Chemical Hazards Awareness

Introduction to Chemical Hazards

The direct or indirect exposure with harmful chemicals in form of tiny particles, toxic fumes, flammable gases, vapors, solid and liquid substances etc. That has adverse effects on the human body in the form of chemical reactions or due to inappropriate mixture of it as well as increasing environmental pollution.

Understanding Chemical Labels and Safety Data Sheets

Basically, labels are designed to understand the hazardous property of the particular chemical which usually assists the consumer or gives warning to users. Labels are consisting of pictograms are available to recognize it even if it's far away.

All manufacturers and suppliers are providing the SDS safety data sheet along with the chemical. SDS will give us maximum detailed information about the chemical such as properties of physical, composition, environmental and health factors and also include the protective safety control measures to avoid any incident or accident but it's not limited, refer to SDS for more details.

Routes of Chemical

There are four ways from where chemicals easily get entered in the human body.

• Inhalation: - Inhaling of fumes and vapours through the nose while breathing while will directly goes in our lungs. ( For example, Painting activities in a public place where unknown people get exposed with paint fumes.)

• Absorption:- Continuous direct exposure or contact with the chemical. Our skin will start absorbing those chemicals particles. ( E.g uneducated painters exposed with the paint directly on their hands and body.)

• Ingestion:- accidentally eating or drinking any chemical which directly goes in the digestive system or stomach. The probability of ingestion is consuming foods and beverages without proper hand wash or eating in a contaminated atmosphere. (E.g. the painters are consuming tobacco while they are working with the paint and other chemicals.)

• Injection:- this occurs when contaminated Sharp objects such as nails, broken glass, needles shape metal Pierce in the body. ( E.g. this can probably happen due to poor housekeeping at work.)

Health Effects of Chemical Exposure

Basically there are two kinds of effects Acute ( which affect immediately after coming into contact) and Chronic ( where our body exposed with the chemical for longer period of time) Apart from the the dosages can be monitored through the ( STEL - short term exposure limits, LTEL - Long term exposure limits).

Control Measures and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Everytime we need to follow the SDS instructions because each chemical has its own physical and chemical properties and some chemicals might be reactive when they come into contact with other substances. It's good to have a look at SDS files before using them. Shopkeeper or sales person will definitely provide you SDS files upon your request.

Safe Handling and Storage Practices

Here are some common practices that you can implement to have safe handling and storage but not limited. Everyone should refer to the SDS for more details according to the needs of particular chemicals.

1. All chemicals must be kept away from Children where they cannot get access easily.
2. All chemicals must be stored in their original container.
3. The essential labelling and signage must be put in place.
4. Segregation of chemical must be maintained to avoid any chemical change reactions.
5. The chemical container lids need to be kept close when not in use.
6. Shall not be stored in direct sunlight.
7. Chemicals should be stored in cool and dry places.
8. Flammable chemicals must be stored away from any ignition source.
9. All necessary emergency equipment must be put in place surrounding of store such as first and fire fighting equipment.
10. Always kept copy of SDS for future reference.

Quiz and Assessment

1. What is stands for MSDS or SDS?

    A. Material security department sheet

    B. Material safety data sheet

    C. Material sales delivery sheet

Ans : B

2. Why chemicals need to kept in their original container

    A. For good storage

    B. For easy to carry

    C. To avoid unexpected incident.

Ans: C

3. What kinds of PPE will be required?

    A. As per MSDS recommended

    B. As per Clint recommend

    C. As per insurance company recommend

Ans : B

4. All chemicals must be segregated base on their hazardous nature or their physical properties re activeness.

    A. True

    B. False

Ans : A

5. The expired or waste chemicals can be disposed of into regular trash cans.

    A. True

    B. False

Ans : B