Core of Chemical Safety
“No Chemical is entirely safe but every
chemical can be used safety.”
“All things are poison. What makes
the difference is the dose.”
-by Paracelus
Chemical Safety
It is a branch of occupational safety and health
which is concerned with maximizing safety in
environments where chemicals are involved.
Occupational Safety and Health
It is a cross disciplinary area concerned with
protecting the safety, health, welfare of people
engaged in work or employment.
Framework of Chemical Safety
Research
Safety
® Non-skid
® Well ventilated
® Master power shut-off
® Fire Extinguisher
® Orientation
® Water Supply
® Warning Signs
® Annual Training
® First Aid kit / Charts / Etc.
® Expt. With obnoxious gases
® Good housekeeping
® Regular checking of power connections
® Clearly marked radioactive
® Plastic goggle
® Apron / Lab Coat
® Stockroom for Chemicals
® Instruments with trained personnel
Users
Instruction and
Administration
Community
Extension
Quality
Education
Accrediting Bodies
Accreditation Focus
Ö Rooms
Ö Equipment and Supplies
Ö Maintenance and Improvement
Ö Special Provisions
Regulating Bodies
Laboratories
Facilities
and
Materials
Treatment
and
Disposal
System
Safe
Laboratory
International Accrediting Body
Accreditation Board for Engineering and
Technology, ABET
Under Applied Sciences Accreditation Commission
It is an nonnon-governmental organization that
accredits postpost-secondary education programs in
applied science, computing, engineering and
engineering technology.
The Thrusts of Chemical Safety
The main thrust of chemical safety in
global prospective are as follows:
1. Develop, implement and comply with sound
regulation so chemical are safe for intended
use;
2. Enhance scientific understanding of chemical
safety; and
3. Produce
publicly
accessible
safety
information.
THE SOUND CHEMICAL REGULATIONS
Regulating Body/Agency in Oman
Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs
(formerly known as Ministry of Regional
Municipalities, Environment and Water)
Relevant Legislation in the Sultanate
Legislation
Royal Decree 46 / 95
Ministerial Decree
248/1997
Ministerial Decree
317/2001
Description
“Issuing the Law of Handling
and Use of Chemicals”
“Regulation
for
the
Registration of Chemical
Substances and the Relevant
Permits”
“Regulation for Packing,
Packaging, and Labeling of
Hazardous Chemicals”
Import Restrictions and Licensing
(Basis for purchasing and Receiving or procurement)
• Department of Chemical Substances, shall
maintain a list of hazardous chemicals according
to international classification (Rottendam and
Stockholm Conventions).
• List of 311 substances (which is not available in
the net).
• Environmental permit should be obtained for
import hazardous chemicals.
• A temporary environmental permit may be
granted for qualified scientific institutions for
experimental use.
Labeling Requirements
Requireme
(Basis for Chemical Storage)
In pursuant to Ministerial Decree 317/2001
• Scientific and commercial name of the content plus quality.
• Physical and chemical properties.
• Degree of risk plus its international hazard classification in
both Arabic and English.
• Chemical safety guidelines for handling or dealing with
chemicals especially during an emergency.
• Purpose of use contents and expiry date.
• Full name and address relating to temperature or producer.
• Storage instruction relating to temperature, pressure, light,
etc.
• Label should be clearly written, easily readable and firmly
fixed.
