Material Safety Data Sheets, commonly called MSDS’s, have come to be very important documents. Every workplace should have readily accessible. Uncontrolled exposure to chemicals can have adverse health effects on workers.
General
- Many of the chemicals used in the construction process including mineral oils, mould oils and cement can cause skin problems – which can lead to cancer in extreme cases.
- Chemicals, including alkalis, acids and chromates (found in cement) can cause ulcers.
- Constant exposure of the skin to wet cement, e.g. screeding, kneeling in wet screed, pouring concrete, or concrete getting into boots, can result in very severe concrete burns to the skin which can result in deep scarring and pain.
- Solvents such as paraffin and white spirit dissolve oils within the skin, increasing the chances of infection.
MSDS’s for all the hazardous materials, which are used or stored there. Let’s review it. First of all, the time to become familiar with materials MSDS is before you begin using the material. If you have responsibility for procuring hazardous material, you should obtain an advance copy of the MSDS to review the safety information before the order is placed. We require approval of hazardous materials before they are purchased. Once a material is brought into the workplace, everyone who uses it should review the MSDS. You wouldn’t want to wait for an emergency to learn about the material’s hazardous properties!Supposethe material catches fire. The MSDS specifies fire-fighting procedures for the material. However, your chances of successfully extinguishing the blaze are very small if you waste valuable time running to review the MSDS!
The information on an MSDS is typically grouped into these categories
- Hazard ratings, such as NFPA (National Fire Protection) ratings - Name and address of the material’s manufacturer or importer
- Identify; by common name, synonyms, and chemical abstract number of the material
- Physical and chemical characteristics, such as the material’s appearance, odor, specific gravity, and melting point
- Fire and explosion data, such as the material’s flash point, explosion hazards, and recommended fire extinguishing media
- Physical hazards, such as the material’s stability, incompatible material information, and hazardous decomposition products
- Health hazards, such as inhalation and ingestion hazards, carcinogen classification, and basic first aid information
- Special precautions and spill or leak procedures such as storage, clean-up, and disposal information
- Special protection information such as personal protective equipment recommendations
On Site Safety :-
The presenter should outline / reiterate the site specific requirements of this particular site with regard to:
- PPE
- MSDS
- Method Statements & Risk Assessments
- Chemical safety training awareness
MSDS’s contain a wealth of useful information for you to use when working with a hazardous material. Remember, the best time to learn the content of the MSDS is before you use the material. Another thing to be aware of is that mistakes can and do happen. If you are using a material that doesn’t seem to fit the description on its MSDS, do not use the material but contact your Superior immediately. There could have been a mix-up in the labeling or the information on the MSDS. The material may also be out-of-spec and could be dangerous to use as you were planning.
MSDS’s have proven to be very valuable tools in protecting people from hazards. They provide a wealth of information in a convenient form. But MSDS’s are only as useful as you make them.
Class I: Hazardous Waste (Red skip) “constitute a high degree of hazard for public health and the environment; ie. ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic or radioactive”.
Class II: Non Hazardous Waste (Green skip) “constitute the Biodegradable or Chemical Decomposable; ie. paper, food waste, vegetables”.
Class III: Inert Waste (Yellow skip) ”constitute glass, metal, concrete ..
- Hazardous waste material shall be stored in a separate storage area Radioactive material require special procedures.
- The area shall have an impervious surface with a suitable drainage control, roofing and be appropriately banded.
- Quantities stored shall be kept to an absolute minimum.
- Containers shall be marked with warning labels to accurately describe their contents.
- Hazardous chemicals shall be stored and handled in accordance with the Manufacturer‟s Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or as per the Client‟s or Local RegulatoryAuthority Requirements.
- Organisation shall have readily available all the relevant MSDS at the Chemical Storage Area and the location where chemicals are being used.
- Use the correct tools in transporting, loading, filling materials and fluids which can be controlled and contained with the use of suitable Hoppers, Nozzles, Funnels..
- All contaminated materials (such as rags, gloves..) to be disposed of in RED skips.
- Waste food will be a source of high risk to the project and worker; it will invite wild life to the site area (such as :scorpions, snakes, birds, rats, dogs, cats,..) also can cause many diseases.
- In case of leak or spill you should act quickly to:
- Isolate / stop leak from the source,
- Use absorbent material to mop up the spill,
- Dispose of contaminated absorbent material and contaminated soil in heavy plastic sacks and placed in suitable (RED) containers
HAZARDS OF SOLVENTS
We use solvents practically every day in our lives. At work, we may use or be exposed to solvents when we come in contact with paints, coatings, while using dip tanks, thinners, degreasers, cleaners, glues or mastics. As a result of this widespread usage, it is important to know some of the hazards that are associated with the group of chemicals, generally called "solvents."
For practical purposes a solvent is simply a liquid capable of dissolving specific solids or liquids. As you know, there are solvents that we use daily that are hazardous. Petroleum based solvents are the most common type used in industry. Therefore, as part of your job, it's important for you to understand the hazards of working with or around solvents.
Exposure and over-exposure to a solvent can come from various methods. The routes of entry may include:
- Absorption by direct contact on the skin. If there are no "barriers" between the solvent and your skin, the solvent can be absorbed through your skin.
- Inhalation by breathing solvent vapors. Breathing in the solvent vapors can quickly result in the chemical getting into your body and bloodstream via your lungs.
- Ingestion from literally eating the chemical by not practicing good hygiene after handling solvents. Direct contact with your hands and mouth through eating or smoking may result in unexpected ingestion of solvents.
- Puncture of the skin by a tool or other object which has a coating of solvent. Punctures can result in the direct introduction of toxic chemicals into your body.
Overexposure to solvents can cause a variety of ailments. Depending on the type of solvent you are exposed to, the body will react in different ways. Skin contact may result in minor skin rashes or an allergic reaction resulting in "chloracne." This happens when the solvent dissolves the skin's natural oils. Some workers can develop a sensitization to a particular product or chemical. Sensitization results in the entire body being "overly" sensitive to a particular chemical or product. After sensitization has occurred, even a very slight exposure can result in adverse or serious reactions. Serious overexposures can lead to illnesses resulting in organ or tissue damage.
As with any chemical or product, important information is contained in the product's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The MSDS provides information on safe use, handling, disposal and protection methods among other information.
Solvents are very useful in our everyday lives. If we take the time to learn more about them, we can be better prepared to properly use them, protect ourselves and effectively get our job done.
If you are unsure of the solvent or product that you are using, ask questions or check the MSDS.
HAZCOMM vs. HAZMAT vs. HAZARDOUS WASTE What Is The Difference?????
Variuos types chemicals and chemical compounds being used in different countries and every year thousands of new chemical compounds are produced, and become part of our lives at home and at work. Almost all such hazardous materials are transported annually to various countries over the road or by rail, aircraft or vessel. A lot of these products improve our lives, but many are harmful to our health and to the environment. The trouble is, these substances become so common to us, we are in danger of using them casually.
A hazardous material is defined as: "A substance (gas, liquid or solid) capable of creating harm to people, the environment, and property." Examples are: solvents, paints, gasoline, adhesives and lubricants. They include materials as common as Drano and as toxic as nuclear fuel. Many people have suffered serious health problems from exposure to hazardous materials. Many areas of our environment have been critically damaged by accidental chemical releases. Trying to understand all the government agencies that regulate these matters is mind-boggling. But, we must all understand the potential harm in these materials, and how to use them and dispose of them properly.
DEFINITIONS:
The term HAZCOM refers to the Hazard Communication Standard, which requires that employees receive training about the chemicals they use in their work. This is sometimes called the "Workers' Right To Know" program. OSH requires all employers to implement this program.
- The term HAZMAT is often used when discussing the transport or clean up of hazardous materials, but it actually can mean any aspect of hazardous materials production, transport, use, disposal, cleanup, or emergency response.
- HAZARDOUS WASTE is a contaminated chemical or by-product of a production process that no longer serves its purpose and needs to be disposed of in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency. This could include small amounts of chemicals such as parts washing solvents in a machine shop, or large amounts of construction by-products.
- HAZWOPER refers to training that deals with hazardous waster operations and emergency response to chemical spills or releases.
A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT HAZARDOUS MATERIALS:
- Manufacturers must provide a Material Safety Data Sheet with all hazardous products they sell..
- Materials in transport must be properly labeled, e.g., flammable, explosive, radioactive, etc.
- The MSDS must be available to any employee who works with or transports such products.
- The MSDS explains the physical and health effects of hazardous substances and how to avoid harm.
- The MSDS explains procedures for spills, leaks and disposal.
- Hazardous materials or by-products such as gases cannot always be seen or smelled.
- Internal or external harm from exposure does not always appear immediately.
CHEMICALS – KNOW WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW TO USE THEM!
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