Hazardous chemicals can not only cause harm, but do so in a number of ways.

Handling chemical products can put you at risk of adverse health effects from:

  • Dermal exposure (contact with the skin)
  • Ophthalmological exposure (contact with the eyes)
  • Inhalation (breathing in the chemical)
  • Ingestion (swallowing the chemical)

On top of that, there are physical hazards to worry about. Some chemicals are flammable. Those that are kept under pressure could cause an explosion. And in some cases, there is the possibility of a chemical displacing the oxygen in a room or a confined space.

So no matter what chemical you use or which risks are associated with it, its important to handle it safely and correctly.

Here’s an overview of what you need to know when dealing with chemicals as part of your job.

Know Your SDS

Every chemical product in your workplace comes with a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). This is your key to understanding everything there is to know about the chemical’s properties, its hazards, and safe handling procedures.

The SDS for each chemical is broken down into 16 sections, including information on:

What About the Product Label?

Some of the pertinent information should be on the product’s label, but you won’t always find the information you need on them.

You might also not have the label – chemicals are often decanted into smaller containers to make them easier to use. It’s likely that the name of the product was written on the new bottle, but it’s rare for someone to print out and affix a full label.

In either case, you can find all the missing information by consulting the SDS.

Where Can the SDS Be Found?

Your employer should have the SDS available somewhere onsite. If you’re not sure where they’re kept or how to access them, ask your supervisor.

You can typically find the SDS on the manufacturer’s website. That can be especially convenient if you’re on a service call, working outdoors, or in any other location outside of your workplace.

Wear Your PPE

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential when handling chemical products.

Chemical-Resistant Gloves

In almost every case, chemical-resistant gloves will be needed. For many mild chemicals and cleaners, disposable latex or nitrile gloves will be sufficient.

Thicker, reusable gloves made of rubber or neoprene can be better for extended or repeated use.

As with everything, the specific characteristics of the chemical product will determine which glove materials are suitable for handling them.

Safety Glasses or Goggles

Safety glasses offer sufficient protection against liquid chemical splashes.

If there is a risk of chemical vapors or dusts reaching the eye, safety goggles will be required instead. They form a seal around the eye to protect it against exposure in every form.

Respirators

If you’re handling a chemical that produces fumes, vapors, or gases, you will need to wear a respirator.

In many cases, a simple filtering respirator like a disposable N95 respirator will be sufficient.

More hazardous chemicals or atmospheres where the airborne chemical concentration is high might require a full-face respirator, supplied air respirator, or other device that ensures you’re breathing in clean air.

Respirators are only effective if they can form a tight seal around the face. This means that most facial hair styles will compromise the protection they offer and a clean shave might be needed to stay safe.

Be Aware of the First Aid Procedures

When a chemical exposure incident happens, it’s important to deal with it quickly. Often, it’s only a matter of minutes (or even seconds) before a chemical injury turns from minor to severe.

For that reason, it’s important for you to be aware of the first aid procedures. If anything happens when you’re handling chemicals, you need to know exactly what to do, without hesitation.

Eyewash Stations

If there are harsh chemicals in your work environment, there will be at least one eyewash station.

Know the location of every eyewash station in your work area. If a chemical product gets into your eyes, hurry to it and rinse your eyes out for fifteen minutes.

Ingestion Incidents

There is no set first aid procedure for chemical ingestion incidents.

For some chemicals, vomiting should be induced as soon as possible. For others, vomiting can make things worse.

Activated charcoal is generally an effective treatment method for chemical ingestion.

Learn which procedure is right for the chemicals you work with, because you don’t want to waste time figuring it out when an incident has taken place.

Emergency Services

Call emergency services as soon as you can. The sooner they can intervene, the better.

For ingestion incidents, call Poison Control for advice on how to proceed.

If the exposure incident is fairly minor, you should go to the emergency room and have a medical professional evaluate your condition. If it’s more severe, don’t take chances – call 9-1-1 so they can send paramedics.

Be Aware, Be Prepared, Be Safe

Working safely with chemicals requires a combination of awareness and safe working procedures. You should:

  • Be aware of the risks involved
  • Always wear the adequate PPE, without exception
  • Follow safe handling procedures, even when they seem inconvenient
  • Know the first aid procedures in the event of an exposure

Most chemicals are inherently hazardous. But with the right approach, you can handle them without putting your health or safety at risk.