CCIL Laboratory Safety Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a laboratory worker is exposed to a chemical splash to the eyes, the first action should be to:
- Notify the supervisor immediately
- Flush eyes at an eyewash station for at least 15 minutes (Correct answer)
- Apply neutralizing solution
- Cover the eye and seek medical attention
Correct answer: Flush eyes at an eyewash station for at least 15 minutes
Immediate flushing at an eyewash station for a minimum of 15 minutes is the standard first-aid response for chemical eye exposure.
Question 2: Which class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for a laboratory fire involving electrical equipment?
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C (Correct answer)
- Class D
Correct answer: Class C
Class C extinguishers use non-conductive agents suitable for energized electrical equipment fires.
Question 3: A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Section 8 provides information about:
- Physical and chemical properties
- Exposure controls and personal protective equipment (Correct answer)
- Handling and storage guidelines
- Accidental release measures
Correct answer: Exposure controls and personal protective equipment
SDS Section 8 covers exposure controls and PPE recommendations according to the GHS/WHMIS standard format.
Question 4: Under CCIL-accredited laboratory protocols, compressed gas cylinders must be stored:
- Horizontally to prevent rolling
- Upright and secured to a wall or post with a chain or strap (Correct answer)
- In a temperature-controlled refrigerator
- Adjacent to flammable chemical storage areas
Correct answer: Upright and secured to a wall or post with a chain or strap
Compressed gas cylinders must be stored upright and restrained to prevent tipping, which could damage the valve and cause a hazardous release.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a laboratory fume hood?
- To prevent cross-contamination between samples
- To contain and exhaust hazardous vapors away from laboratory personnel (Correct answer)
- To maintain a sterile work environment
- To reduce ambient temperature during exothermic reactions
Correct answer: To contain and exhaust hazardous vapors away from laboratory personnel
Fume hoods protect workers by containing and ventilating chemical vapors, gases, and dusts to the outside.
Question 6: When pipetting hazardous liquids in a laboratory, workers should:
- Use mouth pipetting for better precision
- Use mechanical pipetting aids only (Correct answer)
- Only pipette volumes under 1 mL by mouth
- Wear gloves only if the chemical is corrosive
Correct answer: Use mechanical pipetting aids only
Mouth pipetting is strictly prohibited in laboratories; mechanical pipetting devices must always be used with hazardous liquids.
Question 7: Which hazard communication label element indicates the relative severity of a chemical hazard under GHS?
- Precautionary statements
- Signal words (Danger or Warning) (Correct answer)
- Product identifier
- Supplemental information
Correct answer: Signal words (Danger or Warning)
Signal words — 'Danger' for more severe hazards and 'Warning' for less severe — indicate relative risk level on GHS labels.
CCIL Laboratory Safety Protocols 2
When a laboratory worker is exposed to a chemical splash to the eyes, the first action should be to: