Whether you’re conducting experiments in a chemistry lab or working in a chemical factory, you must always wear appropriate protective gear. Always assume you’re handling hazardous chemicals that can potentially injure you or cause property damage. Wear goggles or face shields to protect your eyes and face against chemical sprays or splashes. Wear proper gloves, especially when working on corrosive or toxic chemicals, and wear a lab gown or apron to avoid getting chemical splashes or sprays on your clothes.Safety Precautions for Reactive ChemicalsAll chemicals react at varying degrees of intensity and speed. That means you need to take proper precautions when handling them. Some chemicals are highly reactive, while others barely react at all – like the noble gases, for instance (and even then, there are reactions involving noble gases that you should be aware of if you handle them). Highly reactive chemicals can produce a lot of heat energy, which can produce flame (pyrophoric chemicals) or become explosive.Key TakeawaysSafety protocols must always be followed when using reactive chemicalsYou must be well-versed in the safety guidelines of your lab or work placeAlways wear appropriate PPE when handling highly reactive chemicalsThere must be proper ventilation and emergency facilitiesStore reactive chemicals properly, separating incompatible onesFamiliarise yourself with the proper ways of handling, labelling, and transferring reactive chemicalsChemical safety data sheets are important guidelinesEnsure you adhere to all regulations concerning reactive chemicalsGenerally, reactive chemicals require relatively low activation energy for them to react with other chemicals or self-react (e.g. decomposition reaction). Some categories of highly reactive chemicals are halogens, alkali metals, acids, bases, oxidising agents, and reducing agents. Many of these chemicals are corrosive and toxic and can destroy living tissue. The basic safety precautions that you should follow when handling these chemicals include wearing protective gear and following safety protocols.How to Follow Chemical Safety GuidelinesEach chemical has unique properties, which include reactivity. It’s important that you know as much detail about the chemicals you’re working on. All hazardous chemicals have SDS or safety data sheets, which include information about the properties of the chemical, potential health and environmental hazards, and safety precautions when handling, storing, or transporting the chemical. You need to follow the specific instructions on the SDS, such as when or if antidotes are applicable.Essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Handling ChemicalsStandard laboratory and factory PPE typically includes goggles or face shields, face masks or respirators, rubber footwear, gloves, overalls or aprons, and laboratory gowns. The level of protection you need directly depends on the level of danger that a chemical poses. In some circumstances for instance, you may need a Level A Hazmat suit, which includes positive pressure when dealing with hazardous chemicals in gaseous or vapour forms.Ensuring Proper Ventilation in Work AreasReactive chemicals, such as acids, typically produce fumes even when they are not reacting with other chemicals. These fumes can be noxious and cause injuries to the respiratory system. To minimise the risks of respiratory injuries or disease, your work area must be properly ventilated with an HVAC system that redirects fumes away from you. Working in ReAgent’s fume extractor cupboardIn many chemistry labs, fume hoods are standard equipment. These are used when working on highly reactive chemicals that produce fumes or gases. Fume hoods redirect the fumes outside through airflow, and also provide protection against chemical splashes.Emergency Eyewash and Shower Stations: Why They MatterWhen working on reactive chemicals, there are always risks involved such as spillage, fire, and chemical splashes. Some hazardous chemicals may accidentally come in contact with your skin or eyes. If this happens, you need to immediately wash off the chemicals to prevent serious injuries. Emergency eyewash and shower stations should be easily accessible since injuries such as chemical burns can be minimised if the chemicals are immediately washed off.Risks Associated with Mixing Reactive ChemicalsReactive chemicals are dangerous in themselves. Some chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, are unstable and decompose quickly when they are exposed to air. It can be doubly dangerous if these reactive chemicals are accidentally mixed with other reactive chemicals. They may produce poisonous gases; for example, when sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient of bleach) is mixed with a solution of ammonium hydroxide (a cleaning agent), they produce a highly toxic gas known as chloramine.In other cases, mixing reactive chemicals may