University of Southern Indiana Chemical Safety on the Job

We use many chemicals… We want you to know how to use them safely You will learn about… The Hazards of Chemicals Our Written Program How Chemicals are Labeled Safe Use of Chemicals Material Safety Data Sheets Basic Procedures for Spills Who you can ask for more information

Hazards of Chemicals… There are 2 basic types of chemical hazards Physical Hazards Health Hazards The first rule of chemical safety is… "Know what you are working with and how to protect yourself and others“

Physical Hazards… Chemicals are classified as having Physical Hazards if they are Explosive Compressed Gas Combustible Liquids Flammable Unstable Water Reactive Oxidizers

Physical Hazards… Some chemicals may be safe by themselves, but become dangerous when in contact with other substances.

Chemicals with Physical Hazards… Used only by trained employees Stored in a safe manner Never mixed with other chemicals unless by an approved procedure

Health Hazards Chemicals are classified as being a health hazard if they: Can cause cancer Are poisonous (toxic) Cause harm to your skin, internal organs, or nervous system Are corrosive - such as acids Cause allergic reactions after repeated exposure

Chemicals can enter the body through: your lungs if you breath fumes, mists or dust your skin if liquid or dust touches or spills on you or splashes in your eyes your mouth if you eat after handling chemicals accidental swallowing of a chemical

Health Effects… Some chemicals affect specific organs such as your kidneys, liver, reproductive or nervous system.

Our Written Hazard Communication Program provides… Written information on hazards Lists chemicals we use and their hazards System for ensuring chemicals are labeled Means to ensure we have an Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for each chemical

Our Written Hazard Communication Program… Lists who is responsible for the program Provides chemical specific safety training methods Tells you where to find chemical safety information You can see a copy of our written program by asking you supervisor

Labeling of Chemicals… Chemical labels provide information on Identity, Hazards and Safe Use All chemical containers are labeled by the manufacturer Our company may place additional labels on the containers

Labeling of Chemicals… If chemicals are placed in another container, this new container must have a a label placed on it. All containers must be properly labeled

Uniform Labeling System… Our university “Uniform Labels” are used to ensure we have one labeling system. These may be placed on containers when chemicals are delivered to us or chemicals are transferred to other containers

2 Basic “Uniform Labels” HMIS - Hazardous Material Identification System NFPA - National Fire Protection Association Both types must identify the chemical name and hazards

Uniform Labels… Pictures may be used to identify hazards and required protection This information may also be on the manufacturer’s label

HMIS and NFPA labels are very similar Both use colored boxes to identify specific hazards Numbers or codes in the boxes tell you the hazard value higher number = higher hazard

NFPA and HMIS Label Colors Red - Fire Hazard Blue - Health Hazard Yellow - Reactivity Hazard - explosive, unstable White - Special Hazards - corrosive, radioactive, water reactive, acid

NFPA Label.. The purpose of the NFPA 704 labeling system is to provide a way of quickly identifying the various fire related hazards associated with a particular material. The NFPA 704 "diamond" is commonly found on bulk storage containers, but is also widely used on chemical containers and the MSDS.

NFPA Flammability Codes 4 Materials that will rapidly or completely vaporize at atmospheric pressure and normal ambient temperature, or that are readily dispersed in air and that will burn readily. Liquids with a flashpoint below 73ºF and a boiling point below 100ºF.

NFPA Flammability Codes 3 Liquids and solid that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Liquids with a flashpoint below 73ºF and a boiling point above 100ºF or liquids with a flashpoint above 73ºF but not exceeding 100ºF and a boiling point below 100ºF.

NFPA Flammability Codes 2 Materials that must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur. Liquids with flashpoint above 100ºF but not exceeding 200ºF.

NFPA Flammability Codes 1 Materials that must be preheated before ignition can occur. Liquids that have a flashpoint above 200ºF. 0 Materials that will not burn.

NFPA Health Hazard Codes 4 Materials that on very short exposure could cause death or major residual injury. 3 Materials that on short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury.

NFPA Health Hazard Codes 2 Materials that on intense or continued, but not chronic exposure could cause incapacitation or possible residual injury.

NFPA Health Hazard Codes 1 Materials that on exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. 0 Materials that on exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material.

NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes 4 Materials that in themselves are readily capable of detonation or of explosive decomposition or reaction at normal temperatures and pressures.

NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes 3 Materials that in themselves are capable of detonation or explosive decomposition or reaction but require a strong initiating source or which must be heated under confinement before initiation or which react explosively with water.

NFPA Reactivity Hazard Codes 2 Materials that readily undergo violent chemical change at elevated temperatures and pressures or which react violently with water or which may form explosive mixtures with water.

NFPA Reactivity Codes 1 Materials that in themselves are normally stable, but which can become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures.

NFPA Reactivity Codes 0 Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and which are not reactive with water.

NFPA Special Hazard Codes ACID = Acid Products ALK = Alkali or Bases COR = Corrosive Products OX = Oxidizer W =Reacts with water Radioactive

What do I do… if there is no label or I cannot read the label? STOP - do not use the chemical TELL your supervisor READ the MSDS and have another label put on the container

Chemicals can be safely used if… you know the hazards and how to protect yourself they are used only for approved purposes they are stored properly you use the correct personal protective equipment

Chemicals can be safely used if… you do not eat in areas where chemicals are used you wash immediately if you come in contact with chemicals

Chemical Disposal… Each chemical and container must be disposed of properly No container is truly "empty" unless properly cleaned Follow MSDS requirements for container disposal

Chemical Disposal… Recycle unused chemicals Do not place hazardous chemicals in normal trash receptacles Do not pour chemicals into sinks, onto the ground or in storm drains

Safe Storage… Store incompatible chemicals in separate areas Limit the amount of flammable material to the minimum needed Store flammable liquids in approved flammable storage lockers

Safe Storage… Store acids in separate flammable storage lockers Do not store chemicals in a refrigerator used for food storage Do not store food in refrigerators used for chemical storage

In case of an emergency… Implement the proper Emergency Action Plan Evacuate people from the area Isolate the area-keep others from entering Turn off ignition and heat sources Only trained employees are permitted to clean up spills

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Show chemical safety information Each chemical has a separate MSDS MSDS is written by the chemical manufacturer MSDS are kept in the workplace for your use If you can't find an MSDS, ask your supervisor

Material Safety Data Sheets… are provided by the chemical manufacturer to provide additional information concerning safe use of the product.

Each MSDS tells you… 1. Common name and chemical name of the material 2. Name, address and phone number of the manufacturer 3. Emergency phone numbers for immediate hazard information 4. Date the MSDS was written

MSDS… 5. Hazardous ingredients 6.  Physical and health hazards of the chemicals 7.  Identification of chemical and physical properties 8.  First aid / emergency information 9.  Safe handling and use information

MSDS… have specific hazard information on Fire and Explosion Chemical Reactions Control Measures Health Hazards Spill and Leak Procedures

MSDS Fire and Explosion Information Material flash point, auto-ignition temperature and upper/lower flammability limits Fire extinguishing agents to be used Fire fighting techniques Any unusual fire or explosive hazards

MSDS Reaction Information Stability of Chemical.. Conditions and other materials which can cause reactions with the chemical Dangerous substances that can be produced when the chemical reacts

MSDS Control Measures Engineering controls required for safe product use Personal protective equipment required for use of product Safe storage requirements and guidelines Safe handling procedures

MSDS Health Hazards Permissible exposure and threshold limits (PEL and TLV) Symptoms of exposure Routes of entry into the body Medical conditions that can be made worse by exposure Cancer causing properties Emergency and first aid procedures

MSDS Spill and Leak Procedures Clean up techniques Personal protective equipment to be used during cleanup Disposal of waste and cleanup material

Protecting Yourself… Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may be needed to protect yourself from chemical hazards Use the PPE our university has required for each chemical Check the PPE before use to make sure it is not damaged

Protecting Yourself… Use face shield and goggles if there is a splash hazard Use the proper respirator for dusts, mists and fumes

Protecting Yourself… Use the right gloves when handling chemicals Properly clean and store your PPE after use Don't take PPE home - why risk exposing your family?

Stay safe when using chemicals… Know what you are working with Know where MSDS are located and how to use them Ask your supervisor if you have questions Only trained employees may use chemicals

Stay Safe… Make sure all containers are properly labeled Use the proper protective equipment Store chemicals only in approved areas Immediately report leaks and spills Dispose of used chemicals and containers properly