SOP Title: Handling of Laboratory Chemicals
- Objective:
To lay down the procedure for Receipt, Storage and Handling of Chemicals/Solvents in Quality Control Department.
- Scope:
This procedure is applicable for Receipt, Storage and Handling of all the Chemicals/Solvents used for analysis in Quality Control Department and is followed during the purchase of chemicals, storage and routine analysis in Quality Control.
- Responsibility:
- Quality Control Department: To prepare and review the SOP. To follow the procedures laid down for Receipt, Storage and Handling of Chemicals/Solvents in Quality Control Department as per this SOP.
- Quality Assurance Department: To review and approve the SOP and Annexures.
- Accountability:
Head Quality Control Department, Head Quality Assurance Department
- Procedure:
| 5.1 | Precautions: | |
| 5.1.1 | Personal Protective Equipments such as hand gloves, nose masks, goggles should be used while working with hazardous, corrosive, flammable, toxic chemicals. | |
| 5.1.2 | Chemicals coming in contact with eyes can be particularly dangerous, resulting in painful injury or loss of sight. Wear safety goggles or a face shield to reduce the risk of eye contact. | |
| 5.1.3 | Chemicals coming in contact with skin can cause redness and swelling, rashes and itching. Wear safety gloves reduce the risk of skin contact. | |
| 5.1.4 | Inhaling chemicals/solvents may result in headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation, drowsiness or collapse may result from exposure to some substances, particularly many solvents. | |
| 5.1.5 | Wear safety nose masks to avoid the risk. | |
| 5.1.6 | Strictly follow the precautions, warning mentioned on chemical/reagent bottles or refer Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which provide information concerning the safe handling of chemicals, their storage, hazards, first aid and disposal. | |
| 5.1.7 | Do not store or expose the chemicals near the flame or excessive heat. | |
| 5.1.8 | While preparing acid solutions, always add acid to water. Do not add water to acid as this reaction may produce significant heat. | |
| 5.1.9 | Avoid inhaling or touching chemicals or reagents known to be toxic as it can cause injury or harm to personnel. | |
| 5.1.10 | Do not draw any liquid into pipette by mouth as the chemical/solvent in the pipette may enter into the mouth. Use rubber bulb or other pipetting aids. | |
| 5.2 | Receipt of Chemicals/Solvents: | |
| 5.2.1 | When any chemical or solvent is received, the responsible analyst or officer should verify all the details like name of the chemical, quantity received, Make, grade with the purchase order given to the respective supplier. | |
| 5.2.2 | Also check if the received chemicals or solvents have any external damages. If any discrepancy is observed then the responsible analyst or officer shall inform the Head of the Quality Control Department and follow instructions given by the Quality Control Head. | |
| 5.2.3 | If material received is not as per the purchase order, cancel the entry of the same on all copies of challan and invoices (if attached) by drawing single line and duly signed with date and handover or return the material to the supplier. | |
| 5.2.4 | If the chemical or solvent conforms to the requirement then the analyst shall accept the material and counter sign on the challan and submit to the security personnel for making entry in the Security Inward Register. | |
| 5.2.5 | Send the challan and invoices to the Warehouse Department for making GRN and then to the Accounts Department. | |
| 5.2.6 | Enter the details of the chemicals received in “Chemical Receipt Register” as per Annexure and also in the individual “Chemical Stock and Consumption Record” as per Annexure. | |
| 5.2.7 | Individual index sheet shall be maintained for chemicals coming under one alphabet as INDEX A, INDEX B and so on as per Annexure. | |
| 5.2.8 | Under Index A, serial number shall be given to the chemicals as A-1, A-2 and so on. For example If Ammonium chloride is received then it will come under index A and the serial number shall be given as A-1. This procedure shall be followed for all the individual index sheets. | |
| 5.2.9 | Affix the Chemical receipt label as per Annexure on each and every container of the chemical/solvent received and fill in the necessary details on the label with signature of the receiver. | |
| 5.3 | Storage of Chemicals/Solvents: | |
| 5.3.1 | Solid chemicals shall be stored in the designated cupboards labelled as ‘Chemicals in Stock’ in alphabetical series at room temperature or as specified storage conditions on containers or certificate. | |
| 5.3.2 | Liquid chemicals or solvents shall be stored in the designated cupboards labelled as ‘Solvents in Stock’ in alphabetical series at room temperature or as specified storage conditions on containers or certificate. | |
| 5.3.3 | All the cupboards containing chemicals should have the list of chemicals present in stock. | |
| 5.3.4 | Refer chemical Compatibility chart available in Laboratory before storing the chemicals. | |
| 5.3.5 | Highly corrosive, flammable and toxic chemicals like concentrated acids, ammonia, and hydrogen fluoride shall be stored in fuming room. | |
| 5.3.6 | Primary standards shall be stored in separate cupboard with the list of primary standards in it. | |
