Environmental  Health  and  Safety    

 
 

Standard  Operating  Procedure  

Making and Using Sodium Hydroxide (0.5 M)
Department: Chemistry & Chemical Biology

Date SOP was written: July 1, 2014

Date SOP was approved by PI/lab supervisor: Andy LiWang

Reviewed by: Andy LiWang

Principal Investigator: Andy LiWang

Internal Lab Safety Coordinator/Lab Manager:

Lab Phone: 209.228.4630

Office Phone: 209.228.4631
Emergency Contact: Karen Smith
209.205.8176

Location(s) covered by this SOP: Castle 1201

Suite 920

Type of SOP: X Process X Hazardous Chemical ☐ Hazardous Class

Purpose

This SOP covers the use of strong base – Sodium Hydroxide.

Table of Hazard Properties of Materials Used in This SOP:

Chemical Name CAS #

Sodium Hydroxide 1310-73-2

Summary of Significant Health and Physical Hazards

- May be corrosive to metals.

- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.

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- Causes serious eye damage.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Respiratory Protection

Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:

• As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
• When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will
be exceeded.
• Regulations require the use of a respirator.
• An employer requires the use of a respirator.
• There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of
PEL)
• As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process

For non-emergency situations, if an air purifying respirator is used it must be a full-facepiece style mask
with high-efficiency filters (HEPA) except for the part of the process when nitric acid is involved where an
air purifying respirator cannot be used. There is no commercially available air purifying respirator
cartridge rated for protection against nitric acid and the off-gassing products that are oxides of nitrogen,
NOx.

A full-facepiece style respirator is required to protect the eyes from contact with the aerosolized corrosive
materials.

Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a
regulatory requirement.

Hand Protection

Chemical protective gloves must be worn when handling this material. Nitrile, butyl rubber, or viton/butyl
rubber gloves are the materials of choice. Gloves are worn for splash protection only and not for extended
contact with these materials. No latex gloves are allowed.

NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are
compatible with the chemicals listed above.

Refer to glove selection chart from the links below:

http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf
OR
http://www.allsafetyproducts.biz/page/74172
OR
http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx
OR
http://www.mapaglove.com/

Eye Protection

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Wear chemical face shield over chemical splash goggles or safety glasses with side shields.

Skin and Body Protection

- Flame resistant lab coats must be worn and be appropriately sized for the individual and buttoned to
their full length as isopropyl alcohol and ethanol are flammable solvents. Laboratory coat sleeves must be
of sufficient length to prevent skin exposure while wearing gloves. Personnel should also wear full length
pants, or equivalent, and close-toed shoes. Full length pants and close-toed shoes must be worn at all
times by all individuals that are occupying the laboratory area. The area of skin between the shoe and
ankle should not be exposed.

Hygiene Measures

- Avoid any contact with these materials. Wash hands after working with the substance.

- Wash thoroughly and immediately after handling.

- Remove contaminated clothing in accordance with approved procedures and dispose of waste in
specially designated containers.

Engineering Controls

This SOP should be conducted in a dedicated location with dedicated spill containment provisions.

First Aid Procedures

If inhaled

• If fumes or combustion products are inhaled remove from contaminated area.

• Lay patient down. Keep warm and rested.
• Prostheses such as false teeth, which may block airway, should be removed, where possible,
prior to initiating first aid procedures
• Apply artificial respiration if not breathing, preferably with a demand valve resuscitator, bag-valve
mask device, or pocket mask as trained. Perform CPR if necessary.
• Transport to hospital, or doctor, without delay.
• Inhalation of vapours or aerosols (mists, fumes) may cause lung oedema.
• Corrosive substances may cause lung damage (e.g. lung oedema, fluid in the lungs).
• As this reaction may be delayed up to 24 hours after exposure, affected individuals need
complete test (preferably in semi-recumbent posture) and must be kept under medical
observation even if no symptoms are (yet) manifested.
• Before any such manifestation, the administration of a spray containing a dexamethasone
derivative or beclomethasone derivative may be considered.
This must definitely be left to a doctor or person authorized by him/her.

In case of skin contact

• Immediately flush body and clothes with large amounts of water, using safety shower if available.
• Quickly remove all contaminated clothing, including footwear.
• Wash skin and hair with running water. Continue flushing with water until advised to stop by a
doctor
• Transport to hospital or doctor

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In case of eye contact

• Immediately hold eyelids apart and flush the eye continuously with running water
• Ensure complete irrigation of the eye by keeping eyelids apart and away from eye and moving the
eyelids by occasionally lifting the upper and lower lids.
• Continue flushing until advised to stop by a doctor, or for at least 15 minutes.
• Transport to hospital or doctor without delay.
• Removal of contact lenses after an eye injury should only be undertaken by skilled personnel.

