Chemical Hazards

What are Chemicals?

Substances with a distinct molecular composition that is produced by or used in a chemical process Chemicals are the most common and significant health hazards Chemicals can be hazardous for numerous reasons and can combine with other chemicals to make new hazards

Physical Classification

Solids

Aerosols

Chemicals may be found in solid, liquid, aerosol, or gas and vapor form.

Liquids

Vapours

Physical Classification
Not all forms of a chemical pose a health hazard. For example, a lead pipe is not a significant health hazard.

However, the lead can become a human health hazard if the pipe is sanded or welded, producing lead dust or fumes.
The dust or fumes can become airborne and be inhaled, or it can leach into water and be ingested.

Solids
A chemical may be hazardous even in solid form. For example, individuals who are sensitized to nickel may develop dermatitis from skin contact with the metal. Fuming solids emit toxic vapors that may be inhaled.

Some materials, such as pesticides, can evaporate directly from solid form.
Some solids are not a hazard alone but become hazardous when they come into contact with other chemicals (e.g., acid in contact with iron can release hydrogen gas).

Liquids
Many liquids are hazardous in contact with the skin. They either damage the skin or they are easily absorbed through the skin. Chemicals that can damage or be absorbed through the skin and will have this effect on all skin, not just the hands. The degree of hazard associated with a liquid depends on its characteristics and how it is handled.

Aerosols
Aerosol is a term used to describe fine particles (solid or liquid) suspended in air. Examples of aerosols include dust, fumes, mist, fog, smoke, and smog. Knowing how various aerosols are generated will help you anticipate where aerosol hazards may exist in the field Aerosols may be a hazard to the eyes, skin, and the respiratory system.

Symbols and Type of Effects

Corrosive Chemical cause burns if it comes into contact with the skin.

Symbols and Type of Effects

Highly Flammable Can easily catch fire.

Symbols and Type of Effects

Toxic Could cause harm if the chemical comes into contact with skin, if ingested or if vapors are breathed in.

Symbols and Type of Effects

Harmful to the Environment Will cause harm to living organism if released into the environment

Symbols and Type of Effects

Irritant Damages skin or eyes if they come into contact with the chemical

Symbols and Type of Effects

Explosive Chemical could cause an explosion

Symbols and Type of Effects

Carcinogen Chemical can cause cancer if it comes to contact with the body or is ingested.

Chemicals at Home

Examples Irritant

Chemicals can be found not only in laboratories but also in our house.

Bleach is a form of hypochloric acid that is usually dilute but is classed as an irritant

Chemicals at Home

Chemicals can be found not only in laboratories but also in our house.

Examples Harmful to the Environment

If used motor oil is poured down the drain, it can cause problems in rivers and streams.

Chemicals at Home

Examples Explosive We use gas to heat our houses and also to cook food, but it is an explosive gas.

Chemicals can be found not only in laboratories but also in our house.

Chemicals at Home

Examples Carcinogen

Chemicals can be found not only in laboratories but also in our house.

Smoking cigarettes causes lung cancer.

Chemicals at Laboratory
ACIDS It can irritate or damage skin. It can also cause minor skin burns. ALKALIS It can damage the skin. GASEOUS BROMINE Inhaling it should be avoided. It is toxic. REAGENTS These can be corrosive and flammable. Examples are toluene, methanol and ethanol.

- Every worker has the right to know about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. It is the duty of every employer to inform the workers about the substances which they may come into contact with and to provide and train workers about and necessary protective equipment required to perform their job. Workers have a duty to wear this equipment and to follow proper job procedures. - Workers may need to wear appropriate protective gloves. Hands must be washed with soap and water before eating or drinking or smoking, even if gloves were worn while handling the chemical.

Examples of Hazardous situations relating to chemicals: - New workers working with paints might be exposed to paint thinners and solvents that they could breathe in or get on their hands. - Workers who work as cleaners will likely be exposed to cleaning solvent solutions like ammonia, which can be harmful if it is inhaled or gets on the skin, or if it is mixed with other chemicals.

