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<td><a href="https://misportal.jlab.org/ll/index.jsf?function=view&lessonId=832">Laboratory Worker Gets Splashed with Nitric Acid - ATR Complex-Battelle Energy Alliance</a></td>
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Statement of Lessons Learned</h2>
<pre>For a copy of the original report, see Attachments on Lessons Learned page.
Before putting chemicals into secondary containers, carefully evaluate long term compatibility. If there is any sign that the container’s integrity is compromised, establish additional mitigation. When working in a chemical hood, sash placement is critical as it is an additional safety barrier. Make adjustments each time a worker’s position changes. When personnel leave the workplace or when they return the responsible lab space coordinator performs a comprehensive extent of condition discussion with the departing, returning or replacement workers.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Discussion of Activities</h2>
<pre>On February 19, 2014 a researcher was in the process of doing routine housekeeping in a Radioanalytical Chemistry Lab. The works being performed was to composite and neutralize samples and standards inside of a radiological contamination area (CA) located inside of a chemical hood. Samples originated from various samples preparations for inductively coupled plasma optical or mass spectrometric analysis (ICP-OES or ICP-MS) and contained 1-5% nitric acid. The sample preparations were poured into a 1 L plastic bottle to composite and then neutralized using small aliquots of 50% sodium hydroxide. There was ~800 mL of composited sample in the bottle and the last addition of NaOH overshot the accepted pH range slightly. There was a 50 mL polypropylene centrifuge tube with a plug-seal screw cap containing ~25 mL of nitric acid in the CA that the researcher was then going to use to back titrate to the acceptable pH range. The tube was grasped in the right hand and the left hand used to remove the cap. As torque was applied to the lid, the researcher felt something like a grating of the lid which was immediately followed by disintegration of the tube in researcher’s hand. As part of the reflexive response to this event, the researcher’s hand closed on the vial directing the tube contents at the researcher. The researcher immediately felt a burning sensation in his neck/chest area and proceeded directly to the eyewash/safety shower ~10 ft away removing the prescribed gloves on the way. The researcher immediately began flushing his face and neck area using the eyewash as the researcher did not want the shower to flush the acid down the body.
After 2-3 minutes of flushing, the researcher used a cell phone to phone for help then returned to rinsing after removing lab coat and shirt. The back-up Lab Space Coordinator (LSC) arrived moments later, verified the researcher was OK and proceeded to make notifications. Radiological surveys indicated no contamination of the individual or the area. The EMTs arrived shortly thereafter and transported the researcher to medical where 1st and 2nd degree chemical burns were diagnosed. Burn ointment was provided and the researcher released to go home. An accident investigation and critique were held the next day.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Analysis</h2>
<pre>It is common practice to put small quantities of reagents into secondary containers. When the reagent is used up, the container is simply disposed of as rad trash. The nitric acid in the polypropylene tube with a polyethylene lid was first put into the CA in October of 2013, or before, as the acid was to be used for various activities in the CA, including the cleanup activity that were to be performed in anticipation of the impending government shutdown of unknown duration. The shutdown was averted and the "cleanup" activity suspended to get back to regular work as the researcher was also anticipating a prolonged absence from work. The researcher was subsequently approved for short term disability (STD) to deal with a lingering health problem. Prior to leaving, the researcher (also the LSC and principal researcher - PR) briefed the backup LSC and another researcher/analyst on the activities that would need to be done while the researcher was absent. As only limited activities were planned in the CA, the attention given to it was simply for what work needed to be done and the remainder of things would be dealt with when the researcher returned. The researcher formerly declared that the backup LSC would be acting while the researcher was gone. Upon the researcher’s return to work, another briefing with the backup LSC and the fill-in researcher/analyst was held to discuss what had happened in the laboratory while out the researcher was out on STD. After getting caught up on work that had lapsed during the STD period, the researcher returned to the task of cleaning up samples that were no longer required in the CA. This is when the event occurred.
The collapse of the polypropylene tube was an unexpected event. Such tubes are routinely used in the laboratory for samples and reagents but generally for short periods of time (i.e. hours to days). The nitric acid in this tube sat for approximately 4 months untouched in the fume hood CA. There was discoloration on the lid, but otherwise the tube did not appear to be in bad condition. Chemical compatibility charts for polypropylene and polyethylene (the cap material) with nitric acid vary somewhat with some declaring it "stable" to others limiting the stability to solutions <30-40%. The manufacturer of these tubes states that the tubes and caps are "recommended" for acids in general. A USGS application even had a vendor supply 50% nitric acid in polypropylene sample containers with an expected shelf life of up to two years. Polypropylene, and polyethylene to a lesser degree, will "unzip" by oxidative and/or photo oxidative processes over time. Concentrated nitric acid is considered a strong oxidizer and thus likely contributed to the degradation of and the pattern of collapse seen in this particular vial.
