Methanol

This chemical standard operating procedure (SOP) and the associated Safety Data Sheet (SDS) are for our safety. Read and understand both documents. If this is a paper copy, check for updated versions on the IsoLab website.

Process

Methanol is used as a general solvent throughout the lab.

Hazards - SDS

Highly flammable liquid and vapor. Toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled. Causes damage to organs (Eyes)

Protection - SDS

Engineering Controls

PHS - Methanol is to be used in one of the fume hoods in the 302 / 303 suite. Ensure the fume hood has proper air flow by checking the flow rate on the control panel and / or using a smoke match or wipe to visualize flow.

Administrative Controls

PHS - No specific administrative controls are required.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Wear a laboratory coat, eye protection, and gloves when working with methanol.

PHS - Nitrile gloves provide sufficient protection against splashes of methanol.

Handling - SDS

Keep container tightly closed when not in use. Keep away from heat and flame.

PHS - Decontamination - All parts that come in contact with ethanol should be rinsed into an appropriately labeled waste container.

Storage - SDS

Methanol must be stored in the flammables cabinet under the fume hood in 302A. Use MyChem, the UW EH&S chemical inventory database, for more lab-suite specific storage details.

Spills - SDS

Outside Fume Hood Spill - FUMES - Wear respiratory protection. Avoid breathing vapors, mist or gas. Ensure adequate ventilation. Remove all sources of ignition. Evacuate personnel to safe areas. Beware of vapors accumulating to form explosive concentrations. Vapors can accumulate in low areas.

Inside Fume Hood Spill - The fume hood should protect you from fumes. Contain the solution with absorbent materials from the spill kit and place in a suitable waste container.

If you need assistance or advice, use the IsoLab Emergency Contacts sheet.

Consult the EH&S Spill Poster and Exposure Poster

Waste - SDS

If you are cleaning up after a spill and have a bag of debris, ensure the bag is sealed and use multiple bags as needed. Complete an EH&S Hazardous Waste Label and adhere it to the bag. Here are instructions for how to label chemical waste containers. Labels are located in a drawer on the west wall of 303B near the door to the hallway.

Put all waste, solid or liquid, into a plastic container. Options for waste containers can be found under the west sink in 303B. Complete an EH&S Hazardous Waste Label and adhere it to the bottle. Here are instructions for how to label chemical waste containers. Labels are located in a drawer on the west wall of 303B near the door to the hallway.

Place the properly labeled container in one of the gray tubs near the hallway door of 303B. Segregate from other waste containers as appropriate.

Consult our generalized Chemical Waste Disposal SOP.

Training - PHS

Methanol is deemed a particularly hazardous substance - PHS by EH&S and you need approval before using it. Complete the list of requirements below before using this chemical.

Prerequisites

1. You must have completed Managing Laboratory Chemicals in the last three years. Login to check.
2. Read and understand the SDS for Methanol.
3. Read, understand, and digitally sign this SOP.
4. Contact your Principal Investigator (PI) AND the Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) indicating that you have completed all prerequisites and await approval.

Signature

I have read and understood the present SOP and, before starting work outlined in the present SOP, I will complete all required training.