Construction Safety: Chemical Safety and Hazard Communication

Summary

The video discusses the various types of hazardous chemicals commonly found on job sites, including toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive, and flammable substances. It explains the health risks posed by these chemicals and the different ways they can enter the body. Key safety measures include proper labeling, use of safety data sheets (SDS), and personal protective equipment (PPE). The video also highlights the importance of safe storage, handling, and disposal practices to prevent accidents and exposure, emphasizing the need for workers to follow safety protocols and access SDS information in case of emergencies.

Takeaways

• 🧪 Hazardous chemicals are commonly found on job sites and in many everyday products.
• ☠️ Toxic chemicals can be poisonous, while carcinogenic chemicals are believed to cause cancer over time.
• 🧼 Corrosive chemicals cause visible destruction, irritants cause inflammation, and sensitizers can trigger allergic reactions.
• 🔥 Flammable and combustible liquids pose fire risks and can ignite under specific conditions.
• ⏳ Chemicals can cause both chronic (long-term) and acute (immediate) health effects depending on exposure.
• 😷 Primary chemical exposure methods include inhalation, skin contact (absorption), and ingestion.
• 📋 A written hazard communication program should detail all hazardous chemicals present and how they will be managed on the job site.
• 🛑 Labels on chemical containers must include product identifiers, hazard warnings, pictograms, and precautionary statements.
• 📄 Safety Data Sheets (SDS) provide detailed information on chemical hazards, first aid, and handling precautions and must be readily accessible.
• 👷 Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe storage, handling, and disposal of chemicals are essential for workplace safety.

Q & A

What are toxic chemicals, and what effect can they have on a person?

Toxic chemicals are substances that can have a poisonous effect on a person, potentially leading to serious health issues upon exposure.

What are carcinogenic chemicals, and why are they dangerous?

Carcinogenic chemicals are substances believed to cause cancer after prolonged exposure, making them extremely dangerous for human health.

How do corrosive chemicals affect materials or people?

Corrosive chemicals cause visible destruction or permanent alterations to materials or human tissues, often resulting in severe burns or damage.

What is the difference between flammable and combustible liquids?

Flammable liquids emit vapors that can easily catch fire, while combustible liquids require exposure to higher temperatures before igniting.

What are the primary methods through which chemicals can enter the body?

Chemicals can enter the body through inhalation (breathing in), absorption (skin contact), or ingestion (eating or drinking).

What is the purpose of a written hazard communication program?

A written hazard communication program outlines how chemical hazards will be addressed on the jobsite, including a list of hazardous chemicals and guidelines for worker safety.

What are the two main methods for communicating chemical safety information?

The two main methods are ensuring containers of hazardous chemicals are properly labeled and maintaining safety data sheets (SDS) for detailed chemical hazard information.

What information is typically found on a chemical label?

Chemical labels include the product identifier, signal words (like danger or warning), hazard statements, hazard pictograms, precautionary statements, and contact information for the responsible party.

What is an SDS, and why is it important?

An SDS, or Safety Data Sheet, is a document providing detailed information on a hazardous chemical, including its health risks, safe handling procedures, and emergency measures. It is essential for worker safety and compliance.

What should workers do to stay safe when handling hazardous chemicals?

Workers should read chemical labels and SDS, wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), store chemicals according to manufacturer instructions, and ensure they follow safe handling, storage, and disposal procedures.

Outlines

00:00

🧪 Understanding Hazardous Chemicals on the Jobsite

Hazardous chemicals are common on job sites and in everyday products. These chemicals come in various forms, including toxic chemicals that can poison, carcinogens that may cause cancer, corrosives that cause visible destruction, irritants that lead to inflammation, and sensitizers that cause allergic reactions. There are also flammable and combustible liquids that pose fire risks. Exposure to these chemicals can result in acute (immediate) or chronic (long-term) health effects. Chemicals can enter the body through inhalation, absorption, or ingestion, making proper safety practices essential. A written hazard communication program must be established to manage chemical risks, and workers must be familiar with this program, including all hazardous chemicals present in their workplace.

05:01

📜 Effective Communication of Chemical Safety Information

There are two primary methods of communicating chemical safety information: ensuring that containers are properly labeled and maintaining safety data sheets (SDS) for each chemical. Labels provide immediate warnings, such as product identifiers, hazard symbols, and precautionary measures, while SDS documents contain detailed safety information. Labels should be clear, and if they are worn or unreadable, they must be replaced. If transferring chemicals to a different container, labeling is required unless the container will be emptied by the end of the day. Safety data sheets contain vital information, including health hazards, first-aid measures, fire precautions, and necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).

