Before a substance is received, information on proper handling, storage, and disposal must be known to those who will be involved. Refer to the appropriate MSDS for further information. No container may be accepted into a laboratory without an adequate identifying label. This label cannot be removed, defaced, or damaged in any way. All substances should be received in a central location.

Toxic substances must be segregated in a well-identified area with local exhaust ventilation. Chemicals which are highly toxic or other chemicals whose containers have been opened must be in unbreakable secondary containers. For example, place containers of concentrated acids or bases into plastic tubs to help contain any leakage. Stored chemicals should be examined periodically (at least annually) for replacement, deterioration, and container integrity. The labels must be checked to ensure they are still readable. If labels begin to fall off the container, secure them. If a label is becoming unreadable, affix a new label to the container with the identity of the contents, health hazards (including target organs, and manufacturer).

When chemicals are hand carried, place the container in an outside (secondary) container or bucket. Container carriers for breakable containers such as glass can be purchased through a variety of safety catalogues. They can also be purchased at the Research Storeroom in Welch Hall. These secondary containers provide protection to the bottle and help keep it from breaking. They also help to minimize spillage if the bottle does break. Freight-only elevators are to be used when transporting chemicals.

Read the label carefully before storing a chemical. All chemicals must be stored according to the Chemical Storage Segregation Scheme in Appendix I. Note that this is a simplified scheme and that in some instances chemicals of the same category may be incompatible.

1. Store all chemicals by their hazard class and not in alphabetical order. Storing chemicals by alphabetical order will often result in the placement of incompatible chemicals being next to one another. Only within the segregation groups can chemicals be stored in alphabetical order. If a chemical exhibits more than one hazard, segregate by using the characteristic that exhibits the primary hazard.
2. Do not store chemicals near heat sources such as ovens or steam pipes. Also, do not store chemicals in direct sunlight.
3. Date chemicals when received and first opened. This will assist you in using the oldest chemicals first, which will also decrease the amount of chemicals for disposal. If a particular chemical can become unsafe while in storage, e.g., diethyl ether, then an expiration date should also be included. Keep in mind that expiration dates set by the manufacturer do not necessarily imply that the chemical is safe to use up to that date.
4. Do not use lab benches as permanent storage for chemicals. In these locations, the chemicals can easily be knocked over, incompatible chemicals can be stored alongside one another, and the chemicals are unprotected in the event of a fire. Each chemical must have a proper designated storage location and be returned there after use.
5. Inspect your chemicals routinely for any signs of deterioration and for the integrity of the label. State law requires that all chemicals must be clearly labeled. Another benefit of labeling is to prevent chemicals from becoming "unknowns." (See Section C.7, Signs and Labels, for more information.)
6. Do not store any chemicals in glass containers on the floor.
7. Do not use fume hoods as a permanent storage location for chemicals, with the exception of particularly odorous chemicals that may require ventilation. The more containers, boxes, equipment, and other items that are stored in a fumehood, the greater the likelihood of having chemical vapors being drawn back into the room. Some chemical fume hoods have ventilated storage cabinets underneath for storage of frequently used chemicals that require ventilation.
8. Promptly contact the EH&S for the disposal of any old, outdated, or unused chemicals.
9. Chemicals that require refrigeration must be sealed with tight-fitting caps and kept in lab safe refrigerators. Lab safe refrigerators/freezers must be used for cold storage of flammables.
10. Do not store chemicals above eye level. If the container breaks, the contents can fall onto your face and upper body.
11. Do not store excessive amounts of chemicals in the lab. Buying chemicals in large quantities creates a serious fire hazard and limits work space. The disposal costs far exceed any cost savings from large quantity purchasing.

Specific types of storage cabinets must be specified in laboratories in order to separate incompatible chemicals from one another and to safely store all chemicals. All chemicals must be stored in a secure container, preferably within enclosed cabinets.

Flammable Storage Cabinets
Flammables not in active use must be stored in safe containers inside fire resistant storage cabinets specially designed to hold them. Flammable storage cabinets must be specified for all labs that use flammable chemicals. The cabinet must meet NFPA 30 & OSHA 1910.106 standards. Flammable storage cabinets are designed to protect the contents from the heat and flames of external fire rather than to confine burning liquids within. They can perform their protective function only if used and maintained properly. Cabinets are generally designed with double-walled construction and doors which are two inches above the base (the cabinet is liquid-proof up to that point).

