TM 10-6640-233-10
1-9.
Extinguishing Fires. Be familiar with the nature of petroleum fires; with procedures for fighting fires; and with
the fire extinguishing equipment in the laboratory. Do not use water for extinguishing oil fires because it will spread the
fire. Also, water is a conductor of electricity and should not be used on electrical fires.
1-10.
Handling Chemicals. The following safety precautions need to be observed by all personnel while handling
chemicals.
· Store heavy and large containers of chemicals on or as near the floor as possible.
· Never fill a container with materials other than that indicated on the label. Make sure that every container is
properly labeled.
· Never place bottles containing acids or alkalis on high shelves or on top of equipment.
· Always wear goggles when breaking up solid chemicals which might chip, or when handling quantities of
corrosive liquids such as strong acids and strong bases.
· When opening new bottles of acid, always wear goggles.
· When pouring a sample from a container, hold the container cap or stopper in the hand. Never place the cap or
stopper on a counter where it may come in contact with a contaminating agent.
· Always wipe up any acid that spills or splashes on benches, tables, or floors.
· If any chemical is spilled or splashed on the body, immediately wash the contaminated area thoroughly with
water.
· Keep all sample containers that are in use capped or stoppered at all times except when pouring out test
portions. Always replace the same cap or stopper in the container from which it was removed.
· Never handle mercury with bare hands; never heat mercury in an open container; and never shake more than 20
milliliters of mercury in a glass container.
Never taste laboratory chemicals. Smell a chemical only when necessary and then only by wafting a small
amount of vapor with the hand toward the nose.
· Dispose of all unlabeled chemicals.
1-11.
Controlling Pressure and Vacuum. The following safety precautions should be observed by all personnel
while operating the air/vacuum systems.
· Do not use faulty copper, plastic, or rubber tubing when performing operations requiring pressure or vacuum.
· Make sure that glass vacuum apparatus is properly shielded when it is in use.
·Always wear goggles when opening air valves that are close to the face.
1-3
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