EU CBRN CoE Project 61

ISEM
Sound Management of Chemicals
and their Associated Wastes
INSTITUTE
in Southeast Asia
Funded by the European Union SEACHEM
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

Human and environmental effects

of mismanaged chemicals
and their associated wastes

CHEMICAL FACILITY WORKERS

This Project is implemented by

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals
and their Associated Wastes
in Southeast Asia
SEACHEM ISEM
INSTITUTE
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

CHEMICAL FACILITY WORKERS

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

CHEMICAL FACILITY WORKERS

Chemicals are used in every sphere of life and their production increased rapidly
in recent years. Growing knowledge of the impact of chemicals on humans and the
environment has highlighted the need for their careful management.

Chemicals are solid, liquid, or gaseous substances that produces an effect on a living
organism by acting on the body tissue, or in an environment by interacting with air,
water, and/or soil. If they are improperly managed, they can cause hazards to human
health or the environment.

Chemical facility workers, who have direct access to chemicals must have precise
information about all chemicals stored and used in the facility. These information
iclude:
• Identification of the chemical substance or mixture,
• Hazard identification / classification,
• Composition / Information on ingredients,
• First aid measures,
• Firefighting measeures,
• Accidental releases measures,
• Handling and storage,
• Exposure control / personal protection,
• Physical and chemical properties,
• Stability and reactivity,
• Toxicological information,
• Ecological information,
• Disposal considerations,
• Transport information,
• Regulatory information,
• Other information.

All of this information are included in Chemical Safety Data Sheets, which facility
workers should access to. These data sheets should also be included in the companies
chemical safety management program.

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

CHEMICAL FACILITY WORKERS

ROUTES OF EXPOSURES

Topical/
Absorption
(skin and eyes)

Inhalation

Ingestion
Injection

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

CHEMICAL FACILITY WORKERS

Chemical Hazard Classification

According to the Global Harmonized System (GHS), which is an international guideline

published by the United Nations, all manufacturers of chemicals are required to
prepare labels and Safety Data Sheets. The GHS aims to harmonize the classification
and labeling systems for all sectors involved in the life cycle of a chemical (production,
storage, transport, workplace use, consumer use and presence in the environment).

The GHS classification consists of 9 classes such as Explosives, Toxic, Flammable,

etc (See picture GHS Hazard Pictograms). Based on the hazard severity, each class
is divided into the categories, where category 1 or A always designates the highest
hazard within that class.

Hazardous nature of chemicals and their associated wastes

• Routes of human exposure: Absorption (skin and eyes), Inhalation, Ingestion and
Injection,

• Some chemicals are difficult to detect (colourless liquid, odourless gas, etc.),

• Ability to harm or to destroy living tissue or disrupt vital processes leading to

incapatitation, illness or death,

• Contamination of the environment.

Potential health effects to human body caused by chemical

exposure:
1. The nervous system: inability to move, loss of feeling, confusion, and decreased
speech, sight, memory, muscle strength, or coordination,

2. The respiratory system: asbestosis, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, fi brosis,

emphysema, and decreased oxygen supply in blood,

3. The skin: irritation, rash, redness or discoloration, dermatitis, and health effect
related to other systems and organs due to contamination through the skin,

4. The cardiovascular system: heart failure and the inability of blood to carry the
necessary oxygen to the body,

5. The hepatic system: liver damage, tumors, accumulation of fat (steatosis), and
death of liver cells,
6. The immune system: allergy, immune system slow down or failure.

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

CHEMICAL FACILITY WORKERS

WORLDWIDE HAZARD PICTOGRAMS

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 Human and environmental effects of mismanaged
chemicals and their associated wastes

CHEMICAL FACILITY WORKERS

Environmental effects caused by chemicals:

During the production process, use or disposal of chemicals, the contamination of the
air, water and soil can occur, which can have negative impacts on the environment.
The type of the chemical, the amount or the way the chemicals are released, can
determine the environmental impact. When chemicals are released, the effects on
the environment can be visible and immediate or some chemicals can cause long term
effects, such as entering into the food chain or by polluting the air.

Safety precautions and procedures in case of chemical incident:

• Follow procedures detailed in the Facility Emergency Response Plan,

• Raise an emergency alarm,
• Immediately contact the appropriate Factory Emergency Operations Center or
Facility Emergency Rescue Team if available,
• Always use appropriate protection equipment to stop leakeage of chemicals,
• In the event of a fire use an appropriate fire extinguisher,
• Evacuate areas where possible contamination may occur,
• Gather all workers at assembly areas as detailed in the Facility Emergency
Response Plan,
• Conduct search operation of site to ensure complete evacuation and count all
workers and visitors to ensure nobody is missing,
• Check contamination with appropriate detection devices,
• Minimize time near chemicals,
• Ensure contaminated workers remove clothing and receive treatment for exposure
e.g. decontamination,
• Provide first aid to injured or contaminated workers,
• Decontaminate facility before allowing workers back into the site,
• Gather all chemical waste and decontamination mixtures to barrels and properly
dispose.

EMERGENCY CALL NUMBERS

POLICE: 191
AMBULANCE: 1669
FIRE FIGHTERS: 199
GENERAL EMERGENCY NUMBER: 191

EU CBRN CoE Project 61

Sound Management of Chemicals and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia - SEACHEM
 EU CBRN CoE Project 61
Sound Management of Chemicals
and their Associated Wastes in Southeast Asia
SEACHEM

www.cbrn-project61.com

Human and environmental effects of mismanaged

chemicals and their associated wastes

CHEMICAL FACILITY WORKERS

ISEM
INSTITUTE
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

ISEMI graphic art work