Chemical Hazards: Understanding, Recognizing, and Managing

Chemical Hazards: Understanding, Recognizing, and Managing

Health hazards of chemicals are complex and vary widely in extend. Unless specifically trained, much of the medical terminology in MSDSs can be confusing to the uninitiated. Understanding the different chemical

hazards so that toxicological information can be correctly interpreted is the first step in Hazardous Material communication. Different labeling systems are in use throughout the world and must be understood.

A multi-level approach to exposure prevention is introduced: Prevention covers engineering controls (devices), personal protective equipment (which emphasis on the often misunderstood topic of respiratory

protection) and procedures.

Prevention also includes the development and implementation of a formal system that documents procedures, measures performance and strives for continuous improvement. Such a system is called a Safety Management System (SMS) and the elements of it can be deduced in a logical fashion. This course introduces the attendants to these systems and provides procedural frameworks for them.

Outline :

1. A Toxicology Primer

a.    Introduction

b.    Routes of exposure

c.    Dose and response relationship

d.    Factors influencing toxicity

e.    Sources of toxicity information

f.      Uses of toxicity information

g.    Health effects

h.    Types of toxic effects

i.      Exposure guidelines

2. Hazardous Material Label System

a.    NFPA 704

b.    HMIS

c.    UN codes & DG classification

d.    EU codes & Classification

3. Storage of Chemicals

a.    Why not to use alphabetical storage

b.    Separation, Segregation, Prohibition

c.    Organizing your chemical store

4. Controlling Exposure in the Workplace

a.    Chemical Health Risk Assessment

b.    Risk Reduction strategies

c.    Personal Protective Equipment

d.    Exposure monitoring

5. Prevention by way of a “Safety Management System (SMS)”

a.    Elements of an SMS

·         Prevention

·         Emergency Preparedness

·         Continous Improvement

b.    The 3 Pillars of Safety Management System

·         Management of Change

·         Incident Investigation

·         The Safety Committee

Peserta :

The target audience should all personnel working with chemicals as well as those people responsible for implementing procedural controls to prevent chemical incidents.