Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

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Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals

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Contents Purpose ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

Background ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

Classification of Chemicals Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) ………………………. 3

Responsibilities ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 4

Planning ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5

Risk Controls ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Prevention …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Engineering Controls ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Administrative Controls …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7

Recovery ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..10

Engineering …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10

Administrative ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 10

Personal Protective Equipment ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10

Appendix A: Definitions ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12

Appendix B: References ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 13

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Purpose The purpose of this Key Requirement is to set out Watercare’s minimum controls to reduce the risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals. It describes Watercare’s minimum requirements for identifying, assessing and managing the risk of hazardous chemicals, and in particular, it describes the controls to prevent the release of chemicals in the workplace.

All Watercare’s managers must ensure that work is planned in accordance with these controls, as well as ensuring that the tools and resources that are referred to are used and made available to workers. All Watercare’s workers must ensure that they follow the processes and controls for working in areas containing hazardous chemicals, including using all equipment as required.

Background Classification of Chemicals under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) Hazardous chemicals are classified under the HSNO system. The classification for chemicals is listed in the Hazards Identification section of the safety data sheet (SDS), usually found in Section 2. Section 15 of the SDS may also have information specific to HSNO.

Figure 1: Example of HSNO Classification System

The HSNO classes1 are:

class 1 – Explosives class 2 – Flammable gases class 3 – Flammable liquids

1 Dangerous goods class 6.2 (infectious substances) and class 7, radioactive materials, are not regulated under HSNO but must be managed under HSWA when used and stored in the workplace.

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class 4 – Flammable solids class 5 – Oxidising substances class 6 – Substances toxic to people class 8 – Corrosive substances class 9 – Substances that are toxic to the environment

Most hazardous chemicals will have more than one hazardous property and, therefore, more than one classification. For example, petrol is classified as a 3.1A (highly flammable liquid), 6.1E (acutely toxic – may be harmful, aspiration hazard), 6.3B (mildly irritating to the skin), 6.7B (suspected human carcinogen) and 9.1B (toxic to the aquatic environment).

Responsibilities

All workers

Attend training courses as required by Watercare or its contractors Comply with the specified controls for working with or in the vicinity of hazardous

chemicals, as communicated in standard operating procedures, job safety analyses, and toolbox meetings

Use chemical handling equipment according to manufacturers’ directions and risk controls imposed by Watercare

Supervisors Monitor workers to ensure they understand and comply with the risk controls for working with or in the vicinity of hazardous chemicals as communicated in standard operating procedures, job safety analyses and toolbox meetings

Tier 4 Managers

Ensure that all hazardous chemicals in the workplace have been identified and listed in an inventory and that reduction of risk from potential exposure to chemicals is covered in appropriate risk controls

Ensure that the hierarchy of risk controls is used to determine if working with or in the vicinity of hazardous chemicals can be eliminated

For working with or near hazardous chemicals that cannot be eliminated or isolated, ensure that workers are provided with appropriate chemical handling equipment, that safe methods of work are planned, communicated and implemented and that workers have been trained and understand the use of this equipment

Monitor sites and projects to ensure that work is appropriately planned, that workers have adequate equipment (including PPE) and training and that work is being carried out in compliance with this Key Requirement

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Tier 2 and Tier 3 Managers

Monitor sites and projects to ensure that this Key Requirement is understood by Tier 4 managers, supervisors and workers

Ensure that the procurement of hazardous chemicals is in accordance with HSNO requirements

Health and Safety Advisors

Assist Tier 4 managers to understand the controls in this Key Requirement

Monitor sites and projects to ensure that work is appropriately planned, that workers have adequate equipment and training and that work is being carried out in compliance with this Key Requirement

Health and Safety Manager

Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of this Key Requirement and report to the senior management health and safety committee

Recommend any further actions or changes required to ensure adequate management of working with or near hazardous chemicals

Chief Executive Officer

Review reports of the implementation and effectiveness of these Key Requirements and report to the Board

Planning Because of the serious health effects that can be caused by hazardous chemicals, managers must determine the extent of the risk to workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals while at work. It is only after a full assessment that the appropriate control measures, training and monitoring can be put in place. Generally, managers should reduce exposure by controls rather than PPE.

Managers must ensure that there is a list of all of the hazardous chemicals used and stored at the workplace. The EPA workbook should be used to help with this.2

From this list, managers must determine whether the chemicals are hazardous or not. This can be achieved by referring to the chemical label and to safety data sheets.3

Information is needed about each hazardous chemical, who will be potentially exposed and in what way. This needs to consider which workers may come into contact with these chemicals, including workers who do not directly use the chemicals, such as cleaners. It should include the potential method of exposure as well as the extent.

Managers then need to either get rid of the hazardous chemical or isolate it. If it is not possible to eliminate or isolate the chemical, then exposure of workers must be minimised using controls such as ventilation, safe work practices and PPE. Workers need to be trained to use and store hazardous chemicals safely.

Getting rid of a very hazardous chemical altogether from the workplace is the best solution. Managers should ask the 2 For a copy of the workbook, go to http://www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz/media/13982/epa_your_practical_guide_2.pdf 3 Safety data sheets (SDSs) provide information on the hazards of chemicals and how they should be used, stored, transported and disposed of. SDSs also describe emergency procedures, such as what to do in the event of a spill or fire. Ideally SDSs should not be more than five years old.

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supplier if there are any safer alternatives.

Risk controls

Top event Loss of containment

Prevention controls Engineering Self-contained delivery and process systems Ventilation systems Separate storage

Prevention controls Administrative Approved handlers Location test certificates Stationary container system test certificates Labelling Signs Work processes Hazardous atmosphere zones Monitoring Testing of gas cylinders Training

Recovery controls Engineering Secondary containment (e.g. bunding)

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Administrative Fire extinguishers Spill kits Emergency response plans

PPE As specified in SDSs

Prevention Engineering controls

Worker exposure to hazardous chemicals can be minimised by using engineering controls, such as ventilation. The most effective engineering controls are ones that result in the hazardous chemical being contained or prevented from reaching workers. Ventilation is also important to reduce worker exposure. Ventilation can reduce the potential for a fire or explosion by diluting flammable vapours around where hazardous chemicals are used or stored. Ventilation systems must be maintained adequately.

Different types of chemicals can cause a fire or explosion if they come into contact with each other. These chemicals are often described as “incompatible”, and they must be stored separately to prevent the chemicals from mixing if a leak or spill were to occur. Information about incompatibility will be contained in SDSs.

Administration controls

Approved handlers

An approved handler must be certified if required by the HSNO Act. If an approved handler is required, then she or he must:

handle the hazardous chemical themselves provide guidance to others who may then handle the chemical be present at the location when the hazardous chemical is used be available to provide advice

An HSNO test certifier will check that the person to be certified has had sufficient training to safely manage the hazardous chemicals. Training may be provided by an industry training organisation, or it could be on-the-job training. To get certified, that person will need a written record of the training, which describes the method used to assess their knowledge and practical skills, and it must be signed by the course provider or work supervisor.

Location test certificates

Location test certificates may be required if there are flammable or oxidising chemicals at your site. A location test certificate certifies that the place where the chemicals are used and stored is safely managed, according to the HSNO

4 To access the calculator, go to http://www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz/hsno-calculator

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requirements. (For a stationary container system containing a gas or liquid hazardous chemical, you may need a stationary container system test certificate.) This certifies that the tank and the associated equipment is safe and complies with the HSNO requirements.

Stationary container system test certificates

A stationary container system is a fixed tank or process container and its associated pipe work and fittings. A stationary container system covers above and below-ground tanks as well as fuel tanks connected to burners, stationary internal combustion engines and direct fired vaporisers.

Safety data sheets and chemical container labelling

A safety data sheet (SDS) provides important information about the hazardous characteristics of a chemical and how to handle, store, transport and dispose of it safely. Safety data sheets also provide first-aid information, information about the personal protective equipment that the worker handling the chemical should wear and what to do in the event of an emergency, such as a spill or fire. Having a current safety data sheet (SDS) for each hazardous chemical is essential. Managers must ask suppliers to provide these including an updated SDS if one is more than five years old. Managers must also explain the content of SDSs to workers.

