Chemical Hazard List for the Chemical Industry
When we are dealing with chemicals in the workplaces, we will be exposed to the chemicals-associated potential hazards that would harm our health and safety, environment and plant facilities. Adequate information about chemical hazards will greatly help us during hazard identification study and ensure no hazards left to be identified.
The list below shows hazards those are associated with chemicals preservation, loading and unloading operation, transportation, usage or maintenance work.
1. Fire. This may be caused by flammable, combustible or reactive chemicals. 2. Explosion. It comes with flammable, combustible or reactive chemicals. 3. Heat. As the result of reaction of the chemicals with another one. 4. Toxic gas. Such gas is also possible to be introduced when two or more chemicals reacting or through decomposition reaction. 5. Corrosive vapors. 6. Harmful to human health: eye irritation, corneal damage, eye burn, skin irritation, skin burn, headache, dizziness, nervous system depression, liver damage, kidney damage, heart damage, tract irritation, death, etc. Each chemical may have different health effects and this information can be extracted from the MSDS. 7. Environment contamination. Chemical spill and waste are common environment contamination factors.
The first step that has to be followed is to make a list containing hazardous chemicals used in the plant site. After that, refer to each MSDS for identifying the hazards. From MSDS, we can recognize different hazard control for each chemical. Some chemicals that are commonly found in chemical plant operation are hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, phosphoric acid, formaldehyde, methanol, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrogen and etc.
Don’t forget to update the chemical hazards list regularly or when change exists. This is so important and will directly affect the hazard identification list.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Safety Tips on Compressed Gas Cylinders
Safety Tips on Compressed Gas Cylinders
Compressed gas cylinders have to be handled properly. Otherwise, associated hazards such as fall, fire, explosion or hazardous gas leakage may happen. That’s why a safety guide on compressed gas cylinders handling is vitally important.
Here are some safety tips on how to handle gas cylinders safely:
1. Compressed gas cylinder should be kept in a special room, fenced and locked.
2. Authorized and trained workers can only have access to the gas cylinders room.
3. Protect gas cylinder against mechanical damage, by using appropriate racks or other means to hold them securely.
4. When the gas cylinder is not used, valve caps should always be in place.
5. To move the gas cylinders manually use sturdy hand trucks, which can hold one or two gas cylinders.
6. Do not handle gas cylinder with electromagnets, ropes or slings.
7. Put appropriate label on the cylinders, which describes content and pressure.
8. Do not allow cylinders to direct sunshine or expose to high temperature (>52degC).
9. Keep flame away from contact with cylinder surface.
10. Keep flammable materials away from the cylinders.
11. Use suitable piping, valves, fittings and others apparatus for the contained gas and pressure.
12. Make sure we have provided valves, regulators and safety relief devices.
13. Always open cylinder valve slowly to wide-open position.
14. Maintain gas cylinder and its accessories in good condition.
15. Never use defective safety relief device and leaked cylinder. Mark it and separate from the good ones.
16. Separate and mark empty gas cylinders from the stock.
17. Do not accept gas cylinders without clear gas name and good gas cylinder condition.
18. Calculate exactly your compressed gas consumption. It is unsafe to store many compressed gas cylinders for 1 year consumption.
Compressed gas cylinder is a typical source of hazards found in chemical plants. So take it into account when we will do hazard identification task. And the above safety tips are forms of hazard controls.
Compressed gas cylinders have to be handled properly. Otherwise, associated hazards such as fall, fire, explosion or hazardous gas leakage may happen. That’s why a safety guide on compressed gas cylinders handling is vitally important.
Here are some safety tips on how to handle gas cylinders safely:
1. Compressed gas cylinder should be kept in a special room, fenced and locked.
2. Authorized and trained workers can only have access to the gas cylinders room.
3. Protect gas cylinder against mechanical damage, by using appropriate racks or other means to hold them securely.
4. When the gas cylinder is not used, valve caps should always be in place.
5. To move the gas cylinders manually use sturdy hand trucks, which can hold one or two gas cylinders.
6. Do not handle gas cylinder with electromagnets, ropes or slings.
7. Put appropriate label on the cylinders, which describes content and pressure.
8. Do not allow cylinders to direct sunshine or expose to high temperature (>52degC).
9. Keep flame away from contact with cylinder surface.
10. Keep flammable materials away from the cylinders.
11. Use suitable piping, valves, fittings and others apparatus for the contained gas and pressure.
12. Make sure we have provided valves, regulators and safety relief devices.
13. Always open cylinder valve slowly to wide-open position.
14. Maintain gas cylinder and its accessories in good condition.
15. Never use defective safety relief device and leaked cylinder. Mark it and separate from the good ones.
16. Separate and mark empty gas cylinders from the stock.
17. Do not accept gas cylinders without clear gas name and good gas cylinder condition.
18. Calculate exactly your compressed gas consumption. It is unsafe to store many compressed gas cylinders for 1 year consumption.
Compressed gas cylinder is a typical source of hazards found in chemical plants. So take it into account when we will do hazard identification task. And the above safety tips are forms of hazard controls.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Plant Safety Inspections
Plant Safety Inspections
Plant safety inspection is a kind of self-checking system. Its aims are to identify potential hazards, look for facility failure, conform the existing safety measures are effective, ensure safety tools availability and conformity, check safety-protection devises functionality, seek unsatisfactory safety programs, check documents and check current safety of the workplaces.
Areas in the plant site that are subjected to be inspected include plant facilities, working conditions, safety equipments/tools, workplace references, jobs, tasks and activities.
Plant safety inspection is the effective measures to prevent accident and even emergency situations. In most cases, safety inspection is more active, rather than reactive.
Who is in charge for safety inspection?
Safety inspection should be done by well-trained individuals or team, which can consist of safety representatives in your organization or internal-safety inspectors.
Plant Safety Inspection Procedures
At first, a procedure for doing the safety inspection has to be provided as well as safety inspection form and checklist. The procedure should describe clearly scope of inspection area, corrective actions and management review. To prepare the best inspection checklist, an initial complete survey to the facility and jobs/tasks is required.
Inspection is performed by surrounding the plant site area and filling out the checklist. Then, classify inspection findings or deficiencies into urgent action, quick improvement or recommend for future improvement. Write down these findings on report form and distribute copy of the report to the management, related sections and don’t forget to provide one copy for filing.
It is no problem if we separate each area to be inspected. Making a schedule will give us a good mapping area and get better inspection results. Plant safety inspection is recommended to be performed in a regular basis. For instance, it is scheduled once per month.
Follow up Against Safety Inspection
Put at the top priority the required urgent actions soon after inspection report released. When it is too late to take actions, an accident may occur. Of course, the management should review all the inspection findings according to the report and introduces quick decision on urgent ones before taking actions.
Some actions may require additional investment and could not be decided in a short time. However, alternative corrective measure has to be provided to control the associated potential hazards. That’s why management review on this matter is essential.
Plant safety inspection is a kind of self-checking system. Its aims are to identify potential hazards, look for facility failure, conform the existing safety measures are effective, ensure safety tools availability and conformity, check safety-protection devises functionality, seek unsatisfactory safety programs, check documents and check current safety of the workplaces.
Areas in the plant site that are subjected to be inspected include plant facilities, working conditions, safety equipments/tools, workplace references, jobs, tasks and activities.
Plant safety inspection is the effective measures to prevent accident and even emergency situations. In most cases, safety inspection is more active, rather than reactive.
Who is in charge for safety inspection?
Safety inspection should be done by well-trained individuals or team, which can consist of safety representatives in your organization or internal-safety inspectors.
Plant Safety Inspection Procedures
At first, a procedure for doing the safety inspection has to be provided as well as safety inspection form and checklist. The procedure should describe clearly scope of inspection area, corrective actions and management review. To prepare the best inspection checklist, an initial complete survey to the facility and jobs/tasks is required.
Inspection is performed by surrounding the plant site area and filling out the checklist. Then, classify inspection findings or deficiencies into urgent action, quick improvement or recommend for future improvement. Write down these findings on report form and distribute copy of the report to the management, related sections and don’t forget to provide one copy for filing.
It is no problem if we separate each area to be inspected. Making a schedule will give us a good mapping area and get better inspection results. Plant safety inspection is recommended to be performed in a regular basis. For instance, it is scheduled once per month.
