An MTA apprentice was recently involved in a serious incident where a Class 3 chemical (flammable liquid) used to clean a hydraulic oil spill on the floor reacted with a vacuum cleaner (introduced ignition source), causing a small explosion. The explosion resulted in burns to the apprentice’s face and hair as well as short-term damage to hearing.
This incident reinforces the importance of effectively managing risks associated with hazardous chemicals in our workplace. As apprentices, you must understand your responsibilities regarding safety and health while working with such substances.
According to workplace health and safety regulations, apprentices must prioritise their safety and the safety of others. This includes following safety instructions provided by supervisors and cooperating with safety procedures. If personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided, you must use it as instructed and trained.
Here are some key guidelines and responsibilities for managing hazardous chemicals in your workplace:
- correct labelling of containers and pipework, using warning placards and outer warning placards and displaying of safety signs
- maintaining a register and manifest (where relevant) of hazardous chemicals and providing notification to the regulator of manifest quantities if required
- identifying risk of physical or chemical reaction of hazardous chemicals and ensuring the stability of hazardous chemicals
- ensuring that exposure standards are not exceeded
- provision of health monitoring to workers
- provision of information, training, instruction and supervision to workers
- provision of spill containment system for hazardous chemicals if necessary
- obtaining the current safety data sheet (SDS) from the manufacturer, importer or supplier of the chemical and making the SDS readily available to workers
- controlling ignition sources and accumulation of flammable and combustible substances
- provision and availability of fire protection, firefighting equipment, emergency equipment and safety equipment
- preparing an emergency plan, and if the quantity of a class of hazardous chemical at a workplace exceeds the manifest quantity for that hazardous chemical, providing a copy of the emergency plan to the primary service organisation .
There are two main types of hazards associated with hazardous chemicals which may present an immediate or long-term injury or illness to people. These are:
Health hazards—These are properties of a chemical that cause adverse health effects. Exposure usually occurs through inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. Adverse health effects can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term). Typical acute health effects include headaches, nausea or vomiting and skin corrosion, while chronic health effects include asthma, dermatitis, nerve damage or cancer. Examples of chemicals with health hazards include toxic chemicals (poisons), carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) and reproductive toxins (chemicals which may cause infertility or birth defects).
Physical hazards—These are properties of a chemical that can result in immediate injury to people or damage to property. They arise through inappropriate handling or use and can often result in injury to people and/or damage to property as a result of the intrinsic physical hazard. Examples of physical hazards include flammable, corrosive, explosive, chemically-reactive and oxidising chemicals. Many chemicals have properties that make them both health and physical hazards.
Labelling and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
It’s important to note that not all information about the hazards of a chemical or instructions for safe storage, handling and use may be provided on labels of chemicals. In most cases, the SDS will contain much more information about a hazardous chemical than appears on the label. An SDS provides critical information about hazardous chemicals such as:
- the chemical’s identity and ingredients
- health and physical hazards
- safe handling and storage procedures, including segregation requirements for different chemical classes
- emergency procedures, and
- disposal considerations.
People handling, using and storing chemicals must review current SDS prior to introducing new chemicals to the workplace or using existing chemicals to assist with implementing and maintaining safe work practices. Where unsafe chemical management practices are observed in the workplace, they should be immediately reported to your Supervisor for rectification.
Refer to Code of Practice – Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace for further information.
Stay safe, everyone.
