9β,11β-epoxy-17,21-dihydroxy-16α-methylpregna-1,4-diene-3,20-dione

Guidance on Safe Use

Fire-fighting measures

General Requirements

Avoid dispersion as a dust cloud.

Depending upon the scale of operation, use of appropriate exhaust ventilation is recommended to

provide routine control of fire and explosion hazards during handling of this material.

Ignition Controls

Bond and earth (ground) all plant and equipment to ensure that no isolated conductors are

present. Isolated conductors can accumulate sufficient electrostatic charge to produce discharges

of many hundreds of milli-Joules.

Consider earthing (grounding) personnel dealing with dusty operations. An isolated (insulated)

human body can readily produce electrostatic discharges in excess of 50 mJ, but have been

recorded up to 100 mJ.

Minimise the use of plastics when handling this material. Handle and store this material only in

conductive or anti-static plastic liners (bags) since normal plastics are known to be capable of

producing electrostatic discharges of up to 4 mJ, ensuring that any containers into which they are

placed are themselves of a conductive material and earthed (grounded).

The maximum surface temperature of enclosures potentially exposed to this material should be

the lower of the values obtained by taking 2/3 of the minimum ignition temperature for a dust

cloud or 75 K less than the minimum ignition temperature of the dust layer, with a maximum

temperature of 325 °C.

Protective Systems

Assess operations based upon available dust explosion information to determine the suitability of

preventive or protective systems as precautionary measures against possible dust explosions. If

prevention is not possible, consider protection by use of containment, venting or suppression of

dust handling equipment. Where explosion venting is considered the most appropriate method of

protection, vent areas should preferably be calculated based on the Kst rather than the St value.

If nitrogen purging is considered as the protective system, it must operate with an oxygen level

below the limiting oxygen concentration.  The system should include an oxygen monitoring and

shut-down facility in the event of excessive oxygen being detected.

At both ambient and low humidity, this material is of low conductivity.  Generation of electrostatic

charge is considered likely to occur even when handled in an earthed (grounded) environment.

At ambient humidity, this material has a very long charge relaxation time. Accumulation of

electrostatic charge is considered very likely to occur even when handled in an earthed

(grounded) environment. Under these conditions, it is considered that this material might present

a very high risk of producing an electrostatic discharge.

At low humidity, this material has an extremely long charge relaxation time. Accumulation of

electrostatic charge will occur even when handled in an earthed (grounded) environment. Under

these conditions, it is considered that this material might present a very high risk of producing an

electrostatic discharge.

Accidental release measures

Exposure Controls

The hygiene guide for this material is <=10 mcg/m3. An Exposure Control Approach (ECA) is

established for operations involving this material based upon the OEL/Occupational Hazard

Category and the outcome of a site- or operation-specific risk assessment. Refer to the Exposure

Control Matrix for more information about how ECA's are assigned and how to interpret them.

Containment

Open handling may result in overexposure.  It is strongly advised that dedicated areas and

containment, such as glove boxes, isolators, and enclosed material transfer systems be used to

prevent personnel exposure and spread of contamination.

Ventilation

Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is not appropriate at this level, since total containment should

usually be used.

Administrative

Strict control of access to the working area is essential. Only trained personnel should enter the

area during operations. Adopt procedures to prevent contamination of working materials and

adjacent areas.

Transport information

Shipping

SpecialProvisions

Shipping

Remarks

Marine transport (UN RTDG/IMDG)

Shipping

Remarks

Shipping

Remarks

SpecialProvisions

Exposure controls / personal protection

Eye Protection

When isolation is not possible, chemical splash goggles or equivalent eye protection must be

used with other applicable protective equipment.

Gloves

The selection of gloves for a specific activity must be based on the material's properties and on

possible permeation and degradation that may occur under the circumstances of use. Glove

selection must take into account any solvents and other hazards present. Potential allergic

reactions can occur with certain glove materials (e.g. Latex) and therefore these should be

avoided. Care must be exercised if insufficient data are available and further guidance should be

sought from your local EHS department.

Respirators

When isolation is not possible, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be combined with

applicable protective equipment.

Other Equipment or

Procedures

Follow all local regulations if personal protective equipment (PPE) is used in the workplace. When

isolation is not possible in production areas, appropriate personal protective equipment must be

used. Consider additional control procedures for maintenance, cleaning and emergencies.