Handling of chemicals in laboratory work
The handling of chemicals must always be preceded by a written risk assessment, which must specify any safety measures to be taken to limit exposure/risks during handling. If and when the chemical handling procedures change, the risk assessment must be updated. The immediate manager is responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, but the actual risk assessment should preferably be carried out by the person who will be handling the chemicals. The risk assessment requirement covers all handling, as well as storage, transport and waste. Safety aspects, the work environment and the external environment must be taken into account. The premises, employees and other persons concerned must also be taken into account, and it is also important to ensure that toxins and other potent substances cannot be accessed by unauthorised persons.
Safety data sheets
Laboratory chemicals have safety data sheets (SDS) containing information on the product’s properties and any health and environmental risks associated with it. SDSs are available from the supplier, but are usually also available online. The SDS describes the protective measures that may be suitable when handling the chemical. When chemicals are handled, their SDS must always be available, for example in paper form in a binder at the lab or on a computer (SDSs are available (for employees without the need to log in) in KLARA and on supplier websites).
Safety during work with chemicals
As standard, a protective coat must be worn in the laboratory, and should be removed on leaving the laboratory. Examples of protective measures include safety ventilation and use of protective gloves and protective eyewear.
Mouth pipetting is not permitted. Appropriate technical equipment must be available. Food or drink may not be prepared, consumed or stored. Snus tobacco may not be put in or taken out, and cosmetics may not be applied. Persons carrying out laboratory work must observe good hand hygiene at work. No items of jewellery may be worn on the hands as they can cause skin irritation, which can result in hazardous substances being absorbed through the skin if chemical residue collects under them.
Safety ventilation (fume hood, fume bench, safety bench, spot extractor) is a common protective measure when handling hazardous chemical products.
Safety ventilation must always be used when handling particularly dangerous chemicals, such as CMR substances or chemical allergens. When handling substances with unknown properties/risks, the precautionary principle must be applied, meaning that the substance/product is to be regarded as hazardous.
There are certain substances that require the employer to arrange medical check-ups before starting the work, such as lead, cadmium and mercury. The requirement for medical check-up does not apply if the risk assessment shows that exposure to the above-mentioned substances is negligible. The inhaled air does not need to be measured if the activity in question will be performed for a shorter time than two months per year. Neither need this be done if it can be clearly demonstrated as unnecessary because the quantity is negligible, the exposure time is short or the handling is organised in such a way that the air concentration is negligible.
Spill decontamination equipment and materials (e.g. absorbent material in sufficient quantity) must be available in labs and chemical storage rooms, and must be suitable for the chemicals in question.