Chemicals are everywhere. In our homes. At the gym. In schools and in workplaces.
In almost every sector, both large and small businesses have at least one chemical on premise.
They're found in cleaning agents used in most workplaces. Even the most
modern offices routinely expose employees to ink toners and glues.
Chemicals are used as raw materials during the production of goods.
They are also produced through common workplace processes such as lift truck exhaust and
welding fumes. Safely managing workplace chemicals
is not only your responsibility, it also makes good business sense.
Healthy and safe employees lead to more productive operations. You'll also reduce the risk
of costly environmental damage. The key to chemical safety is understanding
associated risk. Knowing what chemicals your workers use and implementing proper
controls to ensure everyone's safety. Chemicals are hazardous to your health
when they come in contact with or enter the body. This can happen in four
different ways. Inhalation: breathing in airborne
contaminants is the most common way for chemicals to enter the body.
Ingestion: toxins can be easily swallowed if food, drinks or hands are contaminated.
Absorption: some chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or transferred
from the hands or fingernails to the mouth or the eyes, and lastly
Injection: toxins can be injected directly into the bloodstream when a sharp object
punctures the skin. Chemicals come in different forms such
as dust, fumes, fibers and powders, liquids, mist, vapors and gases. Any chemical with
the potential to cause harm is considered a hazardous or toxic chemical.
This includes chemicals used for processing such as acids, solvents
cleaning agents, glues, resins, and paints. Chemicals generated by a work process
such as fumes from welding, soldering and wooden flour dust. Chemicals generated as
waste or residue like carbon monoxide from exhaust, soldering lead fumes or
diesel exhaust from trucks. Health effects caused by chemicals depend on
numerous factors including the toxicity of the chemical, the concentration in the
air the duration of exposure, the route of exposure, interaction with other
chemicals present in the workplace as well as individual susceptibility.
When not handled properly, chemicals can have tremendous impact on people,
the environment and the physical property they come in contact with.
This includes the lives of Ontario workers. According to WSIB,
in 2014, 167 fatality claims were allowed for workers who lost their lives due to
an occupational disease. Approximately 60% of these deaths were caused by
cancers associated with exposure to hazardous materials.
If you treat chemicals with respect you will help keep your workplace safe.
I'm Ilma Bhunnoo and this has been your health and safety tip from
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. For more information visit WSPS.CA