Safe Chemical Handling

Safe Chemical Handling

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Session ObjectivesYou will be able to:

Recognize hazards posed by materials

Know how to find safety and health information about hazardous materials

Understand required precautions for safe handling of all materials

Know what to do in an emergency

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Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Regulation of Hazardous Materials

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OSHA’s Hazard Communication StandardYou have the right to know:

• Materials in the workplace

• How these materials can be hazardous

• How to handle materials safely to protect yourself from hazards

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Hazard Classes• Corrosive

• Flammable

• Toxic

• Reactive

• Radioactive

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Information About Hazardous Materials• Labels

• MSDS

• Supervisor

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Primary Container Label

Identity of the material

Manufacturer contact information

Physical/health hazards

Special handling

PPE recommendations

First aid, fire response,and spill cleanup

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• Identity of the material

• Hazard warnings

Note: Secondary containers must be appropriate for the job and material; old milk bottles are not appropriate!

Secondary Container Labels

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Information Resource: The MSDS• Is a written description of a hazard

related to a material

• Describes the risks, precautions, and remedies to exposure

• Must be readily available to you

Read the MSDS before working with a material!

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MSDS (cont.)

• Material and manufacturer identity

• Hazardous ingredients and exposure levels (PEL or TLV)

• Physical and chemical properties

• Fire, explosion, and reactivity

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MSDS (cont.)

Health hazards:

• Routes of entry

• Symptoms of exposure

• First-aid and emergency information

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MSDS (cont.)

• Spills and leaks

• Safe handling and storage

• PPE

• Compliance issues

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• Plasma

• Liquid

• Solid

• Gas

Physical state can affect route of exposure

Physical States Of Matter (Materials)

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How Materials Enter Your BodyInhalation

Skin absorption and eye contact

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How Materials Enter Your Body (cont.)

• Ingestion (eatingcontaminated food)

• Penetration through a cut, puncture, or injection

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Symptoms of Overexposure• Skin or eye irritation

• Difficulty breathing

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Nausea and vomiting

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Typical Hazards and Information: Q& A

Q.

A.Q.

Q.A.

A. Corrosive, toxic, flammable, reactive, radioactive

What is the most complete source of information about a material’s hazards?Material safety data sheet (MSDS)

What are the primary routes of exposure?

Inhalation, absorption, ingestion, injection

How can any material be hazardous?

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Typical Hazards And InformationDo you understand:

• What hazards are posed by materials you use?

• How to find information about materials?

• Physical states of materials?

• Exposure routes?

• Symptoms of overexposure?

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• Follow all established procedures

• Be cautious and plan ahead

• Use required PPE

• Make sure containers are properly labeled

• Always read labels and MSDSs before handling any materials

• Use the materials only as intended

General Rules For Handling Materials Safely

• Follow all established procedures

• Be cautious and plan ahead

• Use required PPE

• Make sure containers are properly labeled

• Always read labels and MSDSs before handling any materials

• Use the materials only as intended

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General Rules for Handling Materials Safely (cont.)

• Never eat or drink while handling

• Never smell or taste a material

• Know emergency procedures and equipment

• Store all materials properly

• Keep yourself and your work area clean

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• Keep containers closed when not in use

• Keep away from ignition sources

• Avoid contact with incompatible materials

• Transfer to approved containers only

• Bond and ground containers when transferring flammable liquids

• Clean up spills and dispose of waste properly

• Keep containers closed when not in use

• Keep away from ignition sources

• Avoid contact with incompatible materials

• Transfer to approved containers only

• Bond and ground containers when transferring flammable liquids

• Clean up spills and dispose of waste properly

Handling Flammable Liquids Safely

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Proper Storage of Flammable Liquids• Store flammable

liquids only in approved storage rooms and cabinets

• Understand and follow all storage rules

• Replace bung caps with drum vents after receiving containers

• Ground all drums properly

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Handling Incompatible Materials SafelyConsequences of mixing incompatible materials include:

• Fire

• Explosion

• Chemical reactions

• Release of heat

• Splashing

• Degradation of materials

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Avoid mixing:

• Flammables and oxidizers or ignition sources

• Acids and cyanides

• Strong acids and alkalines

• Concentrated acids and water

• Organic solvents and corrosives

• Corrosives and other reactive materials

Avoid mixing:

• Flammables and oxidizers or ignition sources

• Acids and cyanides

• Strong acids and alkalines

• Concentrated acids and water

• Organic solvents and corrosives

• Corrosives and other reactive materials

Handling Incompatible Materials Safely (cont.)

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Responding to Emergencies• Emergency

phone numbers

• Spill response

• Equipment shutdown procedures

• Evacuation routes and assembly areas

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Image Credit: Stafford Industrial Supplies, Ltd.

What Emergency Personnel Need to Know• Emergency cleanup

and disposal procedures

• Required PPE

• Use of cleanup and emergency equipment

• Fire-fighting and first-aid measures

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First Aid—Eye Exposure• Don’t rub eyes• Go directly to an

eyewash station• Hold eyelids open

and flush with water for 15 minutes

• Do not contaminate the other eye

• Seek immediate medical attention

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First Aid—Skin Exposure• Remove clothing

and jewelry from affected area

• Flush area with water for 15 minutes

• Use an emergency shower if necessary

• Seek immediate medical attention

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First Aid—Inhalation• Get into fresh air

• Seek immediate medical attention

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First Aid—Ingestion• Check the MSDS for

first-aid instructions

• Call the poison control center for additional assistance

• Induce vomiting only if directed

• Get immediate medical attention

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Safe Handling Procedures:Make the Safe Choice

a. An electrical shock

b. Rub with hand lotion

b. Bonded and grounded

b. Ignition sourcesa. Water

a. Locked out

a. Flush with water

b. Fire or explosion

Flammables should be kept away from:

When transferring flammable liquids, containers must be:

If you get chemicals on your skin:

Mixing incompatibles could cause:

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Safe Handling Procedures (cont.)

Do you understand:

• General rules for handling hazardous/reactive materials safely?

• How to handle flammable materials safely?

• How to handle incompatibles?

• Emergency procedures?

• First aid for chemical emergencies?

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Key Points to Remember

Most materials can be hazardous in some way

You can avoid injuries and illness if you know how to safely handle all materials

Always wear required PPE and follow established safety procedures

Know what to do in the event of an emergency involving hazardous/reactive materials