Acid Storage Cabinets
Acids should be kept in acid storage cabinets specially designed to hold them. Such cabinets have the same construction features of a flammable storage cabinet, but are coated with an epoxy enamel to guard against chemical attack, and use polyethylene trays to collect small spills and provide additional protection from corrosion for the shelves. Periodically check shelves and supports for corrosion. Nitric acid should always be stored by itself or in a separate acid cabinet compartment.

Compressed Gas Cylinder Cabinets
Cylinders containing the compressed gases listed below must be kept in a continuously, mechanically ventilated enclosure. Full size cylinders must be stored in a gas cylinder cabinet. No more than two small cylinders can be stored in a chemical fume hood, a storage cabinet under the fume hood (if properly ventilated into fume hood exhaust), or some other ventilated enclosure. Compressed gas cylinder cabinets purchased by P.I.s must meet Article 80 of the Uniform Fire Code including the following requirements: negative pressure in relation to the surrounding area with the exhaust from the cabinet going to the outside of the building, self-closing doors, and internally sprinkled. Cylinders stored in compressed gas cylinder cabinets or other ventilated enclosures must be secured at all times. When stored in a cabinet or hood, small cylinders must be positioned and secured so that they will not fall out.

Acetylene Ammonia Arsenic Pentafluoride Arsine Boron Trifluoride 1,3 - Butadiene Carbon Monoxide Carbon Oxysulfide Chlorine Chlorine Monoxide Cholrine Trifluoride Chloroethane Cyanogen Diborane Dichloroborane Dichlorosilane Dimethylamine Ethane Ethylamine Ethylene Ethylene Oxide

Fluorine Formaldehyde Germane Hydrogen Chloride, anhydrous Hydrogen Cyanide Hydrogen Fluoride Hydrogen Selenide Hydrogen Sulfide Methylamine Methyl Bromide Methyl Chloride Methyl Mercaptan Nitrogen Oxides Phosgene Phosphine Silane Silicon Tetrafluoride Stibine Trimethylamine Vinyl Chloride

Recognizing that because of age or physical constraints, as determined by The University's Physical Plant, a facility may not be able to comply with these requirements, notification of non-compliance, the associated explanation, and a copy of the Physical Plant determination must be sent to Environmental Health & Safety as well as to the Department Chair and College Dean. As modifications can be made to the building, labs will be brought into compliance. In the interim, compressed gases listed above must be used in quantities which will fit into existing ventilated enclosures or justification must be provided explaining why this is not possible. These justifications must also be submitted to the office listed above. (Revised information 7/2/97)

It is the Principal Investigator and/or Lab Supervisor's responsibility to specify all necessary personal protective clothing for laboratory workers. The University is responsible for providing basic safety equipment such as fire extinguishers. Refer to the Basic Rules and Procedures for Working with Chemicals section of this manual for further information on personal protection requirements.

Prominent signs and labels of the following types should be used:

• Laboratory Inventory posters, including emergency contacts, must be posted outside each work area (see Appendix III);
  
• Emergency Instruction signs must be prominently posted (see Appendix VI);
  
• Identity labels, showing contents of containers and associated hazards. Labels on all incoming chemical containers cannot be removed or defaced (unless the container is empty and ready for disposal). (When a chemical is transferred from the original container into another container, e.g. a solvent wash bottle, for other than immediate use, it is called a secondary container.) Secondary containers must be labeled with the name of the chemical as it appears on the MSDS. This does not apply to reaction vessels or to benchtop research apparatus in active use.

  (Note: The PI or Lab Supervisor is responsible for compliance with this labeling requirement.) (Revised information 5/12/97)

   
  

• Employee notification posters describing rights under the Texas Hazard Commu-nication Act must be posted as required in The University's Hazard Commu-nication Program. Posters must be a current version, obtainable through EH&S;
  
• Location signs for safety equipment, first aid equipment, and exits;
  
• Warning signs at areas or equipment where special or unusual hazards exist;
  
• Areas where food and beverage consumption and storage are permitted.

Maintaining current records of hazardous chemicals assists in implementing proper storage and safety procedures and is necessary for emergency response pre-planning, both by the EH&S and the City of Austin. It is the Lab Supervisor's responsibility to keep an updated hazardous chemical inventory poster on file at the EH&S and to post a current inventory summary sign outside the lab entrance. Lab personnel should also keep usage records of high-risk substances (See Appendix III for the Hazardous Chemical Inventory Instruction Sheet).