Many employers do not dispose of chemical wastes safely. Many employers are not aware of the hazards associated with toxic chemicals and often do not know how to dispose of chemical wastes safely employers also need to be educated about chemical hazards. Employers often dump waste chemicals into the environment. Chemicals that are improperly disposed of may eventually get into your drinking water and your food. Chemical wastes should only be disposed of in approved and well-maintained disposal sites. Do not take workplace hazards home with you! To prevent bringing workplace chemicals home to your family, wash/shower and change your clothes when necessary before you leave work. Leave your dirty clothes at work. If you must wash them at home, wash them separately never with the family wash!

Modes of Entry

Chemicals can enter the body by Inhalation

Through lungs

Absorption
Through the skin or hands

Ingestion
Through the mouth

Modes of Entry

Exposure Route
Ear
Eye Nose Mouth Musculoskeletal

Lung

Skin

Whole body

Target Organs
CNS Ear Lung

Eye Nose Mouth

Heart

Liver

Digestive tract Kidneys

Skin Reproductive system

Handling Chemical Hazards

At Laboratory

Carefully read the label of each chemical bottle to be use. When in doubt, verify with the instructor. Acids must be handled properly. If they splash on the skin, wash the skin immediately with water and soap. Alkalis may damage the skin. Wash the skin immediately with plenty of water and then with 1% acetic acid solution, if not available, vinegar will do. Avoid inhaling gas. Use a nose cover to avoid suffocation. Corrosive and flammable reagents should be stored in close containers and not subjected to open flame.

Handling Chemical Hazards

At home

Hazardous chemicals should be labeled and stored properly. It should be placed in closed container. It should be kept out of reach of children. After cooking, LPG tanks should be turn off.

Six basic steps to safely manage chemicals in the workplace 1. Policy and program. 2. Joint consultation. 3. Worker training. 4. Identify and assess the risks in the workplace. 5. Use adequate risk control measures, including appropriate storage and emergency plans. 6. Promote, maintain and improve this includes monitoring, record keeping and accident reporting.

Step 1 Policy and Program

The first step in achieving improvements in workplace health and safety, including the use of hazardous substances, is to have an occupational health and safety policy. Your health and safety policy is a statement of a principle that your organization upholds. It should state your belief and intent, give a clear direction from management and include the entire organization. It will also be the basis for an action.

Chemical safety program

The principal aim of a chemical safety program is to systematically investigate potential chemical hazards in order to minimize the risk of adverse health and safety effects due to exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.

Larger workplaces should have a chemical safety program which consists of: an action plan which details the part that employers, employees and the health and safety committee are each expected to play a list of program procedures organization charts showing lines of responsibility emergency plans audit reports records of any accidents or potentially hazardous incidents.
For very small workplaces, some of the items of this program may not be practical. The program should also aim to ensure that employees with potential for exposure to hazardous substances used at work are provided with education and training. This should cover the nature of hazards and means of assessing and controlling exposure to workplace hazardous substances.

Step 2 Joint consultation

The Regulation requires employers to consult with employees (who are likely to be exposed to risks) on all aspects of the Regulation and any changes to work practices. Exposure often depends on the way the chemicals are used. When doing an assessment, involve the people working with the product in helping to identify the hazards. Consult employees, supervisors and others with knowledge and expertise, including plant managers, production managers, floor supervisors, union representatives and members of the workplace OHS committee. Health and safety procedures, such as exposure control measures, should not be introduced without first consulting all people likely to be affected by any hazardous substance. This includes determining the likely exposure of people working near to where hazardous substances are used, as well as those who use them directly.

Step 3 Training

Information must be given to workers, through training. To ensure that everyone in the workplace receives relevant information, a formal, regularly updated training program must be developed. The training program should be related to the activities in the workplace and cover: how chemical exposures can occur the possible results of chemical exposure how to read chemical labels and MSDS how to follow safe working procedures how to use protective equipment emergency and first aid procedures. Training should also explain the need for workplace monitoring and health checks in relevant cases.

Information about a chemical used in a workplace is found:

on the label of the container; on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS); and in publications such as codes of practice and standards.

