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Serious damage can result when treating metal pieces in an acid bath (with phosphoric acid for example). PESTICIDES - Pesticides are intended to destroy or control pests of all kind. They are used in industry, for example, to impregnate wood, and in agriculture to control insects, weed, fungi, and rats. There are many different types of pesticide compounds or mixtures. Insecticides are divided into the following broad groups, among them organophosphorous compounds (often acutely poisonous to both insects and humans), organochlorine compounds and carbamates (insecticides and fungicides). Source: ILO. “Training Modules on Chemical Safety: Introduction to Safety in the use of chemicals” http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/cis/products/safetytm/introduc.htm (last accessed 2 April 2008) IDENTIFICATION OF EXPOSURE CHARACTERISTICS After identifying where the problems are, what the dangerous substances are, and what damage they entail, it is necessary to further define the magnitude and severity of risk in each situation. Magnitude and Severity of a Risk = Hazard + Exposure The hazard potential of a substance (toxicological and ecotoxicological hazard) depends on its physico-chemical properties. To determine the risks associated with its use, the circumstances and conditions of use that make the risk possible, i.e., the risk factors, must be known. Eventually, regardless of the conditions of usage and the prevention measures taken some chemicals should still be banned. These substances belong to black list of chemicals, and their elimination is a priority for trade union action. Box 2.7. Example of trade unions’ Black List of chemicals Family Associated EU R-Phrases Carcinogenics R 40, R 45, R 49 Mutagens R 46, R 68 Toxics to reproduction R 60, R 61, R 62, R 63 Endocrine disrupters There are no R-Phrases associated Sensitizers R 42, R 43, R 42/43 Neurotoxics R 67 and others which do not have R- Phrases associated Toxic, persistent and bioaccumulative R 53 and 58 and others which do not have substances R-Phrases associated Source: Based on the list elaborated by ISTAS. Union Institute of Work, Environment and Health of CCOO This means to lay out the dangerous properties of substances in relation to their conditions of use or handling, i.e. the risk factors. 68
The risk factors, i.e. the conditions of use and handling, include: • Work organization and rhythm of work. Experience shows that these are the two conditions that most determine chemical risk, as overexposure and unnecessary exposure are the cause of many accidents; • Physical activity accelerates the breathing rhythm and therefore enables a larger amount of toxics to penetrate into the organism (inhalation is the major route of entry); • Working hours: Prolonging the number of working hours increases the duration of exposure to contaminants; • Micro-clime: Working conditions such as temperature, humidity and ventilation can increase exposure. High temperature fosters the evaporation of volatile substances. High humidity can foster the presence of hydrosoluble substances in the air; • Specific individual conditions: Younger or older workers, pregnant or breastfeeding women, workers with weak or sensitive health, etc are likely to be more sensitive; • Lack of information among workers about the products they use or lack of adequate training about chemical risk; and • Whether there are or not effective measures to control occupational and environmental exposure. The best way to identify each risk situation is to undertake regular visits and inspections through the different stages and posts of production, as well as to talk regularly to affected workers. This information will be summarized in a flow chart indicating the types of risk and their causes at each stage of the production process, detailing the post and level in the production process concerned. What to do? IDENTIFICATION OF RISK SITUATIONS: A good way to proceed is to organize the collection of information according to the following steps. Annex 2 Card 1A and annex 2 card 1B can be of help: 1. Divide the physical space or productive process into smaller units and sections of analysis. Sort them into a diagram or map (see as an example annex 2 card 1A). 2. Identify the processes and tasks where chemicals are used or simply present. 3. Identify the processes or tasks that generate emissions, spills or waste by-products of chemical substances. 4. Collect the information on a sheet (see as an example annex 2 card 1B) including all the products present in the production process, whether they are dangerous or not, and all the resulting products and wastes. IDENTIFICATION OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES: 1. Organize information collection keeping in mind the particular problem to solve: to avoid the possible harm that chemical substances present in the workplace can cause. 2. Remember that chemical substances can be present in the workplace, either because they are produced or used there, or are waste products that result from nonintentional releases. 3. To know the existing risks in each situation or task, all products must be listed, relevant information must be collected and structured, (see as an example annex 2 card 2) and should include: • The name of the product or mix; • The active ingredients that compose it; • Human security and safety risks; and • Environmental risks. 69
