Osmium tetroxide, cas # 20816-12-0 Standard Operating Procedure

Osmium tetroxide, CAS # 20816-12-0

Standard Operating Procedure

Osmium tetroxide

This is an SOP template and is not complete until: 1) lab specific information is entered into the box below 2) lab specific protocol/procedure is added to the protocol/procedure section and
3) SOP has been signed and dated by the PI and relevant lab personnel.

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Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
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Type of SOP:

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Process

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Hazardous Chemical

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Hazardous Class

Purpose

Osmium tetroxide is a volatile, highly toxic solid that is used as a stain for electron microscopy, and as a fixative for biological samples.

Physical and Chemical Properties / Definition of Chemical Group

CAS:	20813-12-0
Class:	Highly toxic, Corrosive
Molecular Formula:	OsO4
Form (physical state):	Solid
Color:	Pale yellow
Boiling Point:	130 ^oC

Potential Hazards / Toxicity

Potential Health Effects
Target Organs:	Eyes, Central nervous system, Male reproductive system, Kidney
Inhalation:	May be fatal if inhaled. Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.
Skin:	May be fatal if absorbed through skin. Causes skin burns.
Eyes:	Causes eye burns.
Ingestion:	May be fatal if swallowed.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respiratory Protection

Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a full-face particle respirator type N100 (US) or type P3 (EN 143) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls. If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator. Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).

Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:

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  As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been exhausted).
  
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  When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will be exceeded.
  
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  Regulations require the use of a respirator.
  
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  An employer requires the use of a respirator.
  
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  There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of PEL)
  
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  As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
  

Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a regulatory requirement.

http://www.asu.edu/ehs/documents/asu-respiratory-protection-plan.pdf
Hand Protection

Handle with gloves. Use proper glove removal technique to avoid skin contact with this product. Nitrile gloves are recommended.

NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are compatible with Osmium tetroxide.

Refer to glove selection chart from the links below:

http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf

OR

http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172

OR

http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx

Eye Protection

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  Wear chemical splash goggles and face shield to protect from splash hazards and chemical vapors.
  

Skin & Body Protection

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  Lab coat
  
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  Full-length pants
  
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  Closed-toe rubber or leather shoes
  

Hygiene Measures
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the product.
Engineering Controls
Osmium tetroxide solutions must be prepared and handled in a certified chemical hood with adequate ventilation.
First Aid Procedures
If inhaled… Move to fresh air. If the person is not breathing, give artificial respiration. Avoid mouth to mouth contact. Call 911 from a campus phone or [phone]. Call EH&S at [phone].
In case of skin contact… Remove all contaminated clothing. Immediately (within seconds) flush affected area for FIFTEEN (15) minutes. Call 911 from a campus phone or [phone] from a cell phone. Call EH&S at [phone].
In case of eye contact… Remove any contact lenses. Use nearest emergency eyewash immediately for at least 15 minutes. Call 911 from a campus phone or [phone] from a cell phone. Call EH&S at [phone]
If swallowed… DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Call 911 from a campus phone or [phone] from a cell phone. Call EH&S at [phone].

Special Storage & Handling Requirements
Storage

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  Ensure the container is tightly closed at all times.
  
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  Keep in a cool, well-ventilated area away from incompatible materials or conditions.
  
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  Highly toxic material should be stored in a separate locked safety storage cabinet or room.
  
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  Keep away from heat, sources of ignition, and combustible material.
  
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  Store in sealed, appropriate glass container. Store glass container in unbreakable secondary containment. Label all containers.
  

Handling

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  The lab where the material is being handled has an approved / certified emergency eyewash and safety shower.
  
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  Ensure you are wearing the following minimum PPE: tightly fitting safety goggles and face shield, lab coat, full length pants, close-toe rubber or leather shoes, nitrile gloves.
  
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  Lab emergency contact information must be readily posted. Easy access to a cellular phone or land line is readily available.
  
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  Keep away from heat, sources of ignition, and combustible material.
  
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  Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothes.
  
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  Avoid ingestion and inhalation.
  
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  Do not remove secondary containment until under the chemical fume hood. All operations must be performed using a fume hood.
  
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  Avoid formation of dust.
  

Spill and Accident Procedure
Personal precautions

Wear respiratory protection. Avoid formation of dust. Avoid breathing vapors, mist, gas or dust. Ensure adequate ventilation. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Do not attempt clean-up without minimum PPE.

Environmental precautions

Prevent further leakage or spillage – if safe to do so. Do not allow product to enter drains.

Methods and materials for containment and clean-up

Consider material compatibility prior to clean-up. Verify spill kit is available.

1. 
   Immediately assess amount spilled, follow posted ASU Emergency Response Guide procedures for hazardous materials incidents.
   
2. 
   If a chemical exposure has occurred, a fellow lab worker shall call 9-1-1 and EH&S at [phone].
   
3. 
   Don compatible gloves and other protective PPE if not already being worn.
   
4. 
   Secure / restrict access to the area of the spill to prevent spread of the chemical.
   
5. 
   Use the available spill kit to stop and contain the spill. Bag the collected material.
   
6. 
   Label and tag as hazardous waste and submit a pick-up request to EH&S using EHS Assistant.
   

Decontamination / Waste Disposal Procedure

To reduce hazards involved in discarding Osmium tetroxide, use the following neutralization procedure in a chemical fume hood:

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   A 2% solution of Osmium tetroxide can be fully neutralized by twice its volume of corn oil. For every 10ml of 2% Osmium tetroxide solution, 20ml of corn oil is required. Pour the corn oil into the Osmium tetroxide solution.
   
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   Wait for the oil to completely turn black.
   
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   To test if Osmium tetroxide is fully neutralized, hold a piece of filter paper soaked in corn oil over the solution. Blackening indicates that osmium tetroxide is still present and more corn oil should be added.
   
4. 
   Aqueous solutions contaminated with Osmium tetroxide can be fully neutralized by adding sodium sulfide or sodium sulfite to reduce Osmium tetroxide to less hazardous forms.
   
5. 
   Dispose of neutralized solutions as hazardous waste following the general hazardous waste disposal guidelines below.
   

Label waste

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  Attach a completed ASU Hazardous Waste tag to all waste containers as soon as the first drop of waste is added to the container.
  

Store waste

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  Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated storage location.
  
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  Double-bag dry waste using sealable transparent bags.
  
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  Waste must be under the control of the person generating and disposing of it.
  

Dispose of waste

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  Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days.
  
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  Use EHS Assistant online hazardous waste pick-up request system.
  
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  Contact ASU EH&S at [phone] with questions.
  

Protocol / Procedure
Laboratory-specific procedures

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Any deviation from this SOP requires advance PI approval.
Documentation of Training

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  Prior to conducting any work with this material, Principal Investigator or designee must provide to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance, work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.
  
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  The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a copy of the MSDS provided by the manufacturer.
  
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  The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate/required laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.
  

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ASU Department of Environmental Health & Safety Page |

Updated December 2016