Chemical Safety

When working with or around chemicals, you must be familiar with the hazards of the chemical (you have a right-to-know), and how to protect yourself and others from the chemical.

There are two categories of chemical hazards - physical and health.

Be familiar with these hazards!!

Routes of entry
Chemicals can enter the body through the following ways:

• Inhalation - your lungs breathe in dust, vapors or fumes

• Absorption - liquid or dust is spilled or touches your skin or eyes

• Ingestion - you swallow chemicals (eating after handling chemicals)

• Injection - sharp objects with chemical residues pierce the skin

Material Safety Data Sheets

What is a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)?
MSDS provide important safety information regarding health effects from overexposure, first aid treatment information, etc. (click for more info on MSDS)

Where can you find MSDS?
Each department has their own MSDS binder, with a list of the chemical inventory, and a copy of the MSDS for each chemical. Each department is responsible for updating their MSDS binder, as needed. The EH&S office maintains a master file of all District MSDSs and all program chemical inventories. The EH&S Office also provides assistance with obtaining MSDSs and updating inventories, where requested.

Why should you use them?
It is your responsibility to read the MSDS to understand the hazards associated with the chemical, prior to their use. Contact the EH&S Office with any questions, or hazard assessment needs.

Labeling
Incoming containers - arriving into shipping and receiving, must have three things on the label by OSHA codes: the name of the product, the hazard warnings, and the name & address of the supplier/manufacturer.

In-house labels - (for materials transferred from original shipped containers to in-house containers) must have two things on the label: the name of the chemical and the hazards associated with that product.

More label requirements:

1. The hazards can be in written form, or pictogram form, as long as the users understands the information
2. The labels must be legible
3. The label cannot be defaced
4. If a container is missing a label, it will be separated from the rest of the containers and relabeled with the identity and associated hazards. If you need assistance, contact your supervisor or the EH&S Manager
5. For additional assistance with chemical labeling, contact the EH&S Manager

NFPA label
The NFPA label is used by fire fighting personnel so that they may determine the proper precautions to take with that chemical. (See example) The colors each represent a hazard - health, flammability and instability and are rated on a scale from 0-4, 0 being little to no hazard, and 4 being extremely dangerous.

--You may use the NFPA label to determine the hazards and storing requirements of your chemicals.

--Any labeling system must be relayed and understood by all program individuals (staff and students) in order to be in compliance with codes and effective.

Written Program
MATC's written Hazard Communication Program provides the responsibilities of MATC staff and their use of chemicals.

How to clean a chemical spill - Do not underestimate a chemical spill. Know how to respond.
Chemical spills are broken down into two categories -Major and Minor, defined as follows:

Major Spill is a spill that poses a health or safety hazard to others, the environment, or the facilities.

Minor Spill refers to:

1. Amount and type of material which the employee normally works with;
2. Where outside resources are not needed and where others, environment and the facilities are not at risk, and;
3. The spill can be cleaned up with the appropriate spill clean-up procedures for this chemical.
4. Clean up of the material should proceed only if the employee can identify the chemical and has been trained concerning the hazards of the chemical.

If a MAJOR SPILL occurs:

1. Evacuate area.
2. Call 9-911.
3. Contact the MATC Environmental Health & Safety Manger through the facilities security office (608) 243-4357.

If a MINOR SPILL occurs:

1. Contact MATC Environmental Health & Safety Manager for reporting purposes and assistance.
2. Reference Material Safety Data Sheets or other appropriate reference material.
3. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
4. Clean up and dispose of materials as appropriate/ required.

More Chemical Safety Information

For more on chemical safety, check out the following information sheets:

• Chemical Disposal Fact Sheet
• Chemical Storage Fact Sheet
• Flammable and Combustible Fact Sheets
  

Questions? Contact Environmental Health & Safety