Standard Operating Procedures

Standard Operating Procedure

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Read the EH&S Standard Operating Procedures Fact Sheet before filling out this form. Print out the completed form and keep a readily accessible hard copy in the lab (also keeping an electronic copy is highly recommended).

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Date: 3/05/10

SOP Title: Osmium tetroxide

Principal Investigator: Richmond Sarpong

Room and Building: 841A Latimer Hall

Lab Phone Number: [phone]
Section 1 – Process

For use, see: http://mrw.interscience.wiley.com/eros/articles/ro007/pdf_fs.html

Section 2 – Hazardous Chemicals

Osmium tetroxide vapor is toxic, causing damage to the eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; may cause temporary blindness; LD50 14 mg/kg for the rat, 162 mg/kg for the mouse.

Section 3 – Potential Hazards

Symptoms: irritation eyes, respiratory system; lacrimation (discharge of tears), visual disturbance; conjunctivitis; headache; cough, dyspnea (breathing difficulty); dermatitis

Section 4 – Approvals Required

The laboratory supervisor is responsible to ensure that this procedure is available, understood and adhered to by staff using osmium tetroxide in the laboratory. The MSDS must be readily available and the warning sign should be posted where the material is in use or stored.

Section 5 – Designated Area

Osmium tetroxide should only be used in the fume hood.

Section 6 – Special Handling Procedures and Storage Requirements

Osmium tetroxide should be purchased as a liquid to avoid particulate exposure from the powdered form. The solutions should be stored in labeled tightly sealed containers, and these should be placed in secondary containment, and due to its high vapor pressure, stored in a refrigerator. Secondary containment should be used anytime the material is transported to another lab location. When osmium tetroxide is freshly prepared and active, it is colorless to pale yellow in color. When the material reacts and causes oxidation, it turns black. This is helpful to know especially in the event of a splash or spill (see below) or inadvertent dermal exposure (black dots on skin).

Section 7 – Personal Protective Equipment

Chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and other protective clothing should be worn.

Section 8 – Engineering/Ventilation Controls

Because of its high toxicity and high vapor pressure, it should be handled with extreme care in a chemical fume hood. Keep the hood sash as low as possible to prevent vapor outside the hood.

Section 9 – Spill and Accident Procedures

Small Spills: When the spill is small and manageable, quantity spilled is less than 2 mL, lab personnel will: • Alert personnel in the immediate area. • Isolate the area to prevent the spread of contamination. • Don appropriate PPE (at a minimum use double gloves, buttoned lab coat, safety goggles). • Cover the spill with corn oil-soaked kitty litter. • Scoop the material up and place it in a sealed plastic bag. • Wash the area with aqueous solution of sodium sulfite. • Clean the area with detergent solution. • Remove contaminated PPE carefully and place it in the bag. • Label the bag or container with a completed hazardous chemical waste label/tag and write osmium tetroxide clearly on the label. • Arrange with EH&S for pickup and appropriate disposal. Large Spills: When the quantity spilled is greater than 2 mL, lab personnel will: • Advise lab personnel to evacuate the area as soon as possible, without creating panic. • Close all doors leading to lab. • Place OSMIUM TETROXIDE SPILL; DO NOT ENTER sign on the door to inform others of the spill. • Call 911 from a campus phone or 310-825-1491 from a cell phone to request the EH&S Hazmat Team. • Notify the Research Advisor. • Notify the Chemical Safety Officer. • Provide EH&S Hazmat Team with as much information as possible. • Provide EH&S Hazmat Team with corn oil-soaked kitty litter if needed for spill decontamination.

Section 10 – Waste Disposal

SOLUTIONS: DO NOT dispose of leftover or spent solutions of osmium tetroxide by emptying into the laboratory sink. Collect solutions and solid osmium tetroxide in a labeled leak proof waste container for pickup and proper disposal by EH&S Hazardous Waste Pickup service. A completed waste label must be attached to the container. SOLIDS: Collect pipette tips, gloves, ampoules, etc in a rigid leak proof container. Affix a completed waste label to the container. Due to the toxicity of osmium tetroxide, empty containers must also be collected and disposed as hazardous waste.

Section 11 - Decontamination

Remove all contaminated clothing, wash all contaminated skin with copious amounts of water.

Section 12 – Process Steps

Process Steps	Safety Measures

Training Documentation

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