
Session Objectives • You will be able to: • Recognize hazards posed by materials • Know how to find safety and health information about hazardous materials • Understand required precautions for safe handling of all materials • Know what to do in an emergency
Regulation of Hazardous Materials • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Department of Transportation (DOT) • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Department of Transportation (DOT)
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard • You have the right to know: • Materials in the workplace • How these materials can be hazardous • How to handle materials safely to protect yourself from hazards
Hazard Classes • Corrosive • Flammable • Toxic • Reactive • Radioactive
Information About Hazardous Materials • Labels • MSDS • Supervisor
Primary ContainerLabel • Identity of the material • Manufacturer contact information • Physical/health hazards • Special handling • PPE recommendations • First aid, fire response,and spill cleanup
SecondaryContainer Labels • Identity of the material • Hazard warnings Note: Secondary containers must be appropriate for the job and material; old milk bottles are not appropriate!
Information Resource: The MSDS • Is a written description of a hazard related to a material • Describes the risks, precautions, and remedies to exposure • Must be readily available to you • Read the MSDS before working with a material!
MSDS (cont.) • Material and manufacturer identity • Hazardous ingredients and exposure levels (PEL or TLV) • Physical and chemical properties • Fire, explosion, and reactivity
MSDS (cont.) • Health hazards: • Routes of entry • Symptoms of exposure • First-aid and emergency information
MSDS (cont.) • Spills and leaks • Safe handling and storage • PPE • Compliance issues
Physical States Of Matter (Materials) • Plasma • Liquid • Solid • Gas • Physical state can affect route of exposure
How Materials Enter Your Body Inhalation Skin absorption and eye contact
How Materials Enter Your Body (cont.) • Ingestion (eatingcontaminated food) • Penetration through a cut, puncture, or injection
Symptoms of Overexposure • Skin or eye irritation • Difficulty breathing • Dizziness • Headache • Nausea and vomiting
Typical Hazardsand Information:Q&A Q. How can any material be hazardous? A. Corrosive, toxic, flammable, reactive, radioactive Q. What is the most complete source of information about a material’s hazards? A. Material safety data sheet (MSDS) Q. What are the primary routes of exposure? A. Inhalation, absorption, ingestion, injection
Typical Hazards And Information • Do you understand: • What hazards are posed by materials you use? • How to find information about materials? • Physical states of materials? • Exposure routes? • Symptoms of overexposure?
General Rules For Handling Materials Safely • Follow all established procedures • Be cautious and plan ahead • Use required PPE • Make sure containers are properly labeled • Always read labels and MSDSs before handling any materials • Use the materials only as intended • Follow all established procedures • Be cautious and plan ahead • Use required PPE • Make sure containers are properly labeled • Always read labels and MSDSs before handling any materials • Use the materials only as intended
General Rules for Handling Materials Safely(cont.) • Never eat or drink while handling • Never smell or taste a material • Know emergency procedures and equipment • Store all materials properly • Keep yourself and your work area clean
Handling Flammable Liquids Safely • Keep containers closed when not in use • Keep away from ignition sources • Avoid contact with incompatible materials • Transfer to approved containers only • Bond and ground containers when transferring flammable liquids • Clean up spills and dispose of waste properly • Keep containers closed when not in use • Keep away from ignition sources • Avoid contact with incompatible materials • Transfer to approved containers only • Bond and ground containers when transferring flammable liquids • Clean up spills and dispose of waste properly
Proper Storage of Flammable Liquids • Store flammable liquids only in approved storage rooms and cabinets • Understand and follow all storage rules • Replace bung caps with drum vents after receiving containers • Ground all drums properly
Handling Incompatible Materials Safely • Consequences of mixing incompatible materials include: • Fire • Explosion • Chemical reactions • Release of heat • Splashing • Degradation of materials
Handling Incompatible Materials Safely (cont.) • Avoid mixing: • Flammables and oxidizers or ignition sources • Acids and cyanides • Strong acids and alkalines • Concentrated acids and water • Organic solvents and corrosives • Corrosives and other reactive materials • Avoid mixing: • Flammables and oxidizers or ignition sources • Acids and cyanides • Strong acids and alkalines • Concentrated acids and water • Organic solvents and corrosives • Corrosives and other reactive materials
Responding to Emergencies • Emergency phone numbers • Spill response • Equipment shutdown procedures • Evacuation routes and assembly areas
Image Credit: Stafford Industrial Supplies, Ltd. What Emergency Personnel Need to Know • Emergency cleanup and disposal procedures • Required PPE • Use of cleanup and emergency equipment • Fire-fighting and first-aid measures
First Aid—Eye Exposure • Don’t rub eyes • Go directly to an eyewash station • Hold eyelids open and flush with water for 15 minutes • Do not contaminate the other eye • Seek immediate medical attention
First Aid—Skin Exposure • Remove clothing and jewelry from affected area • Flush area with water for 15 minutes • Use an emergency shower if necessary • Seek immediate medical attention
First Aid—Inhalation • Get into fresh air • Seek immediate medical attention
First Aid—Ingestion • Check the MSDS for first-aid instructions • Call the poison control center for additional assistance • Induce vomiting only if directed • Get immediate medical attention
Safe Handling Procedures:Make the Safe Choice a. Water Flammables should be kept away from: When transferring flammable liquids, containers must be: If you get chemicals on your skin: Mixing incompatibles could cause: b. Ignition sources a. Locked out b. Bonded and grounded a. Flush with water b. Rub with hand lotion a. An electrical shock b. Fire or explosion
Safe Handling Procedures (cont.) • Do you understand: • General rules for handling hazardous/reactive materials safely? • How to handle flammable materials safely? • How to handle incompatibles? • Emergency procedures? • First aid for chemical emergencies?
Key Points to Remember • Most materials can be hazardous in some way • You can avoid injuries and illness if you know how to safely handle all materials • Always wear required PPE and follow established safety procedures • Know what to do in the event of an emergency involving hazardous/reactive materials