Lab supervisors should document and report any lab accident that results in an injury to UTPD and EH&S. An employee injured in a laboratory should complete a First Report of Injury or Illness form (with the assistance of his or her supervisor). These forms are available from the Office of Human Resources. Any medical records associated with a person's exposure to hazardous materials will be maintained by The University in accordance with state and federal regulations. EH&S will also keep records whenever monitoring of hazardous materials is performed.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) provide information on hazardous chemicals and must be readily available for all hazardous chemicals in the lab. Some MSDS are available on the mainframe computer and at the EH&S (see Appendix IV).

It is the responsibility of every Lab Supervisor to promptly contact EH&S, Hazardous Materials Division, when a suspected exposure to hazardous materials has occurred. The Lab Supervisor will provide details of exposure, including identity of the material, description of the conditions under which exposure occurred, description of signs and symptoms of the exposure, and MSDS, if available. EH&S will make an assessment to determine if there is sufficient reason to suspect that a potentially significant exposure has occurred. In the event of immediate need, medical attention should be sought prior to notification of EH&S. When the need is not immediate, the EH&S will notify in writing any employees who may have had a potential exposure to hazardous materials. This notification will request that individuals involved obtain a qualified medical examination or consultation.

A medical examination or consultation for lab personnel will be made available by The University under the following circumstances:

• Whenever a lab employee develops signs or symptoms associated with a hazardous chemical to which that person may have been exposed in the laboratory;
• Where exposure monitoring reveals an exposure level routinely above the action level (or in the absence of an action level, the PEL) for an OSHA regulated substance for which there are exposure monitoring and medical surveillance requirements, medical surveillance will be established for the affected personnel as prescribed by the particular standard;
• Whenever an event takes place in the work area such as a spill, leak, explosion, or other occurrence resulting in the likelihood of a hazardous exposure, the affected personnel will be provided an opportunity for a medical consultation. The consultation will determine if there is a need for a medical exam.

All medical exams and consultations described under this Medical Program section will be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and will be provided at The University's expense, without loss of pay and at a reasonable time and place. The arrangements for a medical consultation or exam should be made with the assistance of EH&S, unless it is an emergency. The EH&S will provide details of the exposure (identity of the hazardous material, description of the conditions under which the exposure occurred, description of signs and symptoms of exposure, and the applicable MSDS) and any other relevant information to the health care provider. In the event of a medical emergency, the person involved should seek medical attention either by dialing 9-911, going to the Student Health Center, or by going directly to Brackenridge, Seton, St. David's, or South Austin Hospital.

If a medical consultation or exam is performed, EH&S will obtain a written opinion from the examining physician which includes the following information:

• Any recommendation for further medical follow-up;
• The results of the medical examination and any associated tests;
• Any medical condition which may be revealed in the course of the examination which may place the lab person at increased risk as a result of exposure to a hazardous chemical found in the lab; and
• A statement that the lab person has been informed by the physician of the results of the consultation or medical examination and any medical condition that may require further examination or treatment.

The written opinion cannot reveal specific findings of diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure.

During the school day, the Student Health Center (SHC) on Main Campus is available for routine care for students who are injured or ill. The SHC also provides service for limited hours in the evenings and on weekends. During these times, an after-hours fee is charged. If care is needed that the SHC cannot provide or when the SHC is closed, or for non-student lab personnel, Brackenridge, Seton, and St. David's Hospitals are in close proximity to The University. South Austin Hospital is equipped to handle large scale or unknown identify hazardous chemical exposures.

The University requires that all individuals that work in a laboratory are adequately informed about the physical and health hazards present in the laboratory, the known risks, and what to do if an accident occurs.

Every laboratory worker must be trained to know the location and proper use of available personal protective clothing and equipment. Refer to the "Basic Rules and Procedures for Working with Chemicals" section of this manual for information on the use of personal protective clothing and equipment. The laboratory supervisor is responsible for providing information to his or her personnel about any hazards present in the lab. This information must be provided at the time of a lab person's initial assignment and prior to any assignments involving new potential chemical exposure situations. The following lists the information that should be provided by the lab supervisor:

• The location and availability of this manual;
  
  
• Work area specific training for all new personnel as described in The University's written Hazard Communication Program;
  
  
• The OSHA Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard (refer to Appendix VII);
  
  
• The location and availability of known reference material on the hazards, safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals found in the laboratory including, but not limited to, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) received from the chemical supplier;
  