Follow up Against Safety Inspection
Put at the top priority the required urgent actions soon after inspection report released. When it is too late to take actions, an accident may occur. Of course, the management should review all the inspection findings according to the report and introduces quick decision on urgent ones before taking actions.
Some actions may require additional investment and could not be decided in a short time. However, alternative corrective measure has to be provided to control the associated potential hazards. That’s why management review on this matter is essential.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
How does the MSDS “Material Safety Data Sheet” authoring system work?
How does the MSDS “Material Safety Data Sheet” authoring system work?
Authoring Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) can often be an arduous task which unfortunately many companies face. A company might have a limited software budget, limited amount of MSDS/SDSs to author on a yearly basis, lack of time or expertise, or even overburdened Environmental Health and Safety staff. All of these can contribute to the MSDS authoring obstacles that many companies face. To simplify the process of MSDS authoring, the best route a chemical company can take is to get in touch with a “Chemical Regulatory Compliance Company”.
In order for the regulatory company to be able to author an MSDS you must provide the following items and specifications:
1.What country do you want your MSDS to be compliant in? 2.In what language do you need the MSDS authored in? 3.Full formulation of the product is required in order to analyze the composite in detail: a.Name of each component in the formulation b.CAS Number of each component c.Percentage range for each component 4.Existing MSDS or Technical Data Sheet (if available) that contains any physical/chemical specs, such as pH, flammability, flashpoint, color, odor, etc.
Once the MSDS is fully authored, the supplier of the chemical product must ensure the following:
1.The person to which the product is being sold has full access to the correct MSDS at the time of sale. 2.The MSDS must be submitted to the purchaser in the correct official language of the jurisdiction. If this is not specified to the supplier, then the language in which communication has been transferred between the supplier and purchaser is acceptable. If more than one language is requested, the supplier must comply with the demands of the purchaser. This may result in multiple MSDS’s, one for each official language within the jurisdiction. 3.The MSDS, if submitted over the internet, must be in a fully readable manner when downloaded by the purchaser. There must not be any pages or sections missing from the MSDS, and it must be in the same complete and final form as any paper copy of the same MSDS. 4.The exchange or download of the MSDS by the purchaser must take place at the time of sale of the chemical product.
Once all of the above requirements have been met by the supplier, the purchaser can give a written consent that all of the documentations have been received at the time of perches.
Authoring Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) can often be an arduous task which unfortunately many companies face. A company might have a limited software budget, limited amount of MSDS/SDSs to author on a yearly basis, lack of time or expertise, or even overburdened Environmental Health and Safety staff. All of these can contribute to the MSDS authoring obstacles that many companies face. To simplify the process of MSDS authoring, the best route a chemical company can take is to get in touch with a “Chemical Regulatory Compliance Company”.
In order for the regulatory company to be able to author an MSDS you must provide the following items and specifications:
1.What country do you want your MSDS to be compliant in? 2.In what language do you need the MSDS authored in? 3.Full formulation of the product is required in order to analyze the composite in detail: a.Name of each component in the formulation b.CAS Number of each component c.Percentage range for each component 4.Existing MSDS or Technical Data Sheet (if available) that contains any physical/chemical specs, such as pH, flammability, flashpoint, color, odor, etc.
Once the MSDS is fully authored, the supplier of the chemical product must ensure the following:
1.The person to which the product is being sold has full access to the correct MSDS at the time of sale. 2.The MSDS must be submitted to the purchaser in the correct official language of the jurisdiction. If this is not specified to the supplier, then the language in which communication has been transferred between the supplier and purchaser is acceptable. If more than one language is requested, the supplier must comply with the demands of the purchaser. This may result in multiple MSDS’s, one for each official language within the jurisdiction. 3.The MSDS, if submitted over the internet, must be in a fully readable manner when downloaded by the purchaser. There must not be any pages or sections missing from the MSDS, and it must be in the same complete and final form as any paper copy of the same MSDS. 4.The exchange or download of the MSDS by the purchaser must take place at the time of sale of the chemical product.
Once all of the above requirements have been met by the supplier, the purchaser can give a written consent that all of the documentations have been received at the time of perches.
