Posts Tagged ‘workplace’

Safe Handling of Chemicals in the Workplace

All employees have the right to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals in their workplace. The law requires that employers must inform all workers about the health hazards of any chemical that they use.

An Employee should

Safety Goggle

Be informed if there are any hazardous chemicals in the work area
Know the location of any plan dealing with these chemicals, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Know and understand any labeling system, including the MSDS system and how to use the appropriate hazard information
Know how to detect the presence or release of hazardous chemicals

Employers must communicate with all employees in terms or a language that they can understand to ensure that:

Employees are able to recognize and understand the meaning of words such as ‘Hazardous’ or ‘Danger’
Employees understand the term ‘Material Safety Data Sheet’
They need to know that this contains information on health hazards, the characteristics of chemicals they may encounter in the workplace, protective measures and precautions for the safe handling, use, and storage of each chemical.

Employees must know how chemicals enter and affect the body. Each chemical has a certain way of entering the body through the:

Nose
Mouth
Skin Contact
Eye Contact

Employees must be trained in ways to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals that they work with. Their training must include:

Appropriate work practices in the safe handling and use of chemicals
Prevention of injury from mixing incompatible chemicals such as mixing bleach with an ammonia cleaning product
Proper dilution of concentrated chemicals
Appropriate labeling and safe storage of chemicals

Employees must know how and when to use Personal Protective Equipment(PPE).

Gloves
Rubber Apron or Protective Clothing
Safety Glasses with side shields
Splash Goggles
Face Shield
Nonslip safety shoes

Qualified personnel should be the only ones to clean up chemical spills. There should be a spill kit designed specifically for the work place and the chemicals in use there. Spill kits may include:

Materials to absorb liquids such as a chemical spill powder
An absorbent Material such as a chemical spill pad
A neutralizing agent
Waste Containers
A brush and scoop
Personal protective Equipment (PPE)
Any other products necessary specific to neutralizing on site chemicals

In addition, to reduce the chances of exposure to hazardous chemicals, further steps may be taken by:

Providing a dispensing station that automatically dilutes and mixes the correct amount of chemicals for the job.
Avoiding the use of aerosol spray products  to reduce airborne contaminants whenever possible
Using less toxic materials such as green seal certified products or environmentally safe products which have a reduced amount of harmful solvents
Educate all employees on the importance of good handwashing techniques before eating, drinking, or smoking to reduce the chance of chemical contamination.
Storage of food and beverages in an area where there is no chemical storage.
Prohibition of eating in an area where there could be chemical contamination.

There are strict regulations which apply to the use of chemicals in the workplace. Compliance with these rules as well as an ongoing safety training program is essential in reducing the risks of exposure and protecting the health and well being of the employees.

Safe Handling of Chemicals in the Workplace