If you’re dealing with chemicals at work, then it’s a must to protect your health as much as you can. Finding ways to prevent risks is a good strategy, especially when it comes to handling hazardous chemicals.
Working with hazardous chemical substances can cause a few significant risks to both the staff’s health and safety if not managed. A few of these dangerous chemicals that can cause adverse effects on a person’s health include carcinogens and toxic chemicals. Even more and other chemicals that can damage one’s skin is also a part of the list. Meanwhile, compounds that can cause injury to a person or property when exposed include explosive and flammable liquids. Compressed gasses are also included.
Health and safety business duties
If you’re running a business in Australia, it’s a must to follow the model WHS Regulations at all times. Doing so will help you manage the potential health and safety risks when it comes to working with hazardous chemicals at work. But where do you start?
One thing that you need to consider is proper storage. You need to ensure that everything has the proper label. It should also include safety signs and warning placards. It’s also crucial to maintain a register and the location of all hazardous chemicals within the workplace. Additionally, you also need to inform the regulator if you store any quantities of every dangerous chemical.
You should also educate yourself about workplace exposure standards, too. Doing so ensures that there’s no chance that you won’t exceed its usage. It’s also a must that you provide your staff with health monitoring sessions to help maintain their health. You should also provide them with safety products such as eye protection safety glasses for safety.
Lastly, submit a copy of your emergency plan to the emergency services organisation in your local area. It’s important, especially when dealing with chemicals that go beyond the manifest quantity. Doing so ensures that the containers for all the substances that you’re using are stable.
Risk management when dealing with hazardous chemicals
Aside from providing them with the right protection, you also need to learn how to manage the risks involved with dangerous chemicals. The best way to do it is by identifying any foreseeable hazards that could be a potential risk to everyone. Doing so helps diminish the chances of these hazards from occurring.
Meanwhile, if it isn’t possible to eradicate these risks, then you can also consider reducing it as far as you could. It’s possible by setting a few control measures based on the hierarchy of risk control. You need to continually maintain the executed control measures so that it’ll remain effective.
These are only a few of the things that you need to consider when working on dangerous chemicals each day at work. It’s always best to ensure everyone’s safety at all times. Doing so reduces any risks associated with these chemicals. It’s also advisable to get in touch with the territory or state work health and safety authority for further help.