Phenol - OHS information sheet number 36

November 2009

This information sheet provides advice for developing, maintaining and implementing local safe work practices for staff, students, contractors and visitors working or studying at the university who are required to work with phenol.

1. What is phenol?

Phenol is a highly toxic, reactive and corrosive compound whether in solid, powder, liquid or vapour form. It damages cell proteins very quickly and has been known to penetrate shoe leather.

2. Symptoms of phenol exposure

Phenol is a severe irritant, which is readily absorbed through the skin causing severe burns. Fatalities can occur if it is swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through skin. It is imperative that should a person be exposed to phenol, first aid be administered immediately, and medical help sought as soon as possible.

Skin:	Absorption through even small areas of skin is very rapid. The skin may soften, whiten and feel tingly. Phenol's local anaesthetic properties may result in painless yet deceptively severe burns
Eye:	Splashes with phenol may cause severe damage and possibly blindness
Ingestion:	May produce vomiting, nausea coma and death
Inhalation:	May be severely irritating to the respiratory tract

3. Risk management

Safe work practices must be developed and followed in all areas in which phenol is used or stored. The person conducting the work or the department/school/centre where the work is being carried out, must complete a risk assessment of any task involving work with phenol using the Monash University Risk Control Program. All work should be conducted in a fume cupboard. If this cannot be achieved then additional controls to minimise exposure should be addressed in the Risk Assessment. Where there is doubt about the potential for exposure, contact your supervisor or OHS for assistance.

4. Safe work practices

Staff working with phenol will require specific training prior to using the substance and should speak to their supervisor before beginning work.

This training should cover the areas of:

Safe work practices -Tasks must be undertaken in accordance with the Risk Assessment and MSDS
Storage and waste disposal - the MSDS and Monash dangerous goods storage guidelines (pdf 84kb) should be consulted before using phenol
Potential health hazards from phenol exposure. All skin and eye contact must be avoided
Procedures for managing spills and leaks, including evacuation procedures

In conjunction with training the following should be provided for the user;

A first aid kit, which includes the mandatory phenol module, must be available in each work area
Appropriate placement of equipment, so as not to create a crowded working environment or inhibit cleaning
A copy of the relevant MSDS should be made available in the area where phenol is used

5. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE such as a laboratory coat/gown and closed flat heeled shoes, (as indicated in the Risk Assessment using the hierarchy of controls), must be worn at all times.

Gloves

The wearing of appropriate chemical resistant gloves (pdf 317kb) must occur at all times
The integrity of the gloves should be checked before each use
Replace damaged gloves immediately
Remove gloves at the end of task to avoid contamination of surfaces (e.g. before handling telephone, leaving the laboratory)

Face, eye, skin

Safety glasses are suitable for most applications but where splashes are likely, a face shield should be used

6. First aid for phenol exposure

Those administering first aid need to be protected from exposure to phenol before entering an affected area, by wearing appropriate PPE as recommended in the risk assessment. Seek urgent medical assistance and continue first aid measures until medical assistance arrives.

To be effective, first aid must be PROMPT - speed is essential

Phenol...	Response
On skin	The provider of treatment must wear appropriate chemical resistant gloves (pdf 317kb) and PPE as self protection Remove patient from any phenol vapour e.g. if phenol has been heated Remove all contaminated clothing including jewellery/watches/shoes etc. This is ESSENTIAL. Place all contaminated clothing in labelled plastic bag until it can be decontaminated Wash skin; keep washing with copious running COLD water for 15 minutes. If possible, place patient under safety shower. Apply PEG 400 or 300 (polyethylene glycol gel) to affected skin. Reapply every 15 minutes until medical assistance arrives. PEG should be discarded after use
In the eye	Remove contact lens if possible Hold eye open and flood eye with gently running water for at least 15 minutes, ensuring that the flow of water does not contaminate the unaffected eye Seek medical assistance without delay
Ingestion	DO NOT INDUCE VOMITTING If conscious and cooperative rinse mouth with water. Give further water to drink in order to dilute the acid Seek medical assistance without delay
Inhalation	Remove to fresh air Seek medical assistance without delay

It is essential to continue administration of first aid until medical assistance arrives.

In all cases, a copy of the MSDS must accompany the patient to medical assistance and/or hospital. All hazards and incidents associated with phenol must be reported to Occupational Health and Safety.

General information about first aid, including the phenol module required in first aid kits, can be found in the Procedures for first aid (pdf 288kb)

Further information

Contact your local OHS consultant or Occupational Health and Safety on:

Telephone: 990 51014
Email: ohsehelpline@monash.edu