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Safety risks – chemicals

CERN uses various hazardous chemicals for carrying out a range of activities, both industrial and experimental. These chemicals include cleaning products, reactive metals, flammable gases, flammable and/or toxic organic solvents ,corrosive acids and bases and other toxic substances. These chemicals are used in a wide range of applications, such as for electroplating, experimental gas detectors, operation of lasers, production of demineralized water, lubrication for machining metallic or non-metallic materials in workshops, and fuel for electrical generators.

As a user of chemicals, you are responsible for the entire chain, from selecting the appropriate product to correct disposal of associated waste.

Ensure you have followed the appropriate chemical safety training courses, notably Chemical Safety - Awareness and Chemical Safety Handling, and follow the procedures below for safe handling of chemical products.

In case of emergency or incident (spill, leak), call the CERN Fire & Rescue Service on +41 22 76 74444.

Contents

Regulatory framework

Please ensure you get acquainted with the complete regulatory framework on risks associated chemical agents, with all documents available on this link.

In particular:

These define the minimum Safety requirements for the protection of persons from risks to their health and safety arising, or likely to arise, from the effects of hazardous chemical agents that are present at the workplace or used in any CERN activity.

This defines the minimum Safety requirements which prevention and protection measures must satisfy in order to ensure the protection of persons from risks to their health and safety arising, or likely to arise, from the effects of hazardous chemical agents that are present at the workplace or used in any CERN activity. It applies to any CERN activity involving hazardous chemical agents.

This defines the minimum Safety requirements to ensure the protection of persons from risks to their occupational health and safety arising, or likely to arise, from explosive atmospheres.

Selection and reception

As far as possible, avoid using hazardous chemicals. If you must use them:

  • Evaluate the context in which they will be used and the associated hazards.
  • Choose the least harmful.
  • Think about risk, disposal and follow appropriate training (e.g. Transport of Chemical Products and Chemical Waste / Transport de Produits Chimiques et de Déchets Chimiques).
  • Check the Safety Data Sheet (SDS – available in EDH for chemical products purchased from CERN Stores).
  • Make the appropriate EDH request.

Storage

Refer to the Safety Guideline "Storage of hazardous chemical agents" (SG-C-1-0-1)

  • Register/maintain your chemical inventory using CERES.
  • Update your CERES inventory in case of changes and at least once anually.
  • Use appropriate, original containers and suitable storage cupboards (53.12.63.A – SAFETY CUPBOARDS FOR DANGEROUS PRODUCTS STORAGE) where applicable.
  • Use the correct labels and make sure they are legible.
  • Ensure:
    • you limit the stored quantities,
    • permanent  ventilation,
    • appropriate spill retention, 
    • appropriate means of intervention in case of emergency situations,
    • Safety Data Sheets (SDS) readily available for consultation.

Labels and articles are available from the CERN stores (e.g. 50.55.20 - LOGOS and STICKERS NEW NORM CLP/GHS, 50.55.89.C – DANGER SIGNS – ADHESIVES, 50.55.90.B – DANGEROUS PRODUCTS SIGNS – ALUMINIUM).

ADRLabels

Usage

Please refer to the Safety Guideline "Identification of hazardous chemical agents" (SG-C-0-0-1)

  • Check the expiry date! Do not use expired chemicals.
  • Carry out the chemical risk assessment in CERES where applicable.
  • Follow the Prevention and Protection measures(GSI-C-1).
  • Ensure collective and personal protection:
    • Ensure that the collective protection systems (ventilation, emergency safety showers and/or eye wash units) are available and regularly tested (Complete safety form, Test of safety showers / eyes washes Safety Form SF C-1-0-3).
    • Wear suitable clothing and PPE (available from CERN stores).
    • Chemical protective gloves. Consult safety guideline, Chemical protective gloves Safety Guideline SG-C-1-0-2_EN.pdf
    • Eye protection: safety glasses, goggles, visor (risk of splashing).
    • Respiratory protective equipment (risk of inhalation, follow  training course on Fit-Test practical). Complete safety form, Respirator Use, Safety Form SF C-1-0-4
  • Some specific chemicals have associated guidelines to help users meet the requirements for safety:
  • The use of flammable gas or flammable liquids which might give rise to hazardous areas (ATEX zones) implies the completion of an explosion risk assessment, usually performed by the Flammable Gas Safety Officer (FGSO) for the department/experiment concerned by the activity. The explosion risk assessment should be completed in CERES. A hazardous area classification should be completed when appropriate:

Transport

As a shipper of chemicals you are responsible for the choice of packaging, validity and labelling for transportation and disposal in accordance with the ADR regulation.

The following training courses will give you all the information necessary to ensure the safe transport of chemical products. Click on the links to register: 

Disposal

Chemical waste includes waste from processed chemical products such as corrosives, hydrocarbons, oils, solvents, light bulbs, neon lights, etc. Regulations and good practices apply to the storage, packaging and transport of this hazardous waste.

As a shipper of chemicals you are responsible for the choice of packaging, validity and labelling for transportation and disposal in accordance with the ADR regulation.

Follow the training courses listed under the 'Transport' section above.

Any doubt? contact safety-chemistry@cern.ch 

  • Do not empty chemicals in the sink.
  • Do not mix chemical waste.
  • Use valid compatible containers.
  • Ensure that:
    • Containers are clearly labelled with the appropriate hazard warning symbol.
    • Containers are stored over retention until transport to Building 262 (see below).
    • The product is identified.
    • The packaging is suitable for transport.
    • ADR labels are visibly affixed to the packaging. 
  • NOTES:
    • ADR labels and UN numbers must be easily visible and legible and shall be able to be exposed to bad weather without significant deterioration for each package.
  • For the elimination of waste, a storage and/or internal/external transport request must be completed in EDH. 
    • NOTE: "Chemical material" must always be selected and the UN number and type of packaging (drum, GRV,...) mentioned.  One line must be filled in the request for each UN number. 
  • Include the SDS.

Specific chemical waste considerations:

  • Empty containers shall be classified as hazardous waste.
  • Chemically contaminated waste (cloths, gloves, etc.) must be collected and an EDH transport request to building 262 must be made. 
  • Approved packaging to transport chemical products/chemical waste can be ordered directly from the catalogue (SCEM 55.50.75.D, pay attention to compatibilities). 
  • To find out the control requirements regarding IBC (Intermediate Bulk Container) transport by road check: EDMS 1706704 
  • To find out the best practices of treatment and storage of metal chips check: EDMS 2031781.

For further information, see SCE’s Chemical Waste webpage.
 

Useful contacts

Download the poster (PDF)

Chemicals Poster 2

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