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
R
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