Working with chemicals isn’t an easy job as a strict implementation of precautionary and safety measures is required. Accidents can happen anywhere, therefore it’s better to have a risk-mitigation plan in place from the get-go. Chemical pose an environmental and physical threat to the humans, failure to adhere to safety guidelines leads to negligence, which can cause workplace injury or even death.
Guidelines for Safely Handling Chemicals at Work
Keeping inventory
Carefully read and record the chemical label and
MSD or material data sheet. Using unfamiliar chemical reagent puts you at a risk. Make sure you know the chemical’s nature or characteristics, before you start using it. The most common information to gain, before testing a new chemical is as follow :
- Chemical compatibility : can you safely mix this chemical with other reagents without causing an explosion ?
- Check chemical reactivity : some agents can be highly reactive, when exposed to moisture or oxygen. Read the chemical formula, before exposing it to the environment.
- Chemical flammability : check to see if the chemical is highly flammable.
- Determine if the chemical is volatile in nature.
- Toxic chemicals require specific handling and treatment procedures. Determine if your chemical is a mutagen or carcinogen. Have a risk- mitigation or safety protocol in place, in case a worker is exposed to this chemical.
- Different protective gear is required for different types of chemicals, know what you need, in order to safely handle the chemical.
MDS
The Material Data Sheet contains all the necessary information regarding the structure, risk of exposure and safety guidelines of handling chemicals. As per
Article 31 of EU’s Reach Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, all hazardous chemicals that pose a threat to the environment and human should have a detailed safety data sheet. Study it carefully, before using or storing the product.
Training and Handling
Employees need to be properly trained and educated about the risk of chemical exposure. Provide them with necessary safety gear and conduct drills and emergency protocol simulations to prepare them for any type of accident. Companies who deal with hazardous chemicals should always have a safety training program in place to keep their employees up to date about changing safety guidelines. In addition to this, your office/factory should have the necessary alarm, fire-extinguishing or safety system to reduce the impact of an accident caused by chemical exposure.
Proper Storage
Store chemicals according to the guidelines of safety sheet and make sure they are labeled correctly and clearly. All inflammable or toxic material should have clear hazardous signs on them. Moreover, avoid storing flammable material near machinery, ignition, heat, or gas cylinder. Store them in an isolated place, to prevent any type of accidents. Companies face a lot of backlash, when they mishandle hazardous substance or use wrong disposal methods. Exposure to harmful chemical has detrimental consequences. In addition to the damage done to the environment and human health, your company can also lose public’s trust. Use a trusted chemical supplier, who follows safety guidelines and provide quality chemical solutions like,
Watson International. We provide a wide range of quality products that can be used across different industries including pharmaceutical, cosmetic, electronic food and more. Our chemical solutions are developed by R
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