Chem Safety

Chemical Safety in the School of Engineering

Chemical Safety

Chemicals often have hazards associated with them, whether they be laboratory reagents, common cleaning products, engineering oils, woodworking dusts, or soldering fluxes. These hazards can be associated with fires or explosions, or can be due to the hazards presented to the health of individuals.

Further information, guidance and policies can be found on the University's Health and Safety Services website: Chemical SafetyLink opens in a new window

Acquisition and Storage of Chemicals

Before purchasing or acquiring any chemicalLink opens in a new window the substance needs to be categorised and an assessment made as to whether the substance can be stored safely. An assessment also needs to be made regarding the availability of the required engineering controls (such as fume cupboards, glove boxes), specialist personal protective equipment and a suitable waste stream.

A risk assessment must also be carried out on how the chemical might be used. This can be done as part of a general risk assessment, or in certain circumstances, using a CoSHH AssessmentLink opens in a new window.

Information on ordering chemicals and gases through OPeRA and LabCup can be found here: Chemical/Gas Safety in School of Engineering.Link opens in a new window

Nano-technology

If you are considering a project which uses of produces nano-materials, please read the University's guidance: Nano TechnologyLink opens in a new window

Substances with additional requirements

Below is a list of materials which may have requirements in addition to the substance assessment

Lead or Lead Compounds	Lead or lead compounds might be disturbed, displaced or released into the atmosphere, whether that be through maintenance or research activities. Work with lead not liable to result in significant exposure Handling clean metallic lead Low-temperature melting of lead (below 500°C) e.g. during soldering (specialist activities, requires justification) Insignificant amounts of lead and its compounds being handled infrequently (not alkyl lead) Medical surveillance when There is risk of skin contact with alkyl lead The amount of lead and its compounds is significant High temperature melting of lead – above 500°C
Vinyl chloride monomer	Medical surveillance when this material is used, stored or polymerised.
Ortho-tolidine and its salts. Dianisidine and its salts. Dichlorobenzidine and its salts.	Medical surveillance when these substances are used.
Carbon disulphide. Disulphur dichloride. Benzene, including benzol. Carbon tetrachloride. Trichlorethylene.	Medical surveillance when these substances are used, or given off as vapour.
Any substance/compound assigned a Workplace Exposure Limit (WEL) in EH40	Exposure monitoring when it is believed exposure levels are approaching half the assigned WEL

Health surveillance is arranged via Occupational Health. Exposure monitoring is arranged via Health and Safety Services.

In all cases a suitable current risk assessment must be provided.

Drug Precursors – (Home Office requirements) due to their potential for mis-use

Category 3 substancesLink opens in a new window

Category 2 substancesLink opens in a new window

Category 1 substancesLink opens in a new window

Controlled Drugs (Home Office requirements)

Schedule 1 Controlled DrugsLink opens in a new window

Schedules 2 to 5 substancesLink opens in a new window

Substances covered by the Chemical Weapons Convention

Schedule1 substancesLink opens in a new window

Schedule 2 substancesLink opens in a new window

Schedule 3 substancesLink opens in a new window

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)

Chemical hazards to human health are regulated under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (CoSHH) Regulations 2002, which require the safe acquisition, storage, use and disposal of of such substances, follow a simple pattern of:

Identify the nature of the hazard - see Safety Data Sheets Link opens in a new windowand Chemical Hazard level.
Assess the risk - see CoSHH Assessment Link opens in a new windowand General Risk AssessmentLink opens in a new window
Control the risk - see Hierarchy of Control Link opens in a new windowand Laboratories, Workshops & Associated StoresLink opens in a new window
Review the controls

Useful Links

Chemical SegregationLink opens in a new window

Chemical Incompatibility Guidance

Chemical Storage Cabinet GuideLink opens in a new window

Good Lab PracticeLink opens in a new window

LabCup chemical inventory systemLink opens in a new window

EH40 - Workplace Exposure LimitsLink opens in a new window

Flammable LiquidsLink opens in a new window

Laboratory and Workshop Gas SafetyLink opens in a new window

Chemical Training

COSHH Assessment WorkshopLink opens in a new window

Chemical Awareness TrainingLink opens in a new window

LabCup - Chemical Inventory Management Software TrainingLink opens in a new window

Local Exhaust Ventilation TrainingLink opens in a new window