The material covered in the OHS Induction Module is based on the Chemistry Safety Manual, here for your reference
You should familiarize yourself with the EMERGENCY PROCEDURES booklet located beside each telephone. This booklet includes instructions for Emergency Evacuation.
In an emergency, use an emergency RED phone. If a Red Phone is not close by, call the emergency internal number 333 or 9905 3333 (mobile phone). State clearly the nature of the emergency, location of the emergency, your name and contact information. In case of fire, you may also use the Fire Alarms located in various places throughout the School. Break the glass and press the alarm button. In the case of serious personal injury, First Aiders should assist with emergency treatment until medical personnel arrive.
Emergency procedures are listed in every building at prime locations and an emergency procedures booklet.
Emergency Contacts - In an emergency use a RED PHONE or RING 333 or RING 9905 3333.
Alert Signal: beep beep beep
Evacuation Signal: whoop whoop whoop
Leave the building via the nearest safe exit and proceed to the Assembly area as directed by the emergency wardens. DO NOT USE THE LIFT. Do not re-enter the building until directed by the building warden or the Fire Brigade.
Assembly points:
Building 19: 19 Rainforest Walk
Building 23: 17 Rainforest Walk
Building 86: 13 Rainforest Walk
Every overnight experiment must be reported to Security daily by submitting the overnight experiment online form. Research students must have the apparatus checked and the card initialized by their supervisor, or a post-doctoral fellow if the supervisor is unavailable.
No one should undertake laboratory work outside normal working hours without a "buddy" (i.e. another person working in close proximity who can regularly check your safety every 30 minutes). The “buddy” must be a member of the School of Chemistry and must be suitably trained to deal with a chemical emergency situation should it arise.
SAT, SUN & HOLIDAYS
0:00 - 9:00 (After hours)
Low risk experiments only - Buddy system applies
9:00 - 17:00 (Normal Working hours)
Low risk experiments only - Buddy system applies
17:00 - 24:00 (After hours)
Low risk experiments only - Buddy system applies
MON, TUE, WED, THUR, FRI
0:00 - 9:00 (After hours)
Low risk experiments only - Buddy system applies
9:00 - 17:00 (Normal Working hours)
Normal operations
17:00 - 24:00 (After hours)
Low risk experiments only - Buddy system applies
*Note: the University First Aid facilities are NOT staffed outside of official University working hours (8:45 am to 5:00 pm).
The requirements for personal protective equipment should be as detailed in your risk assessments. However, when handling hazardous chemicals or when you are in an area where hazardous chemicals are used constantly (e.g. synthetic laboratories), the School of Chemistry Safety Committee recommends the following minimum PPE.
Laboratory personnel and visitors MUST wear safety glasses at ALL TIMES in all laboratory areas that are signed. If prescription glasses are required, safety glasses must be worn over the top of prescription glasses. Glasses should fit tightly and be chosen for maximum eye protection.
Contact lenses should not be worn in laboratories because of the risk of chemicals being trapped under the lenses. If you have to wear contact lenses, you must also wear tight-fitting splash goggles.
Laboratory coats should be worn at all times in the laboratory, but not outside the building. They should preferably be made of 100% heavy-duty cotton. The use of pure polyester coats is prohibited. These are particularly dangerous because of their flammability and the low melting point of polyester.
Closed shoes only (never thongs or open sandals) should be worn in laboratory areas.
Gloves must be worn as part of personal protective equipment when indicated by the risk assessment.
The Faculty of Science store carries several types of gloves (Latex, Nitrile, Neoprene), use the most appropriate protection as determined by your Risk Assessment.
Gloves MUST be removed before leaving the laboratory to prevent chemical contamination of other areas in the School.
Laboratory coats should be removed and hands washed before leaving the laboratory.
All visitors to the School are asked to report to Chemistry Reception in the first instance. Visitors are only permitted to enter a laboratory in the company of a member of staff, and must wear safety glasses and appropriate footwear and clothing while there. Children are not permitted in any part of the School except under the supervision of an adult.
