Uses, Management and Handling of Apparatus and Chemical Substances

Usage, Management and Handling of Apparatus and Materials

1.3

Usage, Management and Handling of Apparatus and Materials

Personal Protective Equipment	Function
Safety goggles	Preventing dust or splashes of chemicals from getting into the eyes.
Face mask	Protecting the respiratory organs from chemicals in the form of powder or fumes
Gloves	Used for handling chemicals to protect hands from injuries, chemicals or infections.
Laboratory coat	Protection for the body and clothing against chemical spills such as acids, alkalis and organic solvents.
Laboratory shoes	Protecting the feet from injuries caused by chemical spills, sharp objects or toxic substances.

Safety equipment	Function
Fume chamber	A specially designed equipment to carry out experiments that release toxic vapours, cause combustions or produce pungent smells.
Safety shower	Used to wash and clean the body when a chemical accident occurs on parts of the body. This equipment is also used to extinguish a fire on clothing.
Fire extinguisher	Used for extinguishing fire in the laboratory.
Hand wash	Used for removing chemical substances, oil, dirt and microorganisms from the hands.
Eyewash	Used for washing and cleaning the eye when accidents occur on parts of the eye.

Chemicals	Explanation
Reactive substances	Reactive metals such as lithium, sodium and potassium are stored in paraffin oil to prevent reaction with the moisture in the air.
Hydrocarbons and organic solvents	Volatile and inflammable liquids like hydrocarbons and organic solvents should be stored in shady areas far from sunlight and heat sources.
Substances that decompose easily	Substances that decompose easily in the presence of; concentrated nitric acid hydrogen peroxide solution silver nitrate solution liquid bromine liquid chlorine Stored in dark bottles.
Substances with pH < 5 and pH > 9	Corrosive chemicals (pH<5 and pH>9) are usually stored in special storage cabinets that are kept locked.
Heavy metals and toxic substances	Toxic substances and heavy metals should be kept in special labelled containers and kept in a locked room that is heat-free.

Chemicals

Explanation

Hydrogen peroxide

•		A low concentration can be poured directly into the laboratory’s sink.
•		A high concentration has to be diluted with water and added with sodium sulphite for the decomposition process to take place before being poured into the sink.

Solid wastes

Like glass and rubber have to be disposed into special containers.

Hydrocarbons and organic solvents

•		Mostly are toxic, carcinogenic, volatile and inflammable.
•		Cannot be disposed directly into the sink or the laboratory drain
•		Should be kept in special containers made of glass or plastic.

Substances with pH < 5 and pH > 9

Kept in closed labelled containers during disposal.

Heavy metals and toxic substances

•		Kept in plastic bags and the solutions be left to evaporate in the fume chamber.
•		The bag of heavy metal residue is tied carefully and is put into the container of heavy metal waste.

Volatile substances

Stored in closed containers and kept away from sun and heat.