Chemical Hazards: A Type of Hazard in the Workplace

Summary

In this video, Dr. Ozzie from Australia discusses chemical hazards in the workplace, emphasizing their physical and chemical properties that pose risks. He covers the health effects of exposure, including acute and chronic conditions, and outlines strategies for managing these risks through the hierarchy of controls, such as elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment.

Takeaways

• 🔬 Chemical hazards in the workplace can be in various forms such as solids, liquids, or gases, and can be pure substances or mixtures.
• 🔥 Flammable properties of chemicals can act as fuel sources for fires and may require additional elements like oxygen and an ignition source.
• 🧪 Physical properties, including the state of the substance (solid, liquid, gas), can influence how hazardous a chemical can be.
• 🌡️ Temperature changes can affect a chemical's flammability and pressure, which can increase the risk of a hazardous event.
• ⚗️ Chemical reactions, including oxidation and exothermic reactions, can lead to violent and unexpected behavior of chemicals.
• 🏥 Health effects from chemical exposure vary based on the route of exposure, properties of the substance, and the extent and frequency of exposure.
• 🌐 Physical contact with chemicals can lead to both acute and chronic health effects, such as skin corrosion or allergic contact dermatitis.
• 🛡️ The hierarchy of controls for managing chemical hazards includes elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls.
• 👨‍🔧 Engineering controls involve physical barriers like isolation, ventilation systems, and active barriers such as alarms and automated shutdown systems.
• 📚 Administrative controls encompass safe operating procedures, minimizing exposure, and ensuring proper training and emergency response plans.
• 🧤 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial and can include chemical-resistant gloves, respirators, eye protection, and overalls.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video by Ozzie the Doc?

The video primarily focuses on chemical hazards in the workplace, discussing their properties, the risks they pose, and how to manage them.

What types of states can hazardous chemicals exist in?

Hazardous chemicals can exist in various states: solid, liquid, or gas.

What are the three elements required for a fire to occur, as mentioned in the script?

The three elements required for a fire to occur are a flammable substance (fuel), a source of oxygen, and an ignition source.

How can the physical state of a chemical influence its risk?

The physical state of a chemical can influence its risk by affecting how it behaves and spreads, with smaller particle sizes, liquids, and gases posing greater risks due to their increased surface area or ability to spread quickly.

What is the significance of temperature changes on chemical properties?

Temperature changes can affect chemical properties by widening the range at which a chemical can burn in the air and increasing the vapor pressure of liquids, which can lead to a higher risk of loss of containment and instability.

What are the potential health effects of chemical exposure?

Health effects of chemical exposure can vary and include acute effects like irritation and burning of the respiratory tract, chronic effects such as occupational asthma, and severe conditions like cancer and silicosis.

How does the route of exposure affect the body's response to chemicals?

The route of exposure affects the body's response by determining the type of health effects, such as inhalation leading to respiratory issues, physical contact causing skin or eye damage, and ingestion leading to digestive tract irritation.

What is the hierarchy of controls for managing chemical hazards in the workplace?

The hierarchy of controls for managing chemical hazards includes elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

What are some examples of engineering controls mentioned in the script?

Examples of engineering controls include implementing barriers, automating processes, isolating operations, ensuring proper ventilation, and using physical distancing measures.

How can administrative controls help in managing chemical hazards?

Administrative controls involve establishing safe operating procedures, minimizing worker exposure, ensuring proper handling and storage protocols, and developing emergency response plans.

What personal protective equipment (PPE) is suggested for chemical hazards?

Suggested PPE for chemical hazards includes chemical-resistant gloves, face respirators or masks, eye protection, and overalls.