1. BLR’s Safety Training Presentations
Safe Chemical Handling
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Although there are no specific standards on safe chemical handling, it is important that all employees who use chemicals understand the hazards associated with the process.
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR gives you the right to know about the chemicals you work with and their associated hazards.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

2. Categories of Hazardous Chemicals
Corrosive
Flammable
Toxic
Reactive
Biological (infectious)
Carcinogen (cancer-causing)
Radioactive
I. Background for the Trainer:
If an MSDS is available for a specific chemical, distribute it to the class or read the information that applies.
II. Speaker’s Notes:
Companies must keep inventories of their hazardous chemicals.
This inventory will allow companies to determine which categories of chemicals they have.
Most of this information should be covered in a company’s Hazard Communication Program.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

3. Physical States of Hazardous Materials
Liquid
Solid
Gas
Vapor
I. Speaker Notes:
It is important for the users of chemicals to know what physical state they are in.
The physical state can affect the routes of exposure, or how the chemical can enter and harm your body.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

4. How to Handle Chemicals Properly
Use cautions
Always follow procedures
Read all labels
Keep yourself and the work area clean
Plan ahead
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Handling chemicals safely involves a lot of common sense; however, learning and understanding specifics about the chemical is very important.
Always use caution when using chemicals. Follow all the proper procedures every time. Taking shortcuts could result in accidents.
The first thing you should do before using any chemical is to read the container label —it will give you the basic hazards and precautions associated with the chemical.
Plan ahead when using chemicals. Have all the PPE, equipment, and other items you need nearby.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

5. 11006115 Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Routes of Exposure
Inhalation
Ingestion
Absorption
Injection
I. Speaker’s Notes:
These are the four primary routes of exposure.
The most common route is inhalation because most chemicals are used in the liquid state; therefore, if they are volatile, they will give off vapors that can be inhaled when in the breathing zone.
Ingesting does not mean drinking a chemical. Ingestion can occur when eating or drinking after using a chemical.
Absorption means evaporating through skin contact or mucous membranes.
Injection usually occurs by accidental needlepricks or sharp injuries.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

6. Symptoms of Possible Overexposure
Eye discomfort
Breathing difficulty
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Skin irritation
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Should you or anyone you know suffer any of these symptoms while working with chemicals, seek medical attention immediately and report the incident to your supervisor.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

7. Incompatible Chemicals
Flammables and oxidizers
Flammables and any ignition source
Acids and cyanides
Strong acids and strong alkalines
Concentrated acids and water
Organic solvents and corrosives
Corrosives and other reactive materials
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Severe consequences can result from mixing the chemicals listed on this slide.
These events include:
Fire
Explosion
Chemical Reactions
Release of Heat (Energy)
Splashing and Spattering
Degradation of materials
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

8. Agencies That Regulate Hazardous Chemical Storage
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Department of Transportation (DOT)
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Companies that use hazardous chemicals will be regulated by any and all of these agencies, depending on the specific use.
OSHA deals with the productive use of chemicals.
NFPA deals with flammable and combustible chemicals.
EPA deals with wastes associated with hazardous chemicals.
DOT deals with the transportation of hazardous chemicals.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

9. Handling Flammable Chemicals
Keep containers closed when not in use
Keep away from ignition sources
Avoid contact with incompatible materials
Only transfer to approved containers
Bond all receiving containers
Clean up spills and dispose of waste properly
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Flammable chemicals are widely used in industry.
It is important that companies that use these chemicals understand storage and use requirements.
Bonding receiving containers will dissipate static electricity and prevent explosion.
During any spill response, make sure only nonsparking tools are used and that any potential ignition sources are eliminated.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

10. Proper Storage of Flammable Chemicals
Ensure that storage areas meet regulatory requirements
Replace all bung caps with drum vents after receiving containers
Ground all drums properly
Store quantities in approved storage rooms and cabinets
Store only in small quantities
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Make sure all storage containers are approved for use with flammable materials.
Grounding and venting are important for reducing the likelihood of fire or explosion.
If barrels or drums are heated and build up pressure, they can blast off like a rocket.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

11. 11006115 Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
General Safety Tips
Never eat, drink, or smoke while using hazardous chemicals
Use personal protective equipment as required
Make sure all chemical containers are properly labeled
Always wash up after using chemicals
I. Background for the Trainer:
Show examples of personal protective equipment that can be used when handling chemicals.
II. Speaker’s Notes:
Always practice good personal hygiene when using chemicals.
Always respect the chemicals you handle.
If you do not know what a chemical is, or have not been trained to use it, don’t use it.
Be sure to wash thoroughly with soap and water after using any chemical.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

12. General Safety Tips (cont.)
Never smell or taste a chemical to identify it
Know all emergency procedures and equipment
Always read labels’ MSDSs prior to use
Store all hazardous chemicals properly
Always use hazardous chemicals as intended
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Prior to using a chemical, obtain all available information so that you have additional information about the chemical.
To identify any chemical, read the label and refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet. These tools will give you all the information you need to work safely with the chemical.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

