Chapter 23 Chemical and Waste Management

The best way to protect your hands from chemicals

wear utility gloves made chemical-resistant material

acute exposure

High levels of exposure over a short period

How chemicals enter the body

Inhalation absorption through the skin ingestion

chronic exposure

Repeated exposures, generally to lower levels, over a long time

signal word

Two words used on the safety data sheets: "Warning" for less severe hazard categories, and "Danger" for more severe hazard categories

Infectious waste

Waste that consists of blood, blood products, contaminated sharps, or other microbiologic products

Hazard class

a group of hazardous materials that share dangerous characteristics in number or name

chemicals

any substance that has a chemical composition

toxic waste

discarded chemical substances that can cause serious illness or death

Hazard classification

divides health and physical hazards into separate classifications

flammable

easily set on fire

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

establishes codes, standards, guidelines, and recommended practices for the prevention and control of fire (OX for oxidizers [white])

health hazard

evidence of a chemical that acute or chronic health effects occur when an employee is exposed

pictograms

graphic elements used on a hazard label to identify the hazard class

Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)

organization that defines hazards of chemicals and communicates safety information on labels and safety data sheets

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

sheet that provides information on the safe use of and hazards of chemicals, as well as emergency steps to take in the event chemicals are splashed, sprayed, or ingested

hazardous waste

Any material that can be harmful to human health or the environment if it is not properly disposed of

Regulated waste

Any waste that contains infectious material that would pose a threat due to possible transmission of pathogenic microorganisms. (ex. extracted teeth)

Physical Hazard

A chemical that is a combustible liquid, compressed gas, explosive material, or is flammable-reactive or water-reactive and is a health hazard

Chemical inventory

A list of all products used in the office that contain chemicals.

Precautionary Statement

A phrase that describes recommended measures to be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical, or improper storage or handling of a hazardous chemical

Hazard statement

A statement assigned to a hazard class and category that describes the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including, where appropriate, the degree of hazard

Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)

Also called Employee Right-to-Know Law. This safety standard requires that all employers notify their employees about chemical hazards present on the job and train employees to use these materials safely.

Product identifier

The name or number used for a hazardous chemical on a label or in the SDS

Label elements

The pictogram, hazard statement, signal word, and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category

How could an empty container be considered to be hazardous?

They often hold residues that can burn or explode.