Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

Transcription

1 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) For Concentrated Hydrofluoric Acid. #1 General Process Description The following SOP is describing how to handle concentrated HF acid. All work described in this SOP will have to be conducted in the fume hoods of either JHE 246/A or JHE 240. You MUST have HF Training from EOHSS before working with the Hydrofluoric acid. Contact Person is Ed McCaffery Laboratory Manager (Room JHE 248 ext 24985). #2 Hazardous Chemicals/Class of Hazardous Chemicals Concentrated HF is extremely dangerous, and differs from other acids because the fluoride ion readily penetrates the skin, causing destruction of deep tissue layers, including bone. Pain associated with exposure to solutions of HF (1-50%) may be delayed for 1-24 hours. If HF is not rapidly neutralized and the fluoride ion bound, tissue destruction may continue for days and result in limb loss or death. HF is similar to other acids in that the initial extent of a burn depends on the concentration, the temperature, and the duration of contact with the acid. #3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Before the HF acid is taken out of the acid-storage cabinet, ensure that you will at least meet the following protective requirements: 1. Goggles (prescription glasses are not enough!) 2. Neoprene Gloves 3. Closed-toe shoes with socks 4. Long pants (no shorts!) 5. Lab coat 6. Face shield if Goggles aren t available 7. Neoprene apron 8. Small HF and Acid Chemical Spill Kit 9. No contact lenses

2 Before proceeding you must have read and are familiar with the MSDS for Hydrofluoric Acid. All Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are located in room JHE 248 top shelf East Wall. Ensure the HF spill kit is not expired and is available in the event of an exposure. The HF spill kit is located on the window sill in JHE 246/A, and on the lab bench in room JHE 240. #4 Engineering / Ventilation Controls All work with concentrated acids must be done in the fume hood, with no other persons working close enough to interfere or come into contact with the acid; someone must be in the immediate area in case of an emergency, the protective shield on the fume hood drawn down as much as possible, but allowing to work comfortable. Make sure when you are dispensing the acids that the bottle being dispensed in is far enough in the fume hood so that fumes will not come back to the users face. #5 Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements Store the HF waste in labeled chemically compatible containers (e.g., polyethylene or Teflon). DO NOT STORE in glass, metal, and ceramic containers, as they are not compatible with HF. Contact with glass creates toxic gases. Store all concentrated Hydrofluoric acid containers in the acid cabinets in its proper secondary containment tray. Hydrofluoric acid is stored in the acid cabinets under the fume hood in room JHE-240. Place a secondary containment tray in the fume hood, when handling and pouring concentrated acids. In case you overfill or spill the HF acid, it will stay in this secondary containment. Also, the container in which the acid is being stored will stay always in its secondary containment, unless it is being used. Remember to slowly pour acid into water, never water into acid. No rinsing with ph below 5.5 may be drain disposed.

3 SOP Concentrated HF Acid. Please review the last page for emergency contact and notifications. #6 Spill and Accident Procedures If you spill HF and the spill is an immediate threat to your health, call 88. Remain nearby. In the event of an HF exposure, follow McMaster University Hydrofluoric Acid First Aid Instructions posted on the HF Spill Kit. The HF Spill Kit contains all the equipment required to treat burns. This is contained in the Black Bag labeled HF Kit two are available in rooms JHE 240 and 246/A. If you accidentally spilled concentrated HF (e.g., while pouring an acid into the measuring cylinder): Don t panic! Remain calm. If the spill is minor (less than30ml, note a 5 inch x 7 inch paper towel will absorb 5 ml of water ), and will not pose a health issue; use the Acid spill-containment kit; pour the absorbent or place the absorbent pad; first make a circle encompassing the spill then pour the absorbent on top of the. Find a plastic/neoprene-disposal bottle in room JHE 248 and carefully place the soaked absorbent into the bottle, and place in Chemical Waste container. To minimize contact with HF during clean-up, use Teflon tongs to move the soaked absorbent into the bottle. All of this must be done in the fume hood. If the spill is significant; larger (> 30 ml) or you flipped over an entire bottle of HF acid, if the spill does not pose a health hazard; inform any other personal in the lab; then use the Acid spill-containment kit in room JHE 240 or JHE 246/A. Pour the absorbent around the spill then pour the absorbent all over the spill. If spill is greater than 30 ml, or cleanup takes longer than 15 minutes, document the cleanup activity either by calling EOHSS at Ext or by notating the lab inspection forms. IF THE CONCENTRATED HF ACID IS RUNNING OUT OF THE FUMEHOOD, place spill-containment absorbent on the spill and contact EOHSS at or call 88 (Emergency) immediately and leave the laboratory, but stay nearby to provide information to responders. DO NOT TRY to place the soaked absorbent into the neoprene bottle, as fume evaporating from the concentrated HF pose a serious health hazard. Contact Emergency Response (88), Ed McCaffery Ext and Lisa Morine Ext If you have spilled a low concentration of HF (<5%), carefully wipe it off with small spill kit absorbent. Rinse the area with plenty of water, collect rinseate, and wipe off afterwards. To confirm that cleanup is complete, wipe area with moistened ph paper.

