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From Toxic to Safe: Navigating Hazardous Chemical Classifications
Professionals in the manufacturing, industrial, and research industries use and store hazardous chemicals to produce or carry out services. Even chemistry or environmental science school programs may use them for experiments. Knowledge of hazardous chemical classification is undoubtedly a crucial safety aspect in the workplace.
Every business or institution must know the importance of classification, labeling, and safety protocols to store and handle hazardous chemicals properly. Without the proper knowledge, the risks posed can cause harm to people and the environment. This article will discuss hazardous chemical classification and outline the steps organizations and people should take to ensure safety.
Understanding Hazardous Chemicals
Hazardous chemicals are chemicals with properties that can potentially harm human or animal health. They can also affect the environment and even damage property. Hazardous chemicals are present as raw materials, cleaning agents, solvents, catalysts, or other compounds.
Experts categorize them according to their posed risks to property and health. For example, flammable or explosive hazardous chemicals include petroleum, which industries use as fuel. Examples of irritating or corrosive hazardous substances are acids and paints used in manufacturing or construction.
Toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide and cyanide are found in vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke. Yes, we find these chemicals in our everyday lives.
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)
The Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is the federal law that regulates hazardous chemicals, requiring the following:
- Evaluation of the hazards of the chemicals produced or imported
- Preparation of labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information
- Labeling and providing Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for exposed workers
- Training workers to handle chemicals appropriately
The HCS is aligned with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), another international set of rules for classifying hazardous chemicals. Compliance with HCS and GHS is vital to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities, having chemical manufacturers, importers, and employers emphasize hazard classification and labeling hazard and precautionary statements.
SDS is a specified 16-section format that provides detailed information about the chemical’s properties, hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions. Compliance also means training employees on the labels elements and safety data sheets.
Navigating Chemical Hazard Classifications
The classification of hazardous chemicals divides health and physical hazards into separate classes (flammability, irritation, toxicity, etc.) The category describes the hazard severity, meaning some classes have more categories than others.
Category 1 or A always has the most severe hazard in the class. Here are the nine hazard classes:
- Class 1: Explosives
- Class 2: Gasses
- Class 3: Flammable and Combustible Liquids
- Class 4: Flammable Solids
- Class 5: Oxidizing Substances, Organic Peroxides
- Class 6: Toxic Substances and Infectious Substances
- Class 7: Radioactive Materials
- Class 8: Corrosives
- Class 9: Miscellaneous Hazardous Materials
Physical hazards include flammability, reactivity, corrosion, or thermal stress. Health hazards include acute and chronic toxicity or long-term exposure to low chemical levels. Lastly, environmental hazards could damage the ozone layer or pose any public health threat.
GHS pictograms accompany hazard classes to visually communicate the hazards. Pictograms are typically displayed on SDS and labels as a precautionary measure. An example of a GHS pictogram is the skull and crossbones associated with toxicity.
From Toxic to Safe: Safe Handling and Storage of Hazardous Chemicals
The SDS guides the following:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- First aid procedures
- Spill clean-up procedures
Exposed people must always know about the proper PPE, such as respirators and gloves. Employers must have first aid or emergency procedures in place, such as providing medical attention, evacuation, and reporting the incident.
Institutions must also provide adequate spill clean-up procedures to prevent contamination of nearby work areas or the environment. Moreover, everyone must follow storage and handling procedures to reduce risks associated with hazardous chemicals.
Green Chemistry and Safer Alternatives
Green chemistry is about reducing or eliminating the generation and use of hazardous substances. The chemical product design and process modifications lower the risks to workers, communities, and the environment.
Some safer alternatives are emerging from this approach. For instance, businesses can use new, low-volatility paints with little or no petroleum-based solvents instead of regular paints.
The benefits of green chemistry apply across a chemical product’s life cycle, from design, manufacturing, and usage to disposal. They focus on producing natural, efficient, and safe alternatives to toxic chemicals, protecting the environment and workers.
Conclusion
Safe Ship believes handling and storing hazardous chemicals is an important safety issue. Chemical manufacturers, importers, and employers must emphasize compliance with HCS, prioritizing safety over productivity. It’s also best for businesses to explore green chemistry for safer alternatives that reduce the risk of health and environmental hazards.
Ultimately, Safe Ship calls for the implementation of safer practices in the workplace as they’re essential to protect human health and the environment.