Step 4 Identify and assess workplace risks

The label on the container is the first point where people get information about the chemicals they are using. In many situations, you can tell if substances are hazardous from the labels on containers arriving in your workplace.

Labels
You must make sure that containers of chemicals and other hazardous substances in your workplace are labeled. Labels identify the product and provide safety information including:

the dangerous goods diamond and/or the poisons label, where appropriate the chemical name(s) of the ingredient(s) the trade name of the substance possible harmful effects of the substance how to use the substance safely.
If the label does not give you this information, contact the supplier or manufacturer. You must ensure that the labels on containers of hazardous substances are appropriate. If you produce hazardous substances, you should label them according to Work safe's Code of Practice for the Labeling of Workplace Substances. Process containers, such as vats and pipes, should be labeled to identify the contents.

Material safety data sheets MSDS

The material safety data sheet (MSDS) should provide detailed information about: the substances trade name and chemical name(s) (including ingredients in mixtures) health hazard information precautions for use safe handling of the substance. The MSDS must be readily available so that workers can get information about health hazards in addition to that provided on the label. The manufacturer or supplier of the chemical must provide an MSDS with every substance that is classified as hazardous. Manufacturers and importers are responsible for preparing MSDS. The MSDS should meet the standard laid down in Worksafes Code of Practice for the Completion of a Material Safety Data Sheet. For imported substances, ILO (International Labour Organisation) and EU (European Union) formats are acceptable.

Assess the risks in your workplace

People can be exposed to the same hazardous substance in different ways. The level of exposure may vary depending on factors such as how close to a process a person is working, or the effectiveness of ventilation. Under the Regulation, you must assess the exposure risks of each hazardous substance, for each person in the workplace. The results will indicate the areas where control measures are necessary. Risk is the likelihood that harm will result from use of the substance. Hazard is a basic property of a substance. The degree of risk depends on the dose . To assess the risk of exposure: a. identify the hazardous substances used in the workplace and list them in an inventory; b. obtain information about the hazards to health and safety presented by these substances; c. determine the degree of exposure to the hazardous substances; d. assess the risk to the health and safety of each employee, and e. decide actions necessary to control risks.

Identify substances
It is important for you to know exactly what hazardous substances are in use in the workplace. Initially check if everything is labelled. Make a list of all hazardous substances to form an inventory. Dont forget to consider dusts and other emissions produced in the workplace. A mixture counts as one substance. Adopt a system that will ensure all new chemicals entering the workplace are added to the inventory and that MSDS are obtained and filed with the inventory, forming a register. This task may be easier if you divide your workplace up into areas or work activities and do each one separately.

Determine exposure
Check who is using which hazardous substance and how. Then identify those employees who may be exposed to each hazardous substance in an amount which is likely to harm health. Consider the routes of entry, that is the ways the substance may enter or touch the body. These include skin contact; inhalation (breathing in) through the nose or mouth; and ingestion (swallowing) through the mouth.

Assess the risk to each employee

The Regulation requires you to minimize the health risks - this means that exposure should be as low as possible in your working situation. If a maximum exposure level has been set for the substance, you can usually find this on the MSDS. You must not exceed the exposure limit listed in the Work safe Standard, Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment. These exposure standards are regularly updated. For a small number of hazardous substances, regular health checks of workers may be required. The assessment report should determine if this is required. Further information is given in the next section, Decide action to control risks. If the exposure of an employee reaches the exposure standard, or there are health indications that exposure is too high, immediate action must be taken to reduce the health risk. An example of action to be taken is to improve control measures.

Decide action to control risks

If the assessment shows that there is a risk to health or safety, you will need to:

record the assessment and conclusions about control; select control measures; ensure that those control measures are properly used and maintained; arrange induction and training; and determine if monitoring or health surveillance are required

Step 5 Risk control

The Regulation requires you to implement control measures to keep exposure to hazardous substances as low as practicable, when an assessment has shown the need. The Control code of practice outlines the various measures which can be used to eliminate or reduce exposure. These measures are listed in order of priority, so the higher up the control appears on the following list, the better it is.

