Chemical Safety

Use Full Chemical Name 

Write out the full name as stated on the "stock" container when transferring to "working" reagent containers. (i.e.  Ethanol or Ethyl Alcohol and not EtOH; Hydrochloric Acid and not HCl.)

Non-Hazardous Buffers

Statement on labeling shelves and containers filled with non-hazardous buffers. (It is not necessary to spell out all ingredients on buffer labels. Use the word "BUFFER" if the pH is between 2.50 and 11.50 and contain no hazardous components.) e.g. Transfer buffer contains methanol so it is NOT considered a non-hazardous buffer and should not be stored on a shelf designated for non-hazardous buffers. This also holds for “working” containers of 100% ethanol, ethidium bromide solutions, or other reagents that are stored together at a research work station or individual lab bench.

Stanford Compatible Storage Group Classification System was developed for laboratory scale storage applications and should not be routinely applied to non-laboratory storage situations.

Stanford Chemical Storage Group information is posted in each lab or is available online.

Storage Group Stickers and Stanford Chemical Storage Group Guide are available from the Safety & Emergency Management Office.

Use secondary containment to prevent spills and separate incompatible material.

Single Container - Secondary containment for a single container must be sized to contain 110% of its capacity.

Multiple Containers - When multiple containers are stored in the same secondary container, it must be able to contain 150% of the largest container or 10% of the aggregate quantity stored, whichever is greater.

Check ALL chemical storage locations including flammable liquid storage cabinets, fumehoods, cold rooms, equipment rooms, film processor rooms and lab benches.

Chemical Storage Rooms that are not routinely occupied will require completing a monthly inspection available in BioRAFT.

Corridors and Stairwells are not acceptable storage locations! Remove items stored in this location!

Quarterly Self-Inspection

Records - Chemical labeling, segregation and storage are included on the Laboratory Self-Inspection form in BioRAFT.

Potential hazards of compressed gases may include high pressure, asphyxiation, flammability, explosivity, toxicity, corrosivity, pyrophoricity and exposure to extreme temperature (with cryogenic gases). Safety regulations cover: labeling and construction of cylinders; safe handling, use, and storage.

Basic safety principles for all personnel working with or around compressed gas cylinders is available through STARS. Detailed lab/process specific training is provided by lab manager/supervisor before using compressed gasses.

Don't forget to include cylinders as inventory in ChemTracker!

Improper storage is observed during fire safety and hazardous materials inspections; cylinders should be held in a suitable rack or secured to other rigid structures.

• Cylinders must be stored upright
• Metal restraints at 1/3 AND 2/3 height of cylinder
• Max of 2 cylinders per set of chains
• Cylinder bench clamps are NOT allowed
• Attach valve cap when compressed gas cylinder is not in service

Seismic Restraint Installation can be arranged by submitting a customer funded work request . Small cylinders racks can be purchased from the cylinder vendor.

• Protect from external heat sources and passing/falling objects
• Well-ventilated - do not store in cold rooms!
• Separate from incompatibles and isolate from highly flammable materials (>20 ft)
• Restrict access to compressed gas cylinders; Keep away from main access/ egress points.
• Signage - When storing flammable gases, post signs identifying flammable gas precautions (i.e., no smoking, no open flames).

Chemical wastes that are not clearly corrosive, flammable, oxidizing, or air/water reactive and are not listed on the Stanford Non-Hazardous Waste List should be considered toxic.

A laboratory chemical becomes a waste when you decide that you no longer intend to use or re-use it. Additional details on accumulation time, requesting a waste pickup, labeling, storage is available on the University's Chemical Waste Program webpage.

Laboratories are responsible for requesting spill cleanup or cleaning up spills. Additional information is available on the University's Chemical Waste Program webpage.

Information for emergency response for accidents involving hazardous materials for all research staff is available in Preventing and Handling Emergencies in the University's Administration Guide.