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Department of Biochemistry
School of Molecular Sciences Safe Work Procedure
TOXIC CHEMICALS
General
Chemicals can enter the body by three routes:
• via the respiratory tract, due to inhalation of fumes or air-borne
particles
• via absorption through the skin from the liquid, solid or even gaseous
state
• via gastro-intestinal tract, following accidental ingestion
Hazards
Class 6 – Toxic. Chemicals can produce a wide range of damaging
effects on tissue and organs. In the laboratory the greatest risk is of
skin damage, followed by skin absorption and inhalation of chemicals.
Some chemicals produce damage within a very short period of contact;
others require prolonged, repeated contact before an effect is seen (eg.
liver damage and cancer by inhaled carbon tetrachloride, leukaemia by
inhaled benzene, allergic contact dermatitis from some chemicals). The
effect on the worker depends on the toxicity of the chemical, exposure
time, amount and individual susceptibility. Problems arise in the
workplace when workers are not aware of the chemical hazards or the
safety precautions that must be taken.
Risk Control Measures
• Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the chemical before
you use it.
• Regard all chemicals as hazardous until you know otherwise. Avoid skin
contact or inhalation.
• Use fume hoods for handling toxic compounds and for conducting any
processes that are likely to emit noxious gas, vapour, dust or mist.
• Prevent spills and absorption of chemicals through the skin by wearing
suitable protective clothing, eg. laboratory coat, safety glasses or
goggles, proper footwear, impermeable gloves, and promptly wash off any
chemicals spilled on the skin or splashed into eyes with plenty of cold
water from the tap and eyewash facility. Hands should be washed
thoroughly after using chemicals before leaving the laboratory.
• Prevent ingestion of chemicals. Never pipette chemicals by mouth.
Never taste or smell chemicals.
• Do not consume or keep food and drink in a laboratory.
• Clean up immediately any spills of chemicals on benches or floor.
• All samples removed from stock containers should be clearly and
appropriately labelled (with a use by date where applicable and a
Hazchem class diamond if possible).
• Apparatus should be cleaned immediately after use. Return all
equipment not in use to its proper place in a clean and working
condition
• Clean up after each stage of an experiment. Apparatus that contains
harmful chemicals should be rinsed before being left for final cleaning.
• The minimum quantities of hazardous chemicals should be stored in the
laboratory.
Engineering / Ventilation Controls
Ensure access to an eyewash facility in areas where toxic chemicals
are used. Handle toxic chemicals in a fume hood.
Storage Requirements
Store in a cool, dry place away from strong oxidizing agents. Keep
containers tightly closed. Use with adequate ventilation.
First Aid / Spill Control Procedures
Refer to the MSDS for the toxic chemical for specific first aid and
spill procedures.
Wash off immediately with copious amounts of cold water (at least 10
minutes). In case of contact with eyes, immediately flush eyes with
copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes (eyewash).
Seek medical attention.
Poisons Information Centre (0 13 1126).
Large Spill:
Notify others in the area of spill. Evacuate area. Call the Molecular Sciences General Office (9479 2160) or Zisis Pouros (9479 1294) for clean up.
Barricade area with tape to prevent entry until arrival of response
personnel. Provide assistance and information to spill clean up crew.
Waste
Check the MSDS for the appropriate waste storage and disposal
procedures.
Contact the Molecular Sciences General Office (9479 2160) for current waste disposal
instructions.
Applicable Standards and Regulations
Occupational Health and Safety (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 1999
Victorian WorkCover Authority - WorkSafe Basics - Chemicals
Victorian Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 1989
Victorian Environmental Protection Act 1979
Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act 1995
Australian Standard AS 1470-1986, Health and Safety at Work - Principles
and Practices
Australian Standard AS 2508, Safe Storage & Handling Information Cards
for Hazardous Materials
Australian Standard AS 2243, Safety in Laboratories: Parts 1-10
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