Chemical Safety

Chemical safety involves all phases of chemical use from procurement, storage, transportation, manipulation, decontamination and disposal. Before working with any new chemical, personnel should start by familiarizing themselves with the hazards and potential risks associated with the chemical. The chemical's toxicological and physical hazards should be evaluated and the appropriate precautions taken to eliminate or reduce the inherent risks. There are a number of considerations and resources that should be reviewed when assessing the hazards of a new chemical.

Chemical Ordering

Hazardous Waste Management

Chemical Segregation

  • Segregate non-halogenated and halogenated solvents.
    Treatment procedures have different costs. Segregation allows some solvents to be recycled.
  • Segregate acids from mixtures of acids and metals.
    Keep hydrochloric acid separate from sulfuric acid contaminated with copper.

Prudent Practices in the Laboratory, Handling and Management of Chemical Hazards, Updated Version (2011)