STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE-METHANOL

CONTACT INFORMATION

Location Building: Room:

Street Address:
Lab Safety Contact: Name:
Lab Phone: Office Phone:
Emergency Contact Name: Phone:
TYPE OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Indicate which type of Standard Operating Procedure applies
Specific Process or Equipment
✘ Specific Hazardous Chemical

Hazard Class for a Group of Chemicals

DESCRIBE PROCESS/EQUIPMENT, HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL or HAZARD CLASS
Methanol
Formula: CH3OH
CAS Number: 67-56-1
Other Names: Methyl alcohol
HAZARD SUMMARY
Methanol is a flammable liquid that is also toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin, or inhaled.
Inhalation: Remove person to fresh air and loosen tight clothing if needed. Give artificial respiration if necessary.
Consult a doctor/medical service.
Skin Contact: Wash immediately with water (15 minutes)/shower. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes.
Continue to rinse for at least 10 minutes. Get medical attention if you feel unwell.
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do.
Continue rinsing. Consult a doctor/medical service immediately.
Ingestion: Immediately consult a doctor/medical service.
SPECIAL HANDLING AND STORAGE REQUIREMENTS
Precautions:
Ground and bond containers when transferring material. Use spark-proof tools and explosion proof equipment. Use
only with
adequate ventilation. Keep away from heat, sparks and flame. Avoid use in confined spaces.
Storage:
Keep container tightly close in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area or in a designated flammables storage cabinet.
Opened containers must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Protect from contact with heat,
Last revised 4/1/2020
 sparks, or flame.
ENGINEERING AND VENTILATION CONTROLS

Handle only in a chemical fume hood as much as possible. The room where the chemical is being used should be
equipped with proper exhaust ventilation to keep the airborne concentration below the allowable exposure limit.
Emergency eye wash fountains and safety showers should be available in the immediate vicinity of any potential
exposure.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

PPE Requirements:
✘ Long pants or clothing that covers all skin below the waist

✘ Shoes that cover the entire foot

✘ Gloves; indicate type: Nitrile or latex

Inspect gloves before use. Use proper glove removal technique to avoid skin contact with outer surface of glove.
Wash hands after removing gloves.
✘ Safety goggles

Safety glasses
Face shield
Lab coat
✘ Flame-resistant lab coat

Other: Click here to enter text.

If the use of an N95, half mask, or full face respirator is requested, the individual and/or their supervisor must first
contact Environmental Health & Safety for a consultation to determine if respirator use is necessary. If EH&S
determines the use of a respirator is necessary, the individual must participate in the University’s respirator program.
This includes a medical evaluation; respirator fit test, and training.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

In case of fire or large and/or extremely hazardous chemical releases pull the fire alarm and evacuate the area
If someone is seriously injured or unconscious
CALL 911 or CAMPUS POLICE AT <enter your campus PD #>
From a safe place, provide as much information as possible to the emergency responders including chemical name,

Last revised 4/1/2020

 volume, hazards, injuries, and location.

Chemical Exposure: Remove any contaminated clothing, and IMMEDIATELY flush contaminated skin with water for at
least 15 minutes following any skin contact. For eye exposures, IMMEDIATELY flush eyes with water for at least 15
minutes. Consult SDS for guidance on appropriate first aid. Where medical attention is required, bring the SDS(s) of
chemical(s) to aid medical staff in proper diagnosis and treatment.

Evacuation Procedure
 Immediately evacuate the building via the nearest exit when the fire alarm is activated.
 If unable to evacuate due to a disability, shelter in the area of rescue / refuge, typically a stairwell landing, and
wait for assistance from drill volunteers or emergency responders.
 Instruct visitors and students to evacuate and assist them in locating the nearest exit.
 Do not use elevators to exit the building during an evacuation as they may become inoperable.
 Carry only those personal belongings that are within the immediate vicinity.
 Close doors to limit the potential spread of smoke and fire.
 Terminate all hazardous operations and power off equipment.
 Close all hazardous materials containers.
 Remain outside of the building until the building is released for reentry.
 Do not restrict or impede the evacuation.
 Convene in the designated grassy gathering area and await instruction from emergency responders or drill
volunteers. Avoid parking lots.
 Report fire alarm deficiencies, (e.g., trouble hearing the alarm) to facilities personnel for repair.
 Notify evacuation drill volunteers or emergency responders of persons sheltering in the areas of rescue/
refuge.
 Never assume that an alarm is a “false alarm”. Treat all fire alarm activations as emergencies. Get out of
the building!

Incident and Near Miss Reporting: Report any incident that occurs in any University of South Florida affiliated
teaching or research laboratory/studio or field research project. An incident means any unplanned event within the
scope of a procedure that causes, or has the potential to cause, an injury or illness and/or damage to equipment,
buildings, or the natural environment. Due to medical privacy concerns, no personal identifying information of the
person involved in the incident shall be entered or submitted with the form.
http://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/environmental-health-safety/reporting/index.aspx

Workers’ Compensation Procedure: Call AmeriSys at 800-455-2079 to report a work-related injury or illness.
Last revised 4/1/2020
 Complete the Supervisor’s Accident Investigation Report available at the link above and send it to EH&S within 24
hours.

WASTE DISPOSAL
All chemical waste generated within USF System laboratories is considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of
as hazardous waste in accordance with the USF Hazardous Waste Management Procedure, the U.S. EPA, and the
FDEP. The USF Hazardous Waste Management Procedure can be found using the following link,
https://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/environmental-health-safety/documents/hazwaste-
managementprocedure.pdf
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
All individuals working with chemicals in USF laboratories must take EH&S’s Laboratory Safety Training. To register for
Laboratory Safety Training, please use the following link,
https://www.usf.edu/administrative-services/environmental-health-safety/training/course-
descriptions.aspx#labsafety
This procedure may warrant additional safety training per the PI, EH&S, or an authorizing unit such as the Biosafety or
Radiation Safety programs. Check training requirements for this activity below:
✘ Research Specific Training from the PI/Lab Supervisor or their designee

✘ EH&S Laboratory Safety Training

EH&S Hazard Communication

✘ EH&S Hazardous Waste Awareness and Handling

EH&S Respirator Fit Test

EH&S Biomedical Waste
EH&S Universal Pharmaceutical Waste Training
EH&S Fire Prevention Safety
EH&S Slips, Trips, and Falls
RIC Biosafety Core Course
RIC Shipping Biohazardous Materials
RIC BSL 3
RIC Radiation Safety
RIC Laser Safety
RIC Boating Safety
RIC Scientific Diving
Other :_________________________

Last revised 4/1/2020

 PRIOR APPROVALS
This activity requires prior approval from the PI/designee.
If this box is checked, working alone is not allowed.

Last revised 4/1/2020

By signing and dating here the Principal Investigator/ or a designee certifies that the Standard Operating Procedure
(SOP) for Methanol is accurate and effectively provides safe standard operating procedures for employees and
students in this lab who will handle this hazardous chemical.

_________________________________________________________________________

Signature Printed Name Date

I affirm that I have read and understand the Standard Operating Procedure for Methanol and have undergone the EH&S
Laboratory & Research training and any lab specific training regarding this SOP.

Printed Name Signature Date

Last revised 4/1/2020