CHEMICAL SAFETY
Chemicals have become a part of our life, sustaining many of our activities, preventing
and controlling many diseases, increasing agricultural productivity. However, one cannot ignore
that many of these chemicals may, especially if not properly used, endanger our health and
poison our environment.
I. WHAT IS CHEMICAL SAFETY
Chemical safety refers to the best practices in handling, storing, or distributing
chemicals and ensuring that all personnel in an organization follow these practices. It covers all
chemicals, natural and manufactured, and the full range of exposure situations from the natural
presence of chemicals in the environment to their extraction or synthesis, industrial production,
transport use and disposal.
IMPORTANCE OF CHEMICAL SAFETY
a. Protects Company’s Reputation and Minimizes Financial Risks
- Chemical safety measures safeguard a company's reputation and minimize financial
risks, as chemical accidents can cause property damage, environmental contamination,
and legal liabilities. Adhering to regulatory standards in chemical safety demonstrates
responsible business practices, fostering trust among the community.
b. Prevents Accidents and Incidents
- Chemical process safety measures are crucial to prevent accidents and incidents. As
chemical processes become more numerous and toxic, the society have become more
safety-conscious. This has led to companies improving general chemical process safety.
An inherently safe design prevents chemical hazards, rather than controlling them.
c. Environmental Protection
- Chemicals can contaminate soil, water, and air, leading to ecosystem damage and loss
of biodiversity. The consequences of chemical pollution can be devastating, as seen in
the case of the 1984 Bhopal disaster, that killed thousands of people and contaminated
the environment. Implementing chemical safety measures can prevent such disasters
and protect the environment for future generations.
II. CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Chemical Hazards refer to any substances that can cause adverse physical and health
effects to people or result in harm to the environment. It is also defined as the actual risk
associated with specific chemicals. Examples of this are gasoline, detergents, methanol,
pesticides, disinfectants, glue, paints, etc.
TWO TYPES OF CHEMICAL HAZARDS
1. Environmental Chemical Hazards
- are based on the intrinsic properties of the chemicals. Physical hazards are more likely
to result in sudden injury, and generally involve a rapid release of energy. Explosions
and flames fall under this type.
2. Health Chemical Hazards
- refers to the chemical hazards that particularly affects our well-being. Health Chemical
Hazards include irritation, sensitization, and carcinogenicity. Examples of this are
chemical burns and chemical irritation.
III. CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
Chemical exposure occurs when an individual comes into contact with any substance
that can cause harm to their health. These may include liquid, gas, solid, or even dust that can
be inhaled, absorbed or ingested. Chemical exposure can cause both short-term and long-term
problems that may affect a worker’s skin, eyes, respiratory system, and even their internal
organs.
TYPES OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
1. Acute Chemical Exposure
- is a short contact with a chemical. It may last a few seconds or a few hours. For
example, it might take a few minutes to clean windows with ammonia, use nail polish
remover or spray a can of paint. The fumes someone might inhale during these activities
are examples of acute exposures.
2. Chronic Chemical Exposure
- continuous or repeated contact with a substance over months or years, such as using a
chemical every day on the job or at home. Over time, some chemicals such as PCBs
and lead, can build up in the body.
PEOPLE CAN BE EXPOSED TO CHEMICALS THROUGH THREE PRIMARY PATHWAYS:
1. Inhalation
- occurs by absorption of chemicals via the respiratory tract (lungs). Once chemicals have
entered into the respiratory tract, the chemicals can then be absorbed into the
bloodstream for distribution throughout the body. Chemicals can be inhaled in the form
of vapors, fumes, mists, aerosols and fine dust.
2. Absorption
- refers to the direct contact with chemical through the skin or the eyes and travels into the
body. Many chemicals used in the workplace can damage organs if they penetrate the
skin and enter the bloodstream. Examples of these chemicals include pesticides and
organic solvents.
3. Ingestion
- can occur via consumption of food, water, and other liquids. Food can contain chemical
residues as a result. biotic uptake and accumulation from contaminated soil or water
(e.g., irrigation water, uptake of contaminants by fish or livestock).
SOURCES OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE:
1. Environmental Factors
- Pollution form sources like factories, power plants, and other industries can release
hazardous chemical into air, water, and soil.
2. Occupational Hazards
-Workers in certain industries, such as manufacturing construction and agriculture are at
an increased risk of chemical exposure due to the hazardous materials they handle
daily.
3. Consumer Products
-Several everyday products including paints, solvent cleaning products, and household
items contain hazardous chemicals. Even personal care products like cosmetics,
shampoos, and others that lead to exposure.
IV. CHEMICAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
Assume that any unfamiliar chemical is hazardous.
Know all the hazards of the chemicals that you work with.
Consider each mixture of chemicals to be at least as hazardous as its most hazardous
component chemical.
Never use any substance that is not properly labeled.
Follow all chemical safety instructions precisely.
