Chemical Hazards

&
Chemical safety
management
 What is Chemical Hazard?

• Hazardous chemicals are substances or preparations that are

capable of causing harm either through its physical and
chemical properties or its toxicity.
• It can be in the form of dust, gas, liquid, compound or
mixtures; natural or synthetic.
 What is Chemical Hazard?

• An examples of chemicals that are claimed to be hazardous are

asbestos, benzene and formaldehyde.
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have all
classified asbestos as a known cancer causing chemical to
humans. Asbestos is used in Malaysia as construction material
and vehicle components. This increases the potential of risking to
diseases such as lung cancer and asbestosis.
• Benzene, used to produce polymers and plastics, is also another
chemical that is classified as carcinogenic by the aforementioned
agencies.
 What is Chemical Hazard?
Another chemical recently
classified as carcinogen by IARC
is formaldehyde, a chemical
widely used as adhesives in
Malaysia.
The number of workers
involved in the manufacturing
and handling of these types of
chemicals is substantial and
therefore their welfare need to
be taken care of.
 Mode of Entry
Chemicals can enter the body via various routes which are the
skin, nose, mouth, mucous membrane and placenta.
• Inhalation (breathing in)

• Skin and Mucous Membrane Absorption

• Absorption (eyes)

• Ingestion (eating or swallowing)

 Types of chemical hazards

There are two broad types of hazards associated with hazardous chemicals

(1) Health and

(2) Physicochemical hazards (many chemicals have both health and physicochemical hazards)

• Health hazards – These are properties of a chemical that have the potential to cause
adverse health effects
• Adverse health effects can be
– acute (short term) - headaches, nausea or vomiting and skin corrosion

– chronic (long term) - asthma, dermatitis, nerve damage or cancer

 Types of chemical hazards

• Physicochemical hazards – These are physical or chemical properties

of the substance, mixture or article that pose risks to workers other than
health risks, as they do not occur as a consequence of the biological
interaction of the chemical with people
• They arise through inappropriate handling or use and can often result in
injury to people and/or damage to property as a result of the intrinsic
physical hazard
– Examples include flammable, corrosive, explosive, chemically reactive
and oxidising chemicals
 Effects of chemicals

• Nature / Hazards
• Route of Entry / Exposure
• Dose
– Concentration
– Duration

• Characteristics of the person

 The importance of dose

• Dose takes into consideration HOW LONG we are

exposed to a chemical and at what
CONCENTRATION
• For example, a very high concentration of alcohol
for a short time might be lethal while intermittent
exposure to lower amounts of alcohol may do little
harm
 Effects of chemicals
• Generally, higher doses of chemicals and longer exposure will cause more harm.
• Acute poisoning is commonly caused by a single large exposure with rapid absorption of the
substance, e.g. carbon monoxide or cyanide poisoning.
• Chronic poisoning is commonly caused by repeated exposure to chemicals and the symptoms
may not be immediately apparent, e.g. lead or mercury poisoning and pesticide exposure.
• Local effect refers to the effect of the chemical at the site of contact which may be the skin,
mucous membranes, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal system and/or the eyes.
• Systemic effect refers to the effect of the chemical following distribution of the chemical throughout
the body. For example, an inhaled material may act on the liver or even on the bone marrow as in
inhaled benzene.
• Cumulative effect means the chemical has accumulated in the body as a result of numerous
chronic exposure. The effects are not seen until a critical body burden is reached.
• Synergistic effect means the effect of two or more chemicals is greater than the effect of the
individual chemical, e.g. exposure to both alcohol and chlorinated solvent is greater than the effect
of alcohol or solvent individually.
 Where do Chemicals Affect?

Chemicals in the body can be described by which part of the body they affect:

EFFECT DEFINITION EXAMPLE

LOCAL Adverse effects to the particular Phenol can severely damage the skin
tissue
Ammonia can irritate the respiratory
tract
SYSTEMIC Adverse effects on one of the Lead affects the nervous system,
systems of the body blood, kidneys
Organophosphate pesticides may
affect the nervous system
 Where do Chemicals Affect?
EFFECT DEFINITION
ACUTE Short lasting and develop soon
after exposure
CHRONIC Long lasting and sometimes
permanent. Onset may be soon
after exposure or delayed
EXAMPLE
Irritant gases immediately irritate the
eyes
Excessive exposure to organic solvents
can induce narcotic effects such as
headaches
Death from high, short term exposure
to carbon monoxide
Leukemia from benzene exposure
Reduced fertility from lead exposure
Laws and regulations related to hazardous chemicals

• Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994

• Occupational Safety and Health (Classification, Packaging and Labelling of
Hazardous Chemical) Regulations 1997
• Occupational Safety and Health (Use and Standards of Exposure of Chemical
Hazardous to Health) Regulations 2000
• Occupational Safety and Health (Notification of Accident, Dangerous Occurrence,
Occupational Poisoning and Occupational Disease) Regulations 2004
• Environmental Quality (Scheduled Wastes) Regulations 2005
 Risk Assessment of Chemicals

• A PCBU must manage risks associated with using, handling, generating or

storing of hazardous chemicals at a workplace
• When managing the risks, regard must be had to the following factors:
– the hazardous properties of the hazardous chemical
– any potentially hazardous reaction (chemical or physical) between the
hazardous chemical and another substance or mixture, including a substance
that may be generated by the reaction
– the nature of the work to be carried out with the hazardous chemical
– any structure, plant or system of work that:
• is used in the use, handling, generation or storage of the hazardous chemical
• could interact with the hazardous chemical at the workplace.

