Hazardous Materials Storage & Handling

Contents

What should employees know before moving, handling, and storing materials?�

What are the potential hazards for workers?�

What precautions should workers take when moving materials manually?�

What precautions should workers take when moving materials mechanically?�

What precautions must workers take to avoid storage hazards?�

What safeguards must workers follow when stacking materials?

Key points

Rule #1. Follow all established procedures and perform job duties as you’ve been trained.

Rule #2. Be cautious and plan ahead. Think about what could go wrong and pay close attention to what you’re doing while you work.

Rule #3. Always use required PPE—and inspect it carefully before each use to make sure it’s safe to use. Replace worn out or damage PPE; it won’t provide adequate protection.

Rule #4. Make sure all containers are properly labeled and that the material is contained in an appropriate container. Don’t use any material not contained or labeled properly. Report any damaged containers or illegible labels to your supervisor right away.

Rule #5. Read labels and the material safety data sheet (MSDS) before using any material to make sure you understand hazards and precautions.

​

Rule #6. Use all materials solely for their intended purpose. Don’t, for example, use solvents to clean your hands, or gasoline to wipe down equipment.

Rule #7. Never eat or drink while handling any materials, and if your hands are contaminated, don’t use cosmetics or handle contact lenses.

Rule #8. Read the labels and refer to MSDSs to identify properties and hazards of chemical products and materials.

Rule #9. Store all materials properly, separate incompatibles, and store in ventilated, dry, cool areas.

Rule #10. Keep you and your work area clean. After handling any material, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Clean work surfaces at least once a shift so that contamination risks are minimized.

Rule #11. Learn about emergency procedures and equipment.

Non-ionizing Radiation

Lasers (Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation)

Class 1, 2, 3R, 3B, 4

Chemicals

Controlled Substances

Chemical Precursors

Chemical Warfare Agents

Select Agents

Main Issues of Storage

Access (Security)

• Drugs, select agents, terrorism potential

Adequate warning

• Signs
• Labels
• Abbreviation lists

Incompatible chemicals mixing

• Earthquakes

Exceeding storage limits

• Time
• Safety
• Efficacy
• Quantity
• Fire Code
• Building limits
• Building Design Limits
• Green Buildings

Corrosives

Flammables

Oxidizers

Toxins

Reactive Chemicals

Chemical Hazard Classes

New & Familiar Symbols

Hazard Symbols & Classes

Hazardous Materials�DISPOSAL

Waste Determination

What types of waste are generated?

Waste Management for Labs

Bio hazardous Waste

Laboratory or research waste, that is potentially infectious to humans, plants or animals, or would pose a potential threat to the the environment

​

Bio hazardous Waste includes

Cell, bacteria and viral cultures

Transgenic plants

Tissue culture supplies

Medical Waste

Diagnosis, treatment or immunization of humans/animals

Research on diagnosis, treatment or immunization of humans/animals

Can be biohazardous or sharps

Includes all hypodermic needles

Universal Waste

Batteries

Lamps (fluorescent)

Thermostats (with hg ampoules)

Cathode ray tubes (PC monitors) & other ‘e-waste’

• Anything with a circuit board

Special Waste

Used oil

Used oil filters

Lead-acid batteries

Mixed Waste Examples

Scintillation cocktail

Tissue samples containing known or suspect infectious substances labeled with radioactive isotopes.

Chemical Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Waste as defined by the regulations

On a list?

• Extremely or Acutely Hazardous

Characteristic Waste

• Ignitable
• Corrosive
• Reactive
• Toxic

Extremely & Acutely�Hazardous Waste Examples

Ammonia

Benzyl chloride

Chlordane

Chloroform

Formaldehyde

Hydrogen fluoride

Nitric acid

Phenol

Sodium azide

Vinyl acetate monomer

Chemical Waste

Ignitable

• Flash point less than 140F
• Most organic solvents
• Acetone, methanol, toluene

Corrosive

• pH less than 2, greater than 12.5
• Strong acids, bases

Chemical Waste

Reactive

• Reacts violently and spontaneously under STP with water, air, light, friction
• Examples of reactive chemicals
• Sodium metal
• Dry nitrocellulose
• Old organic peroxides
• Contaminated, crystallized picric acid

Chemical Waste

Toxic

• LD₅₀ (lethal dose at which 50% of the test population dies) <5000 mg/kg
• May cause environmental harm
• Thousands of chemicals
• Difficult to determine at bench

Original stock chemicals

Conditions which cause EPA to consider them waste

• Retrograde containers
• Bottles cracked
• Caps corroded or cracked
• Dirty
• Labels
• Illegible
• Falling off
• Expiration dates exceeded

1/23/2017

Examples of “Inherently Waste-like”

Mixed Waste�(Avoid creating when possible – very expensive)

Radioactive + chemically hazardous

Radioactive + biohazardous

Chemically hazardous + biohazardous

Physically Hazardous Waste

Sharp and Piercing objects

Razor blades

Broken glass

Pipette tips

Waste Disposal: When?

Container should be ~80% full

• Reduces the number of containers shipped
• Reduces amount of time on pickups
• Minimizes costs to the university

Accidents and Spills

​

Ask your self…

If I do nothing, will it get worse or cause a release to the environment?

• If it will get worse, call for help (9-9-9)

If it won’t get worse, do you have necessary materials and proper training to clean it up?

Accidental Releases to the Environment

​

Stop

• Action causing the release

Recover

• As much released material as you safely can

Report

• The incident as soon as possible!

Self-Audits

Check conditions for hazardous waste

• Is everything properly labeled?
• Are all containers in good condition?
• Appropriate use of secondary containment?
• Is everything properly stored?
• Is waste properly segregated?

Provide suggestions to improve service

Hazardous Chemical Storage

Aged/unwanted inventory

• Donate to the Chemical Reuse Program
• Prepare unneeded materials for disposal

General Housekeeping

• Are the areas organized and labeled well?

​