Chemical safety in the workplace: minimise harm and maximise productivity

As an employer it is your responsibility to ensure your staff have the right equipment and appropriate training to safely handle chemicals.

So what are the basics of dangerous chemicals handling? What sort of equipment should your staff be provided with? And what are the other controls around chemical safety?

The legislation 

"There are two areas that business should be aware of," says Paul Flood, managing director and principal consultant at Safety Systems, specialists in occupational health and safety assessment and training. 

"One is the storage and handling of dangerous goods, which relates to the physical properties of substances, like flammability or corrosiveness, and their transportation and storage.

"The other is legislation about how employees should safely handle dangerous chemicals in the course of their work." 

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

While an important part of any chemical safety program, PPE is the last line of defence. As Worksafe Victoria says, "It is the least effective safety measure," and "should only be used where it is not practicable to use other measures."

But that doesn't make protective equipment any less essential. Items and features may include: 

Safety glasses, eye shields

• fully enclosed
• securely fitted
• anti-fog
• impact resistant
• 180-degree visibility
• UV resistant

Gloves

• chemical resistant
• properly fitted
• cover the forearm
• disposable
• lining material

Face respirators

• full- or half-face
• reusable or disposable
• new filters
• securely fitted and adjustable
• fit a hard hat over them

Safety shoes

• oil resistant
• waterproof
• able to be removed without using hands
• seams and laces
• non-slip soles

Safety clothing

• disposable
• elastic cuffs
• fire retardant
• chemical and water resistant
• easy to remove

Other means of protecting your staff

According to Paul, the hierarchy of controls for ensuring chemical safety in the workplace is:

1. Elimination: Find a way to avoid using that product.
2. Substitution: Find a less toxic chemical that does the same job. 
3. Engineering: For example, provide robust ventilation to remove dangerous fumes.
4. Administrative: Employ signage to remind staff of dangers and control in relation to hazardous chemicals. 

Getting compliant

In consultation with the business, Paul works on meeting the legal requirements for chemical safety by: 

• recording all the chemicals on site - this becomes the hazardous substances register
• obtaining a materials safety data sheet (MSDS) for each chemical
• developing risk-analysis procedures and safety systems for the workplace, with reference to the legislation
• prioritising risk levels by substances used and then assessing risks according to priority. 

Protect your staff, protect your business

Ensure your staff are protected from chemical mishaps by supplying the right personal protective equipment.

Phone a safety assessor today to get advice on chemical safety and the right products to ensure your staff is protected.