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Sound and Sustainable Management of
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SOUND AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF
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Training Manual Prepared by the Int
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UNEP Review / Editon Team: • Oliv
Page 10 and 11:
BACKGROUND The Training Manual on S
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NOTES: 10
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world. According to the Internation
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(f) capacity for rehabilitation of
Page 19 and 20: MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICALS
Page 21 and 22: There are different international i
Page 23 and 24: PHYSICAL HAZARDS The physico-chemic
Page 25 and 26: Although some chemicals are less ha
Page 27 and 28: Below are listed some of the most t
Page 29 and 30: These effects may appear at extreme
Page 31 and 32: LD 50 (lethal dose) refers to the a
Page 33 and 34: accumulative substances (TPB). For
Page 35 and 36: Box 1.8. Asbestos: the world’s bi
Page 37 and 38: • Dermal absorption: skin contact
Page 39 and 40: • The nervous system is sensitive
Page 41 and 42: ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Page 43 and 44: fall on earth as rain, snow, mist,
Page 45 and 46: maximum “tolerable” levels. Add
Page 47 and 48: • Substitution of equipment and p
Page 49 and 50: The production and use of chemicals
Page 51 and 52: Box 1.15. Clean Production Cleaner
Page 53 and 54: Module 1 references Official websit
Page 57 and 58: MODULE 2: SAFE USE OF CHEMICALS IN
Page 59 and 60: Box 2.1. Collective agreements and
Page 61 and 62: In this case, they should first ide
Page 63 and 64: Manufacturers and suppliers, in par
Page 65 and 66: Every chemical container in the wor
Page 67 and 68: 14. Transport information: provides
Page 69: In drafting this list, workers and
Page 73 and 74: Unit 3: IS YOUR JOB PUTTING YOU AT
Page 75 and 76: What to do? 1. Check the hazard pot
Page 77 and 78: Box 2.9. Benefits associated with r
Page 79 and 80: A personal protective equipment pro
Page 81 and 82: Several factors need to be taken in
Page 83 and 84: When a spillage occurs, suitable pr
Page 85 and 86: Unit 5: SAFE CHEMICALS - SAFE PRODU
Page 87 and 88: Questions to raise, among others:
Page 89 and 90: Box 2.16. Informative matrix on the
Page 91 and 92: Unit 6: KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT IS HAPP
Page 93 and 94: A chemical leak or spill can have d
Page 95: NOTES: 93
Page 98 and 99: UN RECOMMENDED SYMBOLS FOR THE TRAN
Page 100 and 101: R 22 R 23 R 23/24 R 23/24/25 R 23/2
Page 102 and 103: still appear in cards not modified
Page 104 and 105: R 68/21/22 R 68/22 Harmful: possibl
Page 106 and 107: S 34 S 35 S 36 S 36/37 S 36/37/39 S
Page 108 and 109: Annex 2: CARDS The following cards
Page 110 and 111: Card 4 - Risk evaluation On a scale
Page 112 and 113: 9. Have you suffered or are you suf
Page 114 and 115: 7. Are workers told of the hygienic
Page 116 and 117: Annex 4: EXAMPLE OF A BASIC CARD TO
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Unit 1: INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE OF
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The main working areas are Occupati
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In the late 1980s, a tightening of
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Likewise, old ships are exported to
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What still needs to be done… 42 T
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Examples of substances regulated…
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national policy of chemical safety
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It is important, then, to demand th
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What still needs to be done… REAC
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Social dialogue, which includes all
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Box 3.10. ITUC Annual Survey of vio
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Box 3.14. Successful alliances on p
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Collective bargaining serves a dual
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Module 3 references Official websit
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EP 05/08#2008-40693
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