⚠️ Safety Data Sheets and Their Importance

SDS (Safety Data Sheets) are critical documents required by law to be provided by chemical manufacturers and distributors. These documents contain essential details about the chemical, including health hazards, safe handling, PPE requirements, and emergency procedures. SDS must be easily accessible to workers at all times, and can be stored digitally or in physical form. In case of emergencies, printed copies must be immediately available for medical personnel. Workers must familiarize themselves with these documents to ensure safe practices while handling chemicals.

👷 Best Practices for Handling Hazardous Chemicals

When working with hazardous chemicals, workers must follow the recommended safety practices. This includes using proper PPE, storing chemicals in their original containers, and adhering to manufacturer's instructions for storage. Flammable and combustible chemicals should be kept away from heat sources. Chemical spills must be cleaned up immediately, and eye wash stations or showers should be accessible when working with corrosives. Workers must wash thoroughly after handling chemicals and before eating, drinking, or leaving the job site. Paying close attention to labels and safety data sheets is crucial for avoiding risks and ensuring a safe working environment.

Keywords

💡Hazardous chemicals

Hazardous chemicals refer to substances that pose a risk to health or safety when present in the workplace. In the video, these chemicals are described as being common on job sites, with various types having different effects, such as toxicity, carcinogenic properties, or corrosiveness. The importance of recognizing and handling hazardous chemicals properly is a key theme.

💡Toxic chemicals

Toxic chemicals are substances that can cause poisoning or harmful effects when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. The video highlights their potential to have dangerous, often immediate effects on the body, making them a critical hazard that requires strict safety measures on job sites.

💡Carcinogenic chemicals

Carcinogenic chemicals are substances believed to cause cancer after prolonged exposure. These chemicals are emphasized in the video as particularly dangerous because their effects may not be immediate but can have long-term health consequences, making awareness and protection critical.

💡Corrosive chemicals

Corrosive chemicals cause visible destruction or alterations to materials or living tissues upon contact. The video mentions these chemicals as another key hazard on job sites, where they can damage skin, eyes, or respiratory tissues, necessitating the use of protective equipment like gloves and face shields.

💡Flammable liquids

Flammable liquids emit vapors that can easily ignite and cause fires. In the video, these are mentioned alongside combustible liquids, emphasizing the need to keep such materials away from heat sources and to follow strict storage and handling guidelines to prevent accidents.

💡Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Safety Data Sheets provide detailed information about hazardous chemicals, including health risks, handling precautions, and first-aid measures. The video stresses the importance of SDSs being accessible to workers and outlines their role in hazard communication on job sites, as they serve as a reference for safe handling and emergency procedures.

💡Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Personal Protective Equipment refers to gear like gloves, aprons, and respirators used to protect workers from chemical hazards. The video stresses the necessity of wearing PPE when handling hazardous substances, helping to prevent exposure through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact.

💡Labels

Labels on chemical containers provide immediate warnings of hazards. In the video, it's explained that labels must include information such as product identifiers, hazard statements, and safety precautions. Ensuring that all containers are clearly labeled is essential for workplace safety.

💡Inhalation

Inhalation refers to the entry of chemicals into the body through breathing. The video lists this as one of the primary methods of chemical exposure on job sites, making it crucial to follow safety practices such as using respiratory protection in areas where hazardous vapors are present.

💡Engineering controls

Engineering controls involve modifying equipment or processes to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals. The video mentions these controls as part of the safety measures outlined in SDSs, highlighting their role in minimizing risks, such as using ventilation systems to manage fumes.

Highlights

Hazardous chemicals can be found on many jobsites and in commonly used products.

There are several types of chemical hazards, including toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive, irritants, sensitizers, flammable liquids, and combustible liquids.

Toxic chemicals can have a poisonous effect on a person, and carcinogens are believed to cause cancer after exposure.

Corrosive chemicals can cause visible destruction or alterations to the body, while irritants cause inflammatory effects.

Sensitizers can cause allergic reactions, and flammable liquids emit vapors that may catch fire.

Chemicals can have both chronic effects (diseases that develop over time) and acute effects (symptoms that appear or change rapidly).

Primary methods of chemical exposure to the body include inhalation, absorption through skin contact, and ingestion.

A written hazard communication program is essential for chemical safety, covering how hazards are addressed and listing all hazardous chemicals in the workplace.

Chemical safety information is primarily communicated through proper labeling of containers and maintaining safety data sheets (SDS).

Labels on hazardous chemical containers must include product identifier, signal words (danger or warning), hazard statements, pictograms, and contact information.

Safety data sheets (SDS) contain detailed information about chemicals, including health hazards, first-aid, firefighting measures, and personal protective equipment (PPE) needed.