4 #7 Waste Disposal If you ve spilled acid and soaked up acid using absorbent, make sure it is disposed into neoprene bottle (4L). These containers will be labeled with a Chemical Waste Label. #8 Training requirements Prior to entering and working in the laboratory, you must have completed WHMIS training; you are required to also take Specific Workplace Training through EOHSS. You must have written and have signed the safety reports by your supervisor. After each year the safety report must be updated. Any person conducting work in rooms JHE-246/A or JHE-240 using this SOP must receive training on the contents of this SOP. #9 Approval Required All research staff must have HF Training prior to starting work with Hydrofluoric Acid. Under no circumstances it is allowed to work with concentrated HF, while being alone in the laboratory. Always ask a second person to be in the lab with you. If you have to work with concentrated HF and you are alone, you must ask for approval from your Supervisor and the Person In-charge, Laboratory Manager Ed McCaffery. #10 Decontamination All lab ware and measuring cylinders that have been used during the process of mixing HF acid must be thoroughly rinsed with DI water (3 times) and then soap and water (1 time). Collect first three rinseate as hazardous waste. Wash gloves thoroughly before removing them. #11 Designated Area Concentrated HF is only allowed to be handled in the fume hoods. Filling and rinsing of the containers should only be done near a sink, but with secondary containment tray in sink. Upon leaving a designated work area, remove any personal protective equipment worn and wash hands, forearms, face, and neck. After each use (or day), wipe down the immediate work area and equipment to prevent accumulation of chemical residue. At the end of each project, thoroughly decontaminate the designated area before resuming normal laboratory work in the area.

5 #12 Precise Process Description 1. Verify that emergency eyewash/shower is accessible and tested within last month. 2. Verify that fume hoods are currently certified. 3. Check the location and expiration of the HF Spill Kit and that a copy of the MSDS for HF is available 4. Add Distilled water into the measuring cylinder. 5. It is essential that you wear a face shield over your safety glasses, neoprene gloves, and the neoprene aprons to ensure proper protection for concentrated acid spills. 6. FUMEHOOD: Place the container in a secondary containment tray. 7. FUMEHOOD: Place a medium, secondary containment tray in the fume hood and add hydrofluoric acid (HF) using the polypropylene measuring cylinder while working over the secondary containment tray. 8. FUMEHOOD: Add measured HF into Distilled Water, then fill to volume distilled water 9. FUMEHOOD: Gently swirl and shake several times to extensively mix the acids and water. Ensure that no inverting of container occurs. 10. Wash the measuring cylinders, rinse them 3 x with Distilled water, and collect first three washes as hazardous waste. 11. Wash Gloves thoroughly before removing them.

6 Laboratory Spill Response Procedures Health Threatening Situation - In the event of an imminent or actual health-threatening emergency (threatening local or public health, safety, or welfare; or the environment outside the immediate area): If HF is spilt on person; use the HF spill kit where there is a burn kit: a. Immediately flush area with copious amounts of cold water. b. Remove all affect clothing which came in contact with HF. c. Continue under water until Calcium Gluconate gel is available for application. d. Calcium Gluconate Gel can be massaged into the skin while flushing with water. e. Contact emergency medical personnel and continue first aid. f. Apply Calcium Gluconate (2.5% Gel) every 15 minutes massaging into burn area until pain dissipates. g. Using 23% Calcium Gluconate, massage into affected areas, apply cold compress of same solution, changing frequently and when the compresses are losing their wetness. h. Continue while transporting to medical facility 1) CALL 88 FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE REMAIN IN THE AREA TO ADVISE RESPONDERS. 2) ACTIVATE LOCAL ALARM SYSTEMS 3) Once personal safety is established, call EOHSS at Ext and proceed with local notifications, below. Non-Health Threatening Situation In the event of a spill or release which may or has impacted the environment (storm drain, soil, air outside the building) or spill or release that cannot be cleaned up by local personnel: 1) Notify McMaster Responders: Call 88 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week), then 2) Provide local notifications: Name Phone Number Title Ed McCaffery Ext Lab Manager/ Principal Investigator Lisa Morine Ext EOHSS Local Response Situation In the event of a minor spill or release that can be cleaned up by local personnel using readily available equipment (absorbent, available from EHOSS in Small Spill Kit): 1) Notify personnel in the area and restrict access. Eliminate all sources of ignition. 2) Wear gloves and protective eyewear. Clean up using absorbent. Put the contaminated absorbent in a labeled hazardous waste container.

7 3) If greater than 30 ml, or cleanup takes longer than 15 minutes, make a record in your lab inspection report, or call 88 Emergency Response to record the spill, and notify your supervisor. 4) Submit online waste pickup request to EHOSS at: waste@mcmsater.ca Disclaimer: The SOP as written contains our best understanding at this time on how to work safely with this piece of equipment. When new information is found that would improve the safe use of this equipment it will be added in a timely manner. As it stands we cannot be held liable for misuse or abuse of these instructions through negligence on the user s part or based on the content of these notes.