Chemical Safety

Overview

Chemicals are used across KAUST for both research and teaching applications. These chemicals have different hazards associated with them (e.g. fire or caustic, etc.) that can have the the potential to cause significant harm if not managed appropriately. HSE has created multiple tools to help lab users safely manage their chemical hazards such as chemical inventory, Safety Data Sheets and more.

Chemical Inventory

Managing the diverse range of chemical and hazardous substances within an organization is an important aspect not only from a safety perspective but an efficiency aspect as well. The SALUTE's chemical inventory module is used at KAUST and is managed through the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Department.

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) are an important part of any laboratory safety program in communicating information to chemical users.
SDSs are documents that provide detailed information for the hazards associated with a specific chemical or chemical mixture.

Chemical Storage and transportation

Flammable Storage in Refrigerators/Freezers

Laboratory staff consists of those personnel who conduct their work in a laboratory and are at risk of possible exposure to hazardous materials or other health or physical hazards on a regular or periodic basis.

Transporting Chemicals

When transporting chemicals between laboratories or other buildings on campus, the following guidelines should be implemented for protection of people and the environment, and to minimize the potential for spills to occur.

Chemical Segregation

Chemicals should be stored according to compatibility and hazard classes. Rather than store chemicals alphabetically, or by carbon number, or by physical state, etc., HSE recommends that you segregate them by hazard class first.

Corrosive Cabinets

Some corrosive materials are also strong oxidizers and must be stored away from organic materials. Examples include Hydrogen peroxide, Chromic, Nitric, Perbromic, Perchloric, and Periodic acids.