When using hazardous chemicals or undertaking high risk procedures in the research laboratories in the School of Chemistry, the OHS committee recommends that mobile phones should not be used, except in emergency situations. If mobile phones are used, ensure that all active hazardous processes stopped and that potentially contaminated protective equipment such as gloves are removed prior to using the device.
See also related information on the Monash University OHS website Using Audio Headphones, -earphones or earbuds in the workplace
All members of the School should read the Information sheet Use of Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems Part 1. Fume Cupboards
Fume cupboards must be kept clean and uncluttered at all times and not be used as a repository for unwashed equipment. Sashes should be kept clean and unobscured by writing, stickers, or signage.
Most fume cupboards have a yellow "Recommended Sash Height" sticker, and the sash should be kept at or below this level when in use. OHSE recommends that the performance be tested on a regular basis to ensure that the face velocity and flow distribution are satisfactory.
Every laboratory should contain appliances to cope with fire or spill emergencies, including:
safety showers and eye-washers
fire blankets
fire extinguishers
a fire bucket with clean, dry sand or vermiculite
chemical spill kits.
The General Office must be notified immediately whenever one of these appliances is used so that it can be replaced or refilled.
Fire Safety Training is run as part of the Honour’s induction program in February each year.
Empty Winchesters, boxes of chemicals and sundry equipment must not be stored on the floor or just inside doorways.
Fume cupboards are not intended for use as storage space. They should contain only equipment and chemicals actually in use or for use in the immediate future.
Malodorous substances and non-flammable solvent residues awaiting disposal should be kept in ventilated storage cupboards.
Workbenches should be kept in a clean dust-free condition and used only for short-term storage of samples and chemicals. They should not be used for storing dirty glassware.
Faulty taps, blocked sinks, faulty electric lighting and power, and other building faults, should be reported to the Reception Office immediately.
Cables and tubing should not be laid across open flooring.
All safety showers and eyewash facilities must be regularly flushed and checked to ensure they are fully functional. Any problems must be reported to the supervisor or Safety Officer immediately.
People using gas cylinders must do the online Gas Cylinder and Cryogenic training course. that includes a practical component supervised by the Safety Officer (or authorised person). All OHS training is located in myDevelopment under Browse for Learning - Occupational Health and Safety.
All gas cylinders must be properly secured with a chain to prevent their falling and causing injury. They must only be moved on a trolley, and chained in position while doing so. Only gas cylinders that are in use and have a regulator attached can be stored in the laboratory. Connections should be leak tested, and appropriate regulators used. Unused gas cylinders should be returned to the Faculty Store.
Please note, low pressure cylinders of flammable gases, e.g. LPG, are NOT to be stored in laboratories.
The School of Chemistry liquid nitrogen facility is located in the courtyard outside the west exit of the south wing of Building 23. Prior to using the facility, people must complete the online Gas Cylinder and Cryogenic training course that includes a practical component supervised by the Safety Officer (or authorised person). All OHS training is located in myDevleopment under Browse for Learning - Occupational Health and Safety.
The following safety equipment is available in the facility and their use is mandatory:
closed toe footwear
eye protection (safety glasses or face shield)
thermal gloves
Liquid nitrogen should be stored in containers specifically designed for cryogenic use. Transfer and use of liquid nitrogen should be in a well-ventilated area.
When using or storing compressed gas cylinders or liquid nitrogen, rapid depletion of oxygen resulting from a failure of the ventilation system (e.g. in a fire) and a large spillage of liquid nitrogen or gas release from a pressurized container, may cause the O2 level to drop below the minimum workplace level of 19.6%. Some examples of the calculation to determine the oxygen depletion.
All members of the School of Chemistry should read Using Chemicals at Monash prior to commencing any laboratory work.
Monash University has mandated that all staff associated with the School (with the exception of some administrative staff), including Monash academic staff, professional officers, adjunct partners, post graduate students and researchers MUST attend the Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods Awareness training run by the Staff Development Unit. All OHS training is available through the myDevelopment: Browse for learning- OHS training. For staff and postgraduate students, the myDevelopment page can be located from your myMonash portal through the HR & employment tile. For undergraduate students, including Honour's, you will need to request access to myDevelopment by completing and submitting a myDevelopment Student access request form available from the Staff Development Unit. Training links may not appear in myDevelopment for 24-48 Hrs after enrolment.
