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Usage, Management and Handling of Apparatus and Materials

 
1.3 Usage, Management and Handling of Apparatus and Materials
 
Laboratory
An important place for learning chemistry and it is a dangerous place too.
 
This image is an infographic titled ‘Personal Protective Equipment.’ It features a central light bulb icon with a checkmark inside, surrounded by five labeled items connected by arrows. The items are: 1. Safety goggles 2. Face mask 3. Gloves 4. Laboratory coat 5. Laboratory shoes The background is white, and the text and icons are in shades of blue and red. The Pandai logo is in the top left corner.
 
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 in the Laboratory 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. 
 
Storage of Chemicals
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 \(\text{pH} < 5\) and \(\text{pH} > 9\) Corrosive chemicals (\(\text{pH} < 5\) and \(\text{pH} > 9\)) 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.
 
Disposal of Chemicals
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 \(\text{pH} < 5\) and \(\text{pH} > 9\) 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.
 
Emergency Management Procedure in the Laboratory
  1. Inform your teacher or the laboratory assistant about the accident immediately.
  2. Prohibit other students from entering the accident site.
  3. Stop the spill from spreading to other areas by using sand to border it.
  4. Clean the chemical spill.
  5. Dispose of the chemical spill by following the correct procedures.
 
Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning
  • Nausea
  • Coughing
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Chest pain
  • Sore throat
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Headache
  • Eye irritation
  • Vision problem
  • Increase in blood pressure
 
Steps to be taken the Moment Mercury Spill Occurs
  1. Inform your teacher or the laboratory assistant about the accident.
  2. Make the spill site as the prohibited area.
  3. Sprinkle sulphur powder to cover up the spill.
  4. Contact the Fire and Rescue Department for further action.
The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of Pandai.

Usage, Management and Handling of Apparatus and Materials

 
1.3 Usage, Management and Handling of Apparatus and Materials
 
Laboratory
An important place for learning chemistry and it is a dangerous place too.
 
This image is an infographic titled ‘Personal Protective Equipment.’ It features a central light bulb icon with a checkmark inside, surrounded by five labeled items connected by arrows. The items are: 1. Safety goggles 2. Face mask 3. Gloves 4. Laboratory coat 5. Laboratory shoes The background is white, and the text and icons are in shades of blue and red. The Pandai logo is in the top left corner.
 
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 in the Laboratory 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. 
 
Storage of Chemicals
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 \(\text{pH} < 5\) and \(\text{pH} > 9\) Corrosive chemicals (\(\text{pH} < 5\) and \(\text{pH} > 9\)) 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.
 
Disposal of Chemicals
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 \(\text{pH} < 5\) and \(\text{pH} > 9\) 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.
 
Emergency Management Procedure in the Laboratory
  1. Inform your teacher or the laboratory assistant about the accident immediately.
  2. Prohibit other students from entering the accident site.
  3. Stop the spill from spreading to other areas by using sand to border it.
  4. Clean the chemical spill.
  5. Dispose of the chemical spill by following the correct procedures.
 
Symptoms of Mercury Poisoning
  • Nausea
  • Coughing
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Chest pain
  • Sore throat
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Headache
  • Eye irritation
  • Vision problem
  • Increase in blood pressure
 
Steps to be taken the Moment Mercury Spill Occurs
  1. Inform your teacher or the laboratory assistant about the accident.
  2. Make the spill site as the prohibited area.
  3. Sprinkle sulphur powder to cover up the spill.
  4. Contact the Fire and Rescue Department for further action.
The views expressed in the notes here are those of the contributor and don’t necessarily represent the views of Pandai.
Chapter : Introduction to Chemistry
Topic : Communicating on steps of handling accidents in laboratory
Form 4 Chemistry
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