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
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)
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
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
11. 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
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
13. Primary Container Labels
Identity of the hazardous chemical
Appropriate hazard warnings
Name and address of the
manufacturer
or importer
Target organ effects
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
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
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
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
20. First Aid for
Chemical Ingestion
Induce vomiting only if told to do so by
poison control
Get immediate medical attention
Editor'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 1910.1200 gives you the right to know about the chemicals you work with and their associated hazards.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ISevere 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 1910.38.
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.
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.
Follow these procedures as outlined.
Follow these procedures as in cases of chemical inhalation.