Minimize your exposure to any chemical, regardless of its hazard rating.
Use personal protective equipment as appropriate.
Avoid repeated exposure to any chemical is unprotected.
CHEMICAL HANDLING GUIDELINES
When working with chemicals:
Remove and use only the amount of chemicals needed for the immediate job at hand.
Properly seal, label, and store chemicals in appropriate containers.
Check stored chemicals for deterioration and broken containers.
Do not store chemicals near heat or sunlight or near substances which might initiate a
dangerous reaction if combined.
Do not pour hazardous chemicals down sink drains.
Clean-up spills and leaks immediately, using only established spill procedures.
Be aware of emergency procedures which have implications for hazardous chemical exposures
and spills.
Dispose of chemicals using only established disposal procedures
SAFE HANDLING AND STORAGE OF CHEMICALS
By following a few simple guidelines, the risks associated with handling and storage of
material within the laboratory can be reduced considerably.
o Laboratory workers should date containers with the day, month and year they are first
opened and first received. This is required for materials that have potential to form
organic peroxides and recommended for all other materials.
o Laboratories should minimize chemical storage to only those chemicals which will be
actively used. Laboratory doors should remain closed at all times.
o Workers should not use chemicals or equipment if they have not been trained to do so.
o Use the following chemical storage guidelines for work with specific chemical hazards:
GENERAL CHEMICAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
Acids
o Store large bottles of acids on low shelves or on trays in acid cabinets or a cabinet
marked “corrosives”
o Segregate oxidizing acids from organic acids, flammable and combustible materials.
o Segregate acids from bases, active metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and
other incompatible materials.
o Use bottle carriers or a cart to transporting acid bottles.
o Have spill control pillows or acid neutralizers available in the event of a spill. Do not use
bases to neutralize acid spill.
Bases
o Segregate bases from acids and other incompatible materials.
o Store large bottles of liquid bases on trays in a cabinet marked “Bases” or “Corrosives”.
o Store solutions of inorganic hydroxides in polyethylene containers.
o Have spill control pillows or caustic neutralizers available for caustic spills. Do not use
acids to neutralize base spills.
Flammables
o Only store flammable liquids in a specially equipped flammable-safe refrigerator or
flammables cabinet.
o Keep away from sources of ignition.
o Keep fire extinguishing and spill control equipment readily available.
o For flammable metals, have a Class-D fire extinguisher available. See “fire
extinguishers” for more information.
Oxidizers
o Store in a cool, dry area
o Store away from flammable and combustible materials, such as paper, wood, etc..
Peroxide-Forming Chemicals
o Date the container when received and when opened.
o Store in airtight containers in a dark, cool, dry area.
o Check container for formation of peroxides, as needed, using appropriate indicator
strips.
o Dispose of peroxide forming chemicals on or before expiration date or one year after
opening, whichever is first.
Compressed Gases
o Store in a secure and upright position.
o Chain/strap cylinders individually.
o Indicate the status of the cylinder: Full or In Use or Empty.
o When not in use, replace the valve cap.
o To transport use a cylinder cart.
o Remove all manifolds and regulators, secure the valve cap, and chain or strap the
cylinder to the cart before moving.
o Only one spare cylinder per connected cylinder is allowed. (i.e. if 2 cylinders are
connected to manifold then only 2 spares are permitted)
CHEMICAL SPILL PROCEDURES
Basic Spill Control Procedures
o Immediately alert the area supervisor and other occupants of the area of potential risk.
o Use Personal Protective Equipment, following specific procedures for use of Personal
Protective Equipment.
Example: Never enter a contaminated space (atmosphere) without protection, i.e., the
use of a respirator. The use of a respirator or self-container breathing apparatus requires
specialized training. If respiratory protection is necessary and no trained employees are
available, contact UMW PD immediately.
o If the situation is potentially volatile/flammable, evacuate the area of potential risk
immediately, ventilate the space, and attempt to suppress or control the potential ignition
source.
o Protect floor drains or other potential avenues of environmental release as much as
possible. Spill socks and absorbent materials may be placed around drains as needed.
Determine the extent of the spill and clean up as follows:
o Absorption technique should be to distribute loose spill control materials over the entire
spill area, working from the outside, circling to the inside. This reduces the chance of
splash or escape of the spilled chemical beyond the present boundary perimeter.
o Once all the material and spill residue has been placed in an appropriate container a
hazardous waste sticker or label must be completed identifying the material as “Spill
Debris” involving the specific chemical and affixed to the container.
o Decontaminate the surface where the spill occurred using mild detergent and water,
when appropriate.
MOUNTAIN PROVINCE POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
TADIAN CAMPUS
CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS(BSCE-1B)
CHEMICAL SAFETY
GROUP MEMBERS:
Mangolinchao, Lawrence
Ngarad, Asper
Mek-eng, Kyvie
Pachong, Geah
DATE: 11-15-24