Monday, August 10, 2009
What “Cleaning Companies” need to know about MSDSs “Material Safety Data Sheets”?
What “Cleaning Companies” need to know about MSDSs “Material Safety Data Sheets”?
In order for a “Cleaning Company” to do its job, chemical products must always be involved.
However, no matter how many or how few chemicals you use, it is important that you have the MSDS for each cleaning product. One should note that an MSDS is not only important to have on hand for safety reasons but it is also a WHMIS “Workplace Hazardous Material Information System” requirement. These sheets must be available to employees; in fact, an employee can refuse to work with a product if not shown the product’s MSDS.
If you are not sure where to get an MSDS it can be obtained from the manufacturer or supplier of that specific product. If your supplies come from a janitorial supplies distributor they will either have the MSDS or be able to get if from a janitorial suppliers distributor, or the main manufacturer. If you buy supplies from a big box store or over the Internet, the supplier might not have the MSDS for the product. In this case, you will have to get it from the manufacturer or you may be able to search for it on the Internet.
Employers should carefully read over the product’s MSDS before using it and share the information with employees. Invest some time into learning product properties, as it can protect your employees, and keep your cleaning company out of trouble in case of a spill or accident.
These are the main details you should look out for and pay close attention to while reading an MSDS:
1.Hazards Identification
2.Composition/Information on Ingredients
3.Fire Fighting Measures
4.Accidental Release Measures
5.Handling and Storage
6.Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
7.Physical and Chemical Properties
8.Stability and Reactivity
9.Toxicology Information
10.Ecological Information
11.Disposal Considerations
All of the above listed points are the most important facts a “Cleaning Company” needs to look out for in order to keep its employees, company, and the environment safe and secure.
In order for a “Cleaning Company” to do its job, chemical products must always be involved.
However, no matter how many or how few chemicals you use, it is important that you have the MSDS for each cleaning product. One should note that an MSDS is not only important to have on hand for safety reasons but it is also a WHMIS “Workplace Hazardous Material Information System” requirement. These sheets must be available to employees; in fact, an employee can refuse to work with a product if not shown the product’s MSDS.
If you are not sure where to get an MSDS it can be obtained from the manufacturer or supplier of that specific product. If your supplies come from a janitorial supplies distributor they will either have the MSDS or be able to get if from a janitorial suppliers distributor, or the main manufacturer. If you buy supplies from a big box store or over the Internet, the supplier might not have the MSDS for the product. In this case, you will have to get it from the manufacturer or you may be able to search for it on the Internet.
Employers should carefully read over the product’s MSDS before using it and share the information with employees. Invest some time into learning product properties, as it can protect your employees, and keep your cleaning company out of trouble in case of a spill or accident.
These are the main details you should look out for and pay close attention to while reading an MSDS:
1.Hazards Identification
2.Composition/Information on Ingredients
3.Fire Fighting Measures
4.Accidental Release Measures
5.Handling and Storage
6.Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
7.Physical and Chemical Properties
8.Stability and Reactivity
9.Toxicology Information
10.Ecological Information
11.Disposal Considerations
All of the above listed points are the most important facts a “Cleaning Company” needs to look out for in order to keep its employees, company, and the environment safe and secure.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
3 Grades of Chemicals for Thames Kosmos Chemistry Sets
3 Grades of Chemicals for Thames Kosmos Chemistry Sets
Chemistry sets from brands like Thames Kosmos, Scientific Explorer and Powertech provide children with hours of educational entertainment. The great thing about these sets is they provide all the chemicals and materials required to conduct the experiments. But what do you do when the chemicals have all been used?
Walmart seems to have just about everything but have you ever found the chemicals aisle? Not only are chemicals hard to find but who even knows what to buy? This article explains the difference between 3 grades of chemicals so you can know the right chemicals for your next school experiment, homework assignment or science fair project.
Chemistry sets can awaken an interest in chemistry and the physical world, setting children on a path to a future career. Even the most basic chemistry sets are filled with experiments that will peak and keep the interest of children who already have a basic scientific interest or knowledge, or those who are absolute beginners. Chemistry experiments are designed to teach things like air pressure and water tension, and how everyday things function. Some of the experiments work with benign objects, while others require chemicals.
