Chapter 3 Hazardous materials
School Science Laboratory Safety Regulations
non-volatile salt of the metal which should be disposed toxic solid waste. Note that salts of mercury are also toxic.
of
as
Metals - sodium, lithium and potassium j.
These metals react violently when exposed to moisture and should therefore be stored in oil, in a cool and dry environment. The metals should only be purchased when required for use. Do not store the metals for long periods in the laboratory as superoxides of the metals may form and explode when subject to friction or shock.
Organic chemicals k.
>? general, organic chemicals are flammable and often carcinogenic. Gloves and safety goggles must be worn when handling organic chemicals. Naked flames and ignition sources must be kept away from organic chemicals. Work should be performed in a fume cupboard or a well-ventilated area.
A list of commonly used chemicals in school laboratory experiments together with more information on the handling, storage and disposal of these chemicals is given in Annex D.
3.3.4. General guidelines for storing chemicals chemicals a.
Good housekeeping, regular inspection as well as clear and exact labelling are essential for minimising accidents resulting from the storage of chemicals. The following precautions should be closely observed when storing chemicals: i.
Chemicals should be stored in a cool and well-ventilated place. Chemicals, especially hazardous chemicals, should be stored for easy access by laboratory staff. It is not advisable to store chemicals on high shelves.
ii.
Chemical stores should be examined regularly and checked for its expiry date. Chemicals that show signs of deterioration or are redundant must be disposed of according to established procedures. Refer to the MSDS accompanying each chemical for information on disposal procedures.
should be stored according to hazard iii. Chemicals classification (for example, oxidising, flammable, corrosive and explosive) rather than according to alphabetical order. Incompatible classes of chemicals must be physically separated from each other, for example, by placing them on different shelves or by using a secondary container.
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