TOXIC CHEMICALS:

When working with any chemical that is listed on the MSDS as being highly toxic or toxic, the material should be handled in a fume hood, glove box or area with local exhaust ventilation in order to assure that the PEL (permissible exposure level - OSHA mandated) or TLV-TWA (threshold limit value-time weighted average, suggested by ACGIH) are  not exceeded. 

FLAMMABLE CHEMICALS:

Chemicals with a flash point below 94 C are regarded as fire-hazard chemicals.  All such chemicals will be stored in a flammable-solvent storage area or in storage cabinets designed for flammable materials.  All such materials will be stored in the laboratories in the fume hood when they are being dispensed.  The amount of flammable material used at any one time will be kept to the  minimum  amount needed to performed the experiment.  No open flames will be used around any flammable materials.

REACTIVE CHEMICALS:

Reactive chemicals such as oxidizers, explosives and water-reactives will be segregated in storage.  The mixing of these chemicals with other chemicals, even in small quantities, is forbidden without prior approval of the supervising faculty member and  appropriate personal protective equipment must be used. 

CORROSIVE CHEMICALS:

Corrosive chemicals will be segregated from other chemicals in the storage area.  When using any corrosive or contact-hazard chemical, the appropriate protective equipment must be used.