Not all the experiments found in chemistry sets like the Thames Kosmos series require the use of chemicals. For those that do, it’s good to know what you’re working with, and what your choices are when you need to purchase chemicals.
Most chemicals are graded, the grade representing the purity of the chemical. A chemical with a higher grade has fewer impurities, or other chemicals, such as metals and water, than those with a lower grade. The cost of chemicals is in keeping with its grade: a higher grade is more expensive than lower grades.
Although there are several different protocols for grading chemicals, there are three basic grades that are the most common and most likely to be used. They are, from highest to lowest, reagent grade, laboratory grade, and technical grade.
Reagent grade, also known as ACS, is the highest chemical grade there is, meaning it is the most pure. It meets or exceeds American Chemical Society standards. Chemicals graded as reagent grade can be used in all situations, from scientific to manufacturing. It is the only chemical grade that can be used in biological experiments.
Laboratory grade chemicals, which may also be referred to as lab, are less pure than reagent grade chemicals, but are still of a fairly high purity. These chemicals would not be pure enough to use in medical or food products, but they are usually more than adequate for science fair projects.
Technical grade chemicals are also called industrial grade, and are the least pure chemicals. Chemicals of this grade are typically used in industrial or commercial applications, but may be adequate for some science fair projects. These chemicals are not acceptable for use in food or medicinal purposes.
If your experiment has stringent requirements for chemical purity, your best bet would be purchasing from a chemical supply house where you can be assured of the grade of chemical you are purchasing. If you are unsure of what grade is needed for a particular experiment, laboratory grade is a safe choice.
So now that you have a handle on that, where do you go to find the chemicals you need? You don’t have to buy chemistry sets to get more chemicals. You can actually purchase just the chemicals at various stores (hardware store, drug store, even the grocery store) rather than a chemical supply house. However, before you get excited about that, there is a problem. When you buy from these types of stores, the chemicals are unlikely to be graded and may contain an unacceptable level of impurities for the experiment being performed.
Now you can buy the right chemical with confidence that it will get the job done. Having the proper chemicals allows you to successfully conduct experiments. It also allows you to replenish the supply of chemicals in your old Thames Kosmos chemistry sets so you can blow the dust off of the set and put it back to good use.
Chemistry sets from brands like Thames Kosmos, Scientific Explorer and Powertech provide children with hours of educational entertainment. The great thing about these sets is they provide all the chemicals and materials required to conduct the experiments. But what do you do when the chemicals have all been used?
Walmart seems to have just about everything but have you ever found the chemicals aisle? Not only are chemicals hard to find but who even knows what to buy? This article explains the difference between 3 grades of chemicals so you can know the right chemicals for your next school experiment, homework assignment or science fair project.
Chemistry sets can awaken an interest in chemistry and the physical world, setting children on a path to a future career. Even the most basic chemistry sets are filled with experiments that will peak and keep the interest of children who already have a basic scientific interest or knowledge, or those who are absolute beginners. Chemistry experiments are designed to teach things like air pressure and water tension, and how everyday things function. Some of the experiments work with benign objects, while others require chemicals.
Not all the experiments found in chemistry sets like the Thames Kosmos series require the use of chemicals. For those that do, it’s good to know what you’re working with, and what your choices are when you need to purchase chemicals.
Most chemicals are graded, the grade representing the purity of the chemical. A chemical with a higher grade has fewer impurities, or other chemicals, such as metals and water, than those with a lower grade. The cost of chemicals is in keeping with its grade: a higher grade is more expensive than lower grades.
Although there are several different protocols for grading chemicals, there are three basic grades that are the most common and most likely to be used. They are, from highest to lowest, reagent grade, laboratory grade, and technical grade.
Reagent grade, also known as ACS, is the highest chemical grade there is, meaning it is the most pure. It meets or exceeds American Chemical Society standards. Chemicals graded as reagent grade can be used in all situations, from scientific to manufacturing. It is the only chemical grade that can be used in biological experiments.
Laboratory grade chemicals, which may also be referred to as lab, are less pure than reagent grade chemicals, but are still of a fairly high purity. These chemicals would not be pure enough to use in medical or food products, but they are usually more than adequate for science fair projects.
