Handling of chemicals

Receiving chemicals

· Certain chemicals, except solvents, are received in postroom 2nd floor, 1590

· Solvents and chemicals are received in room 1593-218 (student helpers office) or room 1591-016 (chemical storage)

· Transport in the house must be done safely. Usually chemicals are shipped securely packaged and transported to the laboratory in the mail package; large and heavy gaskets with e.g. solvents, acids and bases are transported in a trolley.

· Many corrosive and hazardous chemicals can often be purchased in plastic bottles with plastic safety coating. If a bottle is dropped, the contents will not run out.

· All received chemicals must be labelled with a bar code and registered in KIROS. When requiring special precautions for a chemical, it must be indicated on the chemical labelling.

· KIROS works as a workplace manual for the individual chemicals and in KIROS there is also Material Safety Data Sheet. (MSDS)

· In the labelling and handling of chemicals we are considered as end users; we are therefore not obliged to change obsolete safety instructions and R and S phrases to H and P sentences

· Gases are delivered in an approved gas cage, where the pressure cylinders are securely fastened with a chain.

 

Storage of chemicals

I. A common stock primarily for solvents in approved rooms

II. Local stocks in the research groups (possibly shared between several groups).

III. In the research and teaching laboratories.

· Solvents: The solvents are ordered in units that have a size so to avoid any kind of storage in the storage type I and II. Ie. that the units received can be used in the laboratories. The size of the units is determined by the solvents' classification.

· Explosion-proof cabinets should be used for larger storage of solvent in latex type I and II. Explosion-proof cabinets must not be located in laboratories.

· Other common chemicals: Store in stock I-III in enclosed ventilated enclosures.

· Acids, bases and highly oxidizing chemicals must always be stored separately from solvents

· Poisonous and licensed chemicals: Store in specially locked cabinets and keep accounts with the quantities.

· Pressurized gas cylinders are securely transported in special bottle carts and must always be securely stored in laboratories and in no larger quantities than necessary. Reduction valves must be approved for the gas in question. Outside the laboratory, an approved sign with the text must be fitted: “Trykflasker – Fjernes ved Brand” ("Pressure bottles - Remove when fire").

Use of chemicals Research Laboratories:

· Anyone working in a chemistry laboratory must have completed the Chemical Institute's safety course and fire extinguishing course before they get independent access to the laboratories and receive key cards and keys.

· Anyone who works in a chemistry laboratory must sign that he/she has read, understood and will comply with the safety rules for working with chemicals and equipment.

· Anyone working in a molecular biology laboratory must have undergone safety regulations, waste management and general chemical handling before they gain independent access to the laboratories and receive key cards and keys.