Chemical Safety Sheets
Ministerial Decree 248/1997, Annex 2
These includes
• Scientific or common name;
• CAS number;
• Chemical and physical properties;
• Chemical compositions;
• Stability and reactivity;
• Toxicity and hazard to man and environment;
• Safety precautions;
• First aid and accidental release measures’
• Packing, handling and storage measure;
• Transport information;
• Disposal considerations;
• Other information (such as expiration date)
Hazardous Chemicals – MD No. 248/97
Basis for Chemical Storage
Hazardous Chemicals
Explosive
Description
other than those stated in RD
82/77
Flammable liquids
Flammable solids
Substances liable to
spontaneous combustion
Substances in contact with
water emit flammable gases
Oxidizer
Organic peroxides
flash point of 60.5°C
causes fire through friction
combustible when in contact
with air and liable to catch fire
organic cpds which contains
the bivalent – o-o – structure
Hazardous Chemicals – MD No. 248/97
Basis for Chemical Storage
Hazardous Chemicals
Poison
Corrosive
Liberation of toxic gases in
contact with air or water
Toxins
Ecotoxins
Description
Delayed or Chronic
that has impact to the
environment by means of bioaccumulation or toxic effects upon
biotic systems
Substances, when disposed,
yield harmful materials
Major Hazardous Chemicals
(Regulated and Controlled)
Hazardous Chemicals
Description
Mercury and Mercury compounds
-
Cyanide and cyanide compounds
-
Asbestos
-
Polychlorinated biphenyls, PCB’s
by Montreal Protocol use of exiting
compound is allowed until March 19, 2014
Ozone Depleting Substances
by Montreal Protocol à CCl4 until 2015 and
HCFC’s until 2040
Cadmium compounds
-
Lead compounds
-
Arsenic compounds
-
Vinyl compounds
-
Benzene
-
Chromium (Cr6)
-
Classification of Hazardous Wastes
Hazardous Wastes
Waste with cyanides
Acid wastes
Alkali wastes
Inorganic chemical wastes
Reactive chemical wastes
Description/s
200 ppm concentration
less than pH 2
more than pH 12.5
Selenium and its compounds, >1ppm;
Arsenic and its compounds, >5ppm;
Barium and its compounds, >100 ppm;
Cadmium and its compounds, >5ppm;
Chromium and its compounds, >5 ppm;
Lead and its compounds, >5ppm;
Mercury and its compounds, >0.2ppm
Other wastes with inorganic chemicals like antimony, beryllium, metal
carbonyls, copper, zinc, Tellurium, inorganic fluorine including calcium
fluoride and its compounds
Oxidizing agents
Cyanide or sulfides wastes with pH 2-12.5
Reducing agents
Cyanide or sulfide wastes with pH 12.5
Explosives and unstable chemicals
Capable of detonation at 20C, 1 atm.
Highly reactive chemicals
Classification of Hazardous Wastes
Hazardous Wastes
Paints/ink/dyes
Organic solvents
Putrescible / Organic wastes
Oil
Containers
Immobilized wastes
Organic Chemicals
Miscellaneous wastes
Description/s
Aqueous based, solvent bases, inorganic pigments, ink formulation
and other mixed containing >10% by volume
Halogenated organic solvents like tetrachloroethelene,
trichloroethylene, carbon tetrachloride, etc.
Non-halogenated organic solvents like xylene, acetone, ethyl
acetate, ethyl benzene, etc. containing >10% by volume
Animal/ abattoir waste, grease traps wastes from canteen.
Waste oil from establishments that generate, transport or treat
>200 L per day except vegetable oil and waste tallow.
Containers previously containing toxic chemicals
Solid wastes, and polymerized wastes, chemical fixed wastes,
encapsulated wastes
Waste with specific non halogenated toxic organic chemicals, ODS,
PCB wastes
Pathogenic or infections wastes, friable asbestos wastes,
pharmaceutical and drugs, pesticides and POPs pesticides
SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF
CHEMICAL SAFETY
Purchasing &
Receiving
Treatment &
Disposal
Collection,
Environmental
Health &
Safety
Storage
Chemical
Life
Cycle
Distribution &
Application
Purchasing and Receiving
Before chemicals are ordered, the following
questions should be considered.
• What is the least hazardous chemical available that can
be used?
• What is the minimum quantity needed to complete the
experiment?
• Is the chemical already available? Check your laboratory
inventory.
• How should the chemical be stored?
• Is the laboratory equipped to handle the spill?
• Are personnel trained on how to safely handle the
chemicals?
Chemical Storage
The general requirements of the storing
chemicals will be as follows:
• Inventory of hazardous chemicals;
• Containers shall be dated when received and
opened.
Accompanying chemical safety
sheets or material data sheets; and
Chemical Storage
Chemical container must be labeled with a
minimum of chemical name, hazard warning,
and target organs with the following signage
recommended by law as shown below -
Generation to Disposal
Registry/
Reporting
Generation
Permit or
License is
required
Storage
Permit or
License is
required
Transport
Permit or
License and
accreditation
are required
Clearance
Reporting
Treatment
Disposal
ACCESS TO SAFETY INFORMATION
• Required Documents for Safety Information
– List of Chemicals and or Materials from the
Laboratory Manual that includes quantity, etc.
– List of General and Exclusive Inventory
– Handbook of laboratory management like
• Chemical Hygiene Plan
– Handling and storage of chemicals
– Etc.
• Standardized Policies and Guidelines
• Compilation of laboratory Safety Data Sheets
Safety Slogan …
Thank you for listening…