Health and Safety in Chemical Industries.pdf - Department of Labour

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Chemicals decanted into unlabeled containers should not be allowed Labeling of hazardous chemical substances Labels on chemicals can help identify more hazardous chemicals, tell about the dangers to health and inform on safeguarding methods. All chemical containers should be properly identified and classified and smaller decanting containers should be clearly labeled with regards to the contents of the container. Information that should be available on all chemicals used in the workplace: • Product identification • Company identification • Composition/information on ingredients • Hazards identification • First-aid measures • Fire-fighting measures • Accidental release measures • Handling and storage • Exposure control/personal protection • Physical and chemical properties • Stability and reactivity • Toxicological information • Ecological information • Disposal considerations • Transport information • Regulatory information and • Any other relevant information. Points to remember about types of chemicals found in the workplace: • The physical form of a chemical can affect how it enters your body and, to some extent, the damage it causes • The main physical forms of toxic chemicals are: solids, dusts, liquids, vapors and gases • Solids are the least likely of the chemical forms to cause chemical injuries. However, some chemicals in solid form can give off toxic dusts or vapors which can be inhaled. Effective control measures should be used with chemical solids, especially during work processes that may change them into more hazardous forms • Workers can be exposed to occupational dust from materials that normally exist in dust form or from work processes that create dust. The main danger from harmful dusts is that it can be inhaled. Effective control measures should be used to keep occupational dusts at “safe” levels • Some liquid chemicals give off vapors which can be inhaled and which may be highly toxic depending on the chemical. Liquid chemicals can be absorbed by skin. They can also cause burns or eye damage due to eye splashes. If absorbed, they can cause skin damage and/or internal 6 Health and Safety in the Chemical Industry
Access to chemical stores should be limited (systemic) health effects. Effective control measures should be used with liquid chemicals to eliminate or reduce the possibility of inhalation and skin exposure • Vapors are tiny droplets of liquid suspended in the air. Vapors can be inhaled and, depending on the chemical, can be highly toxic. Some vapors irritate the eyes and skin. Certain vapors are flammable or explosive • Some chemicals are in the form of a gas when they are at a normal temperature. However, some liquids and solids become gases when they are heated. Some gases have strong odors or colours while others are odorless and colourless (and can be highly toxic). Gases can be inhaled. Certain gases can produce immediate irritant effects, while others produce noticeable effects only after serious damage to your health has already occurred • Chemicals that are improperly disposed of may eventually get into your drinking water and food. Chemical wastes should only be disposed of in approved and well-maintained disposal sites • To prevent bringing workplace chemicals home, wash/shower and change clothes when necessary before leavening work. Wash contaminated clothes separately — never with the family wash! Tips for storing chemicals • Store chemicals inside a closeable cabinet or on a sturdy shelf with a front-edge lip to prevent accidents and chemical spills • Secure shelving to the wall or floor • Ensure that all storage areas have doors with locks • Know what chemicals are stored inside – provide an alphabetic list • Keep chemical storage areas off limits to any unauthorized personnel • Ventilate storage areas adequately • Segregate different types of chemicals during storage and use • Store flammables in an approved flammable liquid storage cabinet • Do not place heavy materials, liquid chemicals, and large containers on high shelves • Do not store chemicals on the floor, even temporarily • Do not store chemicals on shelves above eye level • Do not store chemicals with food and drink • Do not expose stored chemicals to direct heat or sunlight, or highly variable temperatures • Never use food containers for chemical storage • Make sure all containers can close properly • Properly dispose of empty containers. Health and Safety in the Chemical Industry 7
Page 1 and 2: HEALTH AND SAFETY IN CHEMICAL INDUS
Page 3 and 4: All hazards associated with chemica
Page 5: Skin should be protected against ex
Page 9 and 10: Labour Head Office: Telephone Numbe
Page 11 and 12: Kroonstad (056) 215 1812 Petrusburg

Health and Safety in Chemical Industries.pdf - Department of Labour

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