32 Laboratory Safety Manual Environmental Health and Safety • Use an appropriate hand truck or cart to transport gas cylinders and Dewar flasks (do not drag or roll), ensuring the valve protection caps are in place, and handle only one container at a time. • Ensure proper maintenance and use of regulators, manifolds, and safety valves. • Always wear safety goggles when performing any operation with compressed or liquefied gases. Additional protection may be required, based on the gases used (face shield, insulated gloves, chemical resistant gloves, and/or an apron). • After assembly of a gas supply system, test all connections using a soapy water solution or a gas detection device. Retest the system periodically and when leaks are suspected. Refer to the Compressed Gas Leak Procedure if a leak is detected. Corrosives Corrosives react at the point of contact causing eye or tissue damage. Corrosives include acids and bases and other chemicals, such as phenol. • Use splash goggles and heavy weight gloves resistant to the chemical and concentration used. A face shield over eye goggles, resistant apron, and boots may also be appropriate, depending on the work performed. • Slowly add acids or bases to water. Never add water to concentrated acids or bases. • Segregate storage of acids from bases. • Segregate storage of inorganic and organic acids. • Segregate storage of oxidizing acids (such as: nitric, perchloric, and chromic) from all other materials and from each other. • Store corrosives in secondary containment. • A plumbed eyewash station must be present in the laboratory with corrosives. A safety shower must be available within 10 seconds travel time from workspace. • Appropriate neutralizing agents for spill cleanup should be available in adequate quantities. • Calcium gluconate gel must be available wherever hydrofluoric acid is used. This gel is used to treat skin exposure and can be obtained by contacting Occupational Medicine at (515) 2942056. Seek medical treatment for exposure to hydrofluoric acid. • Polyethylene glycol (PEG 300) must be available wherever phenol is used. PEG 300 is used to treat skin exposure and is available through Chemistry Stores at (515) 294-0203. Seek medical treatment for exposure to phenol.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTkwNTUw