Good Hygiene Practices

Michel Vangeel

November 2008
Revised November 2010

- Information provided subject to the 'Conditions for Sharing Materials and Advice' -
Toxicology

 “All substances are poisons, there is none which is not

a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a
remedy.” Paracelsus (1493-1541)

Response
 ALL chemicals have the ability to be toxic. Dose
 Hazard (toxicity) - the inherent ability for a chemical to
produce adverse effects in a biological system.
 Risk - the probability that a substance will produce
harm under certain conditions of use/exposure.

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Exposure

 Common routes of exposure

– Inhalation
– Ingestion
– Injection
– Absorption

 Improper chemical handling, storage and clean up

account for the majority of exposures.

 Periodic chemical monitoring is needed to assess

exposure risk in the workplace during operations.

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Industrial Hygiene

 Industrial Hygiene is the “science and art of anticipating,

recognizing, evaluating and controlling health hazards in
the workplace.”
 When evaluating exposure it is important to review both
the primary and secondary exposure potential.

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Primary Exposure Potential

 Primary exposure is controlled through equipment and

PPE.
Isolation/Barrier/ ed s PBOEL
s Clinical Dose
Administrative controls Clo tem
s
Sy 4 < 0.01 mg/day
Isolation/Barrier

3A/B
Directional Laminar
Flow
Laminar Flow
2
Local Exhaust
General Exhaust

p en s
O em 1 >100 mg/day
st
Sy
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Secondary Exposure Potential

 Secondary exposure is critical because the people

exposed usually are not aware of the hazard present.
 The key to preventing secondary exposure is
housekeeping and proper decontamination.
 Through good general hygiene and housekeeping the
potential of secondary contamination is reduced.

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Good Work Practices

 Use controls effectively

 Good handling practices
 Good cleaning practices
 Correct use of PPE

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Using Controls Effectively

 Enclosures are only effective

if they are closed

Keep enclosures closed

when possible

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Local Extract Ventilation

 Local Extract must be close to the source

Rule of thumb:
Distance from source
should be diameter of
opening or less

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Good Work Practices

 Using controls effectively

 Good handling practices
 Cleaning
 Correct use of PPE

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Good Handling Practice

 Small things make a big difference to

your exposure:

– Untie / tie drum liners carefully,

pointing away

– Minimise material drop height

– Use drum lifters/vacuum

charger/various tools whenever
possible

– Roll inner liners / bags and

dispose of with care

– Work with a colleague when it

helps to reduce exposure or
increase safety

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Good Handling Practice

 Open/close solvent drums with care, at maximum possible distance

 Use best method available to dispense solvents
 Cap solvent pipes when not in use, and hang in place
 Avoid spills

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Good Handling Practice

 Don’t overfill containers

 Place lids on containers/waste bins

 Avoid splashes and spills

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Avoid the spread of hazardous substances

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Avoid contamination outside of bag, container, …

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Avoid contamination outside of bag, container, …

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Avoid contamination outside of bag, container, …

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Good Handling Practice:
Liquid storage and waste handling

Use sealed
containers for
waste solvent

Label all Store liquid

drums and containers on
containers bunds

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Good Handling Practice:
Take care with waste. Know what doesn’t mix

Never pour chemicals

down drain/sink

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Good Handling Practice:
Segregate and store chemicals safely

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Good Handling Practice:
Avoid skin contact

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Good Handling Practice:
Avoid skin contact and ingestion

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Food and Drink Practices

 Do not eat or drink in labs or production areas.

– Provide separate break room from areas where chemicals
are handled.
 Do not store food or drinks in laboratories or production
areas.
 Do not chew gum or apply cosmetics when handling or
around chemicals.

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Smoking and Chemical Storage

 Smoke only in designated areas outside of production

and lab areas.
– Never smoke around chemicals or flammable materials.
 Chemical storage areas need to be orderly and
maintained.
– Do not mix incompatible chemicals.
– Store chemicals away from offices and break rooms.

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Good Work Practices

 Using controls effectively

 Good Handling practices
 Clean as you go
 Correct use of PPE

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Cleaning: Keep a clean area

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Cleaning: Removing Dust Spills

 Don’t sweep
 Wet wipe or vacuum
 For hazardous materials, use HEPA vacuum
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Cleaning: Removing Liquid Spills

 The response to a spill should

be proportionate to the hazard
 Clean spills immediately

Small spill –
quick clean

Larger, hazardous spill

– major clean
Protect yourself first

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Cleaning yourself!

Don’t shake, or brush

clothing, or use Wet wipe, mist shower or
compressed air vacuum

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Cleaning yourself

Wash hands regularly

Shower at shift end Separate clean/dirty clothes

DON’T bring work clothes home
Get clothes cleaned regularly

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Good Work Practices

 Using controls effectively

 Good Handling practices
 Clean as you go
 Correct use of PPE

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Laboratories and PPE

 Labs coats and PPE should be worn when handling

chemicals.
– Lab coats and PPE should not be taken into break rooms or
offices.
– Lab coats or disposable garments are good alternatives.
– Provide storage and gown/degowning areas.

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Production Areas Uniforms and PPE

 Uniforms should be provided as needed.

– Street clothes should not be worn where chemicals
are handled.
– Provide lab coats for visitors.
 PPE
– Should be worn according the manufacture
specifications.
– Should be readily available and in the proper sizes.

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Protect yourself

 Use of PPE may not always be

directed, for example:
– Infrequent tasks
– Unplanned tasks (clearing blockages
etc.)
– Short duration repairs/maintenance
– Cleaning taks , you may not have
been directed to use PPE

 Be safe, be sure …
This worker
doesn’t have face  …where there might be exposure,
or hand protection
don’t wait to be told. Protect yourself

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Good Use of Personal Protective Equipment

 Wear Personal Protective Equipment when directed

 Follow directions for correct use carefully

You might not think you need it but …..

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Put PPE on and off in the recommended sequence

ON

1 2 3 4

OFF

Clean hands before putting on and

after taking off PPE
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When to remove RPE

 Hazardous substances stay in the air for a time. Keep

RPE on for about 15 minutes after handling very toxic
substances
 You can’t normally see or smell them

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Care of PPE

 Take care of your PPE – it will take care of you

 Replace it when it is worn, heavily contaminated or
damaged
 Store it in clean areas

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Uniform Cleaning and PPE Disposal

 Cleaned on site or through approved vendor

– Ensure that the vendor is aware of potential chemical
hazards present on the garments.
 Disposal of PPE should be adequate and follow good
handling practices.
– Dedicated disposal bins for contaminated garments.
– Minimize any contact with contaminated surfaces.
– Reuse of disposable PPE shall not be permitted.

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Training

 All employees should receive training on good hygiene

practices including;
– Proper chemical handling, storage and housekeeping.
– Site policy on food, drink and smoking
 Signs should be posted in visible areas outlining the
policy.

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Key Points

 Good chemical handling, storage and general hygiene

practices will help prevent secondary chemical exposure
 Handling hazardous chemicals requires extra care
Recognise when extra care is needed
 Use PPE when it is needed and use it well
 PPE should not be worn into office areas, common areas
or break rooms
 Use controls effectively
 Use good handling techniques
 Clean as you go
 Provide hand washing stations and showering facilities
 Training and awareness is key to ensure compliance

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