Chemical SOP - Amyl Acetate

Location(s):
CHESS Chemical Lab (Wilson 170)

Specified Hazards:
Warning!  Extremely flammable liquid and vapor.  Harmful if swallowed or inhaled.  Causes irritation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.  Affects central nervous system.

1. Purchasing:  CHESS Laboratory personnel (Staff Scientists, Operators, and Technicians) have approval to purchase amyl acetate.  The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for amyl acetate is available in the folder outside the CHESS chemical room door (Wilson 170).  Quantities of this material will be limited to the smallest amount necessary to complete the experiment.

2. Storage:  Four liter bottles should be stored in the Solvents Cabinet in the CHESS Chemical Room.  Do NOT mix or store next to incompatible chemicals.  Total volume of flammable solvents in the CHESS Chemical Room must be less than ten gallons.  Small (500 mL) wash bottles may be used and stored throughout CHESS for cleaning operations.

3. Authorized Personnel:  Use will be limited to the following personnel (when properly trained):
   CHESS Senior Staff Scientists
   Technical Staff
   Post doctoral employees
   CHESS Users (if they can demonstrate previous safety training)

4. Training Requirements:  CHESS staff training should include the following:
   Review of current MSDS
   Special training provided by the department
   Review of the departmental safety procedures
   Review of the Cornell Chemical Hygiene Plan
   Taking Chemical Safety for Laboratory Workers by Cornell (EH&S)
   Taking Chemical Waste (Hazardous Waste/RCRA) Training from Cornell (EH&S)

5. Use Location:  Amyl acetate is used at CHESS as a suspension medium for molybdenum disulfide powder (Z Powder Molykote by Dow Corning).  Amyl acetate is mixed with Mollykote in ratio of 4 to 1 by volume in 60 to 100 mL sealable Nalgene or glass bottles.  Vinyl gloves should be worn while using this mixture.  The mixture should be applied to the areas being lubricated with a small paint brush.  The bottles of this mixture should be tightly sealed when not in use.  They should also be labeled with the following statement:

   CAUTION:
   AMYL ACETATE
   &
   MOLYBDENUM DISUDFIDE POWDER
   (Z POWDER MOLYKOTE BY DOW CORNING

   All other uses should be done in the CHESS Chemical Room Hood or the G-line Chemical Room Hood.  All uses should be away from flames or ignition sources.

6. Personal Protective Equipment:  All personnel are required to wear the following personal protective equipment whenever handling this material:  Safety glasses or goggles, vinyl, Neoprene Gloves or Nitrile gloves, Lab Coat or apron, and Closed Shoes (absolutely no sandals, open toed or open healed shoes).  Good ventilation is required.

7. Waste Disposal:  The authorized person using this material is responsible for the safe collection, preparation and proper disposal of waste unless otherwise stated below.  Waste shall be disposed of as soon as possible and in accordance with all laboratory and University procedures.
   Specific instructions:  Whatever cannot be saved for reuse should be handled as hazardous waste.

8. Decontamination:  Specific instructions:  Ventilate area.  Will evaporate quickly from most surfaces and items.

9. Exposures:  First Aid Measures and Emergency procedures to be followed:

   Skin Contact
   Immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes.  Get immediate medical attention.  Wash clothing before reuse.  Thoroughly clean shoes before reuse.

   Eye Contact
   Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally.  Get immediate medical attention.

   Inhalation
   Remove to fresh air.  If not breathing, give artificial respiration.  If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Get immediate medical attention.

   Ingestion
   Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel.  Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.  Get medical attention immediately.  Keep victim's head below hips to prevent aspiration into lungs.

10. Spills:  Use personal protective equipment as described above.  Evacuate area.  Shut off all sources of ignition.  For small spills, wear nitrile gloves and goggles.  For small spills, use paper towel or other wipes to absorb alcohol, for larger spills, use the solvent spill kit in the CHESS Chemical Room or the G-line Chemical Room.  Bag all spill materials in plastic bag/s and label with a Cornell EH&S hazardous waste label for pickup.  Ventilate area and wash spill site with detergent and water.  Notify EH&S of spill and to receive any special instructions regarding spill.

11. Phone Numbers
    Cornell Campus Police - 911 (accidents, spills)
    Environmental Health and Safety - 5-8200
    Gannett Health Center - 5-5155

12. Other:  Flammable liquid and vapor.  Harmful is swallowed or inhaled.  Causes irriation to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.  Affects central nervous system.

Prepared by:  David J. Jones
Date:  9 July, 2001

Last Update: 2006-09-14