Risks prevention regarding the Risks prevention regarding the exposure to chemical substances in exposure to chemical substances in

the chemistry laboratoriesthe chemistry laboratories

Maria Dorina Lupu – HeadmasterMaria Dorina Lupu – Headmaster

National CollegeNational College “Octavian Goga” “Octavian Goga” SibiuSibiu

National CollegeNational College “Octavian Goga” “Octavian Goga”

HISTORICHISTORIC• The schoolThe school’’s roots are related to the name of the s roots are related to the name of the “Asociatiunea “Asociatiunea

Transilvaneana pentru Literatura Româna si pentru Cultura Transilvaneana pentru Literatura Româna si pentru Cultura Poporului Roman” (ASTRA). Poporului Roman” (ASTRA).

• ““Asociatiunea Transilvaneana pentru Literatura Romana si pentru Asociatiunea Transilvaneana pentru Literatura Romana si pentru Cultura Poporului Roman”, was the first Romanian School for Girls, Cultura Poporului Roman”, was the first Romanian School for Girls, in Transylvania.in Transylvania.

• In 1970 the name of the school changed into "Octavian Goga“ In 1970 the name of the school changed into "Octavian Goga“ Secondary School. Secondary School.

• After December 1989, the name become Theoretical Secondary After December 1989, the name become Theoretical Secondary School School “Octavian Goga”“Octavian Goga”..

• 15th September 2003: the name become National College 15th September 2003: the name become National College "Octavian Goga""Octavian Goga" Sibiu, in the presence of the Minister of Sibiu, in the presence of the Minister of Education and Research Alexandru Athanasiu and in June 2004 Education and Research Alexandru Athanasiu and in June 2004 the College become one of the 34th “European Schools” from the College become one of the 34th “European Schools” from Romania. Romania.

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

• What is a dangerous chemical substances? What is a dangerous chemical substances?

Any substances which present a risk for the Any substances which present a risk for the occupational health and safety of the pupils, occupational health and safety of the pupils, because of their properties and the usage.because of their properties and the usage.

• The efficient communication regarding de The efficient communication regarding de occupational health and safety at the work place occupational health and safety at the work place is a challenge both for the teachers and pupils.is a challenge both for the teachers and pupils.

The success of the prevention depends onThe success of the prevention depends on:: • The correct labeling The correct labeling of the chemical substances of the chemical substances

used in the chemistry laboratoryused in the chemistry laboratory..

• Safety Data SheetsSafety Data Sheets for the chemical substances for the chemical substances used during the experiments.used during the experiments.

• Pupils training.Pupils training.

• A chemical agent can’t be used before to put at the A chemical agent can’t be used before to put at the pupils disposal pupils disposal visual andvisual and written information’swritten information’s regarding regarding the existing risks and the needed protection. the existing risks and the needed protection.

• The duties of the chemistry teachersThe duties of the chemistry teachers : :– The list with the dangerous chemical agents The list with the dangerous chemical agents

frequently used during the experiments, in pilot frequently used during the experiments, in pilot stations; stations;

– Own instructions regarding the occupational safety Own instructions regarding the occupational safety and health at the work place, and health at the work place, emphasizingemphasizing the the existing risks and the protective measuresexisting risks and the protective measures;;

– Correct labeling of the chemical substancesCorrect labeling of the chemical substances..

LabelingLabeling

Chimici 8 3

Etichetarea: simboluri specifice

LabelingLabeling

• It is very important to inform the pupils It is very important to inform the pupils regarding the chemical risks.regarding the chemical risks.

• The pupils were trained to be able to interpret The pupils were trained to be able to interpret the written information’s about the warnings and the written information’s about the warnings and risks mentioned on the labels: risks mentioned on the labels:

• RR Phrases Phrases –– regarding the risks that can occur when a regarding the risks that can occur when a chemical substances is usedchemical substances is used. .

• SS Phrases Phrases –– regarding the cautiousnessregarding the cautiousness..

LabelingLabeling

For the pupils who are working with chemical For the pupils who are working with chemical substances during the experiments, it is very substances during the experiments, it is very important to know the significations of the important to know the significations of the symbols mentioned on the label symbols mentioned on the label ::

• Very toxicVery toxic (T+) (T+) • ToxicToxic (T) (T) • HarmfulHarmful (Xn) (Xn) • Corrosive substance Corrosive substance (C)(C) • Irritating substanceIrritating substance (Xi) (Xi)

LabelingLabeling

• ConclusionConclusion - - a label is very useful to a label is very useful to identify both the dangerous chemical identify both the dangerous chemical substances and the associated risks.substances and the associated risks.

