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How Should You Use Chemicals? Carefully!
There are close to three-quarters of a million chemical products now in use commercially. No matter
what your job is, you probably come into routine contact with at least one or two of these. When you are
given a chemical to work with that is new to you, you will be trained in how to use the substance safely
if it is at all hazardous.
If you want to find out more about that chemical, ask your supervisor for the material safety data sheet—
MSDS—which will explain any hazards associated with the chemical and what you should do to protect
yourself from any risk. Since the chemical you use may be called by its trade name on the label, you
may have to read further to find out the chemical name and then be able to find the MSDS.
To avoid harmful effects on users, OSHA has set Permissible Exposure Limits, or PELs, for many
chemicals—several hundred are listed in a table that is part of the regulation on air contaminants. The
table shows the level of exposure that the body can be expected to cope with during an average 8-hour
day without harmful effects. For vapors and gases, this is expressed as so many parts (of the substance)
per million (parts of air); for particulates, it’s milligrams per cubic meter. Another column of the table
shows whether the chemical can be harmful to the skin. The PEL will be listed on the material safety
data sheet for the chemical.
In general, there are only three means by which chemicals can enter and affect your body: through
breathing in particles of the chemical as you work with it; through swallowing particles of the chemicals;
or through touching the chemical and absorbing it through your skin. To minimize the possibility of
these, wash your hands before eating or smoking so that you don’t swallow any chemical that might be
on your skin. Use personal protective equipment as directed by your supervisor.
Such equipment may include a respirator to remove contaminants from the air that you breathe. The seal
must be tight, and respirators must be cleaned and maintained properly. Training in proper use of the
respirator is provided, but if you have further questions, be sure to ask your supervisor.
Gloves and arm coverings may be provided to protect you from skin contact with irritants or substances
that can be absorbed through the skin. Aprons, coveralls, and shoe coverings may also be provided as
chemical protection.
If you spill a toxic chemical on your clothing, you should change at once—immediately washing off any
substance that has come into contact with your skin. And remove all contaminated work clothes, even
shoes, then wash your hands before you leave the job for the day—to avoid exposing your family by
bringing chemical contamination into your house.
Fewer extremely hazardous chemicals are being used in the workplace as companies try to replace them
with less hazardous substances. You don’t have to be fearful of the chemicals you use in your work.
You just have to be aware of what you do use and take any recommended precautions.