Management
of
Hazardous Materials
Albert L. Asprec, M.D., M.O.H.
Mgmt should anticipate or predict
the real & potential hazards before
a chemical, or process involving
the use of chemicals is introduced
into the plant.
Planning
1. Hazard anticipation
2. Hazard Identification
3. MSDS
4. Labeling of containers
5. Hazard Assessment
6. Control
1. Hazard Anticipation
New chemical products & processes
using chemicals should be evaluated for
potential hazards prior to purchase
A procedure for acquisition of
chemicals should also be set up
Information on hazards of the
chemicals and requirements for
protection against such hazards
should be sought from the suppliers
Chemicals should not be purchased
if such protection to workers &
environment is not available
Toxic or hazardous chemicals should
only be used after considering the:
degree of risk involved
operational & economic effects of
substitution with a less toxic or
less hazardous chemical
Rule of thumb for
hazard anticipation
Which is safer?
Open process Closed process
Which is safer?
Manual Automatic
Operation Operation
Which is safer?
High pressure Low pressure
Which is safer?
Gas Liquid
Which is safer?
Aqueous Organic
systems solvents
Which is safer?
Pelletized Pulverized
solids solids
Volatility
Ability of a liquid to vaporize or form
vapors, a greater hazard than the
liquids themselves
Which is safer?
High Pressure Low Pressure
liquid liquid
Flash point
Lowest Temp for vapor to form a
flammable mixture with the air &
produce a fire, if ignited by an
external source
Which is safer?
Low High
Flash Point Flash Point
Auto – ignition Temp
Temp at which a flammable vapor-
air mixture or gas will ignite by
itself, without an external ignition
source.
Which is safer?
Auto-ignition Temp
High Low
Flammable Limits
Extremes of vapor or gas
concentration above and below
which the mixture will not support or
propagate flame. (%)
Which is safer?
Range of Flammability of Gas
Wide Narrow
Vapor Pressure
Pressure exerted on a volatile liquid
in pounds per square inch absolute
(PSIA) to prevent it from vaporizing
Which is safer?
Gas in:
Pressurized Normal
Environment Pressure
Which is safer?
Boiling Point:
Low High
2. Hazard Identification
Requires knowledge of the process
Operation of work activities
Information on the chemical used
Manner & condition of usage
Frequency & duration of usage
Control measures employed
Requires knowledge of the
process
Hazardous Chemical
Processes
Combustion - determine the bi-products
Melting of metal - fumes or dust
Electric discharge in the air - production
of ozone & oxides of nitrogen
Dry grinding (milling, blasting, crushing)
- dust material
Wet grinding - mist production
Mixing of dry materials - dust
Mixing of wet materials - mists, vapors
Cold bending, forming, cutting of metals
& non-metals - contact with lubricant mist
Hot bending, forming, cutting of metals &
non-metals - contact with lubricant dust &
decomposition products of lubricant
Painting, coating - solvents and pigments
Explosive process - CO, NO, dust
Ultrasound binding
Laser marking/etching with paint
Inspection by X-ray
Soldering / de-soldering / re-soldering
3. MSDS
Available on file, on floor, on
container
Incomplete MSDS should not be
accepted
Information never withheld
No alteration (except in translation)
Explained to all potentially exposed
Not a confidential document
MSDS
Product name
Product description
Active ingredients/ formulation
Toxicological Properties (Classification)
Mode of action
Rates and methods of use (Dosage)
Disclaimer
Health effects / Environmental effects
Emergency procedures
Disposal procedures
Contact numbers
4. Labeling of Containers
To identify contents, proper handling,
precautionary measures
Suppliers should ensure proper labeling
Decanted containers must also be labeled
Replace torn, worn & damaged labels
When in doubt - check the MSDS
Never use unlabeled containers until
properly identified - labeled
5. Hazard Assessment
Ambient Monitoring
Biological Monitoring
6. Control Measures
These are applied at:
Source
Path
Receiver
At the Source
Substitution the chemical
Changing the process
Enclosing the source
Isolation of the source
Wetting of dusty work
Installing local exhaust
Machine maintenance
Along the Path
Applying dilutional ventilation
Increasing distance between the
source and the receiver
Good housekeeping
Improving general ventilation
At the Receiver
Enclosing workers in control rooms
Rotation of workers
Training and Education
Use of PPE
Storage of Chemicals
All chemicals must be stored within
factory premises, guided by:
properties of chemicals,
quantity
operational & environmental
conditions
Some precautions
Stored in appropriate containers
Labeled with identification
Arranged & separated according to class
Volatile liquids stored in cool places away
from heat, & not completely filled
Inventoried, inspected, secured
Storage area should be well lit & ventilated
Storage of Corrosive Chemicals
Kept in separate cabinets,
Catch trays recommended
Stored near floor level
Low inventory (JIT)
PPE used accordingly
Safety showers & eyewash provided
Spills neutralized before disposal
Add acids to water
Storage of Flammables
Stored in safety cans
Closed steel cabinets not open shelves
Not in refrigerators
No smoking at or near storage area
Fire fighting equipment available
Low inventory
Handled in areas free of ignition sources
Spills of flammable liquid
Switch off heat and ignition sources
Put on exhaust ventilation (explosion proof)
Evacuate personnel
SOP / PPE
If volatile - let evaporate
Non-volatile - absorb with sand / detergent
Investigate
Storage of Reactive Chemicals
Isolated in cool dry areas without direct sun
Open flames & heat sources kept away
Shock, friction and forms of impact avoided
Incompatibles not stored near each other
Water-labile & air-labile kept sealed
Low inventory
Gloves & glasses used in handling
Spillage cleaned immediately
Storage of Toxic Chemicals
Kept in proper containers
Stored in double containment
Low inventory
Kept on low shelves for risk of falling
Handled with appropriate PPE
Address spillages accordingly
Emergency Planning
Back-up to the preventive measures
for the control of chemical hazards.
Preparation is based on:
Cause
Consequence
Control
Contents of Emergency Plan
Assessment of the nature & size of event
On-site action to be taken (first-aid, fire,
rescue,decontamination)
Set-up and operation of emergency
control center
Liaison with authorities to coordinate
rescue and mitigation activities
First-aid
Splash on the skin / eye -
remove contaminated clothing and
flush with soap and water for at
least 10 min.
open eyelids and flush 10 min.
Seek medical attention
bring container of suspected
chemical
Chemical Burns of the Eye
• Bring victim to a source of running
water
• Turn his head to one side (affected eye
is lower)
• Run the tap gently for 15 minutes
• Refer to a doctor
• Do not apply any eye drops, antiseptic
or ointment
First-aid
Inhalation of gas vapors -
remove casualty to a safe area
give CPR if needed
use a mouth-to-mouth appliance
seek medical attention
bring container of suspected
chemical
First-aid
Suspected ingestion
wash mouth with water
dilute with water or sour milk
(activated charcoal)
maintain left-lateral decubitus
transport to hospital
bring container of suspected
chemical
R L
L
R L
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Summary
Know the company policy on
chemical hazard control
Treat all chemicals with caution
Know them by their MSDS
Understand their handling
procedures
Update yourself with training
Training is done:
For each new employee before
starting a job
For each new chemical used
When new information about any
chemical being used becomes
available.
Planning
1. Hazard anticipation
2. Hazard Identification
3. MSDS
4. Labeling of containers
5. Hazard Assessment
6. Control
Chemicals
… helpful when we know
them;
… lethal when we neglect
them
