Chemical Safety in the Workplace

Many workers in the United States come into contact with chemicals and chemical substances on a daily basis. There are stringent laws surrounding chemical safety in the workplace because hazardous chemicals can cause damage to the human body and, in some cases, even cause fatalities.

Types of Chemicals

• Some of the chemicals workers may come into contact with include: systemic toxins, asthmagens carcinogens, dermatopathic agents, reproductive toxicants, neurological toxicants, sensitizers, immunological agents and pneumoconiotic agents.

Chemical Knowledge and Protection

• In workplaces where chemicals are used, employers and employees should be fully briefed about reactivity, explosiveness and other physical properties, such as flammability, molecular weight and vapor pressure. Employers must provide affected workers with personal protective equipment including respirators, protective clothing and eye protection equipment.

  The Occupational Health and Safety Administration is the regulating body when it comes to chemical safety in the workplace. Its HAZMAT (hazardous materials) training ensures that employees can detect the presence or release of a hazardous chemical in the workplace and are aware of the physical and health hazards of these chemicals. It ensure that employees know how to protect themselves from these hazards, including the knowledge of emergency procedures. It also ensures that hazard information is readily available in the form of a clear labeling system and a material safety data sheet (MSDS).

NIOSH Guidelines

• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards provides safety information relating to several hundred chemicals that can be found in various work scenarios. It features chemical names including synonyms and trade names, product formulae, exposure limits, chemical and physical properties, respirator recommendations and other useful facts and suggestions.