Essential practices for chemical safety

Exposure to hazardous chemicals is a significant concern in facilities management. The risk of occupational diseases, injuries and incidents can be higher due to the nature of maintenance tasks. Chemicals used in cleaning, lubrication and repair processes can be toxic, corrosive, flammable or even explosive.

Chemicals enter the body by inhalation, skin or eye contact, ingestion (often due to cross-contamination) and even injection through punctures or equipment malfunctions. Recognizing these exposure routes is essential for prevention.

Develop a program

A comprehensive chemical safety program is fundamental to mitigating risks. This includes having a process to identify, assess and control chemical hazards. Maintain an inventory of all chemicals on site and ensure safety data sheets are accessible. Conduct audits to identify expired or improperly stored substances for disposal. Lastly, the importance of safe storage practices cannot be overstated. Separate chemicals by hazard classification and keep flammable materials away from heat. Store corrosive substances in specially designed containers to prevent leaks.

Train and educate workers

An informed workforce, supported by leadership, is essential for maintaining chemical safety. Provide workers with training on chemical safety, including how to use and understand the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS). WHMIS helps workers identify hazards and follow safe handling procedures using safety data sheets. Provide training as part of onboarding and update programs as WHMIS amendments are released.

Have the right controls in place

Exposure control measures play a vital role in reducing risks. The most effective controls are elimination and substitution — can a chemical be removed from the workplace? Engineering controls, such as ventilation, are effective at controlling exposure to hazardous substances. Administrative controls, including rotating tasks and scheduling high-risk activities during low-occupancy periods, can further decrease risks.

Handling precautions

Before handling chemicals, maintenance workers must take precautions to reduce risks. They should understand and follow safe work procedures and review the safety data sheet for each substance. Confirm all controls are in place, including ventilation systems. Chemical containers must be clearly labelled and workers should be familiar with emergency equipment like eyewash stations and safety showers. Ensure workers use required personal protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles and respirators.

In case of emergency

Emergency preparedness is critical to chemical safety. Maintenance teams should be trained in spill containment and cleanup procedures, with access to spill kits and fire extinguishers. Clear evacuation plans and incident reporting protocols should be in place. Despite preventive measures, chemical exposure and incidents can still occur. Prompt action is essential to minimize harm. Appropriate equipment should be available and procedures developed for specific workplace chemicals. Emergency eye wash stations and showers should be available if harmful exposures could occur. Workers need to understand their responsibilities in emergencies.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) promotes the total well-being — physical, psychosocial, and mental health — of workers in Canada by providing information, advice, education, and management systems and solutions that support the prevention of injury and illness. Visit www.ccohs.ca for more safety tips.

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