Manufacturers and suppliers must sell products that are correctly labelled. Managers must ensure that the label stays on the container and continues to be readable.

If a hazardous chemical is decanted from one container into another, the receiving container must also be labelled. All containers with hazardous chemicals must be labelled. If they are not, workers may become unclear about what hazardous chemical they are using and not take the necessary precautions. Hazardous chemicals must never be put into food or drink containers.

Workers must always read the label before using a hazardous chemical so they know what they are dealing with.

Signs

Signs are required when the amounts of hazardous chemicals exceed specified limits. The HSNO calculator4 can be used to work out the requirements for signs. Even if signs are not required, it is best practice to always have them as they warn visitors and emergency services that hazardous chemicals are present. Emergency services rely on signs to decide on the course of action they will take and the protective equipment they will wear.

Figure 2: Sign for Storing 1,000 Litres or More of Diesel

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Signs should be put close to where the hazardous chemicals are stored, but not too close. People need to be warned of the danger before coming across the hazardous chemicals. Signs must not be put in places where they may be obscured.

When hazardous chemicals are stored inside a building, signs must be put at each entrance to the building. If the hazardous chemicals are in a particular room within a building, the entrance to that room must also have a sign. There must also be a sign at the entrance to the land where the building is located.

Work processes

Exposure can also be minimised by setting up certain work processes. Examples include:

job rotation to reduce the amount of time that a worker is exposed to the hazardous chemical restricting access to areas where hazardous chemicals are used keeping hazardous chemicals in closed and secured containers keeping flammable chemicals out of the air cylinders should be stored, handled and used in an upright way, unless they have specifically been designed

for horizontal use

Oxy-acetylene welding equipment is one of the few exceptions where two incompatible hazardous chemicals (acetylene, a flammable gas; and oxygen, an oxidiser) are permitted to be used together. Because of the incompatibility of these chemicals, gas cylinders must be maintained correctly. If your workplace keeps spare acetylene and oxygen cylinders, they must be stored separately to minimise the potential for harm if an incident involving one of the cylinders occurs.

5 A checklist on what workers need to know is contained on Page 21 of http://www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz/media/13982/epa_your_practical_guide_2.pdf

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Welding activities are capable of causing workplace fires, so it is important to take all necessary safety precautions when welding. Oxy-acetylene welding kits must have flashback arrestors fitted – if the item being welded ignites, the flashback arrestors stop the flame from travelling down the lines to the cylinders.

Smaller amounts of flammable chemicals should be stored in an approved metal cabinet.

Hazardous atmosphere zones

A hazardous atmosphere zone is an area where flammable vapours may be present around a place where flammable chemicals are used or stored. In the zone, special precautions need to be taken to prevent ignition.

Within each zone, potential ignition sources must be identified. Electrical equipment must be suitable for the zone or kept away from areas where vapour might build up, such as hazardous chemicals stores and workrooms. Managers should obtain advice and, if necessary, an electrical certificate from a registered electrical inspector to ensure electrical equipment is intrinsically safe or is at a safe distance from a hazardous atmosphere zone.

Monitoring

If workers may be exposed to hazardous chemicals through their work, it is important that their health is frequently monitored to check that the minimisation techniques that have been adopted are sufficient and the health of workers is protected. This monitoring might be, for example, testing their respiration.

Workers’ exposure to chemicals should also be monitored to determine if the control measures and PPE are sufficient. This could include air monitoring as well as monitoring blood and urine.

The results of air monitoring should be compared with workplace exposure standards (WES). A WES refers to the level of a chemical in the air that is safe for nearly all workers to be exposed to. The values are usually calculated based on exposure over eight hours, fifteen minutes or, in some cases, instantaneous exposure. Workers must not be exposed to levels of hazardous chemicals that exceed a WES. The monitoring of hazardous chemicals in the air and comparing these results to a WES should be done by a specialist such as an occupational hygienist.

