In Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries

The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each hazardous chemical is one of the resources that should be incorporated into experiment planning. However, because of the inconsistent quality of information found in MSDSs, Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries (LCSSs), which are compiled in Appendix B, should be consulted or developed for the materials involved. In any case, the experiment planner needs to be aware that the existing regulations do not necessarily represent the full complement of prudent practices for handling hazardous materials and that other input is therefore essential. 

As discussed above, although MSDSs are invaluable resources, they suffo- some limitations as applied to risk assessment in the specific context of the laboratory. Appendix B introduces the concept of the Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary (LCSS), which is specifically tailored to the needs of the laboratory worker. As indicated in their name, LCSSs provide information on chemicals in the context of laboratory use. These documents are summaries and are not intended to be comprehensive or to fulfill the needs of all conceivable users of a chemical. In conjunction with the guidelines described in this chapte, the LCSS provides essential information required to assess the risks associated with the use of a particular chemical in the laboratory. 

Section 4.C.1 above notes the prudence of establishing a central network of MSDSs. Including MSDSs and Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries (LCSSs) (see Chapter 3 and Appendix B) in the inventory s database is highly desirable. The quality of MSDSs varies significantly from one manufacturer to another. LCSSs, which are targeted to the needs of the typical laboratory worker, are a useful supplement to the information provided by MSDSs. 

All laboratory personnel should know the properties of chemicals they are handling as well as have a basic understanding of how these properties might be affected by the variety of conditions found in the laboratory. As stated in section 5.B, Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries (LCSSs) or other sources of information should be consulted for further information such as vapor pressure, flash point, and explosive limit in air. The use of flammable substances is common, and their properties are also discussed in Chapter 3, section 3.D. 

In addition, in response to users of Prudent Practices 1981 who have emphasized the value of the information on how to handle compounds that pose special hazards, the committee has compiled Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries (Appendix B) that provide chemical and toxicological information for 88 substances commonly found in laboratories. Although most of the information provided for these compounds will maintain its value, data on some properties, especially toxicological ones, should be updated frequently. Accordingly, the most recent Material Safety Data Sheets provided by the manufacturer or other updated sources should be consulted before work is done with hazardous compounds. 

Of the various resources that describe the properties of selected chemicals, two listed in Chapter 3 deserve particular comment Material Safety Data Sheets and Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries. 

Appendix B of Prudent Practices in the Laboratory Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries (LCSSs) http //jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/... 

National Research Council. Prudent Practices in the Laboratory Handling and Disposal ef Chemicals. Appendix B Laboratory Chemical Safety. Summaries—Ethidium Bromide, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, 1995, pp. 310—311. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in the Lab atory—29 CER 1910.1450 available at http //www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show document p table=STANDARDS p id=10106 (accessed August 28, 2009). 

National Research Council. Prudent Practices in the Laboratory Handling and Disposal of Chemicals, Appendix B Laboratory Chemical Safety Summaries, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, 1995, pp. 235-413. 

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