Preparation For Chemical Spills In The Workplace Must Be Made
Chemicals in the workplace must be considered for consequences of spills before they happen. Advance preparation can prevent a small spill from becoming a tragedy. Before handling any chemical, become familiar with a chemical’s hazards including hazards of a clean-up. Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and use appropriate safeguards to prevent a spill in the first place. Have the proper emergency equipment or spill kits before a spill happens for each family of chemicals.
If a spill does occur, the chemical must be known and any hazards it will impose. Have a policy on who to contact for a spill. Use the proper procedures with the clean-up. If an emergency service is needed to be contacted, the information on the chemical spilled will need to be known, such as if the chemical is health threatening.
Information needed to be gathered for a spilled chemical:
Personal exposure – If the spill will cause personal injury to anyone vacate the area.
Containment – If it is feasible to stop the spill from spreading or going into a floor drain.
Prevent access...