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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