Chemical lab safety pertains to the storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials. Since safety information varies based on the hazards present, it’s important for researchers to know how to identify/assess hazardous materials.
Condition of Chemical Containers
Labs should be checking the condition of their chemical containers on a routine basis. Over time, chemical containers may deteriorate and become a hazard in the chemical storage areas.
Chemical Segregation and Storage Compatibility
Since many of the hazardous materials can react to form a greater hazard, chemical segregation and storage compatibility is essential to safety inside the lab. Although the use of secondary containers to segregate chemical hazards in the same cabinet is sufficient, ideally it would be best to segregate hazards in different cabinets if storage space is available in the lab.
Hazards to keep in mind:
- Particularly Hazardous Substances (PHS)
- Flammables
- Corrosives
- Peroxide Forming Chemicals (PFC)
- Pyrophoric
- Water Reactive
Why is Hazardous Waste Management Important?
Hazardous waste is strictly regulated by state/federal organizations and it’s the responsibility of the lab to ensure compliance with these regulations. Managing your waste properly help ensure your safe and our EH&S Hazardous Waste Team who handle your waste after it leaves the lab.
Items to review:
