How to Avoid Chemical Hazards

Knowing how to identify chemical hazards and control any incidents quickly is an essential part of workplace safety, improving internal processes which are needed to keep everyone on site safe. Although successful chemical management cannot be achieved overnight, being aware of the hazards around you can help keep incidents at bay and actively improve workplace health and safety.

If chemical hazards are not addressed, the potential impact of any chemical-related incidents can be vast. From burns or even employee deaths to more wide-scale catastrophes such as fires and leaks which have huge environmental consequences, the well-being of those both in and around a business is at stake.

In most cases, chemical incidents which have occurred across the world could have been prevented. To avoid incidents involving chemical substances in the workplace, employees need to undergo sufficient training and assigned safety officers should be appointed to take charge of ongoing safety measures. Once these hazards are controlled, the risk of incidents such as fires, chemical spillages, and large-scale damages are significantly minimized, actively improving health and safety in the workplace. 

How to Spot Chemical Hazards

Being able to identify a chemical hazard means it can be addressed as soon as possible. If you’re not sure where to begin, break the task down into manageable chunks by using a floor plan of the site and working through it section by section. Consider the chemicals that are stored and used in each department and mark these onto the floor plan, clearly identifying all of the different chemicals, however hazardous they may be. Physically walking around the site to look out for chemicals as well as speaking to employees who spend their time in each area will ensure all grounds are covered.

Once the different chemicals have been identified, how they are being used is the next discussion point. Talking to both management and employees will gather a clearer understanding of their ongoing usage and carrying out observations will mean procedures can be understood better. This also applies to how the chemicals are stored when not in use, checking the conditions of any product storage areas and how secure they are.

Since all chemicals have varying toxicity and health hazards associated with them, everyone should be aware of how to handle them, and the dangers associated. Whether they are highly flammable, toxic to the environment, or can be fatal if ingested, the hazards will vary in severity so different safety measures will be needed across the business.

Undergoing a Risk Assessment

Now that all chemicals have been noted down, the risk of each should be analyzed. After going through the hazards which were identified in the initial floor plan run-through, a risk assessment can be used to assess the dangers.

Although the process of running through each chemical one by one can appear overwhelming to many business owners, it is an essential part of the process and will set the main base of the health and safety assessment. For each chemical, list the incidents which can be seen as a risk, varying from leaks to explosions. The amount each chemical is used will also determine the risk factor so gain an understanding of how frequently they are used and whether any incidents have occurred in the past.

As well as the potential incidents that could occur, and also document the consequences which could follow. If the chemical hazard could lead to long-term effects such as health conditions for employers, environmental damage, or an impact on the local community, the risk is considered significant, and the consequences could be vast.

Eliminating the Chemical Hazards

Now that the risks are apparent, it’s time to do something about them. Start by prioritizing the urgency of each hazard and considering the control measures which can be put in place. Consider factors such as how the products are stored, how they are handled, and how the job station is set up. The human element is also a primary risk so evaluate who can access each chemical and monitor usage. For those who are permitted to use a product, sufficient training should be carried out and PPE provided, keeping them protected and minimizing the risk of incidents occurring.

A range of control measures should be put into place which may include substituting dangerous chemicals for safer alternatives where possible, improving workspaces to minimize hazards, carrying out regular staff training sessions, and investing in high-quality PPE which is available to everyone who needs it. 

Implementing these changes tends to be a gradual process so prioritizing the products which pose the greatest threats will ensure important changes are made as soon as possible. Order the action plan from highest risk to lowest so it can be addressed in manageable chunks and iron out the most immediate hazards.

Keeping On Top Of Hazard Prevention

Once the control measures have been implemented, there is a chance that this could lead to further hazards which have not been accounted for. Risk assessments should be carried out frequently to ensure that any potential hazards have been identified and can be addressed. Chemical hazards are a huge part of workplace health and safety and failure to comply with industry legislation can lead to not only life-threatening risks but legal trouble and significant fines. 

Regularly checking that the chemicals on site are safely handled and carrying out frequent risk assessments will keep all members of management on the same page and ensure any incidents can be handled with a fast and professional approach. New risk assessments should be carried out if new chemicals are introduced, process changes are implemented, or if an incident has occurred, allowing the hazards to be updated and catered for accordingly.