  
• The permissible exposure limits (PEL) for OSHA regulated substances or recommended exposure limits (for example, TLV) for other hazardous chemicals where there is no applicable OSHA standard (see Appendix VIII for OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits of some common laboratory chemicals). Other significant values may be found on the appropriate MSDS;
  
  
• Signs and symptoms associated with exposures to hazardous chemicals used in the laboratory;
  
  
• Methods and observations that may be used to detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical (such as monitoring conducted by EH&S, continuous monitoring devices, and visual appearance or odor of hazardous chemicals when being released);
  
  
• The physical and health hazards of chemicals in the work area;
  
  
• The measures lab personnel can take to protect themselves from these hazards, including specific procedures the lab supervisor and/or the EH&S have implemented to protect personnel from exposures to hazardous chemicals, such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures, and personal protective equipment to be used; and
  
  
• The applicable details of this manual.

Employees must be re-trained when new chemical hazards are introduced into their workplace, or when new hazards are shown on updated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), as well as upon reassignment to different workplaces that involve new chemical hazards or protective measures. Site specific training must be conducted by the lab supervisor.

In addition to the site specific training that is the responsibility of each Lab Supervisor, the following hazardous materials training is offered by the EH&S and is required for graduate students, staff, and faculty that engage in laboratory activities:

Hazard Communication Act Training

Hazard Communication Act training is required for all employees of The University, including faculty, staff, and students who have the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals. Any work in a laboratory using hazardous chemicals meets the definition of the requirement. EH&S offers this training on a regular schedule and can arrange special sessions with advance notice. Training is required before the employee can be assigned work in or around hazardous chemicals, but annual refreshers are not required. The training takes approximately one hour and includes:

• central requirements of the act, including training, chemical labels, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS);
  
  
• spill clean-up and chemical disposal procedures;
  
  
• chemical storage guidelines; and
  
  
• hazards specific to different chemical groups.

Laboratory Safety Training

Laboratory safety training is required for all employees of The University, including faculty, staff, and students who may work in a laboratory using hazardous chemicals or biological materials. This training must be received prior to or within 30 days after the beginning of a laboratory assignment. EH&S offers this training on a regular schedule and can arrange special sessions with advance notice. The training takes approximately two hours and includes:

• safety equipment and practices;
  
  
• emergency procedures;
  
  
• emergency equipment; and
  
  
• waste disposal.

Fire Extinguisher Training

Fire extinguisher training, with live fire suppression, is required for all laboratory workers. This training covers what to do in the event of a fire, the behavior of fire and how it spreads, the classes of fires, and the proper selection and use of a fire extinguisher. This training program will familiarize laboratory workers with the general principles of fire extinguisher use; give them confidence in their ability to operate the extinguisher; and remove some of the fear associated with putting out a fire by showing them that fire extinguishers do work in putting out fires.

Waste Management Training

Waste management training is required for selected employees of The University, including faculty, staff, and graduate students who are in laboratory supervisory positions where hazardous chemicals or biological materials are in use. Principal Investigators must choose a minimum of one individual for every eight paid members of the PIs group to attend this training. In other words if a PI has from 0 -8 graduate students, post-docs, or staff members then at least one must be chosen to receive training, if there are 9-16 members then at least two must receive training, and so on. Additionally, all staff members that have any supervisory or coordination responsibilities for teaching labs must receive this training. Every teaching lab must have one or more individuals that have received this training and are responsible for following the procedures included in the training. EH&S offers this training on a regular schedule and can arrange special sessions with advance notice. The training takes approximately two hours and includes:

• hazardous waste definitions and regulatory environment;
  
  
• spill clean-up and chemical waste disposal procedures;
  
  
• chemical waste storage and segregation guidelines; and
  
  
• waste minimization and drain disposal.

Bloodborne Pathogens and Biosafety Training

Bloodborne pathogens and biosafety training is required for selected employees of The University, including faculty, staff, and graduate students who work in laboratories where infectious agents or human blood are in use. EH&S offers this training on a regular schedule and can arrange special sessions with advance notice. The training takes less than two hours and may include, as appropriate to the attendees:

• definition of a bloodborne pathogen;
  
  
• universal precautions;
  
  
• spill clean-up; and
  
  
• practices and equipment required for work at different biosafety levels.

Chemical wastes are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and its amendments. Laboratory Supervisors are responsible for advising laboratory workers on how to handle all wastes generated in laboratory operations.

