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