SOP - Irritants

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Description

This standard operating procedure outlines the handling and use of irritant chemicals. Review this document and supply the information required in order to make it specific to your laboratory. In accordance with this document, laboratories should use appropriate controls, personal protective equipment, and disposal techniques when handling irritant chemicals.

A chemical irritant is one that is not corrosive but that causes a reversible inflammatory effect on living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact.

Potential Hazards

Irritants are chemicals that cause reversible inflammatory effects on living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact. A wide variety of organic and inorganic compounds are irritants; thus, skin contact with all laboratory chemicals should be avoided.

  • Substances that may cause eye irritation include: YPD broth, Triton X-100, Trizma base, sodium pyrophosphate decahydrate, sodium fluoride, sodium dodecyl sulfate, poncaeu S, lithium chloride, Luria broth, glycerol, water-soluble dexamethasone, corn oil, and chloroform.
  • Substances that may cause skin irritation include: Calcium chloride dehydrate, chloroform, corn oil, water-soluble dexamethasone, luria broth, lithium chloride, Meyer’s hematoxylin, limonene mount, ponceau S, sodium dodceyl sulfate, sodium pyrophosphate decahydrate, trizma base, and YPD broth.
  • Substances that may cause respiratory irritation include: YPD broth, trizma base, sodium pyrophosphate decahydrate, sodium dodceyl sulfate, sodium deoxycholate, ponceau S, lithium chloride, luria broth, water soluble dexamethasone, corn oil, and calcium chloride dihydrate.

Engineering Controls

Use a properly functioning lab fume hood when handling irritants that can be inhaled (via mist/fume/gas/vapor). If the process does not permit the handing of such materials in a fume hood, contact Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (OSEH) at (734) 647-1143 to review the adequacy of ventilation measures.

Work Practice Controls

Handling processes should be designed to minimize the potential for splash, splatter, or other likely scenarios for accidental contact.

Ensure secondary containment and segregation of incompatible chemicals per guidance within the substance-specific storage guidance provided in SDS documentation. To prevent contact with irritants, be sure to handle them carefully with the proper PPE.

For irritants that are also considered particularly hazardous substances, a designated area shall be established per other applicable SOPs.

Personal Protective Equipment

At minimum, safety glasses, lab coat, long pants, and closed toe shoes are to be worn when entering laboratories having hazardous chemicals. Additionally:

  • When handling hazardous chemicals or contacting potentially contaminated surfaces, protective gloves are to be worn. For proper selection of glove material, review the chemical-specific SDS.
  • Goggles (not safety glasses) are appropriate for processes where splash or spray is foreseeable.
  • For hazardous chemicals that are toxic via skin contact/ absorption, additional protective clothing (i.e., face shield, apron, oversleeves) is appropriate where chemical contact with body/skin is foreseeable.

Transportation and Storage

  • Transport irritant chemicals in secondary containment, preferably a polyethylene or other non-reactive bottle carrier.
  • Store in well-ventilated areas with secondary containment, such as a non-reactive plastic bin.
  • Store below eye level.
  • Store away from incompatibles. Review the chemical’s SDS for incompatibility information. Also refer to OSEH’s Chemical Storage webpage for more information.
  • Avoid storing on the floor. If storing on the floor is necessary, use secondary containment.

Waste Disposal

Irritant substances intended for disposal may likely be considered hazardous wastes. Wherever possible, attempt to design research in a manner that reduces the quantity of waste generated. Contact OSEH’s Hazardous Materials Management (HMM) at (734) 763-4568 for waste containers, labels, manifests, and waste collection. Also refer to OSEH’s Hazardous Waste webpage for more information.

Exposures/Unintended Contact

 If the employee is in need of emergency medical attention, call 911 immediately.

For an actual chemical exposure/injury,

  • Flush exposed eyes or skin with water for at least 15 minutes, then seek medical attention (see below).
  • Consult SDS for guidance on appropriate first aid. Where medical attention is required, be sure to bring along SDS(s) of chemical(s) to aid medical staff in proper diagnosis and treatment.

Contact OSEH for advice on symptoms of chemical exposure, or assistance in performing an exposure assessment.

Report all work related accidents, injuries, illnesses or exposures to WorkConnections within 24 hours by completing and submitting the Illness and Injury Report Form. Follow the directions on the WorkConnections website Forms Instructions to obtain proper medical treatment and follow-up.

Complete the OSEH Laboratory Incident and Near-Miss Report form.

TREATMENT FACILITIES:

U-M Occupational Health Services -- Campus Employees

Mon-Fri 7:30 am - 4:30 pm After hours - go to UM Hospital Emergency Dept. – Urgent Care Clinic C380 Med Inn building 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor (734) 764-8021

University Health Services -- University students (non-life threatening conditions)

Mon-Fri 8 am – 4:30 pm, Sat 9 am – 12 pm Contact for current hours as they may vary 207 Fletcher Street, Ann Arbor (734) 764-8320

UMHS Emergency Department -- after clinic hours or on weekends

1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, (734) 936-6666 Click here for more information.

Spill Procedure

Prompt response to chemical spills is critical to protect worker health & safety and to mitigate adverse effects to the environment. For further guidance, refer to chemical-specific MSDS.

A minor (small) chemical spill is one that the laboratory staff is capable of handling safely without the assistance of safety and emergency personnel, i.e., less than 1 gallon or 3.5 liters. A major/large chemical spill requires active assistance from emergency personnel.

MINOR CHEMICAL SPILL

  • Alert people in immediate area of spill.
  • If spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources. Don’t light Bunsen burners or turn on other switches.
  • Open outside windows, if possible.
  • Wear protective equipment, including safety goggles, gloves and long-sleeve lab coat.
  • Avoid breathing vapors from spill.
  • Confine spill to as small an area as possible.
  • Do not wash spill down the drain.
  • Use appropriate spill kits/sorbents to absorb spill. Collect contaminated materials and residues and place in container. For powdered chemicals sweep carefully to avoid generation of dust or, if appropriate, use moist sorbent pads or wet the powder with a suitable solvent and then wipe with a dry cloth. Contact OSEH-HMM (734) 763-4568 for proper disposal.
  • Clean spill area with water.

MAJOR CHEMICAL SPILL

  • Attend to injured or contaminated persons and remove them from exposure.
  • Alert people in the laboratory to evacuate.
  • If spilled material is flammable, turn off ignition and heat sources. Don’t light Bunsen burners or turn on other switches.
  • Call University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) at 911 immediately for assistance.
  • Close doors to affected area.
  • Post warnings to keep people from entering the area.
  • Have person available that has knowledge of incident and laboratory to assist emergency personnel.

Additional Spill Links:

Report all emergencies, suspicious activity, injuries, spills, and fires to the University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security (DPSS) by calling 911 or texting 377911. Register with the University of Michigan Emergency Alert System via Wolverine Access.


Training of Personnel

All personnel are required to complete the General Laboratory Safety Training session (BLS025w or equivalent) via OSEH’s My LINC website. Furthermore, all personnel shall read and fully adhere to this SOP when handling irritant chemicals.

Certification

I have read and understand the above SOP. I agree to contact my Supervisor or Lab manager if I plan to modify this procedure. Sign by logging in and typing * ~~~~ in the list below:

Prior Approval required – Is this procedure hazardous enough to warrant prior approval from the Laboratory Director? ☐ YES X NO Laboratory Director - Dave Bridges Revision Date - 2016-10-19

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