Safe Chemical HandlingSafe Chemical HandlingCopyright Progressive Business Publications

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Hazardous Chemicals Can Cause Hazardous Chemicals Can Cause

Headaches, rashes and burns

Respiratory problems

Lung and liver damage

Reproductive damage

Cancer

Death

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Physical Hazards You May FacePhysical Hazards You May Face

Flammable liquids or solids

Combustible liquids

Compressed gases

Explosive materials

Unstable materials

Water reactive materials

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Ways Chemicals Enter Your Body Ways Chemicals Enter Your Body Breathe them in through your nose or

mouth

Make contact with your skin or eyes

Swallow chemicals when eating or drinking

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Protect Yourself Protect Yourself

Follow all steps

Read all labels

Read the Material Safety Data Sheets

Wear the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

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LabelsLabels

Check labels prior to use for hazard warnings

Treat unlabeled containers as dangerous

Do not remove labels

Look for NFPA labels:◦Blue is toxic◦Red is flammable◦Yellow is reactive◦Numbers 3 and 4 are

very hazardous

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Material Safety Data Sheets Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)(MSDS)

Use MSDS to get information about:◦Chemical name

◦Physical characteristics

◦Fire and explosion data

◦Dangerous properties

◦Precautions for safe handling

◦Reactivity data

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Personal Protective Equipment Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)(PPE)

Safety glasses, goggles and face shields

Gloves

Respirators and dust masks

Head protection

Foot protection

Aprons or full body suits

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Other Ways to Protect Yourself Other Ways to Protect Yourself NEVER

◦Eat, drink or smoke when working with hazardous chemicals

◦Wash or store your PPE with family clothing

ALWAYS◦Wash hands, arms and face with soap and

water after use◦Check your PPE for damage◦Perform self examinations

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Signs You are Being Exposed to Signs You are Being Exposed to Hazardous ChemicalsHazardous Chemicals

Foul odor

Metallic taste

Foreign particles in nose

Rashes, burns, watery eyes, irritated throat, headache or dizziness

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If Exposure OccursIf Exposure Occurs

Inhalation – move to fresh air

Eye or skin contact – flush with water for at least 15 minutes

Swallowed hazardous chemicals – seek immediate medical assistance

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If There is a Spill or LeakIf There is a Spill or Leak

Warn others

Turn off machines and evacuate

Stay upwind

Don’t attempt to rescue unless trained

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SummarySummary

Risks of working with chemicals

Ways chemicals enter your body

Read all labels

Read all Material Safety Data Sheets

Wear the proper personal protective equipment

Be prepared to respond to chemical exposures

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Transport "Pictograms"

Flammable Liquid Flammable Gas Flammable Aerosol

Flammable solid Self-Reactive Substances

Pyrophorics (Spontaneously Combustible) Self-Heating

Substances

Substances, which in contact with water, emit flammable gases

(Dangerous When Wet)

Oxidizing Gases Oxidizing Liquids Oxidizing Solids

Explosive Divisions 1.1, 1.2, 1.3

Explosive Division 1.4 Explosive Division 1.5 Explosive Division 1.6

Compressed Gases Acute Toxicity (Poison): Oral, Dermal, Inhalation

Corrosive

 

Marine Pollutant Organic Peroxides

Labels: Pictograms – Health Labels: Pictograms – Health HazardsHazards

Acute toxicity (Less Severe):IrritantDermal sensitizerAcute toxicity (harmful)Narcotic effectsRespiratory tract irritation

Acute toxicity (Severe)

Acute = short-term effect

Labels: Pictograms – Health Hazards Labels: Pictograms – Health Hazards (continued)(continued)

Skin corrosionSerious eye damage/Eye irritation

CarcinogenRespiratory sensitizerReproductive toxicityTarget organ toxicityMutagenicityAspiration Hazard

Labels: Pictograms – Physical Labels: Pictograms – Physical HazardsHazards

FlammablesSelf reactivesPyrophoricsSelf heatingEmits flammable gasOrganic peroxides

ExplosivesSelf reactivesOrganic peroxides

Labels: Pictograms – Physical Labels: Pictograms – Physical HazardsHazards(continued)(continued)

Corrosive to Metals

Gases under Pressure

Oxidizer

Labels: Signal WordLabels: Signal Word

These are words used to indicate the severity of the hazard and alert employees to the potential hazard.

Only 2 signal words will appear:“DANGER”(more severe hazard)“WARNING” (less severe hazard)

Not all labels will have a signal word. Some chemicals are not hazardous enough to require that a signal word appear on the label.

Labels: Hazard StatementLabels: Hazard Statement

There are specific hazard statements that must appear on the label based on the chemical hazard classification.

Examples:Flammable liquid and vaporCauses skin irritationMay cause cancer