In addition, each research group/laboratory shall provide induction, instruction and or training on any SWI applicable to a task or process in which a hazardous chemical is used. This training MUST be recorded, dated and signed using the training record proforma (or similar worksheet) and be available to be viewed by OHS staff.
ChemWatch is an online chemical management system and provides safety information including up to date MSDS(SDS), a chemical inventory for each laboratory, and printable labels for decanted chemicals and chemical samples. All university staff have access to the ChemWatch system via the OHS tile in my.Monash or through the link on the Monash University OHS website.
In addition, each research group also has a username and password (note: domain name is monashuni) for viewing and maintaining chemical stores and inventories. It is essential that all hazardous chemicals are entered into ChemWatch with the maximum quantity recorded and the Dangerous Goods classification manually entered if a ChemWatch MSDS(SDS) is not available. Information on the use of ChemWatch can be obtained from the School Safety Officer(s). Users requiring further training can attend the courses run by Staff Development Unit which can be booked online in myDevelopment (see above).
Hardcopy MSDS's (SDS's) may be used in laboratories if required or are more convenient but MUST NOT exceed 5 years from the publication date.
Prior to purchasing a hazardous chemical, consideration should be given to the possibility of substituting a chemical with less risk. Furthermore, the quantity purchased is to be kept to a minimum to reduce risks (e.g. of a chemical spill) and to avoid the cost associated with disposal of unwanted chemicals. The Monash Chemical Pre-purchase Checklist MUST be completed prior to ordering a new chemical that is either a hazardous substance or dangerous goods.
All chemicals purchases must be completed through Coupa and have an accompanying SDS from the supplier attached to the request. All chemical orders submitted to Coupa services will require approval by the SoC Product Steward prior to being released. Chemicals cannot be purchased online using a Monash credit card.
Some readily available chemicals, including some commonly used in universities, can be used to make homemade explosive devices. These and other toxic chemicals that can be misused may require further authorisation and/or documentation (eg end user declaration) prior to receipt of the chemical. The university and staff are empowered by license to possess certain controlled substances, such as drug precursors or scheduled carcinogens (see below). These may require additional arrangements such as secure storage, record keeping, and general control in accordance with the relevant permit conditions. Please see the School Product Steward (Dr. Boujemaa Moubaraki) for further information.
For any process or experiment using hazardous chemicals, a risk assessment must be undertaken and recorded prior to the commencement of the chemical process. The relevant sections of Risk Management Worksheet must be completed in consultation with Monash Risk Management Chemical document and the Introduction to the GHS.
Risk Management Program
Depending on the complexity of the chemicals(s) or process, relevant staff, the School Safety Officer(s), or external experts should also be consulted. Finalised risk assessments must be reviewed at least every 3 years.
For chemical syntheses and synthetic chemistry research projects, a generic process risk assessment template and a generic safe work instruction are available (see below) which may be used for “ordinary” synthetic procedures performed on a regular basis. In situations where there is uncertainty about the degree of risk or there is a significant risk to health or of exposure or for more complex procedures, a more detail risk assessment should be completed and may involve additional information about health hazards and further control measures that may be required to minimise the risk.
Containers or packages of chemicals may be stored in a range of configurations including:
general laboratory shelves or cupboards
Dangerous Goods cabinets
dedicated chemical stores
storage areas for gas cylinders and cryogenic fluids
bulk tanks or containers
In considering storage of hazardous chemicals, laboratory users shall refer to the best practice as specified in Australian Standards:
AS 1940-2004 The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
AS/NZS 2243.10:2004 Safety in laboratories – Part 10 Storage of Chemicals
AS 3780-2008 The storage and handling of corrosive substances
Storage arrangements should be designed to minimise the risk of exposure (chemical spill) and reduce the potential fire risk (including the potential formation of toxic gases). See also: the Monash guidelines Storage of Dangerous Goods in Laboratories, Studios and Workshops.