In case of ingestion:
• For advice, contact a doctor.
• Urgent hospital treatment is likely to be needed.
• If swallowed do NOT induce vomiting.
• If vomiting occurs, lean patient forward or place on left side (head-down position, if possible) to
maintain open airway and prevent aspiration.
• Observe the patient carefully.
• Never give liquid to a person showing signs of being sleepy or with reduced awareness; i.e.
becoming unconscious.
• Give water to rinse out mouth, then provide liquid slowly and as much as casualty can
comfortably drink.
• Transport to hospital or doctor without delay.

Special Handling and Storage Requirements

Sodium Hydroxide is considered ‘Particularly Hazardous Substances’ and its use must be in a dedicated
area using dedicated handling and waste handling procedures.

Handling:
• Avoid all personal contact, including inhalation.
• Wear protective clothing when risk of exposure occurs.
• Use in a well-ventilated area
• WARNING: To avoid violent reaction, ALWAYS add material to water and NEVER water to
material.

Storage:
• Glass container is suitable for laboratory quantities
• DO NOT use aluminium, galvanized or tin-plated containers
• Lined metal can, lined metal pail/can.
• Plastic pail.
• Polyinder drum.

Spill and Accident Procedure

Chemical Spill Dial 9-911 and 228-7864

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Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material.
Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).

Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate personal
protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste in clear plastic
bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.

Large (>1 L) – Dial 9-911 and EH&S at 228-7864 for assistance.

Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at 228-7864 immediately.

Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the
emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention.
Notify supervisor and EH&S at 228-7864 immediately.

Medical Emergency Dial 9-911 or 228-7864

 
Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends and Holidays – Dial 9-911 Note: All serious
injuries must be reported to EH&S at 228-7864 within 8 hours.

Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Olivewood Meadows Occupational Health 374 Olive
during regular business hours. All other times report to Mercy Medical Center 315 Mercy Ave. Note: All
serious injuries must be reported to EH&S at 228-7864 within 8 hours.

Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected
area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the
affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Go to the Olivewood Meadows Occupational
Health 374 Olive during regular business hours. All other times report to Mercy Medical Center 315 Mercy
Ave. Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S at 228-7864 within 8 hours.

Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure

- Using proper personal protective equipment as outlined above, decontaminate equipment and bench
tops using soap and water and properly dispose of all contaminated disposables as hazardous waste
following the guidelines below.

General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:

Label Waste
• Affix an on-line hazardous waste tag on all waste containers using the Online Tag Program
http://otp.ucop.edu/ as soon as the first drop of waste is added to the container
Store Waste
• Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated
location
• Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags
• Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it

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Dispose of Waste
• Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days
• Call EH&S at 228-7864 for questions
• Empty Containers
o Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste (irrespective of
the container size) A  list  can  be  found  at  
http://ehs.ucla.edu/Pub/ExtremelyHazardousWaste.pdf

Prepare for transport to pick-up location

! Check on-line waste tag
! Use secondary containment

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location

Online SDS can be accessed at http://ehs.ucmerced.edu/material-safety-data-sheets.

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Risk Assessment

The overall health and safety risk for use of this material in accordance with the procedure and protocol in
the following section is considered LOW based on:

- The total quantity of any potentially hazardous material handled/transferred any one time is small –
milliliter quantities or less.

- Personnel wear protective clothing to prevent skin contact from splashes and for proper clean up
practices.

- The primary hazard is a spill or splash from improper or poor handling practices.

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Protocol/Procedure

Preparatory Steps:

- Review MSDS; special handling, decontamination, and waste disposal information in this SOP;
and the emergency information contained in this SOP.

- Visually verify that access to the emergency eyewash/shower unit and the fire extinguisher are not
blocked.

- Visually verify that access to the emergency exit door is free obstructions.

- Don the appropriate protective equipment.

Laboratory Procedure

Make Sodium Hydroxide (0.5 M)

1. Review MSDS again – all sections; pay special attention to ACCIDENTAL RELEASE
MEASURES, HANDLING AND STORAGE, EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL
PROTECTION
2. Don NITRILE gloves and protective goggles
3. Get a plastic beaker with a stir bar and fill with distilled water needed
4. Weight sodium hydroxide needed
5. Add sodium hydroxide slowly into the water with gentle stirring
6. Upon complete dissolving, transfer the sodium hydroxide solution to a plastic graduated cylinder
7. Bring up to the desired volume
8. Filter with 0.2 µm disc
9. Store the filtered sodium hydroxide in a plastic bottle and seal securely

Use 0.5 M Sodium Hydroxide Solution

1. Review MSDS again – all sections; pay special attention to ACCIDENTAL RELEASE
MEASURES, HANDLING AND STORAGE, EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL
PROTECTION
2. Don NITRILE gloves and protective goggles
3. Take sodium hydroxide solution carefully to avoid splash
4. Seal the container securely
5. Place the container in the storage place

NOTE

Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.

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Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

• Prior to conducting any work with the chemicals listed above, designated personnel must provide
training to his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance,
work area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

• The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a
copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.

• The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate
laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.

I have read and understand the content, requirements, and responsibilities of this SOP:

Name Signature Date

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