarbons (Butane, propane, benzene etc.) | Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, chromium (VI) oxide, sodium peroxide |
| Hydrogen fluoride | Ammonia (laboratory gas or solution) |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Copper, chromium, iron, metals and metal salts, alcohols, acetone, organic substances, aniline, nitromethane, combustible substances (solid or liquid) |
| Hydrogen sulfide | Fuming nitric acid, oxidising gases |
| Iodine | Acetylene, ammonia (laboratory gas or solution) |
| Mercury | Acetylene, ammonia |
| Nitric acid, concentrated | Acetic acid, aniline, chromium (VI) oxide, prussic acid, hydrogen sulfide, flammable liquids and gases |
| Oxalic acid | Silver, mercury |
| Perchloric acid | Acetic anhydride, bismuth and its alloys, alcohols, paper, wood |
| Phosphorus | sulfur, compounds containing oxygen, eg. chlorates |
| Potassium | See alkali metals |
| Potassium chlorate | See chlorates |
| Potassium perchlorate | See chlorates |
| Potassium permanganate | Glycerol, ethylene glycol, benzaldehyde, sulfuric acid |
| Silver | Acetylene, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, ammonium compounds |
| Sodium | See alkali metals |
| Sodium peroxide | Methanol, ethanol, glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride, benzaldehyde, carbon disulfide, glycerol, ethylene glycol, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, furfurol |
| Sulfuric acid | Potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium permanganate |
Reactions Producing Toxic Gases
Reactions between the chemicals in column 1 and 2 can produce the highly toxic gases shown in column 3.
| Compound 1 | Compound 2 | Gas Produced |
|---|---|---|
| Arsenic compounds | Any reducing agent | Arsine |
| Azides | Acidic compounds | Hydrogen azide |
| Cyanides | Acidic compounds | Hydrogen cyanide |
| Hypochlorites | Acidic compounds | Chlorine or hypochlorous acid |
| Nitrates | Sulfuric Acid | Nitrogen dioxide |
| Nitric acid | Copper, brass, any heavy metal | Nitrogen dioxide (nitrous fumes) |
| Nitrites | Acidic compounds | Nitrous fumes |
| Phosphorus | Caustic alkalis or reducing agents | Phosphine |
| Selenides | Reducing agents | Hydrogen selenide |
| Sulfides | Acidic compounds | Hydrogen sulfide |
| Tellurides | Reducing agents | Hydrogen telluride |