• The labels must be written in Romanian The labels must be written in Romanian language, because it is a very important language, because it is a very important information source for the pupils/workers.information source for the pupils/workers.

Safety Data SheetSafety Data Sheet

• The most efficient instruments used to identify The most efficient instruments used to identify the risks related to the dangerous chemical the risks related to the dangerous chemical substances are the substances are the Safety Data SheetsSafety Data Sheets. The . The teachers have to check if the dangerous teachers have to check if the dangerous chemical substances used during experiments chemical substances used during experiments have the Safety Data Sheets drafted by the have the Safety Data Sheets drafted by the suppliers.suppliers.

• The Safety Data Sheets offer much more The Safety Data Sheets offer much more information’s than the labels. Also, these Safety information’s than the labels. Also, these Safety Data Sheets are used during the pupils’ training Data Sheets are used during the pupils’ training regarding the occupational safety and health at regarding the occupational safety and health at work places.work places.

Safety Data SheetSafety Data Sheet

• The Safety Data Sheets permit a quickly The Safety Data Sheets permit a quickly identification of the risks regarding the identification of the risks regarding the safety and health at the work places safety and health at the work places ((symbols symbols C, T+, T, F+, FC, T+, T, F+, F, , Xn).Xn).

• The Safety Data Sheets can be used to The Safety Data Sheets can be used to identify the chemical risks and to establish identify the chemical risks and to establish the prevention measures. the prevention measures.

Toxicological Risks

In the written instructions regarding the In the written instructions regarding the occupational safety and health in the occupational safety and health in the chemistry laboratories it was emphasized chemistry laboratories it was emphasized especially how the pupils can be especially how the pupils can be toxicologically affected. It is known that a toxicologically affected. It is known that a chemical substance can affect the human chemical substance can affect the human body through: inhalation, ingestion, body through: inhalation, ingestion, direct direct contact with the skincontact with the skin..

CountermeasuresCountermeasures

Countermeasures regarding the inhalation of Countermeasures regarding the inhalation of the chemical substancesthe chemical substances

Collective protection – Collective protection – insideinside of the chemistry of the chemistry laboratorieslaboratories there are some ventilation devices there are some ventilation devices which capture the harmful vaporswhich capture the harmful vapors..

• Regarding the Regarding the individual protectionindividual protection it must be it must be mentioned that the pupils have the obligation to mentioned that the pupils have the obligation to wear white gown and protective gloves if it is wear white gown and protective gloves if it is necessary, in the chemistry laboratories.necessary, in the chemistry laboratories.

CountermeasuresCountermeasures

Countermeasures regarding the contact Countermeasures regarding the contact with the skin and eyeswith the skin and eyes..

• The sprinklingThe sprinkling is often met in the chemical is often met in the chemical substances manipulation during the substances manipulation during the experiments in the chemistry laboratories, experiments in the chemistry laboratories, so it is necessary to be available some so it is necessary to be available some rinse devices.rinse devices.

CountermeasuresCountermeasures

Countermeasures regarding the accidental ingestion of the Countermeasures regarding the accidental ingestion of the chemical substanceschemical substances

• Generally, the ingestion of the chemical substances occurs Generally, the ingestion of the chemical substances occurs accidentally or in case of mixing up with some food products .accidentally or in case of mixing up with some food products .

• For these purposes, during the trainings, it is emphasized the For these purposes, during the trainings, it is emphasized the necessity of the container’ labeling. Also, it is forbidden to keep food necessity of the container’ labeling. Also, it is forbidden to keep food products (beverages) in the same room with the chemical products (beverages) in the same room with the chemical substances.substances.

• During the development of the experiments, the pupils have the duty During the development of the experiments, the pupils have the duty to use correctly the droppers (not using the mouth instead special to use correctly the droppers (not using the mouth instead special devices).devices).

• To reduce the consequences of the undesired event, all the pupils To reduce the consequences of the undesired event, all the pupils are periodically trainedare periodically trained how to grant the first aid.how to grant the first aid.

The mainstreaming Safety into The mainstreaming Safety into education education

For building safety into education it is proposed For building safety into education it is proposed a model structured on the following objectives:a model structured on the following objectives:

• The elaboration of the legislation and methodology with the The elaboration of the legislation and methodology with the participation of the key factors;participation of the key factors;

• The orientation of the educational process for the conceiving The orientation of the educational process for the conceiving of a preventive behavior;of a preventive behavior;

• The usage of flexible and interactive educational methods ;The usage of flexible and interactive educational methods ;• The development of a prevention culture;The development of a prevention culture;• The implementation of the prevention draft as a life The implementation of the prevention draft as a life

philosophy.philosophy.