| 5.3.7 | Highly hazardous/ Poisonous chemicals like acetic anhydride shall be kept in separate cupboard with lock and key under Supervisor control. | |
| 5.4 | Handling of Chemicals/Solvents: | |
| 5.4.1 | Whenever any new chemical is taken from the stock for use, analyst should enter the date of opening on receipt label and entry should be made on chemical stock and consumption log book. | |
| 5.4.2 | Chemicals in use shall be kept on the racks of the working table provided in wet chemistry area in alphabetical series. | |
| 5.4.3 | Acids which are in use shall be kept in sand bath in fuming room. | |
| Note: Don’t Dip the pipette in the Liquid Reagents and Solvent. Solvent from Bottles Transfer separately in the cleaned beaker and pipette out of it and discard the remaining portion to avoid contamination. | ||
| 5.4.4 | Always use safety masks, goggles, acid resistant gloves while dispensing strong acids or chemicals. | |
| 5.4.5 | When working with flammable substances carry out the work in fuming room with proper ventilation away from the source of fire. | |
| 5.4.6 | In case of accidental spillage of any acid on hands or face or clothing wash with plenty of water at the eyewash and shower station. If irritation occurs seek medical advice. | |
| 5.4.7 | For storage, use and handling of any other poisonous or hazardous chemical refer the Material Safety Data Sheet or instructions of manufacturer. | |
| 5.4.8 | If the expiry date of Chemicals/Solvents is not defined by the manufacturer then all the Chemicals/Solvents should be used within three years after the date of opening. | |
| 5.4.9 | Example: If the analyst opens Potassium chloride bottle on 25/04/24, then the date of opening shall be 25/04/24 and the validity shall be 24/04/27. | |
| 5.4.10 | If the expiry date of Chemicals/Solvents is defined by the manufacturer earlier than three years from the date of opening then assign validity same as manufacturer’s expiry date. | |
| 5.4.11 | Example: If the Ascorbic acid chemical has expiry date as 05/2024 and the analyst opens Ascorbic acid bottle on 18/06/22, then the date of opening shall be 18/06/22 and the validity shall be 31/05/24. Consider the last date of expiry month to assign validity. | |
| 5.4.12 | Intact chemicals/solvents should be used within five years from the date of manufacturing | |
| 5.4.13 | If the date of manufacturing is not available then intact chemicals/solvents should be used within five years from the date of receipt. | |
| 5.4.14 | If any chemicals/solvents shows deterioration e.g. sedimentation, precipitation, crystallisation, discoloration, change in physical appearance shall be discarded regardless of validity. | |
| 5.4.15 | For destruction of any Chemicals/Solvents, refer current SOP of “Destruction of Laboratory Waste”. | |
- Definitions / Abbreviations:
- Definitions:
- Chemical: chemicalis a substance, element, chemical compound or mixture of elements that is produced or used in a process (reaction) involving changes to atoms or molecules.
- Corrosive chemicals: Achemical that causes visible destruction of living tissue or irreversible alterations in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact. Example: Bromine, Acetic acid, Triethylamine.
- Flammable Chemicals: A flammable material can be a solid, liquid or gas. It is defined as any liquid having a flash point below 100oF. (37.8oC). Example: Benzene, Methanol and Ethanol.
- Toxic Chemicals: Chemical that causes an undesirable effect in a biological system. Example: Hydrochloric acid, Nitric acid.
- Flash point:It is defined as the lowest temperature at which a liquid can form an ignitable mixture in air near the surface of the liquid. The lower the flash point, the easier it is to ignite the material.
- Hazardous Chemicals: Hazardous chemical is defined as any chemical that is responsible for health hazard, physical hazard or damage to environment. Health hazardchemicals are the ones which causes acute or chronic health effects when exposed to it. Chemicals which cause health hazards are carcinogens, toxic or highly toxic agents, reproductive toxins, irritants, corrosives, sensitizers, hepatotoxins, nephrotoxins, neurotoxins, agents that act on the hematopoietic system (body organs and tissues involved in the formation of blood elements), and agents that damage the lungs, skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. Physical hazard chemicals are the ones that are combustible liquid, a compressed gas, explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive), or water-reactive.
- Harm: Damage to health or environment including the damage that can occur from loss of product quality or availability.
- Contamination: Deposition of chemicals/solvents in any place where it is not desired, particularly where its presence may be harmful. The harm may merely interfere with an experiment or procedure or may constitute an actual hazard to personnel.
- Abbreviations:
| Abbreviation | Expansion |
| SOP | Standard Operating Procedure |
| QC | Quality Control |
| QA | Quality Assurance |
| GRN | Goods Receipt Note |
| MSDS | Material Safety Data Sheet |
| 0C | Degree Celsius |
| 0F | Degree Fahrenheit |
*Note – Ready to use SOP available in “DOWNLOAD” Section.