Download Cyanide

Chemistry Risk Assessment
Room No:
Building Chemistry C1
831
PI(s) in charge of area Prof. Alan C. Spivey
Complete for each lab and send copy of completed form to Jan de Abela-Borg ([email protected]
Please report any incidents / accidents relating to this procedure to Jan
What is the hazard(s) or
hazardous activity?
Protocol for using cyanide
Who may be affected?
Students and staff in lab
Cleaners
Maintenance staff
Engineers
Other - state who
How will injury occur?
Contact of skin, inhalation, eye contact, ingestion, fire.
What is the likely outcome?
Cyanide posioning or fire
What control measures are
in place?
1.
When handling any cyanide based compound a Material Data Safety Sheet
must be readily available for consultation as required. Users should make themselves
aware of the properties of each cyanide based compound that they use.
2.
All cyanide compounds must be stored in a suitable manner away from
incompatible materials. Extremely toxic cyanide compounds should be stored in a
locked cabinet / room in so far as is possible.
3.
No more than one days supply of a cyanide based material should be stored at
the bench.
4.
When using cyanide based materials work processes must be designed so as
to minimise the amount of gases released. Containers should always be closed when
not in use and open containers used to hold liquid cyanide compounds should have as
small a surface area as possible. Users should never lean over a container containing
cyanide based compounds.
5.
Where there is a risk that any cyanide gas may be released then the process
must be undertaken in a fume hood.
6.
Cyanide based materials must never be allowed to come into contact with a
users skin. Persons handling such materials must wear appropriate gloves to prevent
skin contact. The nature of the glove to be worn will be dictated by the material in use.
When working extremely toxic cyanide compounds two pairs of gloves should be worn,
an inner pair and an outer pair. Contaminated gloves must be removed immediately
and disposed off. A lab coat and safety glasses must also be worn. Heavily
contaminated lab coats should be removed and / or laundered or disposed off.
7.
Cyanide salts must never be allowed to get wet or to come into contact with
any acidic material outside of a fume hood.
8.
Persons must not enter confined or restricted spaces where it is suspected
that cyanide gas may have gathered.
9.
Users of cyanide based compounds should wash their hands and face
following the handling of such materials and prior to eating, drinking or smoking.
10.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women must not work with cyanide based
compounds unless a full risk assessment has been undertaken – contact the
University Safety Office.
11.
The transfer of liquid cyanide compounds between containers must always be
done in a fume hood over a tray.
12.
such.
All containers holding cyanide based compounds must be clearly labelled as
13.
All waste materials containing or contaminated with cyanide compounds must
be disposed off through an approved specialist contractor.
See: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc076.htm
WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN?
Jan de Abela-Borg, Faculty Safety Manager
WHAT EMERGENCY PROCEDURES ARE REQUIRED?
Chemistry Dept September 2008
Tick all boxes that apply
Clothing contamination
Remove and wash before re-use
Other - please describe
a.
b.
a.
b.
Spillage in a fume hood
Describe procedure to follow below
Insignificant <500ml:
In the event of a cyanide spill or leak, the following procedure must be
adhered to:
o
Exit the affected area immediately closing all doors behind you and
alert the University Safety Office.
o
Evacuate the immediate area - the priority must be to ensure that no
person comes into any contact with cyanide solids or vapours
o
For spillages of toxic cyanide compounds a person wearing gloves,
safety glasses and a lab coat may place the spilled material in a
sealed container for disposal. In the case of liquids absorbent booms
should be used to contain the spillage and an inert dry absorbent
used to soak up the spillage. If there is any concern as to the
materials ability to generate cyanide gas then respiratory protection
must be worn.
o
For spillage of extremely toxic cyanide compounds no person should
enter the area unless wearing respiratory protection and full
protective clothing, including boots. This may place the spilled
material in a sealed container for disposal or in the case of liquid
spillages absorbent booms should be used to contain the spillage and
an inert dry absorbent used to soak up the spillage.
o
Under no circumstances attempt to wash away spilled cyanide
material with water.
o
Treat the spillage area with sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach) to
deactivate any uncollected traces of cyanide.
Significant >500ml:
See Above
Spillage outside a fume hood
Describe procedure to follow below
Insignificant < 500ml:
In the event of a cyanide spill or leak, the following procedure must be
adhered to:
Significant (i.e. will cause immediate
Jan de Abela-Borg, Faculty Safety Manager
o
Exit the affected area immediately closing all doors behind you and
alert the University Safety Office.
o
Evacuate the immediate area - the priority must be to ensure that no
person comes into any contact with cyanide solids or vapours
o
For spillages of toxic cyanide compounds a person wearing gloves,
safety glasses and a lab coat may place the spilled material in a
sealed container for disposal. In the case of liquids absorbent booms
should be used to contain the spillage and an inert dry absorbent
used to soak up the spillage. If there is any concern as to the
materials ability to generate cyanide gas then respiratory protection
must be worn.
o
For spillage of extremely toxic cyanide compounds no person should
enter the area unless wearing respiratory protection and full
protective clothing, including boots. This may place the spilled
material in a sealed container for disposal or in the case of liquid
spillages absorbent booms should be used to contain the spillage and
an inert dry absorbent used to soak up the spillage.
o
Under no circumstances attempt to wash away spilled cyanide
material with water.
o
Treat the spillage area with sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach) to
deactivate any uncollected traces of cyanide.
As Above
Chemistry Dept September 2008
harm) >500ml:
Skin/eye contact:
Wash with copious amounts of running water for 20 mins
Other - please describe Remove all contaminated clothing immediately.
Wash the skin with plenty of water. Treat patient as for inhalation.
Cut/wound:
Encourage to bleed by washing with warm water. Then wash with
copious amounts of running water for 20 mins.
Report to Occupational Health with MSDS
Inhalation
Remove to fresh air
Other
Extinguisher Type – please describe Carbon dioxide
Fire:
Sand
Other - please describe
Fire
The majority of cyanides are not combustible. For example, the solid
cyanides such as sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide will not
burn and offer no direct hazard when stored in sealed metal
containers. However, the gas hydrogen cyanide is flammable and
may be produced, for example, on contact of solid cyanides with heat
or water. When a significant amount of this gas is present, there is a
risk of explosion. There is also a risk of explosion when water comes
into contact with molten cyanide. If there is a fire where cyanide is
used or stored:
Fume hood breakdown:
o
Evacuate the area and inform the emergency services and the
University Safety Office.
o
Anyone entering the area must wear self-contained breathing
apparatus and full protective clothing, including boots.
o
Dry chemical fire extinguishers or sand must be used to tackle the
fire, water must not be used.
Turn off/remove from heat source
Pull down sash
Other – please describe Leave laboratory and instruct others present to
do so as well. Do not re-enter until instructed to do so.
Failure of other engineering control
measure:
Other – Please give details
INHALATION: Remove patient from exposure. Keep warm and at rest.
Oxygen should be administered. If breathing has ceased apply
artificial respiration using oxygen and a suitable mechanical device
such as a bag and mask. If pulse is absent then initiate external
cardiac massage. Do not use mouth to mouth resuscitation.
I have read and understood this risk assessment, received the relevant training and will abide
by the health and safety procedures for the above.
Name
Jan de Abela-Borg, Faculty Safety Manager
Date
Signature
Chemistry Dept September 2008
Jan de Abela-Borg, Faculty Safety Manager
Chemistry Dept September 2008