What we need to know before using Hydrofluoric acid (abbv, H.F .)…..

1. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • What we need to know before using Hydrofluoric acid (abbv, H.F.)…..

2. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers.. • Firstly, ask yourself- ‘DO I REALLY NEED TO WORK WITH THIS ACID?……..’

3. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers.

4. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • SAFETY FACTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE USING THIS ACID…

5. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Risk phrase number: R-26/27/28-35 ie. Very toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin, and if swallowed. Causes severe burns. • HF compatabiltiy/incompatabilites. • Detailed risk assessment of our proposed procedure. • Preparation of work area/Work practice/Warning signage • Personal Protective Equipment procedures-P.P.E. • Storage and containment of acid and its associated wastes. • Special first aid emergency procedures. • Spillage/Spillage containment procedures • The researcher must receive HF Training and sign off on same. • This presentation covers all of the above.

6. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • MATERIAL COMPATABILITY CONSIDERATIONS FOR WORKING WITH HYDROFLUORIC ACID

7. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Materials Incompatabilities: • Avoid metals, alkali metals, strong bases, PVC, glass,living tissue. Check literature if in doubt, or web. • Materials Compatabilities: • Teflon, H.D.Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Butyl Rubber, etc. Check literature if in doubt, or internet resources. • We need to consider every piece of equipment that will come in contact with the HF during our process, and containment of same should HF escape during our process.

8. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Risk Assessment

9. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Detailed description of procedure in writing to be submitted. • Procedure should involve the minimum exposure of operator to hydrofluoric acid as much as is reasonably practical!! • Submit to School Safety Advisor/Assistant School Safety advisor for risk assessment. • Final approval by Head of School (or University Safety Officer where necessary). • All involved personnel to receive training and sign off on training received. • All safety equipment provided and in place.

10. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Preparation of work area

11. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • In house warning signs at work area/fumehood*. • All work carried out in a fumehood. • Visual inspection of fumehood before use. • Warning signs on door to laboratory. • Inform all personnel of intention to work with HF. • Absolutely no lone working! Buddy system at all times! • Absolutely no working after normal university hours ie. 9- 5.15 pm! • All safety precautions and basic safety equipment/P.P.E. present • HF skin antidote Calcium gluconate gel(available from stores) Emergency shower/running water wash facility present in work area, essential where large volumes of acid are being used.. • ‘Dry run’ the proposed HF procedure using water.

12. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT CONSIDERATIONS-P.P.E.

13. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Buttoned lab coat and safety glasses* must be worn at all times. • Face shield* (Available fromFarnell Part no.323902 or Part no. 323903) must be worn at all times. • Protective apron* (Available fromRadionics Part no.111-295) must be worn at all times. • Gloves* (eg. ‘NITRA FINE PF Polyco Super Glove’-’MAXTER’ available from stores X1-61) must be worn prt. when in contact with open containers of acid. • Work in secondary containment as much as physically practical i.e. catch trays etc. • If HF comes in contact with any item of P.P.E. during course of work, remove immediately!!

14. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • GLOVING PROTOCOL

15. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Keep need for wearing gloves to a minimum eg. When working with open containers of acid!! • DO NOT LEAVE LABORATORY WITH GLOVES ON!!!! • Use ‘NITRA FINE PF Polyco Super Glove’ or equivalent eg. ‘Maxter’ brand -available from Chemistry stores- Room X1-64- (Penetration time is 10 mins for a splash of 48% HF acid) • Visually inspect glove for any visible tears/defects before placing on hands. • Ensure correct size is selected to fit on hand.

16. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • If acid comes in contact with gloves during work, get buddy to turn on tap/use barrier before touching tap- rinse thoroughly under running water, remove and place used gloves in a labelled container*. Use fresh gloves if work is to continue. • Demonstration of gloving/de-gloving*.

17. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Storage of Hydrofluoric acid and its associated wastes

18. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • During routine use, all HF acid/acid waste will be stored in acids cabinet and/or secondary containment as applicable. Storage area to carry warning notification • Containers to be used for acid and acid waste are typically Hi-density polyethylene/Hi density polypropylene*. Empty containers can be obtained from Chemical Stores Room X1-61 (eg. Reagcon Part No. FB51442) • All HF acid/acid waste containers must be completely free of external hydrofluoric acid contamination. If external contamination is suspected (carry out simple check using moist blue litmus paper-paper turns red in presence of acid), subsequent decontamination will be carried out by washing same externally,(with lid on) with copious amounts of cold flowing water.

19. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • SPECIAL FIRST AID FOR WORKERS IN CONTACT WITH ACID

20. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. KEY POINTS • First aiders to wear gloves when treating victim, particularly if using calcium gluconate gel. • The single most effective thing you can do where a splash of hydrofluoric acid to the body has occurred, is to irrigate the affected area with copious amounts of flowing water and seek professional medical help immediately!

21. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • If acid is in contact with eyes- Rinse with copious amounts of water. Seek first aid/technical assistance immediately! Hospitalisation will be necessary in Beaumont A and E . • If acid is in contact with skin-Rinse with copious amounts of water. Massage calcium gluonate gel to affected area if in pain. Hospitalisation will be necessary in Beaumont A and E .

22. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • If acid is ingested, rinse out mouth with water. Seek first aid/technical assistance immediately! Hospitalisation will be necessary in Beaumont A and E .Inform hospital that hydrofluoric acid is involved! • If acid is inhaled, evacuate to fresh air. Seek first aid/technical assistance immediately! Hospitalisation will be necessary in Beaumont A and E . Inform hospital that hydrofluoric acid is involved!

23. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • Spillage procedure.

24. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • In the event of spillage of acid or acid waste while being stored or generated irrespective of volume.. • Stop working immediately. Only use acid spill material if safe to do so. Place spill material in spill area. (Spill-X-A material from Lennox ltd. Cat No. 263/0920/14) • Remove gloves and other P.P.E. that may have potentially in contact with spilled acid. • Evacuate all personnel from the laboratory and lock door. • Post Hydrofluoric Acid Spill-Do not Enter until Further Notice-Date!’on Lab door. • Inform technical staff/Damien McGuirkimmediately,detailing volume of spill, location, room number etc.

25. D.C.U. School of Chemical Sciences- Hydrofluoric acid Safety awareness training programme for researchers. • This seminar has covered basic training on Hydrofluoric acid. Please sign attendance record. • Remember…IF IN ANY DOUBT…ASK! ASK!! ASK!!!!!