* person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU)

 Control of Hazardous Chemicals

When controlling chemical hazards, the hierarchy of control should be followed:

• Elimination of the chemical/process
• Substitution of chemical or process e.g. asbestos with glass wool, benzene with xylene,
changing from a dry process to wet, dipping instead of spraying
• Engineering (ventilation) e.g. fumehoods, canopy hoods, filtration systems
• Engineering (isolation) e.g. a glove box for handling toxics, remote controls, performing certain
work after hours
• Administrative e.g. modifying work schedules, air monitoring, training, work methods, signage,
health monitoring
• Personal Protective Equipment e.g. gloves, respirators, goggles, lab coats, enclosed footwear
 Control of Hazardous Chemicals
• Elimination
Elimination is the process of removing the chemical hazard from the workplace. It is the
most effective way to control a risk because the hazard is no longer present and should
be used whenever possible.
e.g. Replacing X-rays machines that use chemicals to develop the X-ray film with X-ray
machines that produce digital images

• Substitution
Substitution occurs when a new chemical or substance is used instead of the original
chemical. The aim is to choose a new chemical that is less hazardous than the original.
e.g. Replacing Cidex with Hemoclean (Peracetic Acid).
 Control of Hazardous Chemicals
• Enclosure & Isolation
These methods aim to keep the chemical isolated from the worker. An enclosure keeps
a selected hazard "physically" away from the worker. For example, an enclosed
equipment is sealed away and is typically 'opened' only for cleaning or maintenance.
Isolation places the hazardous process "geographically" away from the majority of the
workers and hence minimizing the exposure of the chemical to the workers.
e.g. Preparation of cytotoxic drugs in an isolated room.
 Control of Hazardous Chemicals
• Engineering Control – Ventilation
i. Types of Ventilation
a) General Ventilation
b) Local Exhaust Ventilation
ii. Maintenance of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
iii. Laboratory Fume Hoods
 Control of Hazardous Chemicals
• Administrative Control
i. Commitment and Responsibility
– Management Commitment
– Management Responsibility
– Workers Responsibility
– Care for High Risk Workers

ii. Safety and Health Policy

iii. Safety and Health Committee
iv. Safe Operating Procedures (SOP)
v. Training
– Law and Training

vi. Hazard Communication

vii. Medical Surveillance Program
viii. Adequate Staffing
ix. Work Rotation
 Control of Hazardous Chemicals
• Administrative Control
i. Commitment and Responsibility
– Management Commitment
– Management Responsibility
– Workers Responsibility
– Care for High Risk Workers

ii. Safety and Health Policy

iii. Safety and Health Committee
iv. Safe Operating Procedures (SOP)
v. Training
– Law and Training

vi. Hazard Communication

vii. Medical Surveillance Program
viii. Adequate Staffing
ix. Work Rotation
 Employee training

• Employee Training is a major component of safe chemical

management
– Training must be thorough, frequent and focused on specific work
tasks.
– Management must support training by providing adequate time and
funding.
– Supervisors must lead by example.

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 Control of Hazardous Chemicals
• Signage
Each laboratory has to have signage's that provide the appropriate hazard warnings and
safety information to visitors and housekeeping personnel.
 Signage

Sign to keep out from

Danger sign to avoid vapors
chemical storage area

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 Signage

Caution sign on hazard to

Inhalation hazard danger sign
eyes

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Hazard warning symbols

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Hazard warning symbols

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Hazard warning symbols

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Chemical hazard information's

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 Personal Protective Equipment
• Personal Protective Equipment
Personal Protective Equipment are equipment used or worn to protect individual workers
from safety and health hazards at the workplace.

Examples of PPE for chemical exposure are respirators, gloves, eye protection, apron,
body suit and safety foot wear.

