Chemical hazards
Most of us use chemicals daily and do so without harm or risk to safety:
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Cleaning
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Landscaping/gardening
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Painting
- Maintenance
The use of chemicals can however be hazardous to both safety and to the health of those exposed to them. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require employers to take necessary steps to protect their employees from the harmful effects of hazardous substances. Any substances generated as a result of a work activity under the employer's control should be assessed for risk prior to the activity taking place using information from the safety data sheets. This includes laboratory work, research, manufacture, teaching, maintenance. Risk assessments should take the chemicals inherent properties into account to enable adequate control measures to be implemented.
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Flammability
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Corrosivity
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Reactivity
- Toxicity
For safety reasons - the use or generation of any chemical agents must be carried out under controlled conditions to reduce the risk of unwanted reactions which may lead to fire and explosion.
Chemicals can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption, (they may also irritate or be corrosive to the skin and eyes). Long term exposure can therefore lead to diseases of the respiratory, skin and nervous system.
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Diseases of the respiratory system - the lungs provide a target for harmful airborne agents which may cause inflammation or the death of cells as is the case with Asbestosis. These agents can include dust, gas, fumes, fluids. Inflammation caused by severe irritants (Chlorine, Ammonia) can also cause oedema.
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Diseases of the skin - chemical sensitisers and irritants can cause skin disease including Occupational Irritant Dermatitis. Cuts and abrasions of the skin are often minor and heal quickly but can lead to secondary infection if exposed to irritants, which can lead to more serious illness.
- Diseases of the nervous system - exposure to some chemicals (e.g. Lead) can affect normal function of the nervous system. Control measures must therefore be implemented to prevent these chemicals from entering the body.
Chronic disease is developed after long term exposure whereas acute disease occurs after a single exposure. Both can be serious.
