Chemical Hazards in the Workplace

Chemical Hazards in theWorkplace

Chemicals in the Workplace‣ There are 750,000hazardous chemicals usedin the workplace aroundthe world.• Hundreds more are addedevery year.‣ Chemicals are used for avariety of purposes.‣ Employees must knowhow to protect themselvesfrom chemical hazards.

What is a Hazardous Chemical?‣ A hazardous chemical isany substance that posesa physical or healthhazard to you or othersin the workplace.

Hazardous Chemicals‣ Examples of Physicalhazards:• Fires• Explosions‣ Examples of Healthhazards:• Cancer• Skin irritation• Respiratory ailments

Health Hazards‣ Health Hazards can beAcute or Chronic• Acute health hazardsoccur rapidly afteran exposure.• Chronic health hazardsoccur gradually afterrepeated exposures.

Chemical Hazards‣ The methods in which chemicals enter the body arecalled “routes of entry.”‣ Understanding these various routes of entry isnecessary to prevent exposure to hazardous chemicals.‣ There are three main “Routes of Entry” Absorption Inhalation Ingestion

Routes of Entry‣ Absorption• Occurs when contact with exposed skin allows achemical to be absorbed into the body.• To prevent absorption,wear proper protectiveequipment: Chemical gloves Aprons Coveralls

Routes of Entry‣ Inhalation• Can occur when chemicals become airborne in the formof a vapor, mist or dust allowing them to be inhaled intothe lungs.• To prevent inhalinghazardous chemicalsyou must select anduse proper respiratoryprotection.

Routes of Entry‣ Ingestion• Can occur when hazardous chemicals are eaten orswallowed.• To avoid ingestinghazardous chemicalsnever:eatdrinkapply make-up• Always wash hands afterhandling chemicals .

Chemical Hazards‣ There are three main sources of information used toconvey a chemical’s hazards Chemical Manufacturer’s Label Supplemental Hazard Labels Material Safety Data SheetsHealthFlammabilityReactivity

Manufacturer’s Labels‣ The chemical manufacturer’s label is the first source ofinformation about potential hazards, safe work practicesand PPE required for a specific chemical.

Manufacturer’s Labels‣ Manufacturer’s labels providethe following information Commercial name of thechemical Name and address of themanufacturer Any physical or health hazardspresented by the chemical

Manufacturer’s Label‣ Some manufacturer’slabels include additionalinformation such as:• Required PPE to be worn• Special handling• Storage requirements• First aid• Spill clean up

Supplemental labels‣ Additional supplementallabels are often used toquickly convey hazardinformation in an easyto read format• NFPA• HMIS

NFPA labels‣ NFPA labels rankhazards related to:‣ Each hazard is rankedon a scale from 0 to 4• Health• Flammability• Reactivity• Special Warnings

HMIS labels‣ HMIS labels use thesame ranking andcolors to display:• Health‣ Each hazard is rankedfrom 0 to 4• Flammability• Reactivity• PPE

Other Labels‣ Many companies havetheir own labeling systemto identify chemicalhazards.‣ Be sure you know andunderstand how to readthe labeling systems usedin your facility.‣ If you have any questionsask your supervisor.

‣ Chemicals are oftentransferred from largecontainers to smallersecondary containers.‣ When this occurs thesecondary containermust also be labeled.‣ NEVER use chemicalsfrom an unlabeledcontainer.Other Labels

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Material Safety DataSheets are anothersource of informationabout a chemical’shazards‣ Every chemical in theworkplace has aMaterial Safety DataSheet or MSDS‣ MSDS contain moredetailed informationthan labels

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Material Safety DataSheets (MSDS) arereadily available foremployee review.‣ Make sure you know howto access these importantdocuments.‣ Always consult MSDSbefore working with anychemical.

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ MSDS sheets are divided and numbered intovarious sections, and while the arrangement ofthese sections may vary, most material safety datasheets contain the following valuableinformation……

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Product and Company Information:• This section will include the name of the chemical and themanufacturer.• An emergency contact number will also be listed.

