Safe Handling of Hazardous Chemicals

 4 Tips for Safe Handling of Hazardous Chemicals

Handling hazardous chemicals is a job requirement in many workplaces, but it can also be dangerous. Employees who contact hazardous chemicals to perform their duties must understand guidelines for safely handling these substances. Mandates such as OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) ensure that information about chemical and toxic substance hazards in the workplace and protective measures are readily available for workers. To help you maintain a safe workplace, we have outlined a few fundamental guidelines for handling hazardous chemicals. In this blog, we will see 4 Fundamental tips for Chemical Handling.

1. Regular Update of Stock

 

The dropped flask had been stored at the base of a freezer for up to eight years, and most employees were completely unaware of its existence, let alone its place. Somewhere the flask and its details would have been recorded on a central inventory/stocks, but by having a list of contents indicated on the freezer, the scientists would identify precisely what they were dealing with every time they opened the door.

2. Use suitable storage vessels

The glass flask instantly shattered when it was dropped, spilling deadly bacteria into the freezer and across the lab floor. Had the contents been reserved in a metal or reinforced plastic flask, the fall would have persisted without opening. The problem was further compounded by the fact that the flask was covered in a plastic bag. The tearing of the bag drove the scientist to lose their hold, dropping it onto the floor.

3. Label containers properly

The investigation into the incident later found that the flask had been labeled correctly but had iced up, making it unreadable. Worse still, by placing the flask in a paper bag, the label was also hidden from view, significantly increasing the risk of an accident.

Apparently, the answer is to use a labeling system that can withstand the specific environmental demands of where the chemicals are being used and stored.

4. Training for emergencies

The immediate actions of the scientists and the lab’s clean-up crew helped to reduce potential exposure to the bacteria. The scientists were able to raise the alarm and evacuate their workspace quickly and efficiently before anyone came into physical contact with the sample.

In the event of a biohazard emergency, every member of staff knew exactly what they must do, and they followed the plan perfectly. Although there were many mistakes in the lead-up to the accident, the evacuation and clean-up plan may have saved many lives. Fortunately, no one contracted TB, proving the lab safeguards did work in the end.

Reducing and managing risk

As part of a comprehensive workplace risk assessment, businesses must consider and prepare for the worst potential scenario. That means identifying how employees may come into contact with dangerous chemicals and training them to deal with such situations.

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