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How to do it |
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Evaluate the hazards before beginning work. |
- Consult safety resources available at:
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Sources
- Post MSDSs for chemical products, developer, and fixer near all processors, unless the containers are completely labeled and easy to read.
- MSDSs must be current and vendor and product specific.
- Photographic Processing Hazards (Word) (PDF), by Michael McCann, Ph.D., CIH. This material provides information on the following topics:
- Black and white photographic processing
- Mixing photochemicals
- Developing baths
- Stop baths and fixer
- Intensifiers and reducers
- Toners
- Hazards and precautions
- Color processing and developing baths
- Bleaching, fixing, and other steps
- Review the operating manual before using any photoprocessing equipment.
- Know the contact information for your vendor in case of problems.
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Follow these training guidelines. |
A principal investigator (PI), supervisor, or a knowledgeable designee must provide appropriate safety training for work involving photographic processing equipment and chemicals.
- Inform users about about the safe use of photographic processing equipment and chemicals, their specific hazards, and possible health effects.
- Explain possible routes of exposure, as appropriate:
- Inhalation
- Skin absorption
- Eye exposure
- Provide personal protective equipment and engineering controls, and train employees in their proper use.
- Keep training records on file, including:
- Information covered
- Date
- Names
- Employee signatures
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Be prepared for accidental spills. |
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Follow these storage guidelines. |
- Label all containers with this information:
- Name of the material
- Warnings
- Date, when appropriate
- Preparer's initials
- Read Chemical Compatibility Guidelines and follow guidelines appropriate for your processing chemicals.
- Do not store photographic solutions in glass containers.
- Do not over fill containers.
- Follow manufacturer recommendations for equipment maintenance and cleaning.
- Store and use photographic processing equipment in well-ventilated locations.
- Never store photographic processing equipment in corridors or administrative spaces.
- Keep processing equipment clean, dry, and free of contamination. Moisture, chemicals, strong cleaning agents, and other substances can promote corrosion.
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Track service by outside vendors. |
- Keep a service log near equipment maintained by an outside vendor. Record this information:
- Service dates and type of service performed
- Cartridge replacement and removal dates
- Hazardous waste removal dates
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Control the hazards. |
- Use these engineering controls:
- Use photographic processing equipment and chemicals in designated research space only to ensure adequate ventilation.
- Wear this personal protective equipment (PPE):
- Lab coat with sleeves fully extended to the wrists
- Safety glasses
- Gloves (select a material compatible with the chemicals involved)
- Protective apron when mixing concentrated photochemicals
- Full-length pants
- Closed-toe shoes
Follow these PPE guidelines:
- Always double-check your PPE before working with photochemicals.
- Never re-use disposable gloves.
- Leave all personal protective equipment in the lab when your work is complete.
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Act quickly if an exposure occurs. |
Give first aid treatment, then seek medical attention immediately for any and all photochemical exposures. Treat any exposure seriously, no matter how slight it may seem at the moment.
- Ingestion: Seek medical attention immediately.
- Skin exposure: Flush exposed skin with water for at least 15 minutes while removing any contaminated clothing.
- Eye exposure: Flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Affected individuals may need help holding their eyes open under water. Seek medical attention immediately at an emergency room.
- For all exposures:
- Seek medical attention immediately at an emergency room.
- Call UCSD Police at (858) 534-4357 (534-HELP) and request an ambulance if transportation is necessary.
- Call the Poison Control System, (800) 222-1222, if additional information is needed.
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Dispose of waste properly. |
- Make sure cartridges in processors using chemical recovery are dated with the installation, and are changed out to meet silver removal requirements.
- Read How to Dispose of Photo and X-ray Processor Waste for proper disposal of waste, including spent silver-rich fixer, developer solutions, and other processing materials.
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