Hazardous Materials Flashcards
Dangerous Goods Classification
Substances in Aus required to be categorised by system developed by UN
Ensures imports/exports have same information of hazards
Dangerous Goods Classes
Class 1: explosives Class 2: gases - flammable, compressed, toxic Class 3: flammable liquids Class 4: flammable liquids Class 5: oxidising substances Class 6: toxic substances Class 7: corrosive substances Class 8: miscellaneous dangerous goods
Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
Dangerous Goods Safety Act (2004) and associated Regulations provide for explosives and dangerous goods (including security risk substances) safety and security within a licensing regime
Poisons Act 1964
Schedule 1: no longer is use
Schedule 2: pharmacy medicine
Schedule 3: pharmacist medicine
Schedule 4: prescription medicine
Schedule 5: caution - readily available but require caution
Schedule 6: poisons - readily available but more hazardous than schedule 5
Schedule 7: dangerous poisons - require special precautions
Schedule 8: controlled drug
Schedule 9: prohibited substances
Classifications of Hazardous Substances
Irritant Corrosive Toxic Harmful Explosive Flammable Oxidising Mutagen Reproductive toxicity Carcinogen
Hazardous Substances
Most workplaces use them in production or cleaning: - acids, caustic - lime - welding fumes - mercury Can also be found around the house - ammonia - LPG - manufactured products
Physical Effects of Chemicals
Explosiveness Flammability Reactivity Oxidisation Corrosiveness Other hazards relate to temperature and pressure Hot/very cold chemicals burn on contact
Heath Effects
Chronic: long term exposures Acute: immediate effects Systemic: damages body organs Local: damages exposed area Sensitisers: alters body's response
IARC
Group 1: carcinogenic to humans
Group 2A: probably carcinogenic to humans
Group 2B: possibility carcinogenic to humans
Group 3: not classifiable as carcinogenic to humans
Group 4: probably not carcinogenic to humans
United Nations - GHS
Globally harmonised system of classification and labelling chemcials
Labelling
Label identifies: - materials in container - whether material is hazardous - basic information about safe use and handling Label information: - product name and manufacturer - main ingredients - dangerous goods class - pictograms, signal words and hazard statement - risk and safety phrases/precautionary statements - additional directions for use - suppliers details and emergency number
Safety Data Sheet
Information sheet provides basic information Contains information about: - properties and use - health effects - precautions for use - safe handling - emergency procedures - develop 'safe working procedures' - first aid measures - medical treatment - fire fighting measures - stability and reactivity - toxicological information
Risk Assessment
Description of data Work area Hazardous substances used Health effects Who has potential to be exposed Routes of entry How much is used How each person is exposed/duration Control measures in place Compliance with control measures Effectiveness of control measures Washing facilities Emergency facilities Waste disposal Risk conclusions - summarise deficiencies
Elimination
Difficult to achieve in practice
- production
- quality
- cost
Substitution
Use safer form of substance
Use a safer substance/products
Process modification
Isolation
Separate people from a harmful agent/process by:
- distance
- time
- barriers
Engineering Controls
Use of equipment or processes, to prevent or minimise the release of hazardous chemical agents
Total Enclosure/Containment
Operator controls the process from outside the enclosure. Used when working with:
- carcinogens
- sensitisers
- materials under high temperature or pressure
Storage Requirements
Large quantities controlled Dangerous Goods Regulations
Permit required for some scheduled poisons
Advice on label and SDS
Good Storage
Prohibition of eating, drinking, and smoking in work areas
Promptly deal with spills and leaks
Wash Facilites
Health Implications: disease transmission, skin diseases, ingestion of hazardous substances, skin irritation and sensitisation
Minimum Facilities: toilets, change rooms, showers, central dispensers for cleaning agents, washing clothes
Administrative Controls
Safe system rely on:
- good management/supervision
- employee engagement/behaviour
- written rules/procedures
- information
Actions
Induction and training
- extent depends on level of risk
- use information on hazards and controls to prepare training materials
Ongoing workplace monitoring
Procedures and PPE
Initial and ongoing training in selection, use and maintenance of PPE