4.5.1 Segregation of chemicals
Incompatible chemicals must be segregated by distance or containment barriers sufficient to eliminate the risk of fire, explosion or accumulation of toxic gases or vapours from mixing of incompatible chemicals resulting from a leak or spillage etc. The principle source of guidance on conditions for safe storage and compatibility is the SDS for the relevant chemicals (see sections 7 and 10).
Examples include (but not limited to):
concentrated strong acids and alkali
cyanides and acids
strong oxidisers and flammable solvents
Chemical storage cabinets for specific Dangerous Goods classes (eg. Class 3, Class 5.1) shall not be used to store any other Dangerous Goods class.
Further information on the segregation of hazardous chemicals can be obtained from the Code of Practice for the Storage and Handling of Dangerous Goods, WorkSafe VIC, 2013 – Appendix 2.
4.5.2 Storage in laboratory cupboards and Dangerous Goods cabinets
Local storage arrangements are to reflect the following principles (in addition to requirements prescribed elsewhere in this manual).
Quantities of hazardous chemicals should be kept to a minimum.
Group the chemicals by chemical classification e.g. non-hazardous, hazardous substance only, dangerous goods
Segregate dangerous goods by class e.g. Class 3 Flammable Liquids, Class 6.1 Toxic Substances, Class 8 Corrosive Substances
Large quantities of dangerous goods should be stored in Australian Standard compliant chemical storage cabinets e.g. 25 L of flammable liquids in a small Class 3 flammable liquid cabinet.
The sump of a Dangerous Goods chemical storage cabinet shall not be used for storage
Store smaller quantities of dangerous goods in laboratory cupboards or on shelving with solids positioned above liquids and the different DG classes segregated using a separate laboratory cupboards for each class or by using separate plastic spill trays or tubs
Check the incompatibility of common substances to identify any possible problems within dangerous goods classes (eg. concentrated strong acids and concentrated strong alkalis) and further segregate chemical as required (see above).
Non-hazardous chemicals and hazardous substances that are not dangerous goods can generally be stored together and sorted alphabetically.
Please consult the Monash guidelines for Storage of Dangerous Goods in Laboratories, Studios and Workshops for further information.
Solvents such as diethyl ether; pentane and carbon disulfide have flash points below -20 °C, and can form explosive mixtures with air even at freezer temperatures. A spark from a light switch, thermostat or fan may detonate these mixtures. Refrigerators and freezers used for chemical or sample storage should be custom built or modified appropriately so that all electrical connections are external to the unit and there is no possibility of arcing. Signage indicating suitability for solvent storage must be affixed prior to use.
Refrigerators and freezers used for chemical storage, including aqueous solutions, must not be used for storage of food or drink for human consumption. Refrigerators for food storage of food must be labeled as such and must NOT be located in a laboratory.
Chemicals stored in refrigerators or freezers should be segregated according to their DG class. Containers of liquids should be placed in secondary spill containment.
Fume cupboards are not to be used for chemical storage. Malodorous volatile compounds (eg amines, sulphur compounds, phosphines etc) should be stored in a ventilated cabinet. Compounds should be segregated according to their DG class and liquids placed in secondary spill containment. Please consult the relevant SDS for further information.
Safety baskets are available for carrying solvents and other chemicals from one location to another. They should be used at all times. The following items must NOT be transported in the lifts in Building 86:
Gas Cylinders
Cryogenics (liquid nitrogen or dry ice)
Hazardous chemicals
Chemical waste
To be trained to transport items safely using the neighbouring goods lift, please consult the Building Warden Karen Little, via chem-operations@monash.edu
Under no circumstances must bottles containing chemicals be allowed to remain unlabelled. This rule applies to both proprietary lines and research samples. The minimum labelling requirements are:
Product name and concentration
Date
Name of generator
DG class or diamond (or words that indicate the type and severity of the hazard)
For small containers of a research sample, the product name may be replaced with a sample number that refers to a laboratory notebook.