13. Primary Container Labels
Identity of the hazardous chemical
Appropriate hazard warnings
Name and address of the manufacturer or importer
Target organ effects
I. Speaker Notes:
Chemical labels give you basic information at a glance, including:
The identity of the chemical
The hazard warnings
The name and address of the manufacturer
Target organ effects, or the organs of your body that could be harmed by using the chemical.
You can not deface the manufacturer’s label or cover it with a label of your own.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

14. Secondary Container Labels
Identity of the hazardous chemical
Hazard warning information
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Secondary containers are those that a chemical is transferred to.
Make sure that secondary containers are labeled with this information so that the user can adequately trace the material back to the original container for additional hazard information.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

15. Handling Chemical Emergencies
Know emergency phone numbers
Know how to control the spill
Know proper equipment shutdown procedure
Know proper evacuation routes and assembly areas
I. Background for the Trainer:
If your company has existing emergency procedures for dealing with chemicals, show it to the class at this time.
II. Speaker’s Notes:
If employees are uncertain how to handle the emergency, they should evacuate the area and let someone else handle it.
Information on this slide is contained in our Emergency Action Plan. It’s covered by a different OSHA standard, 29 CFR
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

16. What Emergency Personnel Should Know
Emergency cleanup and disposal measures
Required protective equipment
Use of cleanup equipment
Firefighting and other emergency measures (i.e., first aid)
Use of other emergency equipment
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Even if outside personnel perform emergency services relative to a chemical spill, the owner of the company must ensure that proper emergency procedures are followed.
All nontrained personnel should stay away from the emergency area.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

17. First Aid for Chemicals in the Eyes
Don’t rub the eyes
Hold eyelids open and flush with water for 15 minutes
Be careful not to contaminate the other eye
Seek additional medical attention
I. Background for the Trainer:
If you have a NIOSH Pocket Guide for Hazardous Chemicals available, show it to the class and discuss the section on first-aid response for a familiar chemical.
Point out where eyewash stations are located within the facility.
II. Speaker’s Notes:
This information can also be found on almost any material safety data sheet for a given chemical.
If you do not know first-aid procedures and have not been properly trained, do not attempt to perform first aid on a victim.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

18. First Aid for Chemicals on the Skin
Flush area with lukewarm water for 15 minutes
Remove clothing and jewelry from burn area
Seek additional medical attention
I. Background for the Trainer:
Point out where emergency chemical wash stations are location in the facility.
Inform employees where emergency phone numbers are posted.
II. Speaker’s Notes:
Follow these procedures as outlined.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

19. First Aid for Chemical Inhalation
Move victim to fresh air
Get immediate help
I. Speaker’s Notes:
Follow these procedures as in cases of chemical inhalation.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

20. First Aid for Chemical Ingestion
Induce vomiting only if told to do so by Poison Control
Get immediate medical attention
I. Background for the Trainer:
Give out the number of Poison Control in your area. Be sure employees write it down and post the number in plain sight as well.
II. Speaker’s Notes:
Follow these procedures as outlined.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

21. Quiz
1. Two primary routes of exposure to hazardous chemicals are ___________________ and ___________________.
2. Gas, liquids, and aerosols are the three states of hazardous materials. True or False
3. The Department of Transportation does not regulate hazardous chemicals. True or False
4. Two dangerous incompatible materials are __________________________________ and cyanides.
I. Background for the Trainer:
Handout the quiz copies. Go over the questions verbally and have the employees write their answers on their quiz sheets.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

22. Quiz (cont.)
5. Flammables and oxidizers should never be stored together. True or False
6. Secondary container labels should include ______________________________________ and hazard warning information.
7. Three symptoms of overexposure to hazardous chemicals are ____________, ____________, and ____________.
8. Carcinogens are chemicals that cause birth defects in unborn children. True or False
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Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

23. Quiz (cont.)
9. Flammables should always be used away from sources of ________________________________.
10. If a chemical has been used by a company before, the containers do not have to be labeled. True or False
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Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

24. Quiz Answers
1. The primary routes of exposure to hazardous chemicals are inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and injection.
2. False. Liquids, solids, gases, and vapors are the four states of hazardous materials.
3. False. The Department of Transportation does regulate hazardous chemicals.
4. Two dangerous incompatible materials are acids and cyanides.
5. True. Flammables and oxidizers are incompatible and should never be stored together.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.

25. Quiz Answers (cont.)
6. Secondary container labels should include the identity of the material and hazard warning information.
7. Three symptoms of overexposure to hazardous chemicals are eye discomfort, breathing difficulty, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting and skin irritation.
8. False. Carcinogens are chemicals that can cause cancer.
9. Flammables should always be used away from sources of ignition.
10. False. Even if a chemical has been used before, it must always be labeled if it is hazardous.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.
Copyright ã1999 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.