m f e t y in the chernkol loboratory
edited by MALCOLM M. RENFREW University of Idaho MOSCOW, ldab 83843
Please Do Not Touch Some Thoughts on Temporary Labels in the Laboratory Martin J. Pitt Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University of Technology, Leicestershire LE 11 3 TU England The labels put on chemicals by the commercial suppliers are often discussed.' However, there is very little mention of the temporary labeling of chemicals, samples, and mixtures, which should be part of any good laboratory practice. Following are some techniques I have used in academic (teaching and research) and industrial laboratories. These are purely practical aids in an active laboratory. They are less than perfect, but it is my experience that a partial information system that is actually used is better than an ideal one that is neglected far lack of time. The Problems First we will consider some common problems to see where labeling information is most crucially lacking. 1) The hench reagent bottle is clearly labeled with the name of the principal ingredient. However, it was filled (or the stock solution made up) from a commercial chemical bottle which had a great deal more information. An experienced scientist will he aware of the hazards of any hench reagent he or she regularly uses. Can the same be said of the school or college student, or the laboratom assistant on his or her first week? How about your colleague who knocks over one of your bottles while you are away?
' Youna. J. A,. J. CmM. Eom.. 60. A141 Marfin J. Pltt obtained graduate stabs ham Um Royal Institute of Chemistry by examination in 1973 and became a chanered chemist in 1976. He recently achieved graduate SmluS from me institution of Chemical Engineers by examination and Design Project. In 1980 he received his M Phil from me Depanment of Chemical Engineering at the University of Aston. Pin has held a variety of industrial supervisory positions including manager of a waste chemicals treatment plant. He Is currently a research assistant in chemical engineering on a project l a the oil industry. He has had a long-standing interest in chemical safetyand has published several papers on lhe topic. He lectures in the J. T. Baker Chemical Co. Hazardous Chemicals Safety Seminars.
2) You are preparing some solutions, and you end up with three identical-looking beakers of clear liquid. Suddenly you are called away to an urgent telephone call. On vour return..can vau . be sure whieh is which? If you are away for some time, is it possible that in a crowdrd laboratory they could he moved? 3) You need more storage space, so you look i n s cupboard whieh no one seems to use. Inside are some bottles and boxes. Some have labels such as "Batch 32." "far analvsis." , . ..crude A," 9 7 94," o r .'PI;~$P h a w . " Some have nothing but dust. Whwe are they, and what du they wntain'! Should you diapose of them, and if so how? 4 ) In a room used for temporary projects is a work area or piece of apparatus you wish to use. There are some containers and a oiece of paper saying "llands Ofl?" Who would you auk ahout this, and how many dayslweeksl months would you respect the sign? 5) A chemist going for a cup of mffee is involved in an accident and taken unconscious ta hospital. He leaves a still under re: flux and some containers in a fume hood. What was he doing today? 6) A technich is to do an unusual hut not exceptional task in an area where helshe or the work would not normally he found (perhaps to perform a special operation such as waste reprocessing or to use a special facility or simply to have a less crowded working area for safety's sake). Haw does the technician ensure that other w p l e do not inadvertently interfere with hisher safety (nor helshe with theirs) if chemicals have to he left unattended? Remember that the activity is unexpected, though not necessarily dangerous in itself. ~~
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T h e Solutions The abovr situations will be familiar to many laburatory workers. 'l'lwrr is more than one answer to each problem, and enthusiastic people can conceive perfect solutions. Here is what I have found to be achievable with ordinary, imperfect human beings. 1) A minimum and eenerallv acceotable solution is to stick on anappro&iate iymlxd and warning word. There lsl,el. are availalh from most laboratory supply hour~s.However, note that solvents may damage or remove some typesof labels. Another technique is to use the manufacturer's smallest size as the hench bottle. and refill this from a more economic siw. This, of coursr, o n y applies if the bench reagent is not specially made up. Volume 61
If it is made up, consider making your own label with information similar to that of a commercial one. A bench reagent is a longstanding item which deserves some time in setting up. The best technique from a safety point of view is to purchase containers only of bench size (e.g., order 8 X 500 ml, not 1X 4 I). This reduces the risks from mistakes in filling, which may he worth the extra cost. If a manufacturer's small bottle is to he reused, the label should he urotected with self-adhelive. dear plastic film, andlor the bottle sh
