Safe Chemical Handling

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Safe Chemical Handling

Date Reviewed:  February 21, 2023

All hazardous materials and substances must be identified, maintained, and all measures be taken to eliminate or effectively control the dangers related to their transportation, storage, handling, use, and disposal.

A. Purpose of this practice

This practice establishes the requirements for the safe handling of hazardous chemicals. These procedures must be followed to ensure the safety of employees, community, and of hazardous inventory.

B. Responsibility

Employees working with hazardous chemicals shall be instructed in the proper handling of all hazardous chemicals and where to find that information if they don’t know. All new or transferred employees and other employees whose work will included the handling of hazardous material will also be instructed in the purpose and use of the companies safe chemical handling practice. This also applies to contractors on site temporarily.

C. Initial Preparation

Before handling any hazardous or questionable material all workers must first read any warnings or material that accompany the chemical (that includes any MSDS files that may be stored in an electronic or paper file).

D. Safe chemical handling practice

Workers must have access to all material relating to the handling of hazardous material.

Read all labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) that come with material or have been stored elsewhere on the job site.

Know all the symbols of hazardous material that could be included on a label.

Take note of any emergency information that is included just in case an accident does occur.

Follow all instructions on the safe handling of the material that is included on the MSDS and label.