Chemical Safety

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 58

CHEMICAL SAFETY

Safety
Safety is not the concern of one but of everyone.

Think safety first then act.


Chemical Safety
The condition of being safe from
undergoing hurt or harm during an
occurrence of chemical incident.
Chemical incident
An unintentional event that may
threaten to expose or do expose members of
the public to a chemical hazard.
Chemical Hazard
Any source of potential harm, damage or
adverse effect on someone or something.

Safety hazards pictograms are advance warnings of possible harm, damage or adverse effect on humans, animals and things. Safety first at all times.
Risk
The probability or
likelihood that a person or
a thing is harmed or
damaged when exposed to
a hazard.
Hazards & Classifications
❑Physical hazards
Factors within the environment that
may cause harm on the body even without
touching it and they are generally
discernible and perceptible.
❑Chemical hazards
Chemical substances that may cause harm upon
exposure to them.
❑Ergonomic hazards
Physical factors in the environment that may cause problems on the
musculoskeletal system.
❑Safety hazards
Working conditions that can cause injury,
illness or death.
❑Psychological
hazards
The aspects of the working environment
that may affect the mental health of the
individuals such as workload, stress and
discrimination.
❑Biological hazards
Biological substances such as viruses, bacteria and animals that may
threat the health of living organisms when exposed to it
Hazardous Substance
Any chemical that presents physical or health hazard.
❑Physical Hazard Substance
Chemical reagents or substances that are combustible liquids,
compressed gases, explosives, flammable, organic peroxides, oxidizers,
pyrophoric, unstable or reactive or water-reactive.

Physical hazard substances are classified as fire hazard, reactive hazard


and explosion hazard.
❑Health Hazard Substance
a chemical that may cause acute or chronic health effects to exposed
personnel.

Health hazard are classified as either systematic effect or target organ


effect.
Impact of Hazards
❑Acute hazards
Hazards that have obvious and immediate impact
❑Chronic hazards
Hazards that have more hidden, cumulative and long-term impact.
Assignment 1
Collect at least 10 safety hazard pictograms in chemistry
laboratories and in work place. Give the corresponding
meaning of the pictograph.
Republic Act 6969
AN ACT TO CONTROL TOXIC SUBSTANCES AND
HAZARDOUS AND NUCLEAR WASTES, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR
VIOLATIONS THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
GHS:
GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM
OF CLASSIFICATION AND
LABELING OF CHEMICALS
It is an internationally agreed-upon system created by the United
Nations that requires manufacturers, importers and downstream users
and distributors of chemical substances and mixtures.
GHS label template

1. Product Name /
Identifier
2. Signal Word
3. Precautionary
Symbols /
Pictograms
4. Physical, Health and
Environmental
Hazard Statement
5. Precautionary
Measures
6. Supplier
Identification
7. Supplemental
Information
GHS Labeling: Hazard Communication

Physical Hazards

• Oxidizing solids
• Oxidizing liquids
• Oxidizing gases

Fire Hazards • Flammable solids


• Flammable liquids
• Flammable gases
• Flammable aerosols
• Substances which in contact
with water, emits flammable
gases
• Pyrophoric solids
• Pyrophoric liquids
GHS Labeling: Hazard Communication

Physical Hazards

Self-heating substances

Self-reactive substances
Reactive Hazards Organic peroxides

Corrosive to metals
GHS Labeling: Hazard Communication

Health Hazards

• Carcinogenicity
• Respiratory sensitization
Target Organ • Reproductive toxicology
Effects • Target organ systemic toxicity
• Germ Cell Mutagenicity
• Aspiration toxicity
GHS Labeling: Hazard Communication

Environmental Hazards

• Acute aquatic toxicity


• Chronic aquatic toxicity
▪ Oxidizers
Substances which can either be solids, liquids or gases. They are
materials that are not necessarily combustible but may generally yield oxygen which
may contribute to or cause combustion reactions.

