Chemicals in Work Place
Dr Aamir Amanat
Department of Environmental Sciences
The University of Lahore
Contact Email; aamir.ali@envs.uol.edu.pk
Chemicals in Work Place
Over 100 million man-made chemicals and chemical
formulations are used in every sector of the industrial economy
Approximately 750,000 chemicals and substances are caused of
known health hazard in workplace worldwide
Some chemicals can remain in the human body for more than
50 years
Managing Chemicals in Work Place
Hazardous chemicals are substances that can harm people, property and the environment
May include industrial, commercial, pharmaceutical, agricultural and domestic chemicals
Require proper storing, handling and managing in order to avoid harm to workers, members of
the public, property and the environment
identify the hazardous chemicals in your workplace
develop a risk management plan
keep up to date with work health and safety codes of practice and legislation.
Hazardous Chemicals Types
Hazardous chemicals can cause poisoning, breathing
problems, skin rashes, allergic reactions, cancer, and other
health problems from exposure.
Could also cause fires, explosions, corrosion, and hazardous
reactions if not handled safely. Examples of hazardous
chemicals include:
paints detergents diesel fuel fumes chemically
drugs gas cylinders petrol asbestos reactive or
cosmetics refrigerant liquefied flammable acutely
cleaning gases petroleum liquids (highly)
chemicals pesticides gas gases toxic
degreasers herbicides welding corrosives substances
Chemical Hazards
Examples of Physical hazards Health Hazards can be ACUTE or
Fires CHRONIC
Explosions Acute health hazards occur rapidly
Examples of Health hazards after an exposure.
Cancer Chronic health hazards occur
Skin irritation gradually after repeated exposures.
Respiratory ailments
Chemical Hazards Routes of Entry
Understanding these various routes of entry is
necessary to prevent exposure to hazardous
chemicals.
There are three main “Routes of Entry”
Absorption
Inhalation
Ingestion
Chemical Management System Elements
Risk Assessment of Chemicals
Chemical Purchasing
Chemical Inventory
Storage and Contamination Precaution
Communication of Hazard
PPE Selection/ Safe Use Procedures
Emergency Response Plans/ Hazardous Waste Disposal
Information OVERLOAD
How to GET INFORMATION for chemical hazards!
Chemical Information
There are three main sources of information used to convey a chemical’s
hazards
Chemical Manufacturer’s Label
Supplemental Hazard Labels
Material Safety Data Sheets
A B C
Safety data sheets (SDS) and Labels
Manufacturers and importers of hazardous chemicals are responsible for
classifying hazardous chemicals and developing the product's container label
MSDS include chemical and physical properties of a material.
Provides advice on how to safely store, handle and dispose of hazardous
chemicals.
Information on PPEs and emergency procedures
Ensure a copy of the SDS is accessible to workers
Assess the Risks of Hazardous Chemicals
Identify the Consult SDS
hazardous chemicals Significant risk exposure is
in workplace Exposed to the hazardous chemical through
breathing in fumes or dust
Risks that may arise swallowing them from contaminated hands or
from their storage, face
handling and use getting them on their skin or in their eyes
Exposure to hazardous chemicals control
Take appropriate risk
method
control measures
Hazards for storage and handling
Exposure monitoring or health monitoring
Create a risk management plan
Control the Risks for Hazardous Chemicals
Eliminate and minimize risk
When controlling the risks of hazardous chemicals, first strategy
must always be to eliminate the hazard and associated risk. If
not reasonably practicable, the risk must be minimized by using
one or more of the following approaches:
substitution
isolation
engineering controls.
Using administrative controls
If a risk still remains, it must be minimized with administrative controls
(e.g. procedures, employee training, and signs and warning labels), so
far as is reasonably practicable. Any remaining risk must be minimized
with suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)
Develop an Emergency Plan
Knowing what to do in an emergency is an
important aspect of any risk management
plan
An emergency plan is vital for work place,
especially if it contains flammable
chemicals and/or gas
Developing an emergency plan includes
preparing an incident response plan,
developing evacuation plans/routes and
testing (e.g. with fire drills)
Hazardous Chemical Storage
1. Ensuring safe design, location and installation of storage
and handling systems (e.g. racking systems, tanks)
2. Separate incompatible substances to prevent reactive
chemicals interacting
3. Control potential ignition sources around flammable
substances
4. Safety signage and placards
5. Emergency Spill containment and clean up systems
6. Emergency plans for hazardous chemicals
7. Acquire PPEs & store correctly (e.g. respirators sealed)
8. Fire-fighting equipment accessible
9. No unauthorized access
Hazardous Chemical Transport
Avoid transporting with food, water or other
reactive chemicals
Follow the separation and segregation rules
for transporting
Secure hazardous chemicals on the vehicle
so they can't move or fall
Keep a record of the chemicals on vehicle
Separate foodstuffs from chemicals
Required signs and equipment for the
vehicle
Driver of the vehicle has the correct license
and is trained in emergency procedures.
Hazardous Chemical at Home