All labels MUST be legible to co-workers and emergency services.
Re-used containers MUST have the old label removed or totally covered.
Food and beverage containers are NOT permitted to be re-used for chemical storage.
Each laboratory should have a local system to prepare for chemical spills ensuring appropriate spill kits containing an absorbent material eg kitty litter, vermiculite, sand are readily accessible and regularly checked and restocked as necessary, and appropriate PPE is available to cater for foreseeable chemical spills. Workers should also consider specific hazards for highly dangerous chemicals eg concentrated strong acids and contingency plans in case of a spill as part of their risk assessment. Transferring or decanting hazardous chemicals generally presents a far greater risk than static storage and particular care and attention should be applied to these processes.
For emergency situations, full or half face-masks have been placed in the corridors around the School to be used in place of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. A filter should be attached to the mask prior to use (align the arrows on the cartridge towards the face mask).
Filter SR299-2R is suitable for:
Organic acid vapours with boiling points above 65ºC.
Inorganic gases and vapours such as chlorine, hydrogen sulphide and hydrogen cyanide.
Acid gas vapours such as sulphur dioxide and hydrogen fluoride.
Ammonia vapours and certain amines.
Mercury vapour.
All particulate matter.
These large green kits are located in the corridors close to all laboratories. Ensure that you know where to find them and how to use their contents in the event of a spill.
For serious, large spills of a hazardous material, isolate the area, and call 333 (see also Emergency Procedures above)
4.7.1 Chemicals and Contaminated Waste
All waste that arises from laboratory operations should be assessed and an appropriate disposal method selected prior to the waste being generated. In general, chemicals and chemically contaminated waste, solids or liquids, should be segregated according to DG class, and further segregated to avoid mixing incompatible chemicals, e.g. acid and bases, oxidizers and organic chemicals, acetone and chloroform. All contaminated waste should be placed into a sealed container (white pails for solids, and 10L carboys for liquids, available from the Faculty of Science store through COUPA), and properly labelled, including the type of waste, the DG class and a description of the contents. Waste labels for different waste streams can be downloaded from the OHS and Compliance page on the SoC Intranet or from the Monash University OHS web site.
Waste solvents must be placed in a sealed container (recycled plastic solvent bottles may be used provided that the existing label is completely removed or covered) and separated under the following categories:
Halogenated Solvents (DG Class 6.1)
Flammable solvents (DG Class 3)
Carbon disulfide and other special cases must be stored separately and properly labelled.
All waste solvent containers MUST be properly labelled with the name of the waste generator, the contents, the date and the relevant Dangerous Goods diamond affixed. Prior to disposal, waste containers must be stored according to their DG class and should have secondary spill containment.
Waste should not be stored in the laboratory and should be taken to the Faculty of Science Store as soon as possible for disposal through EPA licensed contractors such as Cleanaway.
The procedure for disposal of chemical and contaminated waste through the Faculty of Science Store.
1. Print or email a complete manifest of the waste to be submitted including the following information:
your name,
waste type and quantity,
DG class,
The chemical waste manifest can be downloaded from the OHS and Compliance page on the SoC Intranet
2. Waste MUST be in a sealed container and labelled with:
your name,
waste type and quantity,
DG diamond.
3. Take the waste to the store during store hours and the staff will direct you.
Waste classifications of some frequently generated waste streams are listed on the Monash University OHS website.
4.7.2 Glass waste
Glass waste, whether broken or unbroken, should not be placed in the general waste bins. Laboratory glass waste also cannot be recycled via the regular (yellow stickered) mixed recycling bins. All clean and unbroken glass e.g. empty solvent Winchesters can be taken to collection bins located in the corridors of B23/B19 and selected laboratories in B86 or placed in the skip in the courtyard of B23. The collection bins located in laboratories must be emptied by the laboratory occupants – the cleaners are not responsible for emptying these bins. Broken glass should be considered as hazardous waste and either placed in white pail for disposal as contaminated waste or placed in a yellow Sharps waste container (see below). If the pieces of broken glass are too big, they should be made safe (e.g. placed in a container or wrapped in bubble wrap and tape) and placed in the skip in the B23 courtyard.
