1.3 - Usage, Management and Handling of Apparatus and Materials

Laboratory Safety Information

• A chemistry laboratory is important for learning but can also be dangerous; its rules and safety measures must be obeyed.
• A Chemical Safety Data Sheet (CSDS) provides information that helps users manage the risks of hazardous chemicals. It includes information about chemical poisoning, management and storage, and emergency handling.

General Laboratory Rules

• Wear safety shoes, safety goggles and a laboratory coat; use gloves and breathing equipment when needed.
• Do not eat or drink in the laboratory; keep it clean and tidy.
• Obey warning signs and safe working instructions; work in good health.
• Identify chemical hazards from labels and CSDS, and obtain enough safety information.
• Maintain employee records according to the required standards.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment protects the user from laboratory accidents.

Equipment	Function
Safety goggles	Prevent dust or chemical splashes from entering the eyes
Face mask	Protect the respiratory organs from chemicals in powder or fume form
Gloves	Protect the hands from injury, chemicals and infection while handling chemicals
Laboratory coat	Protect the body and clothing from spills such as acids, alkalis and organic solvents
Laboratory shoes	Protect the feet from chemical spills, sharp objects and toxic substances

Laboratory Safety Equipment

Equipment	Function
Safety shower	Wash chemicals from the body and extinguish fire on clothing
Eyewash	Wash and clean the eyes after an accident involving the eyes
Fume chamber	Provide a specially designed space for experiments that release toxic vapours, cause combustion or produce pungent smells
Fire extinguisher	Extinguish a fire in the laboratory
Hand wash	Remove chemicals, oil, dirt and microorganisms from the hands

• Substances that may release toxic vapours, cause combustion or produce pungent smells include concentrated sulphuric acid, chlorine gas, ammonia gas, bromine gas, alcohol and benzene.

Managing and Handling Apparatus and Chemicals

• Correct apparatus-and-material handling is essential during a scientific investigation.
• Core laboratory operations include:
  • weighing and heating solids;
  • filtration and distillation;
  • electrolysis, gas collection and gas testing;
  • titration.
• Most laboratory chemicals are hazardous. Store each chemical in its designated place according to its category to protect users and prevent accidents.
• Incorrect disposal can pollute the environment, destroy flora and fauna habitats, and endanger human health.

Storage of Chemicals

Type of substance	Correct storage
Reactive substances	Store reactive metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium in paraffin oil to prevent reaction with moisture in the air
Hydrocarbons and organic solvents	Store volatile, flammable liquids in a shaded place away from sunlight and heat
Substances that decompose in light	Store concentrated nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide solution, silver nitrate solution, liquid bromine and liquid chlorine in dark bottles
Corrosive chemicals	Store substances with $\mathrm{pH}$ < 5 or $\mathrm{pH}$ > 9 in locked, special storage cabinets
Heavy metals and toxic substances	Keep in labelled special containers inside a locked, heat-free room

Disposal of Chemical Waste

Type of waste	Disposal method
Hydrogen peroxide	Low-concentration waste may be poured into the laboratory sink. Dilute high-concentration waste with water and add sodium sulphite to decompose it before pouring it into the sink
Solid waste	Place glass and rubber in special containers
Organic solvents and hydrocarbons	Do not pour into a sink or drain; keep in special glass or plastic containers because most are toxic, carcinogenic, volatile and flammable
Strong acids and alkalis	Keep waste with $\mathrm{pH}$ < 5 or $\mathrm{pH}$ > 9 in closed, labelled containers; it can damage sinks and react with water to release much heat and toxic gases
Heavy metals and toxic substances	Put the solution in a plastic bag and allow it to evaporate in a fume chamber; tie the residue bag carefully, place it in the heavy-metal-waste container and follow the prescribed procedure
Volatile substances	Keep alcohol, ammonia, bromine and other volatile waste in closed containers away from light and heat

• Volatile substances readily change into gases at room temperature. Some of these gases are hazardous and can be fatal when inhaled in large amounts.
• Put chemical waste and chemically contaminated apparatus into bins or bottles labelled by waste type, then send the waste to a disposal centre.
• Chemicals classified as scheduled waste must be disposed of according to Malaysian standard procedures.

Chemical Spill Procedure

1. Inform the teacher or laboratory assistant immediately.
2. Prohibit other pupils from entering the spill area.
3. Contain the spill with a sand border so it does not spread.
4. Clean the chemical spill.
5. Dispose of the spill using the correct procedure.

Mercury Spill and Exposure

• A broken mercury thermometer can cause poisoning even though it contains only a small amount of mercury.
• Mercury is volatile at room temperature; its vapour contaminates the air.
• Do not touch spilled mercury, because it can be absorbed through the skin.
• Possible symptoms of mercury poisoning include nausea, coughing, vomiting, diarrhoea, chest pain, sore throat, breathing difficulty, headache, eye irritation, vision problems and increased blood pressure.

Immediate mercury-spill procedure

1. Inform the teacher or laboratory assistant.
2. Make the spill site a prohibited area.
3. Sprinkle sulphur powder over the spill.
4. Contact the Fire and Rescue Department for further action.

If exposed, move away from the mercury source to prevent further exposure and go to a hospital for treatment.