Today I’d like to discuss chemical exposure and review how you can protect yourself and your team members from its serious effects. We’ll also be discussing some OSHA mandated protocols for the workplace when dealing with hazardous chemicals.

Chemical exposure may cause or contribute to many serious health effects such as heart ailments, kidney and lung damage, sterility, cancer, burns, and rashes. Some chemicals may have the potential to cause fires, explosions and other serious accidents.

Providing protection from chemical hazards is a challenging task because of the range of hazards and operations in which they are used. Potential hazards arising from chemical exposure may occur during:

·         Production operations involving hazardous chemicals.

·         Hazardous substance site surveys.

·         Rescue.

·         Spill mitigation.

·         Emergency monitoring.

·         Decontamination.

Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

The primary way for employees to get information on a chemical’s physical properties and health effects is through the MSDS. Under federal laws administered by OSHA, facilities are required to keep MSDSs on file for all hazardous chemicals in the workplace.  MSDSs must be made available to employees, so workers can learn about chemical hazards and take necessary precautions.

Medical Surveillance

The purpose of medical surveillance is to monitor employees’ exposure to hazardous materials and other workplace hazards. Medical screening is one component of a medical surveillance program. OSHA mandates medical surveillance for a number of hazardous materials, including such chemicals as acrylonitrile, arsenic, benzene, cadmium, and others. Employers are required to establish medical surveillance and screening programs as necessary.

Medical recordkeeping

OSHA requires that the employer provide employees with relevant medical records. These records must include copies of all medical surveillance results, as well as copies of the MSDSs of all hazardous chemicals the employee could have come into contact with. These records must be kept for the employment of the individual plus 30 years.

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

PPE is used as a last resort to protection, after engineering and work practices have been applied. All team members should receive training in the types of PPE they will be required to use and descriptions of the jobs or tasks that require its use. Team members should also know how to properly care for their PPE by following a standard program for inspection, proper storage, and maintenance.

Stay Safe!