Any glass that has been used with hazardous chemicals, including Pasteur pipettes, glass slides, vials etc. should be treated as for contaminated waste even if broken, see above.
4.7.3 Sharps Waste
Sharps waste comprises objects or devices that are capable of cutting or penetrating skin, including broken glass, needles scalpel blades etc. These should be placed in an approved yellow sharps container – these are readily available from the faculty of Science store. Sharps containers should be located adjacent to the work area where sharps are used for easy access.
Sharps may also be contaminated with toxic or infectious materials. These sharps should be placed in separate containers and labelled accordingly with the type of primary contamination.
Do not overfill containers – only fill to the “fill line” marked on the container.
4.7.4 General Waste
General (non-hazardous) waste, can be disposed of through the general waste bins in the laboratory or placed in the general waste bins in the corridors for collection by the cleaning services.
4.7.5 Special Instructions for Chemical Waste
Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to determine chemical compatibility and recommended disposal procedures. Certain chemicals require specific disposal procedures.
Class 1 (Explosive), Class 4.2 (Spontaneously Combustible) and Class 4.3 (Dangerous When Wet) cannot be disposed of by regular methods (see below).
Halogenated solvent waste DG Class 6.1 (Toxic) must be kept separated from other organic solvents as mixtures can explode (e.g. acetone and chloroform). Waste containers should be clearly labelled as Halogenated Solvent waste and kept closed whilst in the laboratory to prevent evaporation.
Cyanide waste must be placed in a separate waste container and the solution should be kept alkaline at all times.
Scheduled poisons – there are specific regulations regarding both the storage and disposal of Scheduled poisons, please discuss disposal with the School Safety Officers first.
Highly reactive substances such as amines, phosphorous compounds, thiols etc. should be treated before disposal and placed in separate waste containers.
Reactive metals and metal hydrides need to be neutralized prior to disposal of any waste generated – see below:
For specialist advice regarding disposal of very hazardous or unusual chemicals, please contact the School Safety Officers. Additional assistance can be obtained from Cleanaway:
Peter Wilson
Major Account Manager
83 Dohertys Rd, Laverton North VIC 3026 Australia | PO Box 240, Altona North VIC 3025
Mob: +61 408 518 713
E: peter.wilson2@cleanaway.com.au | www.cleanaway.com.au
If you are carrying out a chemical destruction or neutralization process prior to disposal for the first time, ensure that your supervisor or an experienced researcher is available to assist you. Adequate safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, breathing apparatus etc. should be on hand as determined by your Risk Assessment.
4.7.6 Neutralisation of sodium metal residues
If you are carrying out a chemical destruction or neutralization process prior to disposal for the first time, ensure that your supervisor or an experienced researcher is available to assist you. Adequate safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, breathing apparatus etc. should be on hand as determined by your Risk Assessment.
Several fires have occurred in this School during destruction of sodium residues from drying solvents. The School has developed a standard Operating Procedure for the Quenching of Alkali Metals. This procedure MUST be followed without exception.
The quenching of alkali metals is highly hazardous and should be performed during business hours only (9am-5pm weekdays).
The procedure should never be performed alone.
Extra care should be exercised when using glacial acetic acid, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide and other water-soluble polar solvents. These easily penetrate skin tissue, carrying any dissolved compounds with them. Glacial acetic acid can enter small cuts and cause painful blistering. Appropriate gloves should be worn in these instances. Hands should be washed when removing gloves. In addition, working conditions should be arranged to minimise ingestion of solvents by breathing.
Carbon disulfide is particularly hazardous because of its low auto-ignition temperature (100 °C). Its vapour can be ignited by contact with a hot steam bath.