cause a fire or explosions. For example, if metal (elemental) sodium is immersed in water, it can cause an explosion as hydrogen gas is rapidly released. This exothermic reaction will trigger the combustion of hydrogen in the air.Best Practices for Storing Incompatible ChemicalsIncompatible chemicals are those that react violently, trigger fire, explode, or produce toxic substances, when combined. They can be “opposites,” such as oxidising agents versus reducing agents. The best way to store incompatible chemicals is to segregate them into separate storage areas or storage rooms. If this is not possible, you can build separate cabinets and have double containers to prevent them from coming into contact with each other.Safe Handling Techniques for Reactive ChemicalsAside from wearing PPE, safely handling reactive chemicals also includes using gripping instruments such as flask tongs. Another technique is to separate or create some distance between the person and the dangerous chemicals. For example, you could use the fume hood when working on corrosive chemicals, or glove boxes or isolation and containment chambers. For more sophisticated experiments, you may even need to use robotic hands that can be remotely controlled.Correctly Labelling Chemical ContainersTo prevent accidentally using or mixing unintended chemicals, your chemical containers must be properly labelled. Labels must include the chemical name, formula, and information about potential hazards. Proper labelling also facilitates the organising of chemicals into appropriate categories, making the chemicals easier to find.A properly labelled bottle of hydrochloric acidSafe Methods for Transferring Reactive ChemicalsWhen you’re working in a chemistry lab, you should be careful when transferring reactive chemicals from their original container to a receiving compatible or inert container. Use only the small amounts that are necessary for your experiment. Use a fume hood or a glove box for corrosive and toxic chemicals. When transferring pyrophoric chemicals that are reactive to water, be sure that it will not get wet.Regulatory Compliance for Reactive ChemicalsEven though the UK has left the EU, some EU treaties are still applicable. For example, the EU ARD regulations covering the transport of hazardous chemicals on European roads still apply. Similarly, some international treaties are also applicable to chemicals that are manufactured and sold in the UK. However, there are specific regulations in the UK about chemicals. These UK chemical regulations include:CDG: Carriage of dangerous goodsCLAW: Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (CLAW)CLP: Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation), adopting in the EU the Globally Harmonised System (GHS)COPR: Control of Pesticides Regulations (Biocides website)COSHH: Control of substances hazardous to healthDSEAR: The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)(PIC) Prior Informed Consent – Export and import of dangerous chemicals from and into EuropeREACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)Compliance with these regulations is necessary for ensuring safety and minimising environmental impact. Many reactive chemicals are classified as hazardous chemicals, which are covered by one or more regulations. Compliance depends on several factors such as the type of chemical, the bulk of chemicals being used, and the purpose of using the chemicals (e.g. whether they’re purely for academic or instructional purposes).A hazmat container for a water-reactive flammable substanceHow to Comply with Chemical Safety GuidelinesBefore you can comply with the chemical safety guidelines, you must first know what chemicals you have. You can then refer to the SDS and the company/organisational protocols, which are also based on the regulatory requirements.Understanding the Role of Regulatory Bodies in Chemical SafetyThe role of regulatory bodies in chemical safety is primarily ensuring that no harm will come to any individual as a result of chemical exposure. The protection of property and the environment are also considered. Regulatory bodies set the rules or protocols, which cover various aspects such as manufacturing, handling, storing, and transporting of the reactive chemicals. They may either grant permission or prohibit certain industrial activities and chemicals, and grant licences to operate and market chemicals.ConclusionReactive chemicals pose hazards to both people and the environment. There are safety standards that need to be followed when handling them. It’s crucial that all chemicals are properly classified and labelled, and that you wear appropriate protective gear when handling them. Equally important are your facilities, which should include proper ventilation, first aid kits, and emergency showers. All aspects of handling reactive chemicals have corresponding regulatory provisions that must be followed.