Some workers may have a hypersensitivity to particular chemicals, dusts, vapours or gases (e.g. workers with asthma or eczema). Pre-employment health checks will identify vulnerable workers and provide recommendations for appropriate controls to prevent occupational harm. Managers must ensure that additional controls are utilised and monitored.

Testing of gas cylinders

Gas cylinders should be tested to ensure that they remain safe to use. Poorly maintained gas cylinders may leak, which could cause workers to become exposed to hazardous chemicals or could potentially cause an explosion.

Training5

6 To access the calculator, go to http://www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz/hsno-calculator

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Training should cover the controls that are in place to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals, e.g. ventilation or safe ways of dispensing hazardous chemicals. Training on why PPE must be worn and how to use, clean and store it safely is also essential.

Recovery Engineering

Secondary containment

Secondary containment must be provided if storage is above specified levels. This is necessary to minimise the extent of a spill and help recover the spilled chemical. These levels can be calculated using the HSNO calculator6.

An above-ground secondary containment system must have a capacity of at least 110% of the capacity of the tank – for tanks over 450 litres.

Administrative

Fire extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are required when the amounts of flammable or oxidising chemicals exceed certain limits. However, it is best practice to always have suitable fire extinguishers if any flammable, oxidising or toxic chemicals are stored on the site.

Fire extinguishers must be within 30 metres of flammable or oxidising chemicals.

Spill kits

Spill kits should be available to contain small spills. The equipment needed in your spill kit will depend on what hazardous chemicals are stored on the site and the amount that could possibly be spilled.

Emergency response plan

There must be an emergency response plan that covers all the emergencies that might arise for the hazardous chemicals onsite. There must be drills with this plan. The plan must provide for:

calling emergency services warning people at the workplace and in nearby areas that an emergency has occurred advising people how they can protect themselves and how they can help other people naming people with specific responsibilities (such as fire wardens and first-aiders), including their contact

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Appendix A: Definitions

Terminology Description

Approval Approved hazardous are given an approval number and a set of controls that workers using the chemicals need to follow to help manage the risks associated with the chemical. The approval number will generally be found in Section 15 (the Regulatory Section) of the SDS and will be of the format HSR00XXXX

Approved Handler Someone who has specific knowledge and experience on how to use particular hazardous chemicals safely. This person needs to apply to a test certifier to get an approved handler test certificate

Controlled Zone An area around a flammable chemical where ignition sources must be controlled to prevent unintended ignition. Access within the controlled zone must also be limited to authorised people. Controlled zones also apply to oxidising chemicals

Location test certificate Certifies that the place where hazardous chemicals are used and stored is safely managed, according to the rules. Test certificates are issued by test certifiers

Safety data sheet (SDS) Includes information about how to use and store a hazardous chemical, first-aid information and what to do in an emergency. Safety data sheets must be provided by the supplier when a hazardous chemical is purchased for the first time

Test certificates A type of certification issued by test certifiers to show that users of hazardous chemicals have appropriate controls in place or have the appropriate knowledge and training. A test certificate may be required for people, locations or equipment

Test certifier An independent service provider approved by WorkSafe to issue test certificates

Workplace exposure standard (WES)

Refers to the level of a chemical in the air that is believed to be safe for nearly all workers after repeated exposure to that chemical. The values are usually calculated based on exposure over eight hours, 15 minutes or, in some cases, instantaneous exposure

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Appendix B: References Environmental Protection Agency (2016). Your Practical Guide: Working Safely with Hazardous Substances. http://www.hazardoussubstances.govt.nz/media/13982/epa_your_practical_guide_2.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency (2012). HSNOCOP 47 – Secondary Containment Systems. http://www.epa.govt.nz/Publications/HSNOCOP%2047.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency (2017). HSNOCOP 36 – Preparing for a Chemical Emergency. http://www.worksafe.govt.nz/worksafe/information-guidance/all-guidance-items/hsno/hsno-codes-of-practice/information-sheet-for-hsnocop36