▪ Flammable solids
Solid substances which can either be readily combustible or may cause or
contribute to fire through friction. They can be in the form of granules, powder and
pastry which is easily ignited when come into contact with an ignition source.

▪ Flammable liquids
Liquid substances with flash points of not more than 93°C.
▪ Flammable gases
Gases with flammable range in air at 20°C and at standard pressure of
101.3kPa.

▪ Flammable aerosols
Gas that (1) was compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure within a
non-refillable container that was made up of metal, glass or plastic and (2)
contains any component classifies as flammable solid, liquid or gas.

▪ Emits flammable gas


Substances that can either solids or liquids that are liable to become
spontaneously flammable or to give off flammable gases when get in contact with
water.
▪ Pyrophorics
Substances which can either be solids or liquids that are liable to ignite
within five minutes after having been in contact with air even at very small
quantities.

▪ Self-heating substances
Solid or liquid substances that are not classified as pyrophorics but is
liable to self-heat when comes in contact with air even in the absence of energy.

▪ Self-reactive substances
Substances that are either (1) thermally unstable liquids or (2) solids that
may undergo strong exothermal decomposition even in the absence of the
participation of oxygen but (3) are not classified as corrosives, explosive or organic
peroxides under the GHS.
▪ Organic peroxides
Substances which are either solid or liquid substance that contains
bivalent O-O structure. These substances may be liable to explosive decomposition,
burn rapidly, be sensitive to impact or friction or react dangerously to other
substances.

▪ Corrosive to metals
Substances that materially damaged metals through chemical reaction.

▪ Explosives
Substances or mixtures of substances that can either be solids or liquids
which in their selves are capable to produce a gas, by a chemical reaction, at such
speed as to cause damage to the surroundings.

▪ Gases under pressure


Gases that are contained inside a receptacle with a pressure of not less
than 280 Pascal at 20°C.
▪ Carcinogens
Chemical substances that induce cancer or increase its incidence.

▪ Respiratory sensitizers
Chemical substances that cause the airways to be hypersensitive after
inhalation of the substance.

▪ Reproductive toxicity
Chemical substances may cause infertility, adverse effects on sexual functions
and/or developmental toxicity on the offspring.

▪ Target organ systemic toxicity


Substances that may cause either reversible or irreversible damages on
specific body organs which affects their functions.
▪ Germ Cell Mutagenicity
Substances that may cause gene mutations of organisms to occur.

▪ Aspiration toxicity
Substances that may have severe acute effects of varying degrees of
pulmonary injury or death following aspiration.

▪ Acute aquatic toxicity


Substances that may cause injury to aquatic organisms after a short-term
exposure to the substance.

▪ Chronic aquatic toxicity


Substances that may causes adverse effects to aquatic organisms during
exposures based on the organism’s life cycle.
NFPA Diamond & SDS: Hazard Communication

NFPA Hazard Identification System

The National Fire Protection Agency Hazard Identification System is a


quick visual representation of a chemical substance in terms of its
reactivity, flammability, health hazard and special hazards.
Quick visual
representation
of a chemical
substance in
terms of:
▪ Reactivity,
▪ Flammability,
▪ Health hazard
&
▪ Special
hazards.
GHS Safety Data Sheet

The GHS Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provides comprehensive information on the
chemical substance being handled. It comprises of the following minimum
elements:

1. Identification of the substance or mixture and of


the supplier
Includes the GHS product identifier and other means of product
identification, recommended and restricted uses of the product and the
supplier’s information details.

2. Hazards identification
Includes the GHS classification of the substance or mixture, GHS label
elements and precautionary statements and other hazards that are not covered
by GHS.
3. Composition or information of ingredients
For substances, this include the substance’s chemical identity, CAS
number, EC number, impurities and stabilizing additives. For mixtures, the chemical
identity and concentration of the ingredient(s) which is (are) identified us
hazardous, the cut-off levels of reproductive toxicity and, carcinogenicity,
mutagenicity and other hazard classes.

