Top 5 Tips To Ensure Workplace Chemical Safety
Majority of the workplaces in the United States are establishing measures to ensure workplace chemical safety to make sure that the 2005 Texas industrial accident will not happen again. The US Chemical Safety Board aims to tighten up measures to prevent and minimize workplace chemical accidents.
With the release of the 335-page report on the Texas explosion which killed 15 people, the CSB aims to make sure that hazardous chemical safety will become a top priority not only in refineries but in other factories and establishments as well. The report concluded that BP Corporation was deficient in providing organizational workplace health safety resulting to the tragic explosion.
Here are some workplace chemical safety tips to prevent such tragedy from happening again:
1. Proper Safety Management through proper labeling of chemicals
Companies dealing with hazardous chemicals should make sure that the workers are informed about the names and possible hazardous effects of the chemicals commonly found in the workplace and which they use to accomplish their work. Workers should also be informed of the possible reactions of these chemicals when mixed with other chemicals or when exposed to certain weather or temperature. Improvement in the establishment's process safety management can prevent deaths and lessen the hazards caused by improper use of chemicals. 2. Regular Inventory of Chemicals
Chemicals in the workplace are potentially hazardous not only to the workers and the workplace but also to other people when such chemicals are not properly accounted for. To avoid this, supervisors and managers should conduct a regular inventory of the chemicals being stored in their factories or establishments. This will prevent improper use of chemicals as well as the possibility of such chemicals being stolen and used by other people for illegal purposes. Ideally, inventory should be done annually but every new purchase as well as its disposal should be accounted for properly. Regular inventory of chemicals will also allow tracking of unlabelled chemicals. 3. First Aid Guide
What should workers do in case of accidental exposure to a chemical? This information should be contained in a packet which is accessible to the workers so they can easily check the possible first aid method in case someone gets injured as a result to accidental exposure to any chemical. It would be better if workers are given an advance briefing on what to do in case of such accidental exposure; but make the guide available at all times in strategic areas in the workplace. The National Fire Protection Association can help in identifying the possible hazardous effects of chemicals. 4. Disposing hazardous chemical waste
All factories and establishments using potentially hazardous chemicals are responsible for the proper disposal of such chemicals to ensure that they do not unduly expose their workers and other people to such chemicals. Every company should allocate a reasonable budget for proper chemical disposal. 5. Training
All workers should undergo extensive training in the proper handling of chemicals that are being used and stored in the establishment in relation to their work. Cost for such training should be handled by the management including the daily wages for the workers even while attending such training. Ensuring the safety of the workers and the workplace is the responsibility of the management. Under the law, they are liable for any accident or injury suffered by their workers as a result of workplace-related injuries. Thus, it makes sense for management to make sure that the workplace is safe for the workers at all times.
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