Chemical Safety
Chemical Safety Management If you store or use hazardous chemicals, you are vulnerable to accidents Accidents can lead to injury, death, downtime, elevated maintenance costs, bad PR, and loss of customer confidence
Chemical Safety Management Accidents and releases of hazardous materials into the environment are preventable Hazardous material inventory (quantity, where, how stored) Identify potential hazards Determine what can go wrong by using the What if...? hazard analysis method Assess the likelihood of accidents Evaluate potential consequences of accidents Establish a preventative maintenance program
Chemical Safety Management Develop standard operating procedures Gather MSDS sheets and provide MSDS stations Properly label all hazardous materials Implement employee training and re training programs Document and investigate accidents Develop an emergency response plan Practice emergency procedures Market safety
Safe Chemical Storage Have an established emergency plan Read the chemical labels and MSDS sheets Do not allow children to handle pool chemicals Don't smoke near pool chemicals Store chemicals in a cool, dry, well ventilated area Separate incompatible chemicals Keep pool chemical away from flammable products (paints, solvents, soaps, detergents, fertilizers, pesticides, oils, fuels, acids...) Store chemicals on pallets or shelves, not on the floor
Safe Chemical Storage Follow chemical manufacturer's stacking procedures and storage guidelines Store liquid chemical below solid chemicals Keep the chemical storage area clean Inspect chemical containers regularly Use chemicals on a first in, first out basis Wear appropriate protective gear when handling chemicals (eye, skin, and respiratory protection)
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets MSDS stations Master files
MSDS Information covered in MSDS: Identity Product name Manufacturer, address, phone number Date MSDS was prepared Hazardous ingredients Chemical ID and common name Exposure limits (PEL, TLV) Trade secrets Physical and chemical characteristics Boiling point, melting point, vapor pressure, evaporation rate, water solubility, appearance, weight, odor...
MSDS Physical hazards Fire and explosion information Fire fighting procedures and equipment Reactivity Stability of the product What to keep it away from (air, high temperatures, water, incompatible materials, other chemicals) to prevent reactivity Control measures Personal protective gear Signs that should be posted Hygiene practices
MSDS Health hazards How contamination occurs (inhaling, swallowing, absorption through skin) Signs and symptoms of exposure (nausea, eye irritation, dizziness, skin rashes, breathing cessation, headache...) Medical conditions that might be made worse Emergency first aid procedures Precautions for safe handling Usage, handling and storage information Clean-up procedures and equipment for spills, leaks, accidental releases Proper disposal of the product
Secondary Containment Prevents spills from being released into the environment Larger containers Double wall containers Containment dikes
Secondary Containment Safe secondary containment 8 gallon container holds 5-gallon pail 15 gallon container holds 2 5-gallon pails 30 gallon container holds 20 gallon drum 55 gallon container holds 30-gallon drum 85 gallon container holds 55-gallon drum
Donʼt Mix Chemicals Ignitable Corrosive Reactive Toxic
Chemical Spill Response Kits Polyethylene shovel Broom Respiratory protection Barricade tape Tyvek polylaminated coveralls Nitrile gloves Goggles Absorbent Salvage drum and overpacks
Emergency Eye Wash & Drench Shower ANSI Z358.1-1990 minimum performance requirements Minimum flow rate: Showers: 30 gpm Eye wash: 0.4 gpm for 15 minutes Face wash: 3 gpm for 15 minutes Location: 10 seconds and 100 feet of hazards 10 feet for strong acids or corrosives Monthly testing requirements to verify operation and flush lines
Emergency Eye Wash & Drench Shower General Industry Safety Orders (CCR, Title 8, 5162) Plumbed or self contained units Provided where during routine operations or foreseeable emergencies where eyes or body may come into contact with substances that cause corrosion, severe irritation, permanent tissue damage, or which is toxic by absorption Water hoses, sinks faucets or showers are not acceptable substitutes Located so eye wash and shower can be used at the same time by one person Area surrounding eye wash and drench shower must be unobstructed and clear
Chemical Spills Clean up chemical spills immediately Notify your supervisor of all chemical spills Wear appropriate protective gear when cleaning up spills Put spilled chemicals in isolated overpacks, do not put them back into their original containers Label chemical salvage drums Dispose of chemicals in an approved manner Don't throw spilled chemicals into a dumpster Call the fire department or hazardous materials team for spills over 100 pounds
Chemical Spills Report spills exceeding "reportable quantities" (RQ) Don't use dry powder fire extinguishers to put out pool chemical fires Apply appropriate first aid procedures, if necessary
First Aid for Pool Chemical Accidents Chemicals are spilled on the skin: Go immediately to the emergency drench shower and rinse the effected area with fresh water for at least 15 minutes Remove contaminated clothing. Chemicals are splashed in the eyes: Go immediately to the emergency eye wash and rinse the eyes with fresh water for at least 15 minutes Patch both eyes Transport to the emergency room lying down
First Aid for Pool Chemical Accidents Chemicals are inhaled: Go out into the fresh air immediately Provide rescue breathing if necessary Chemicals are swallowed: Drink plenty of water Do not induce vomiting
Transporting Pool Chemicals Keep your vehicle clean Separate incompatible chemicals Donʼt carry damaged containers Put heavy equipment on the rear floor Securely anchor the load Carry proper clean-up equipment
Transporting Pool Chemicals Apply placards for loads that exceed limits (1,000 pounds or 100 gallons) Carry shipping papers in plain view Deal with spills immediately Wear personal protective gear Dispose of spilled chemicals properly Get medical attention if necessary Contact authorities for spills which exceed the RQ, contamination or accident Carry a fire extinguisher, but never use a BC fire extinguisher to fight a chlorine chemical fire
Chemtrec Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (800) 424-9300 (800) 483-7616 (DC) or (202) 483-7616 (AK) Toll free service which provides immediate advice after a chemical transportation emergency Operates 24 hours per day Will assist you in contacting the National Response Center to report the release of a RQ of a hazardous substance into the environment (800) 424-8802