4. First aid measures


Provides description of necessary measures to each of the different routes
of exposure (inhalation, skin contact, eye contact and ingestion), the most
important symptoms and indications when medical attention or treatment is
needed.

5. Firefighting measures
Provides a list of suitable distinguishing media, the specific hazards
arising from the chemicals and the proper protective equipment and precautions
needed during firefighting activities.
6. Accidental release measures
Provides the personal and environmental precautions including the proper
personal protective equipment and the appropriate method and materials used
during clean ups.

7. Handling and storage


Provides precautions during handling and the conditions for safe storage.

8. Exposure controls and personal protection


Shows the control parameters, engineering controls and appropriate
personal protective equipment.
9. Physical and chemical properties
Includes the list of both the physical and chemical properties of the
substance such as but not limited to appearance, pH, odor, melting point, initial
boiling point, flash point, evaporation rate, flammability, vapor pressure, vapor
density, relative density, solubility, auto-ignition temperature and decomposition
temperature.

10. Stability and reactivity


Show the product’s stability, possible hazardous reactions, conditions
to avoid, incompatible materials and hazardous decomposition products.

11. Information toxicological


Gives concise but complete information on various toxicological
effects, its route of exposure, symptoms and delayed and immediate effects and
numerical toxicity scale
12. Ecological information
Show information of the product’s ecotoxicity, persistence and
degradability, bio accumulative potential, mobility in soil.

13. Disposal considerations


Gives the description of waste residue and information of its proper
handling and disposal.

14. Transport information


Provides the UN number, UN proper shipping name, transport precautions,
identification as marine pollutant, packaging.

15. Regulatory information


Shows the environmental, safety and health regulations specific to the
product.

16. Other information


Hazards Control
1.Elimination
This is the most effective means of minimizing the exposure of personnel to a
chemical hazard. In here, the hazard is physically removed from the work
environment.
2. Substitution
If elimination is not possible, a chemical that is less hazardous is used to
replace the existing more hazardous one.
3. Engineering Controls
If the above measures are not available, isolating the people away from
the hazard can be done such as the establishment of a safety
compartment that separates or limits the exposure of the personnel from
the hazard.
4. Administrative Controls
The way people handle the chemicals can also be a means to minimize the
effects of being exposed to the harmful substance. Changing the way people
work is what comprise the administrative controls.
5. Personal Protective Equipment
Protecting oneself from a hazard with appropriate personal protective
equipment is the first line of defense when limiting the exposure from a
hazard. However, this method of exposure control is the least efficient of
them all.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be
classified according to the part of the body that
it intends to protect.

1. Eye and face protection


a) Safety spectacles
b) Eye goggles
c) Face shields
2. Respiratory protection
a) Filtration respirators
b) Chemical cartridge devices
c) Air-supplying equipment
3. Hand and arm protection
a) Gloves

4. Foot and leg protection

5. Torso protection
a) Laboratory gowns and coats
Constraints of Hazard Controls
1. The use of PPE does not change the fact that the hazard still exists.

2. Wearing a defective PPE offers no protection.

3. Improper wearing of PPE may not give maximum protection.

4. The PPE may be a cause of additional hazard.


Prepping for Emergencies
1. In case of burns and small cuts, look for a laboratory first
aid kit and treat self accordingly. Go to the nearest clinic
or hospital, as the need arises.

2. In case of laboratory spillage, know the property of the


substance that you are to deal with. Make sure to use the
appropriate spill kit available. Protect yourself with
appropriate personal protective equipment. Confine the spill
clean it up and properly dispose.
3. In case of chemical splashes, head to the nearest eye wash or eye
shower and follow proper procedures as indicated on the product’s
SDS.

4. Check on the labels of the available fire extinguishers near the


workplace. In case of fire, make sure that you are using the appropriate
type.

5. Always put SAFETY FIRST.


References

Globally Harmonized System (GHS). Accessed on December 13, 2022 at


https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/ghs.html
Prepared by:

Frederick O. Ramos, RChE, MBE, PhD

You might also like