All perchlorates should be treated as explosive unless otherwise known. Sodium perchlorate is not explosive but is a powerful oxidising agent and may make a significant contribution to the intensity of any fire. Ammonium perchlorate and many organic salts and heavy metal coordination complexes containing perchlorate ion may explode when heated. The localised heat associated with the preparation of Nujol mulls or KBr discs for infrared spectroscopy may be sufficient to cause an explosion.
Perchloric acid is highly corrosive to living tissue and will react with many chemicals. It reacts violently with organic, metallic and non-organic salts to form products which may be shock sensitive and pose a risk of fire and explosion. When heated above 150 °C perchloric acid becomes a very strong oxidiser, is unstabe and may detonate. Vapours may contaminate work surfaces or ventilation ducts with perchlorate residues. Perchloric acid forms an azeotrope with water containing 72.5% HClO4. Aqueous solutions containing 72% or less perchloric acid are not in themselves explosive, but such solutions are strong oxidising agents at elevated temperatures.
Handling: Trained users must already be experienced in working with hazardous chemicals and follow documented safe work procedures. Only use perchloric acid in work areas equipped with eye wash and safety shower. Placard fume cupboards with PERCHLORIC ACID FUME CUPBOARD ONLY. ORGANIC CHEMICALS PROHIBITED (f/c No. 4, located in G31, building 19).
Storage: The storage of anyhdrous perchloric acid is not permitted. Store aqueous solutions only in the original container, separately from other chemicals in compatible secondary containment. Use only glass or plastic containers. Perchloric acid is highly reactive with metals – do not use metal caps. If the bottle containing perchloric acid has turned dark or has a crystalline deposit around the neck or cap of the bottle – this is an explosion hazard. DO NOT open or move the bottle, but contact your supervisor or the School Safety Officers.
More information is available in AS 4326 2008 The storage of oxidising agents.
These compounds are particularly dangerous and extra precautions must be taken if their preparation or use is required.
o-Nitrobenzoyl and benzyl chlorides (these explode violently upon distillation)
diazonium xanthates (solutions used to prepare thiophenols)
organic compounds containing pentavalent iodine
picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol)
picramide (2,4,6-trinitroaniline) and esters of nitric acid (e.g, ethyl nitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate)
tetrazoles, pentazoles and their derivatives
p-toluenesulfonyl azide and other low MW acyl and sulfonyl azides hydrogen azide, hydrazoic acid, and diazomethane
Peroxide formation in laboratory solvents and reagents has been the cause of many accidents over the years. It is important that you can recognise which compounds have the potential to form peroxides.
Organic compounds that can form allylic or benzylic radicals (cyclohexene and tetralin) or radicals stabilised by an adjacent oxygen (most ethers) are potential peroxide formers. Diisopropyl ether is particularly dangerous. Aldehydes can also form peroxides, although they are not normally a problem. In general, pure compounds are more subject to peroxide buildup.
Alkali metals and their amides are converted to peroxides on prolonged exposure to air.
Some compounds that form peroxides storage
Peroxide Hazard Divinylacetylene Diisopropyl ether Vinylidene chloride Potassium metal Sodium amide
on Storage alone
Peroxide Hazard on Diethyl ether Dioxan, Acetal, 1,2-Dimethoxyethane, Vinyl ethers, Dicyclopentadiene, Methylacetylene, Decahydronapthalene Concentration (eg distillation, (Decalin), Tetrahydronapthalene (Tetralin), Tetrahydrofuran, Cyclohexene, Diethylene glycol, Dimethyl ether (Diglyme)
evaporation, etc)
Hazardous Due to Methyl methacrylate, Styrene Acrylic acid, Acrylonitrile Butadiene, Tetrafluoroethylene, Vinylacetylene, Vinyl acetate, Vinyl peroxide Initiation of chloride Vinylpyridine, Chloroprene
explosive polymerisation
Testing and treatment for ethers containing peroxides
The peroxide test reagent is prepared by mixing the following solutions in a ratio of 10:1:1 (AS/NZS 2243.2 - Appendix D)
ferrous ammonium sulfate (1% w/v solution)
sulfuric acid (0.5 mol/L)
ammonium thiocyanate (0.1 mol/L)
A red coloration on mixing approximately equal volumes of ether and reagent indicates the presence of peroxides. If peroxides are present, they can be removed by passing through a chromatography column containing activated alumina. About 80 g of alumina should be sufficient for a Winchester of ether. The ether should be tested before and after passing through the column.
