Testing Chemicals for Hazardous Peroxides

Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) recommends that all peroxide-forming chemicals should be tested every six months for peroxide content or discarded and replaced.   Since the Department of Chemistry instituted this testing program in 2008, we have had no reported accidents involving peroxide-contaminated chemicals.  Thank you for your continuing cooperation.  Further information from EH&S: http://www.ehs.pitt.edu/assets/docs/peroxide-forming.pdf. Please contact the Department of ...
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Chemical Fume Hoods

Image 1.) A notice was written by lab workers. They want exhaust to be available to them when they are working in their hoods. The Department of Environmental Health and Safety is Responsible for the annual re-certification of chemical fume hoods. 422 fume hoods in Chevron Science Center and Eberly Hall. A 50% halfway open fume hood is 10 - 12" (28 cm.) vertically. 1 year of all unused hood sashes open 50% would cost the University just over $250,000 in wasted energy.  e left ope...
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Safety Guidelines for Chemical Demonstrations

ACS Division of Chemical Education Demo Guidelines - http://www.divched.org/content/safety-guidelines-chemical-demonstrations Chemical Demonstrations Those planning chemical demonstrations have a responsibility to follow and document safe laboratory practices. Only persons who have appropriate education and experience in chemistry and chemical safety should perform chemical demonstrations. Thus these are for use only by experienced chemical practitioners. Before the Demonstration Alwa...
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Four States of Mind that Cause Accidents 

Four States of Mind that Cause Accidents  Rushing -- working safety is the first priority, even if it means finishing the job later, Frustration -- not all situations can be managed and controlled, but employees can control their emotions JUST WALK AWAY and TAKE A BREAK, Fatigue -- employees should not work overly long hours, and TAKE IT UPON THEMSELVES to get ADEQUATE REST; Complacency -- the first step to an accident involves the false belief that experience makes you invulnerable.
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Personal Protective Equipment for Eyes

Safety Glasses are Required in all Department of Chemistry Laboratories and Chemical Storage Areas.  EH&S Guideline# 03-001  Eye protection should be worn... when in any lab especially,  when working with Chemicals, Glassware, Heat, Vacuum, Pressure, or Flying Particles. Click here to see eye protection is your last line of defense. Require the Use of Appropriate Eye Protection -- Executive Summary Word Doc. Proper Eye Protection -- Executive Summary Word Doc. Safety Glasses or...
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Safety Culture

Safety Culture -- 2012 to 2019 University Library System -- University of Pittsburgh Lib Guide - Chemical Safety - Oakland Campus American Chemical Society (ACS) ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety CH&S The University of Pittsburgh Departments of Chemistry and Environmental Health and Safety was presented with the SafetyStratus College and University Award  http://dchas.org/2019/09/03/2019-chas-awards-symposium/ Jay M. Frerotte    Director, Environmental Health and Safety K...
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Spill Trays — Secondary Containment for inside cabinets and on shelves

There are practical considerations.  Ideally one would put each chemical with only the same material in the correct sized secondary containment bin.  The correct size secondary containment bin is whichever it the larger volume between A.) 100% of the volume of the largest container inside, or B.) 10% for the total volume contained. Scientific Plastics makes Spill Trays -- Secondary Containment for inside cabinets and on shelves. Click here for a company that makes bins. Spill trays can be...
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Chemical Waste Information (Labeling)

          Chemical Waste Labeling Slide     Things to keep in mind when Labeling waste: Use full common chemical -- write Water, NOT H2O. Combine compatible chemicals inside a waste container, be sure the chemicals are compatible with the container -- Acids and Bases are both corrosive to metal cans. Keep the lid of your waste container closed. Evaluate your waste containers regularly -- take the container to the waste room bef...
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Links to Bretherick’s handbook of reactive chemical hazards

The book Bretherick’s handbook of reactive chemical hazards, edited by Peter Urben assisted by M.J. Pitt (7th ed., 2007) is available to Pitt users as an e-book. It can be accessed through its library catalog record: http://pittcat.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=6277405 From this page, click on the link next to "Click for Web Access" to access the e-book. A print copy of this same edition is also available at Falk Library; the record can be seen at http://pittcat.pitt.edu/cgi-bin/Pw...
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