Containers used for the accumulation of hazardous waste must be in good condition, free of leaks, and compatible with the waste being stored in them. A waste accumulation container should be opened only when it is necessary to add waste, and should otherwise be capped. Hazardous waste must not be placed in unwashed containers that previously held an incompatible material (see chart in Appendix IX for examples of incompatible chemicals).

If a container holding hazardous waste is not in good condition or if it begins to leak, transfer the waste from this container into a container that is in good condition, pack the container in a larger and non-leaking container, or manage the waste in some other way that prevents the potential for a release or contamination. Contact EH&S Hazardous Materials Division at 471-3511 if assistance is required.

A storage container holding a hazardous waste that is incompatible with any waste or other materials stored nearby in other containers must be separated from the other materials or protected from them by means of a partition, wall, or other secondary containment device.

All waste containers:

• Must be marked with the words "waste" or "spent" and their contents indicated. No container should be marked with the words "hazardous" or "non-hazardous." EH&S waste disposal tags may be used to list the contents. Paint over or remove any old labels.
  
  
• Must be kept at or near (immediate vicinity) the site of generation and under control of the generator.
  
  
• Must be compatible with contents (i.e. acid should not be stored in metal cans).
  
  
• Must be closed at all times except when actively receiving waste.
  
  
• Must be properly identified with completed waste tags before pickup is requested.
  
  
• Must be safe for transport with non-leaking screw-on caps.
  
  
• Must be filled to a safe level (not beyond the bottom of the neck of the container or a 2-inch head space for 55 gallon drums).

Note: Do not use RED BAGS or SHARPS CONTAINERS (Biohazard) for hazardous chemical waste collection.

A generator of potentially hazardous waste may accumulate up to a total of 55 gallons of waste, which may be determined to be hazardous by Environmental Health and Safety, or one quart of acutely hazardous waste (see Appendix X for list of acutely hazardous waste) at or near the point of generation. If a process will generate more than this volume at one time, EH&S must be contacted in advance to arrange a special waste pick up. Hazardous waste in excess of 55 gallons CAN NOT be stored at your site for more than three days, therefore the EH&S requires advance notice of generation in order to determine if the waste meets the definition of hazardous and to arrange for prompt removal.

It is essential that the generator keep different hazardous wastes separate so that disposal options remain clearer and more cost effective (refer to EH&S Procedures for Disposal of Hazardous Waste Manual). In all cases, do not mix incompatible wastes or other materials in the same container or place wastes in an unwashed container that previously held an incompatible waste or material.

Before chemical waste can be picked up by EH&S, a waste tag (refer to EH&S Procedures for Disposal of Hazardous Waste Manual) is required. It should be filled out by the waste generator and attached to each container. The information on the tag is used to categorize and treat the waste. Please fill it out legibly, accurately, and completely.

When a chemical waste container is ready for disposal and is properly tagged, the laboratory supervisor should contact the Hazardous Materials Division of Environmental Health & Safety. (Refer to EH&S Procedures for Disposal of Hazardous Waste Manual for an outline of the Request for Disposal protocol and examples of both a Chemical Waste and a Biological Waste or Sharps Request for Disposal form).

EH&S inspects all labs at the Main Campus, the Pickle Research Campus, the Marine Science Institute, and other outlying locations on a regular basis. Labs are also expected to perform laboratory safety self evaluations within the first sixty days of each semester. A copy of the self evaluation must be sent to EH&S upon completion. (See Appendix II for Laboratory Safety Self Evaluation Form). If a lab is not in compliance with the safe operating procedures as outlined in this manual, EH&S has the authority to close the lab until violations are corrected. Approval of the Dean is not required.

Employees of The University are responsible for ensuring that they follow the procedures and faithfully implement the policies and appropriate responsibilities stated in this Manual. Failure to do so is a serious breach of University policy and subject to disciplinary action that might include termination of employment at The University.

References:

CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety, Third Edition. A. K. Furr, Ed. Chemical Rubber Company. 1990. (704 page reference on all aspects of lab safety.)

Employee Training Guide, Texas Hazard Communication Act. Texas Department of Health.

Safe Storage and Handling of Laboratory Chemicals - A Review of Safe Storage and Handling Practices for Laboratory Chemicals. Nancy Magnussen. Texas A&M University Chemistry Safety Coordinator.

Texas A&M University Hazard Communication Handbook. Texas A&M University Safety and Health Office. Jan. 1986.