Safe Chemical Handling
Categories of
Hazardous Chemicals
Corrosive
Flammable
Toxic
Reactive
Biological (infectious)
Carcinogen (cancer-causing)
Radioactive
Physical States of
Hazardous Materials
Liquid
Solid
Gas
Vapor
How to Handle
Chemicals Properly
Use cautions
Always follow procedures
Read all labels
Keep yourself and the work area clean
Plan ahead
Routes of Exposure
Inhalation
Ingestion
Absorption
Injection
Symptoms of
Possible Overexposure
Eye discomfort
Breathing difficulty
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Skin irritation
Incompatible Chemicals
Flammables and oxidizers
Flammables and any ignition source
Acids and cyanides
Strong acids and strong alkalines
Concentrated acids and water
Organic solvents and corrosives
Corrosives and other reactive materials
Agencies That Regulate
Hazardous Chemical Storage
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Handling Flammable Chemicals
Keep containers closed when not in use
Keep away from ignition sources
Avoid contact with incompatible materials
Only transfer to approved containers
Bond all receiving containers
Clean up spills and dispose of waste properly
Proper Storage of
Flammable Chemicals
Ensure that storage areas meet regulatory
requirements
Replace all bung caps with drum vents after
receiving containers
Ground all drums properly
Store quantities in approved storage rooms
and cabinets
Store only in small quantities
General Safety Tips
Never eat, drink, or smoke while using
hazardous chemicals
Use personal protective equipment as required
Make sure all chemical containers are
properly labeled
Always wash up after using chemicals
General Safety Tips (cont.)
Never smell or taste a chemical to identify it
Know all emergency procedures and equipment
Always read labels’ MSDSs prior to use
Store all hazardous chemicals properly
Always use hazardous chemicals as intended
Primary Container Labels
Identity of the hazardous chemical
Appropriate hazard warnings
Name and address of the manufacturer
or importer
Target organ effects
Secondary Container Labels
Identity of the
hazardous chemical
Hazard warning
information
Handling Chemical Emergencies
Know emergency phone numbers
Know how to control the spill
Know proper equipment shutdown
procedure
Know proper evacuation routes
and assembly areas
What Emergency
Personnel Should Know
Emergency cleanup and disposal measures
Required protective equipment
Use of cleanup equipment
Firefighting and other emergency measures
(i.e., first aid)
Use of other emergency equipment
First Aid for
Chemicals in the Eyes
Don’t rub the eyes
Hold eyelids open and flush with water for
15 minutes
Be careful not to contaminate the other eye
Seek additional medical attention
First Aid for
Chemicals on the Skin
Flush area with lukewarm water for
15 minutes
Remove clothing and jewelry from
burn area
Seek additional medical attention
First Aid for
Chemical Inhalation
Move victim
to fresh air
Get immediate
help
First Aid for
Chemical Ingestion
Induce vomiting only if told to do so by
Poison Control
Get immediate medical attention
Quiz
1. Two primary routes of exposure to hazardous chemicals are
___________________ and ___________________.
2. Gas, liquids, and aerosols are the three
states of hazardous materials. True or False
3. The Department of Transportation
does not regulate hazardous chemicals. True or False
4. Two dangerous incompatible materials are
__________________________________ and cyanides.
Quiz (cont.)
5. Flammables and oxidizers should never
be stored together. True or False
6. Secondary container labels should include
______________________________________ and
hazard warning information.
7. Three symptoms of overexposure
to hazardous chemicals are
____________, ____________, and ____________.
8. Carcinogens are chemicals that cause
birth defects in unborn children. True or False
Quiz (cont.)
9. Flammables should always be used away from
sources of ________________________________.
10. If a chemical has been used by a
company before, the containers do
not have to be labeled.
True or False
Quiz Answers
1. The primary routes of exposure to hazardous chemicals
are inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and injection.
2. False. Liquids, solids, gases, and vapors are the
four states of hazardous materials.
3. False. The Department of Transportation does regulate
hazardous chemicals.
4. Two dangerous incompatible materials are acids
and cyanides.
5. True. Flammables and oxidizers are incompatible and
should never be stored together.
Quiz Answers (cont.)
6. Secondary container labels should include the identity
of the material and hazard warning information.
7. Three symptoms of overexposure to hazardous
chemicals are eye discomfort, breathing difficulty,
dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting and skin irritation.
8. False. Carcinogens are chemicals that can cause cancer.
9. Flammables should always be used away from sources
of ignition.
10. False. Even if a chemical has been used before, it must
always be labeled if it is hazardous.