The researcher was wearing all of the prescribed personal protective equipment (PPE) and seated on a stool in front of the hood at the time of the incident. The hood sash was at the "Class A" recommended height which, because of the height of the individual, was sufficient to provide an additional barrier to the majority of the face but did leave the lower neck exposed and allow for a direct hit to this area with some splattering upward. For ergonomic reasons and the variability in the stature, it is not unusual for laboratory personnel to be seated to perform tasks on benchtops, in fume hoods and gloveboxes. In the case of the fume hoods it is important to readjust the sash when moving from a standing to sitting position to perform work and to work at least 6 inches behind the hood opening. It is not clear that the hood sash was readjusted in this case and could have better protected the main splash area had it been lower.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Recommended Actions</h2>
<pre>Below are the consequences of the above event. They are provided for information and discussion purposes only.
1. Long term chemical compatibility of sample and secondary chemical containers needs to be considered for each task. While some materials are suitable for many short-term applications, they may not be suitable for long term storage. This applies to all chemical containers; even those for chemicals still in the original containers as these can degrade over time as well.
2. If there is any indication that there is something wrong with any container containing a chemical or chemical preparation, pause long enough to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals in the container and the potential consequences of container failure. Consult coworkers and, if deemed necessary, put additional mitigations in place before proceeding.
3. When working in a chemical hood the hood sash is a physical barrier between the workers face and the hazards in the hood. For this to be effective the laboratory worker must always be aware of the sash position and adjust appropriately for the standing or sitting position. If the hood sash cannot be adjusted to provide the necessary protection, consider using a splash shield.
4. When turning over lab space responsibilities due to short or long term absences, when personnel are leaving or returning from extended absences, and when personnel are reassigned or leave because of termination, a thorough discussion of the state of all activities and items in the laboratory needs to occur to establish the condition of the laboratory space so that items needing attention are dealt with in a timely fashion.
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<h2>Comments</h2>
<h5 style="white-space:nowrap">7/7/2014 10:13:32 AM by Bailey, Mary Jo</h5>
<pre>Submitted to those current in:
•SAF125: FIRST AID FOR CHEMICAL EXPOSURES
•SAF137: Chem Room Safety
•SAF137KD: CHEMICAL SPILL CLEANUP PROCEDURE
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<legend>Summary</legend>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Lesson ID:</td>
<td class="dataval">832</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Status:</td>
<td class="dataval">OK</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Doc ID:</td>
<td class="dataval">2014-JLAB-832</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Priority:</td>
<td class="dataval">Info</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Safety Related:</td>
<td class="dataval">YES</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Originator:</td>
<td class="dataval">Bailey, Mary Jo</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Issued:</td>
<td class="dataval">7/7/2014 10:12:44 AM</td>
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label" nowrap>Approved By:</td>
<td class="dataval">Bailey, Mary Jo</td>
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label" nowrap>Approved On:</td>
<td class="dataval">7/7/2014 10:13:32 AM</td>
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label">Source:</td>
<td class="dataval">
DOECRD
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label" nowrap>Location:</td>
<td class="dataval">OTHER</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Cost Savings:</td>
<td class="dataval"></td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Contact:</td>
<td class="dataval">William F.Bauer/208-526-1180</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Queued Emails:</td>
<td class="dataval">0</td>
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label" nowrap>Sent Emails:</td>
<td class="dataval">0</td>
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label" nowrap>Viewings:</td>
<td class="dataval">3 times</td>
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<legend>Attachments</legend>
<a name="attachments"></a>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li><a target="_blank" href="https://misportal.jlab.org/ll/downloadAttachment?attachmentId=3142">M:\wcd\LessonsLearned\DOEOEC\DOE Lessons Learned - Chemicals10 Pic.pdf</a></li>
<li><a target="_blank" href="downloadAttachment?attachmentId=3143">M:\wcd\LessonsLearned\DOEOEC\DOE Lessons Learned - Chemicals10.pdf</a></li>
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<legend>Hazard Issues</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>Chemicals</li>
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<legend>Skills</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>SAF125: FIRST AID FOR CHEMICAL EXPOSURES</li>
<li>SAF137: Chem Room Safety</li>
<li>SAF137KD: CHEMICAL SPILL CLEANUP PROCEDURE </li>
</ul>
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<legend>Distribution/Notification</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>*Division Safety Officers (DSOs)</li>
<li>*Safety Wardens</li>
<li>*DOE Notification</li>
<li>*ESH&Q Liaisons</li>
</ul>
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