LABORATORY SAFETY AND CHEMICAL RISK

The course aims to provide students with an adequate understanding of safety regulations, operating procedures, and risk management principles specific to chemical laboratories.

With reference to the Dublin Descriptors, the course contributes to the development of the following competencies:

• Knowledge and understanding: Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of occupational health and safety regulations, with particular reference to chemical laboratories, as well as of the main chemical and physical hazards associated with laboratory activities.
• Applying knowledge and understanding: Students are expected to apply the knowledge acquired to identify the main hazards present in the laboratory, interpret labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and adopt appropriate prevention and protection measures.
• Making judgements: Students are expected to assess, at a basic level, the risks associated with the use of chemical substances and mixtures, correctly interpreting pictograms, hazard statements, and the main elements of safety signage.
• Communication skills: Students are expected to understand and correctly use the language and terminology of safety, and to communicate appropriately information concerning hazards, safe behaviour, and procedures to be followed under both normal and emergency conditions.
• Learning skills: Students are expected to demonstrate that they have acquired the knowledge required to understand and adopt good laboratory practices and to independently update their knowledge of safety and risk prevention.

Information for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs)

In order to ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students concerned may request an individual meeting to discuss and arrange any appropriate compensatory measures and/or exemptions, taking into account the learning objectives of the course and their specific needs.

Overview of regulatory aspects of workplace safety. Definition of Risk and Hazard. Chemical substances and human exposure. Analysis and assessment of chemical risk: evaluation algorithms (Movarisch and Laborisch). Classification of hazardous substances. Toxicological endpoints: acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, and endocrine and reproductive system disruption. Dose-response relationships; reversibility and sensitivity to effects. Routes of exposure: ingestion, dermal contact, inhalation; concentration, duration, and frequency of exposure. Risk and Safety Phrases. Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Classification and labeling of chemical substances. Collective Protective Equipment (CPE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Selection of PPE and main rules of good practice in a chemical laboratory. Workplace signage: hazard, prohibition, mandatory, fire safety, and emergency signs. Overview of physical, biological, mechanical, and electrical risks. Waste management: European Waste Catalogue (EWC).

A) In which environments should the solvents that easily pass into the gaseous state and all those substances that give rise to gaseous emissions be used?

•  on the workbench, but next to a window
• outside the laboratory, in an airy place
• under hood
• none of the above answers is correct

B) In the laboratory it is allowed to introduce and consume food and drinks

•  yes, only if you are careful not to dirty the counter
• yes, only at lunchtime
• no, it is forbidden to bring food or drinks into the laboratory

 C) H-Phrases

•  give hints to special risks that may arise by the handling of hazardous substances or formulations
• represent indications of caution relating to the substances we use
• represent indications of caution relating to the substances we use
• all previous answers are correct