Chemical Safety

MSDSs must be readily accessible during each work shift to employees when they are in their work areas.

Title 3, Chapter 10-Chemical Laboratories in the Rules of the City of New York (RCNY) states that storage of corrosive acids shall be so arranged that there will be no contact with bare metals or of cellulosic material with nitric acid in event of spillage. In general, plastic bins are used for acids to not only meet this requirement but also to serve as secondary containment.

The College's Hazard Communication Program has been developed to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (29 Code of Federal Regulations 1910.1200). The program is designed to ensure evaluation of the hazards of all chemicals present in non-laboratory workplaces, and ensure that both employers and employees receive relevant information about those hazards. Certain chemicals are exempt from the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, including hazardous wastes (contact EHS to obtain a copy of the Waste Disposal Procedures Manual), food, wood, tobacco, and potentially hazardous substances such as drugs and cosmetics brought to the college for personal consumption (e.g. rubbing alcohol in a first aid kit would not be covered). Laboratories are covered under another OSHA standard (see  Chemical Hygiene Plan).

Examples of secondary containment bins and trays can be found at the following websites:

• Lab Safety Utility Trays
• Lab Safety Nalgene Multi-Purpose Pans
• Fisher Scientific Nalgene High-Density Polyethylene Pans
• Fisher Scientific Fisherbrand Polymeric Trays

Chemical spill cleanup kits are helpful to have in the laboratory and other service areas which use chemicals. The kits are useful if you and your fellow workers know how to use them properly. Chemical absorbent or neutralizing powder pads can be used to quickly contain a spill. Use these items if your personal safety is not jeopardized. Often the best use of such a kit is to put the absorbent on the spill to contain the material, then leave the room and secure the area until the Environmental Health and Safety arrives and finishes the cleanup.

Minimally, a chemical spill kit should contain:

• splash resistant goggles
• chemical resistant gloves
• plastic bags
• multi-chemical absorbent including solvent/acid/caustic (enough for a 2 gallon spill)
• plastic scoop and dust pan

Alternatively, you may choose to purchase a ready-made chemical spill kit, such as the Universal/Maintenance Spill Kit shown on the link.

NOTE: A hydrofluoric acid (HF) spill control kit is required in all areas using or storing hydrofluoric acid. This link provides a suitable option. 

NOTE: A container of sodium bicarbonate or other suitable neutralizing or absorbing agent shall be provided at all areas used for the storage of acids (FDNY requirement). Contact EHS to request a container of sodium bicarbonate.

At any time a laboratory is in operation, a certificate of fitness holder must be present. If someone works over the weekend, that person must have a certificate of fitness. If the certificate of fitness holder leaves for lunch, all lab operations must cease if no certificate of fitness holder is present. For these reasons Environmental Health and Safety recommends every person working in a laboratory maintain a certificate of fitness. See the laboratory certificate of fitness page for more information.

Chemical inventories should be conducted on at least a yearly basis. Personnel should be looking at the physical condition of primary and secondary containers. Chemicals should be inspected for signs of decomposition, such as discoloration, turbidity, caking, moisture in dry chemicals, particulates in liquids, and pressure buildup. However, as new chemicals are received, the inventory in Salute should be updated to include them.

An oxidizing material (e.g. nitrirc acid, perchloric acid) spontaneously evolves oxygen. When in contact with wooden cabinets and other cellulose materials oxidizers may spontaneously ignite the material. They may also yield oxygen to the fire, greatly increasing the fire's effect.

Oxidizing acids (e.g., perchloric acid) should be stored in plastic-lined (high-density polyethylene) storage cabinets on glass or ceramic trays large enough to contain a spill.

The area used to store corrosive acids must be carefully designed to ensure spills of acid will not come into contact with bare metal or cellulosic materials with nitric acid. Strong organic acids should be stored separately from mineral acids. The perchloric acids must be stored in glass containers separated from the organic materials. Strong acids must be stored separately from strong bases. Care must also be taken to ensure acids are not stored near substances which react with them to evolve heat, hydrogen or explosive gases.