Chemical Hazards – Understand the Danger
Most of us use chemicals on a daily basis, whether that be at work or at home. Chemicals have played a vital role in the modern world that we live in. But if hazardous chemicals are not effectively managed, they can cause harm to anyone who is exposed to them, whether that be employees, members of the public, the environment etc.
All hazardous substances require a COSHH risk assessment, which identifies the potential hazards that the substance poses and the control measures which are in place or need to be put in place, to control that hazard.
There are a number of ways in which we can identify hazards from chemicals in the workplace:
- Looking at the Material Safety Data Sheet, which is available for each manufactured chemical.
- Undertaking air sampling or biological monitoring.
- Identifying hazardous chemicals that are process generated, naturally occurring or created by processing.
- Identifying how exposure occurs.
- Identifying who is at risk of exposure.
How do Chemicals enter the body?
Absorption – through the skin or eyes.
Ingestion – through the mouth.
Injection – through the skin or other areas.
Inhalation – into the lungs.
How to deal with the risk?
The potential risk posed by hazardous subjects can be controlled, reduced or even eliminated altogether in a number of ways.
Eliminate the hazard:
- Change the activity so that a hazardous chemical is not used
- Use a non-harmful substance instead of a hazardous one (known as elimination through substitution).
Substitution
If the hazard can’t be eliminated, can you substitute it for a less hazardous solution:
- Change the type of hazardous chemicals used in the process with a less harmful substitute.
- Change the form of the substance used – in other words, use a pelletised form of the hazardous chemical, rather than a powdered form.
- Use a brush or roller to apply paint instead of a spray gun.
- Replace asbestos with safer synthetic substitutes, such as glass foam, rock and glass wool.
- Vacuum or use an industrial sweeper to clean up concentrated dusts, rather than sweep them up manually.
- Select a product with less volatile ingredients.
- Reduce the quantities of hazardous chemicals used in the process, if at all possible.
Implement Engineering controls
- Enclose the system.
- Use local exhaust ventilation to remove fumes.
- Use ventilation as the main method of control for airborne chemical hazards, particularly contaminants in underground mines and sample preparation areas when pulverising samples.
- Use spill containment.
- Use safety relief valves.
- Use overfill protection.
- Introduce a restricted work area.
- Locate potentially hazardous materials or processes away from frequently used thoroughfares and buildings.
- Separate goods from other hazards.
- Segregate incompatible substances.
Administrative controls
- Modify the system of work, such as changing the times when certain tasks are done
- Use placards or hazard warning signs
- Use housekeeping and labelling to limit inadvertent exposure (especially skin) to workplace hazards
- Provide situation-specific training and work instructions
- Rotate staff to minimise exposure times to hazardous chemicals
- Implement emergency arrangements to mitigate the accidental release of chemicals or inadvertent exposure of workers to chemicals
- Provide safety showers as part of emergency arrangements, such as exposure to corrosives
- Provide spill clean-up equipment
- Use schedules to remove workers from exposure, such as removing lead miners from the area of exposure if their blood lead levels exceed a certain level
- Use occupational hygiene monitoring and health surveillance to keep an eye on exposure levels.
PPE/RPE
Provide appropriate eye, respiratory and hand protection for workers, as well as instructions on when and how to use it.