You're faced with handling unfamiliar hazardous materials. How do you ensure safety in your work?

If the risks are totally unknown assume worse case scenario then work the risk factor down only when there is a clear reason not to. At all times keep written records of why and when risk factors are reduced.

Read MSDS and other relevant information. Check and double check usage procedure and requirements such as inert atmosphere, no cotanct with other reactive chemicals, etc. Most significant and valuable input is assitance of experienced partner, both by advice and preferably by support and help. Ask someone experienced to be present during work with dangerous material.

A big part of management's role is to install a culture where "unfamiliar hazardous materials" and other unpleasant surprises should be a rare exception and not the rule : Systematically perform a safety analysis before ordering a chemical, label all containers to know who is working with it, what product they put in, and , ensure that qualified personnel is handling these materials , do not leave potentially dangerous situations unattended..

If you know what the material is, MSDS is the way to go. Printing the relevant pages, or posting the most important points near the station where the material is being used will help. Trained personnel must handle.

When not familiar with a suspected hazardous material/chemical, it's important to contact the manufacturer. Request for the most recent safety data sheet SDS as is called today. The SDS should not be older than two years. It should follow in its presentation The Globalized Harmonized System GHS as is called today with sixteen (16) sections. The moment you receive the correct SDS take your time and read it. Everything you need to know in managing the hazardous material will be in the document: it's characteristic, including reactivity, pH or ignition points depending on its state( in aqiuos or solid). Pictogram, PPE recommendations, emergency response ( medical, Fire, spill etc) please note that the key is obtaining correct SDS in a GHS form

Really PPE should be the last line of defence. - Using something safer, or changing the way you work to remove or reduce the hazard is much safer than relying on PPE. For example; working in a fume hood is much safer than relying on a face shield.

Remember to warn co-workers or by-standers of the hazard and make sure they are equipped with PPE if they are in the vicinity when handling chemicals.

PPE is definitely not a first line of defense against hazardous materials. It is third, behind engineering and administrative controls (think fume hoods and procedures). However, when donning PPE, be sure to check the MSDS of the materials you are working with, as you may need to change your PPE materials to be compatible with the hazardous material. For instance, concentrated acids can pass through nitrile gloves, as can ketones, acetates, ethers, and others.

Being aware of PPE is a key factor in establishing a safe working environment and avoiding exposure to hazardous materials. As a laboratory director, this is essential to make sure that all the members follow the procedure and utilize PPE properly. I always make sure that one of my members also follows PPE regulations and keeps everything updated. Adopting PPE along with the knowledge of how to handle and store hazardous materials in the lab is the foundation of a good working place.

PPE is the first safety measure without which no one must allow or willing to work while handling the hazardous materials. MSDS and safety precautions are the second key criticsl component.

This is a great point to be noted as jn underdeveloped and small scald companies, very often these are missing parameters. And most of the folks are landed up with carcinogenic health elements.

Make sure all protective equipment is controlled on a regular basis. Filters changed in case of hoods, etc... For certain risk medical follow up can be put in place: i.e. for radioactivity

You need to know in advance which possibilities you have to work with such substances. If an investment in lab equipment does not fit into you budget, try to approach universities in order to work in their facilities. E.g you can make a contract of 100h, declare what you are going to do and start out! It is very often the case that you also increase your possibilities in such institutions then in your local cabin ;)

An emergency plan is crucial as it provides clear procedures for quickly and safely responding to accidents, minimizing harm to personnel and the environment, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Remaining calm and collected during an emergency is paramount. To achieve this, it is essential that the team culture includes regular safety equipment checks, training, and simulations, as well as easy and clear access to emergency communication and response channels. Visitors or members of other departments should be briefed on emergency procedures before accessing internal facilities.

There are many risk assessment methods, but even when mitigating them, using PPE, and taking the necessary precautions, accidents can happen. Therefore, it is very important to know all the emergency measures in advance, so that you can act quickly and assertively. For example, in case of leaks, exposure, contact with eyes.

Emergency prep is not just limited to fire extinquishers, eye washes, and spash guards. You really should talk out potential ways that chemcial reactions can get off track and how to mitigate serious reactions. Dilution with an inert or reaction killing solution should be kept at hand for research situations.

Sorting chemical or biological compound waste is crucial. Set a specific area for waste storage. Get in contact with local special disposal companies to organise regular pickup.

Knowing the content of such materials is not always the case, maybe because of proprietary reasons or because of an early stage research product. But in all cases the crucial substance classes are known and depicted by the vendor (heavy metal, acids, based, bio hazardous substances, nuclear,….) So if you found out, check your internal possibilities to get rid of your waste properly. Maybe there is a company close to your location to take care of your stuff. These companies also provide the appropriate vessels for storage until pickup. It is highly recommended to invest time and money on the preparation of waste management BEFORE you handle respective substances.

Materials to be discarded do not always retain the same properties as when they were acquired. Chemical reactions, physicochemical alterations, and associations with other elements and pH conditions, for example, can alter the nature of the waste. Understanding these transformations and their environmental risks is crucial for the proper sizing and management of the generated waste.

Overconfidence can precipitate imminent hazards. Continuous development of safety-centric work methods is crucial, as is maintaining up-to-date knowledge of health and safety data related to handled or developed materials. Given the numerous unknown risks in nanotechnology, fostering a culture of individual and collective prevention is essential for effective risk management. Marie Curie and Pierre Curie serve as a poignant reminder of how groundbreaking research can pose significant health risks to researchers.

I've been dealing with unknown hazardous materials all my career and believe that the key is about understanding a mix between physicochemical properties and bioactivity. I always study new compounds this way and ensure safety protocols from A to Z at the beginning of an experimental set

In addition to the actions mentioned, such as reading safety data sheets, proper product storage, and understanding how they may react or interact with other products, I believe that holding periodic workshops can provide updated information on safety and the products being handled. These workshops promote awareness of good practices in handling hazardous materials and can serve as a means to address and resolve safety improvement proposals for the company.