Elimination
Where a task involves the use of a hazardous substance that is not essential, the hazardous substance should be eliminated, if practicable. An example of elimination is cleaning by the use of ultrasound instead of chemicals - this is a physical rather than a chemical process

Safe work practices

Safe work practices are administrative practices which require people to work in safer ways. Examples include: permit to work systems; excluding any nonessential access; providing means for safe storage and disposal of hazardous substances; banning eating, drinking and smoking in contaminated areas; vacuuming dust from areas where cutting processes take place; keeping lids on containers when they are not in use; and using facilities for effective decontamination.

Ensure correct storage

Check the MSDS for advice on storage and chemical compatibility. All substances which are classed as dangerous goods should be stored in accordance with the Regulations of the Dangerous Goods Act, 1975. Dangerous goods entering the workplace are usually identified by the class (diamond) label on the container.

Establish emergency plans

You should establish and write down an emergency plan and procedures in case of leaks, spills or other uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances. The procedures should cover: first aid, emergency showers, evacuation procedures, safe disposal methods, identifying source(s) of release, repairs and follow-up. The plan should be revised from time to time. Details of the plan should be included in employee training.

Step 6 Promote, maintain and improve

Monitoring and health surveillance

Record keeping
Accident reporting procedures Checking your workplace

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTS

Gloves
Always wear unlined, elbow length chemical-resistant gloves when handling all pesticides except those that are relatively nontoxic (category IV or lower toxicity). The elbow length gloves protect your wrists and prevent pesticides from running down your sleeves into your gloves.

Body Covering
Regular work attire of long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, shoes, and socks are acceptable for slightly toxic (category III) and relatively non-toxic (category IV) pesticides. Many applicators prefer work uniforms and cotton coveralls that fit the regular-work-attire description and provide equal protection. Applicators should reserve one set of clothing for pesticide use only. Launder and store separately from all other clothing.

Apron
Wear a chemical-resistant apron when repairing or cleaning spray equipment and when mixing or loading. This is a good practice for all pesticides. It is essential for pesticides of category I and II toxicity. Aprons offer excellent protection against spills and splashes of liquid formulations, but they are also useful when handling dry formulations such as wettable powders. Aprons can be easily worn over other protective clothing and are comfortable enough for use in warm climates. Choose an apron that extends from the neck to at least the knees. Some aprons have attached sleeves.

Boots
Wear unlined chemical-resistant boots which cover your ankles when handling or applying moderately or highly toxic pesticides. Purchase boots with thick soles. Use them only for pesticide applications. It is wise to keep two pair of boots on hand in case of accidental contamination. Boots should be replaced at least yearly. As a reminder, write the date of purchase on the boot.

Goggles or Face Shield

Wear shielded safety glasses; a full-face respirator; snug-fitting, nonfogging goggles; or a full-face shield whenever the chemical could possibly contact your eyes. Always wear goggles or full-face respirator when you are pouring or mixing concentrates or working in a highly toxic spray or dust. In high exposure situations when both face and eye protection are needed, a face shield can be worn over goggles.

Head and Neck Coverings

The hair and skin on your neck and head must be protected too. This is most important in situations where exposure from overhead dusts or sprays is possible, such as in airblast spraying operations or flagging. Chemical-resistant rain hats, wide brimmed hats, and washable hard hats (with no absorbing liner) are good. In cool weather, chemicalresistant parkas with attached hoods are a good choice. If the attached hood is not being used, tuck it inside the neckline so that it will not collect pesticides. Do not use cotton or felt hats; they absorb pesticides.

Respirators
Respirators protect you from inhaling toxic chemicals. The label will tell you if a respirator is required. Consider wearing one during any lengthy exposure with a high risk of pesticide inhalation. Always wear a respirator while mixing or filling highly toxic pesticides. Applicators who will be constantly exposed to small amounts of moderately toxic pesticides for a day or several days, should also wear a respirator.

ADDITIONAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS (DOS AND DONTS)

THANK YOU for listening