Related pages:
Chemical Safety Levels Table	Requirements for all Chemical Work	CSL 2 Requirements	CSL 3 Requirements	CSL 4 Requirements

Special Safety Practices for CSL2

1.Work with materials with hazard ratings of NFPA 2 or greater in any category is performed in a properly functioning Class II biological safety cabinet or chemical fume hood. Volatile or flammable materials are used only in a Class II biological safety cabinet or fume hood that is vented outside the building. The biological safety cabinets are vented through a thimble connection as in a Class II B3 or through a hard duct as in a Class II B2. The B3 cabinets are used for handling only minute quantities of volatile chemicals with NFPA 3 rating or less. Chemicals with a NFPA 4 flammable rating are not used in a biological safety cabinet.

2.Appropriate personal protective equipment is specific for the hazard of the chemicals. Safety glasses with side shields are required in laboratories where chemicals are used or stored. Wearing contact lenses in the laboratory is not recommended, but if an individual must wear them, they must also wear safety glasses with side shields, chemical splash goggles, or a face shield at all times in the laboratory. Protective gloves shall be selected on the basis of the chemicals being used. THERE IS NO UNIVERSAL PROTECTIVE GLOVE FOR ALL PURPOSES. FOR THE SAFETY OF PERSONNEL, GLOVES MUST BE CHEMICAL and PURPOSE SPECIFIC.

3.All chemicals must be stored properly, according to compatibility. Any chemicals which pose hazard or risk shall be limited to the minimum quantities required to meet short-term needs of the research program. Chemicals not in use shall be stored in proper storage cabinets and not in chemical fume hoods. Regulated chemicals, such as drugs or radioactive materials, require special secured storage areas. Do not store chemicals on floors.

4.A chemical waste label shall identify the contents of each container of chemical wastes and shall be placed in appropriate containers for disposal through the chemical waste disposal program. Any wastes which pose a special hazard shall be isolated for special handling.

5.Planning shall be guided by these principles:
i) be sure that the chemical with its inherent hazards can be used safely in your laboratory, that is, you have the proper facility and available resources to safely carry out this work;
ii) whenever possible substitute less toxic alternatives for more highly hazardous chemicals;
iii) use the smallest quantity of chemical that is practical for the experiment or test; and
iv) purchase the minimum quantity needed to conduct all experiments.
Disposal is not trivial and generally costs 3 to 10 times the original cost of a chemical. This is a hidden cost when you purchase a chemical.

Special Safety Equipment for CSL2

1.Any refrigerators or freezers used for storage of volatile, flammable chemicals or samples containing volatile, flammable chemicals shall be rated as laboratory-safe or explosion-proof. If volatile or flammable chemicals or samples containing volatile, flammable chemicals are not used in the laboratory, this is not a requirement.

2.A vented flammable material storage cabinet, either built in or free- standing, shall be used for the storage of flammable materials. The cabinets must meet the minimum OSHA standards described in 29 CFR 1910.106.

3. Local Ventilation
Non-volatile toxic chemicals may be used in Class II Type A biological safety cabinet. Volatile or flammable chemicals must be used in a vented biological safety cabinet - Class II Type B3 or B2 or a vented chemical fume hood. Class II cabinets are not made for use of large quantities of chemicals. Class II biological safety cabinets do not have spark- proof electrical systems, and even in the vented B2 or B3 cabinets, volatile and flammable chemicals must be used in such a manner as to prevent the buildup of airborne concentrations that could reach lower explosive limits.

Chemicals with NFPA 4 flammable ratings must not be used in Class II biological safety cabinets. Furthermore high concentrations of certain organic chemicals or corrosive acids or bases may damage the HEPA filter of Class II cabinets and cause the filter to leak. Operations involving the use of large amounts of chemicals should be carried out in a chemical fume hood. Further information about biological safety cabinets can be found in Primary Containment for Biohazards: Selection, Installation and Use of Biological Safety Cabinets (CDC/NIH 1995).

4.Emergency eye wash stations shall be provided in each laboratory using chemicals and shall be tested weekly by laboratory personnel. Emergency showers shall be within 10 seconds walking distance and shall be tested by the maintenance department. Eye wash stations and showers must meet ANSI Z358.1 performance standards. The plumbing shall be sized to accommodate the deluge shower and the eye wash station.

5.Carts or safety carriers of rubber or polyethylene for the transport of bottles of acids, bases, solvents, or other hazardous chemicals shall be provided by each program and used by all personnel in transporting these chemicals.

6.Spill control kits shall be available and laboratory personnel shall be trained in their use. Any spills or accidents will be promptly cleaned up.

Special Laboratory Facility Requirements for CSL2

1.The facility should include a separation of work spaces and desk areas.

2.The ventilation system shall be designed such that the room air balance is maintained at a small negative pressure with respect to the corridors.