According to the law, PPE must be made available to employees by the employer at no
cost to them (employees). It is the responsibility of the employees to use the PPE.
Examples of PPE for chemical exposure

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Examples of PPE for chemical exposure

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 Prohibited and restricted hazardous chemicals

• The WHS Regulations prohibit or restrict the use, storage or handling of

certain hazardous chemicals in certain situations.
– substances containing arsenic must not be used in spray painting or abrasive
blasting
– a number of carcinogens such as 4-nitrodiphenyls are prohibited from all uses
except for genuine research or analysis authorized by the regulator
– certain chemicals can be used, handled or stored in the workplace after
receiving authorization from the regulator. E.g. cyclophosphamide in
therapeutic use in hospitals
 Duties in relation to hazardous chemicals

• Designers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of substances must

ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that the substance they design,
manufacture, import or supply is without risks to health and safety. Under
the WHS Regulations, manufacturers and importers must:
– correctly classify hazardous chemicals.
– prepare safety data sheets (SDS), the disclosure of ingredients, packing,
labelling and supply of hazardous chemicals
 Duties in relation to hazardous chemicals

• The WHS Regulations include specific duties for a person conducting a

business or undertaking (PCBU) to manage the risks to health and safety
associated with using, handling, generating and storing hazardous chemicals at
a workplace
• Officers, such as company directors, have a duty to exercise due diligence to
ensure that the business or undertaking complies with the WHS Act and
Regulations. This includes taking reasonable steps to ensure that the business
or undertaking has and uses appropriate resources and processes to eliminate
or minimise risks that arise from hazardous chemicals at the workplace.
 Duties: Officers

The duties include:

• maintaining a register of hazardous chemicals
• identifying risk of physical or chemical reaction of hazardous chemicals and ensuring the
stability of hazardous chemicals
• ensuring that exposure standards are not exceeded
• provision of health monitoring to workers if required
• Provision of information, training, instruction and supervision to workers – and records kept
• provision of spill containment system for hazardous chemicals if necessary
• obtaining the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer, importer or supplier
of the chemical
 Duties: Officers
• ensuring chemicals are correctly labelled (remain labelled)
• controlling ignition sources and accumulation of flammable and combustible
substances
• provision and availability of fire protection, fire fighting equipment and emergency and
safety equipment
• preparing an emergency plan if the quantity of a class of hazardous chemical at a
workplace exceeds the manifest quantity for that hazardous chemical
• stability and support of containers for bulk hazardous chemicals including pipework
and attachments
• decommissioning of underground storage and handling systems, and notifying the
regulator as soon as practicable of abandoned tanks in certain circumstances
 Duties: Workers

Workers have a duty to:

• Follow health and safety instructions
• Follow safe work practices
• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety
• Take reasonable care that their actions do not adversely affect the health and safety of
others
• Participate in training and/or inductions
• Assist in identifying, assessing and managing risks
• Use appropriate safety systems, equipment and personal protective equipment as
required
Hazard Pictograms & Dangerous Goods Class Labels

• There are 9 hazard pictograms in the GHS which represent the physical,
health and environmental hazards.
• When to use Hazard Pictograms or DG Class Labels?
– All decanted substances should have GHS hazard pictograms on label
– All transported substances (e.g. air, road, rail) must have DG Class Labels

• Users of chemicals must ensure they understand the meaning and use
of the GHS Hazard Pictograms and the DG Class labels.
Comparison of hazard pictograms
from the GHS & the corresponding
ADG Code class labels
 Labels

• All chemical packages, containers, tanks or bulk stores must be clearly labelled with the
following information:
• The product identifier
• Proper shipping name and UN number (if chemical is dangerous goods)
• The contact details of manufacturer or importer
• Identity and proportion of each ingredient
• Any hazard pictogram or a dangerous goods class label (for transport)
• Any hazard statement, signal word and precautionary statement
• Any information about the hazards, first aid and emergency procedures
• Expiry date
 Example of GHS labels

Product identifier

Ingredient proportions
EX Signal word

Hazard pictograms A M Hazard statements

PL
E Precautionary statements

Supplier information
 Labelling – Decanted Substances

• When a substance is decanted from the

original container and not used
immediately (or given to someone else),
the decanted container must have a label
which states:
– the product identifier (name)
– hazard pictogram or hazard statement
 Labelling – Consumer Products
• A hazardous chemical does not need to meet the labelling requirements under
the WHS Regulations if the chemical is a consumer product with the original label
on its container and if it is reasonably foreseeable that the hazardous chemical will
be used in the workplace only:
• in a quantity that is consistent with consumer household use
• in a way that is consistent with consumer household use, and
• in a way that is incidental to the nature of the work carried out by a worker using
the chemical
• Consumer products which do not meet the definition of a workplace hazardous
chemical and are covered by the SUSMP must comply with SUSMP labelling
requirements

SUSMP means the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons, published by
the National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee as amended from time to time.
 Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is a chemical information sheet

provided by the manufacturer or supplier of chemicals
• It describes the identity, properties, uses, precautions for use
and safe handling procedures of a hazardous chemical
• A SDS must be readily available at each location where the
chemical is used
 Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

• The supplier must provide the current safety data sheet for the
hazardous chemical when the chemical is first supplied to the workplace
and if the SDS is amended, when the hazardous chemical is first supplied
to the workplace after the SDS is amended
• A PCBU must obtain the safety data sheet (and any amended version) for
a hazardous chemical from the manufacturer, importer or supplier no later
than when the chemical is first supplied at the workplace or as soon as
practicable after it is first supplied but before it is used at the workplace