Chemical Safety

Mercury can be found in a variety of products, including barometers, blood pressure measurers, batteries and some types of lightbulbs. The Illinois Department of Public Health states that workers can be exposed to mercury through breathing vapors, direct skin contact, or by eating food or drinking water contaminated with mercury.

A presidential executive order has called for increased collaboration regarding chemical facility safety and security, and a review of OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard, among other things. Several stakeholders have voiced support for the order, and here’s what they are saying:

The Chemical Safety Board recently approved the launch of its Most Wanted Chemical Safety Improvements Program, with promulgation of a combustible dust standard as its first “most wanted” item. So what’s next?

CSB is an independent agency. That makes it, to a degree, answerable to no one. It’s free to investigate an incident without fear (in theory) of an oversight agency such as OSHA telling it what to do or what type of findings to release. This is good, obviously, but it goes both ways – CSB can’t force an agency to change.

Many workers use cleaning products every day as part of their job responsibilities. Common cleaning products may seem harmless, but they can lead to serious health problems if mishandled.

Chemicals used to manage insects, rodents, weeds, molds and germs all have the potential to cause harm to workers. Pesticides come in different forms, including sprays, liquids, powders, granulates, baits and foggers.

Painters commonly use products such as paint strippers that may contain toxic, flammable or combustible chemicals.

Gasoline and other flammable liquids should only be stored in approved containers based on specifications developed by the Department of Transportation, OSHA, the National Fire Protection Association and the American National Standards Institute.

Working with chemicals and solvents in the workplace can expose workers to a host of health hazards. Being properly trained in how to handle these hazardous materials is vital.

Providing roadside vehicle assistance can be fraught with hazards, particularly when towing is involved.