1. University of Southern Indiana Chemical Safety on the Job

2. 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

3. 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“

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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 2 Basic “Uniform Labels”
HMIS - Hazardous Material Identification System
NFPA - National Fire Protection Association
Both types must identify the
chemical name and hazards

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

17. 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

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

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

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

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

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

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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. 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

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

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

43. 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

44. 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

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

46. 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

47. 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

48. 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

49. 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

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

51. 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

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

53. 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?

54. 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

55. 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