The following list of carcinogenic chemicals is not exhaustive. Chemicals that are structural analogues to known carcinogens should be handled carefully because adequate data on carcinogenicity of such analogues may never become available. It is prudent to regard all chemicals belonging to certain chemical classes (e.g. polycyclic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines, aromatic amines, azo dyes, arsenic compounds) as presenting a carcinogenic hazard. Consequently some chemicals have been grouped into general classes to highlight the risk associated with the class of compound.
Carcinogenic substances are hazardous substances that can cause cancer. Two schedules of carcinogenic substances are restricted under part 4.2 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007.
Schedule 10 Carcinogens Schedule 11 Notifiable Carcinogenic Substances
2-acetylaminofluorene Acrylonitrile
aflatoxins Benzene
4-Aminodiphenyl 3,3-Dichlorobenzidine and its salts
Acrylonitrile Diethyl sulfate or Dimethyl sulfate
benzidine and its salts Ethylene dibromide fumigant
bis(chloromethyl)ether 4,4-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline) (MOCA)
chloromethyl methyl ether 2-Propiolactone
4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene o-Toluidine and o-Toluidine hydrochloride
2-Naphthylamine and its salts Vinyl chloride monomer
4-Nitrodiphenyl
Scheduled Carcinogens are prohibited substances that can only be used in a licensed laboratory. If there are any of these chemicals in your laboratory, please contact the Product Steward (Dr. Boujemaa Moubaraki) or the Safety Officer as soon as possible, in order that WorkSafe Victoria be notified and the Hazardous Substances Regulations be complied with.
Chemicals considered to present a carcinogenic hazard to humans are listed here by their chemical name and Chemical Abstract Services number (CAS no.).
Medicines and poisons are classified into Schedules (1 to 9) and listed in the Australian Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons (SUSMP). Legislative controls for ‘scheduled’ medicines and poisons vary according to the risks associated with substances listed in each schedule. These controls relate to possession, storage, use, supply, prescription, administration, destruction, recording of transactions, manufacture plus labelling and packaging requirements.
The use of cyanides is regulated under the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Regulations (Part V - Special Poisons - arsenic, cyanide, strychnine). All users within the School must conform to the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission's Guidelines (pdf 56.9kb) on the safe use of cyanides as well as the School's own policy.
Metallic mercury can present a significant toxic challenge to people who are exposed to it. Although mercury is relatively non-toxic if ingested (it has low water solubility and normally passes through the digestive system, and little is absorbed) inhalation of mercury vapour poses a major health hazard. Approximately 80% of mercury vapour is rapidly absorbed and distributed in all major organs. Health effects include damage to the kidneys, lungs and central nervous system. Because of its toxicity and the difficulty of cleaning up spills (very small droplets of mercury may be hard to see but if left unattended will slowly evaporate) the use of metallic mercury should be kept to a minimum. Any large spillage of mercury should be reported to the Safety Officer and an Incident Report submitted.
Wear PPE during clean-up: lab coat or gown to protect your clothes from contamination and impervious disposable gloves - PVC or rubber gloves, or double glove with surgical type gloves. If it's a large spill also wear a mask or respirator.
The suspected spill area should isolated to prevent entry using suitable warning notices. Cover the spill area with sulphur powder or zinc dust or a propriety product like Mercurisorb and then all the material should be swept up and the waste placed in a sealed and appropriately labelled container (Toxic 6.1 DG diamond) to be disposed of using the normal procedures through the Faculty of Science store. Note: Powdered zinc should be handled carefully as it represents a fire hazard and should NOT be used in combination with sulphur powder as this can create an explosion risk.
All mercury compounds should also be treated as hazardous. Dialkylmercury compounds are extremely dangerous - a single drop on the skin can cause death.