Technical grade chemicals are also called industrial grade, and are the least pure chemicals. Chemicals of this grade are typically used in industrial or commercial applications, but may be adequate for some science fair projects. These chemicals are not acceptable for use in food or medicinal purposes.
If your experiment has stringent requirements for chemical purity, your best bet would be purchasing from a chemical supply house where you can be assured of the grade of chemical you are purchasing. If you are unsure of what grade is needed for a particular experiment, laboratory grade is a safe choice.
So now that you have a handle on that, where do you go to find the chemicals you need? You don’t have to buy chemistry sets to get more chemicals. You can actually purchase just the chemicals at various stores (hardware store, drug store, even the grocery store) rather than a chemical supply house. However, before you get excited about that, there is a problem. When you buy from these types of stores, the chemicals are unlikely to be graded and may contain an unacceptable level of impurities for the experiment being performed.
Now you can buy the right chemical with confidence that it will get the job done. Having the proper chemicals allows you to successfully conduct experiments. It also allows you to replenish the supply of chemicals in your old Thames Kosmos chemistry sets so you can blow the dust off of the set and put it back to good use.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Homeschooling Facts - Research against Homeschooling
Homeschooling Facts - Research against Homeschooling
A lot of research has been done to proof that homeschooled children’s academic achievements are better than that of learners in public schools.
There is, on the other hand, very little research available to proof arguments against homeschooling.
Certain questions that were raised by experts in the education field can, however, not be ignored.
Regulation of homeschooling seems to lack dismally in most states of the USA. The parent has the freedom to teach any curriculum and some even work without a specific curriculum.
Marty Hittelman, the president of the California Federation for teachers, has a problem with the stringent standards, evaluation and training teachers are subjected to, in public schools, compared to homeschooling parents that are not expected to undergo training or any form of standardized evaluation.
According to the California Federation for Teachers, there are also no standards or specific exit exams imposed on homeschooling students, in the California region. This seems to be the rule rather than the exceptions in most of the states. Even though these arguments proof some problems regarding the control of homeschooling by the state, it is necessary to mention that regardless of this, most children being homeschooled still have much higher grades than most of their peers in public schools.
Further than these specific negatives been pointed out regarding the regulations by the state, the rest of the opposing arguments against homeschooling are just arguments and there is no research available to proof the validity of these arguments.
Many of these arguments point to possible problems, that any parent considering homeschooling should definitely be aware of.
Most of the arguments against homeschooling rather has to do with the ability of the family to provide the correct homeschooling opposed to definite research that homeschooling is wrong for everybody.
There is no argument against the fact that there are many challenges for homeschooling parents and children. Before homeschooling can be successful and be of more benefit to the child than public schooling, the parents will have to realize and overcome these challenges.
A lot of research has been done to proof that homeschooled children’s academic achievements are better than that of learners in public schools.
There is, on the other hand, very little research available to proof arguments against homeschooling.
Certain questions that were raised by experts in the education field can, however, not be ignored.
Regulation of homeschooling seems to lack dismally in most states of the USA. The parent has the freedom to teach any curriculum and some even work without a specific curriculum.
Marty Hittelman, the president of the California Federation for teachers, has a problem with the stringent standards, evaluation and training teachers are subjected to, in public schools, compared to homeschooling parents that are not expected to undergo training or any form of standardized evaluation.
According to the California Federation for Teachers, there are also no standards or specific exit exams imposed on homeschooling students, in the California region. This seems to be the rule rather than the exceptions in most of the states. Even though these arguments proof some problems regarding the control of homeschooling by the state, it is necessary to mention that regardless of this, most children being homeschooled still have much higher grades than most of their peers in public schools.
Further than these specific negatives been pointed out regarding the regulations by the state, the rest of the opposing arguments against homeschooling are just arguments and there is no research available to proof the validity of these arguments.
Many of these arguments point to possible problems, that any parent considering homeschooling should definitely be aware of.
Most of the arguments against homeschooling rather has to do with the ability of the family to provide the correct homeschooling opposed to definite research that homeschooling is wrong for everybody.
There is no argument against the fact that there are many challenges for homeschooling parents and children. Before homeschooling can be successful and be of more benefit to the child than public schooling, the parents will have to realize and overcome these challenges.
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