SDS should be readily accessible to workers, either in physical form or on a digital device, and must be provided immediately during medical emergencies.

Workers should use proper PPE, like gloves and respirators, and chemicals must be stored in accordance with manufacturer instructions.

Spills of hazardous chemicals should be cleaned up immediately, and eye wash or showers must be available when working with corrosive substances.

Workers should familiarize themselves with the hazards and safety precautions of chemicals on their jobsite by reading labels and SDS.

Transcripts

hazardous chemicals they can be found

practically everywhere on the jobsite

and in many commonly used products there

are several different types of chemical

hazards there are toxic chemicals that

can have a poisonous effect on a person

there are carcinogenic chemicals

believed to cause cancer after exposure

there are corrosive chemicals causing

visible destruction or alterations

there are irritants chemicals causing an

inflammatory effect and sensitizers

chemicals causing an allergic reaction

in tissues

there are also flammable liquids that

emit vapors that may catch fire and

there are combustible liquids that

combust after being exposed to high

temperatures these chemicals may cause

physical damage to the body they can

have chronic effects a disease that

develops over time or acute effects

symptoms that appear or change rapidly

there are a variety of ways in which

chemicals can be exposed to the body the

primary methods of entry are inhalation

chemical entering the body through

breathing absorption skin contact with a

chemical and ingestion eating or

drinking of a chemical chemical safety

begins with a written hazard

communication program which covers how

chemical hazards will be addressed on

the job site and will include a list of

all hazard chemicals present in the

workplace all workers who may be exposed

to hazardous chemicals should review the

program there are two primary methods to

communicating chemical safety

information one insuring containers of

hazardous chemicals of properly labeled

and two maintaining safety data sheets

or SDS 'as which are sources of detailed

information on the hazardous chemical

labels provide an immediate warning of

hazards product manufacturers are

required to provide labels on all

shipped containers with information

including product identifier or product

name signal words like danger or warning

hazard statements like fatal if inhaled

hazard pictograms that alert users of

the chemical hazards to which they may

be exposed

each pictogram consists of a symbol on a

white background framed within a red

border and represents a distinct hazard

such

a health hazard flammable corrosive

toxic and irritant precautionary

statements like do not eat drink or

smoke when using this product and lastly

the name address and phone number of the

responsible party it's important to

ensure that all containers on the

jobsite are clearly labeled so you know

exactly what is in the container a

battered or old label might be hard to

read if this is the case make sure to

replace the existing label with a new

one that includes the product name and

general information concerning the

hazards of the chemical in addition if

you're transferring something from the

manufacturers container to your own

container it must be labeled unless you

plan to use up all the product and the

container will be empty at the end of

the day then you don't need to label it

for that day SDS stands for safety data

sheet safety data sheets serve as the

source of detailed information on a

particular hazardous chemical it's

required that all product manufacturers

and distributors provide safety data

sheets to its users if you didn't

receive an SDS form from your supplier

you should request one or visit their

website to download SDS is have a

uniform format and are divided into 16

sections the SDS contains important

information such as the chemicals health

hazards and flammability first-aid and

firefighting measures precautions for

safe handling and storage appropriate

engineering controls personal protective

equipment or PPE is needed and emergency

procedures for spills all SDS s must be

readily accessible to workers when

they're on the jobsite storing your SDS

sheets in a binder in a central location

where easily accessible for instance in

a pickup truck on a construction site is

a common practice the SDS is can also be

kept on a phone tablet or computer as

long as the workers have immediate

access to the information when it's

needed also in the event of a medical

emergency hard or physical printed

copies of the SDS must be made available

immediately to medical personnel finally

follow the appropriate safe practices

when working with any hazardous chemical

familiarize yourself with chemical

hazards on your job site as there may be

more than one hazard for each type of

product before working with a product

read the safety information on the label

and the safety data sheet use the proper

personal protective equipment such as

gloves eye and face protection aprons

and respirators chemicals should always

be kept in their original container and

stored in accordance from the

manufacturer's instructions

keep flammable and combustible chemicals

away from heat sources dispose of any

excess product correctly not down the

drain

spills should be cleaned up immediately

when working with corrosives an eye wash

or shower

must be readily available for immediate

emergency use if chemical exposure has

occurred the worker should seek the

appropriate medical care workers using

chemicals should wash thoroughly before

eating drinking smoking and leaving the

jobsite chemicals are found all over the

jobsite and some of them are more

hazardous than others container labels

and safety data sheets will give you

information about the hazardous

materials with which you work pay close

attention to the hazard warnings listed

and always follow the manufacturer's

safe handling use and storage of all

products and chemicals

[Music]