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Hazardous Ingredients:• This section will list the hazardous ingredientscontained in the chemical, specifically naming anyknown carcinogens.• Carcinogens are substances known to cause cancer.

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Hazard Identification:• This section will describe the hazards posed by thechemical.• This will include physical hazards, health hazards andenvironmental hazards.

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ First Aid:• When exposed to achemical, it’s importantto know what actions totake.• This section will list whatactions to take forspecific exposuresituations, such as contactwith eyes, inhalation oringestion.

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Exposure Controls and Personal Protection:• This section will list occupationalexposure limits for the chemical aswell as required protective equipmentto be used.• Refer to this section to determineif chemical gloves, goggles or arespirator may be required.• Also listed in this section will beany recommended engineeringcontrols that may be required.

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Physical and Chemical Properties:• This section will list propertiessuch as boiling point,flashpoint, specific gravity,color and odor.• This information can be used topredict how the chemical willreact under certain conditionsand can also be used to helpdetect leaks and spills.

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Stability and Reactivity:• This section describes how the chemical will react whenexposed to other chemicals, water, air, sunlight or otherfactors• Some chemicals will react violently under certain conditions,if so it will be listed in this section

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Handling and Storage:• This section gives safe handling and storage instructions• Following proper handling and storage instructions canprevent needless exposures and also prevent leaks,spills, fires or explosions.

Material Safety Data Sheets‣ Toxicological Information:• Describes the various routes of entry for the chemicaland any acute or chronic health effects of exposure

Written HazardCommunication Plan‣ Chemical labels and MSDS are just part of a largerwritten program maintained by the company tocontrol exposure to hazardous chemicals.‣ OSHA requires chemical hazards be communicatedto employees through information and training.‣ This training is commonly called “HazardCommunication Training” or “Right To KnowTraining.”

Written HazardCommunication Plan‣ The written plan isdesigned to be acomprehensive plan tocontrol exposures tohazardous chemicals.‣ This plan is available tomanagement andemployees for review.

Summary‣ Hazardous chemicals are substances that pose aphysical or health hazard.

Summary‣ Hazardous chemicals enterour bodies through “Routesof Entry.”‣ There are three main routesof entry:• Absorption• Inhalation• Ingestion

Summary‣ Chemical manufacturer’s labels are the first sourceof information about a chemical.‣ These labels contain:• Commercial name• Name and address of manufacturer• Physical and health hazards

Summary‣ Supplemental hazard labels provide quick and easyinformation about a chemical’s hazards‣ NFPA and HMIS labels rank health, flammability,and reactivity hazards on a scale from 0 to 4NFPA14 2HMISHealthFlammabilityReactivity

Summary‣ NFPA labels reservethe lower section forspecial warnings.SpecialWarnings‣ While HMIS labelsreserve the lowersection for requiredprotective equipment.PPE

Summary‣ If you have any questionsabout the chemical labelsused in your facility askyour supervisor.

Summary‣ Material Safety Data Sheets are another source ofchemical information‣ MSDS provide more detailed information thanchemical labels and are always available foremployee review

Summary‣ The company’s written hazardcommunication plan is acomprehensive plan to controlexposures to hazardous chemicals‣ The company’s plan requires allemployees to receive “hazardcommunication training” beforeworking with hazardous chemicals

Summary‣ Secondary containers must be labeled also• You may use a permanent marker or other label that willnot easily be removed• Write the name of the chemical in bold easy to read lettersfor others to see• Serious injury couldresult if this isnot followed

Summary‣The written Hazard Communication Programis available online athttp://www.usi.edu/Riskmgt/. A hard copy canbe obtained from my office located in theSupport Services Building.‣A master list of hazardous chemicals andMSDS is located in the Security building

Summary‣ Employees have the responsibility to put theirtraining into action through the proper use ofProtective Equipment and by always followingSafe Work Practices while working withhazardous chemicals