Hazardous Substances Demand Your Respect

Depending on where you work and the substances you handle, you may be at risk of accidental poisonings, chemical burns, or suffocation. Knowing and following the right safety steps can help keep you safe. These are some of the hazards you may come across:

• Asphyxiants. Gases that displace or dilute breathable air (oxygen) can cause suffocation when present in very large quantities. (Examples: carbon dioxide and nitrogen.)

• Carcinogens. Chemicals that can cause cancer after many years if you breathe them in or soak them up through your skin. (Examples: asbestos, radon, vinyl chloride, and benzene.)

• Compressed gases. Substances often stored in cylinders under high pressure. If the cylinder is dropped and gas escapes, the cylinder can explode, spin, or take off like a rocket, knocking down people or walls.

• Corrosives. Acids or alkaline substances that can penetrate or burn through the skin. (Examples: nitric, sulfuric, or hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide.)

• Flammables. Liquids, vapors, or gases that can catch fire or explode when exposed to a flame, an operating electrical tool, or even a simple static spark. (Examples: methane and propane.)

• Teratogens. Chemicals that can lead to birth defects. (Examples: isotretinoin, excess vitamin A, alcohol, and thalidomide.)

• Toxic chemicals. Substances that can damage the body's organs when they're inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through the skin. (Examples: lead, cadmium, and pesticides.)

Safety musts

To find out what you're working with, and how to work safely with it, talk with your supervisor. Also do the following:

• Read the employer's Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires your employer to have a sheet for each chemical in use.

• Get the facts. OSHA rules require employers to give the correct training to any worker who uses hazardous chemicals.

• Get training. Learn about the chemicals you're working with, how to handle them, how to use the right personal protective equipment, and how to respond to emergencies.

• Always read the label. The label will tell you if a substance is flammable, corrosive, or cancer-causing. It also will state if you need to wear a respirator or gloves or work under a chemical hood.

• Wear protective equipment. You may need a respirator, hardhat, steel-toed shoes, gloves, splash goggles, or face shield.

• Learn to use emergency equipment. That might include eyewash stations or deluge showers. Learn how to turn on emergency alarms in the event of a fire, spill, or other chemical release.

• Report any problems. Know how to file a confidential safety and health report if you believe that something in your workplace is hazardous and is not being addressed by your employer.