Working Safely With Corrosives

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Working Safely With Corrosives
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Session Objectives

• You will be able to
• Identify corrosive hazards
• Find hazard and protection information
• Select appropriate PPE
• Store, handle, and dispense corrosives safely
• Respond effectively to emergencies
• Dispose of corrosive wastes properly

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What Is a Corrosive?

• Can be solid, liquid, or gas
• Causes irreparable harm to living tissue
• Will damage materials on contact

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Types of Corrosives

• Acids
• Bases, caustics, or alkalis
• Dehydrating agents
• Halogens and halogen salts

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Corrosive Hazards

• Attack skin, eyes, and tissue
• Attack other materials
• Contribute to fire hazards
• Generate hydrogen gas
• Create heat
• Toxic when breathed

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Warning Signs and Labels

• Warning signs
• DOT label
• HMIS labels
• NFPA labels
• Pay attention to signs and read labels

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MSDS

• Identity of corrosive
• Exposure limits
• Reactivity, fire, and explosion
• Health hazards and symptoms of exposure
• PPE and first aid
• Storage and spills

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First Aid

• Eyesflush with water
• Skinwash with water and remove clothing
• Inhalationmove to fresh air
• Swallowing medical assistance

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Corrosives True or False?

• Contact with corrosives can burn your skin and
  eyes.
• Corrosives are always liquids.
• If you get corrosives on your skin or in your
  eyes, you should move into fresh air.
• Corrosives contribute to fire hazards.
• The best source of information about corrosives
  is a warning sign.

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Corrosive Hazards

• Do you understand
• About the types of corrosives and corrosive
  hazards?
• The importance of warning signs, MSDSs, and
  labels?
• What the proper first-aid procedures would be if
  you are exposed to a corrosive?

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Engineering Controls

• Use safer materials
• Reduce operations that disperse corrosives
• Minimize potential leak points
• Transfer through hoses or pipes

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Engineering Controls (cont.)

• Enclose corrosive operations
• Use ventilation and exhaust systems
• Select compatible materials
• Minimize operating pressures and temperatures

Image Credit Laboratory Design Supply
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Ventilation

• Removes corrosive vapors and mists
• Determined by assessment
• Checked with monitoring
• System of hoods and ducts
• Single exhaust fan

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PPE

• Safety glasses or goggles
• Face shield
• Gloves
• Protective clothing
• Respiratory protection

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PPE (cont.)

• Inspect before each use
• Dispose of damaged PPE
• Replace cartridges or worn parts
• Wash it carefully after use
• Store PPE safely

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Storage

• Away from production areas
• Corrosion-resistant materials
• Spill and leak containment
• Well ventilated, cool, and dry

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Storage (cont.)

• Warning signs
• Inspections
• Glass containers
• Incompatible corrosive stored separately

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Emergency Equipment

• First-aid kit
• Spill-response supplies
• Safety showers and eyewash stations
• Fire extinguishers

Image Credit Stafford Industrial Supplies, Ltd.
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Handling Corrosives

• Drum hand trucks
• Carboy caddies
• Safety bottles
• Self-closing portable containers

Image Credit University of Alberta
Image Credit Vestil Manufacturing
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Dispensing Corrosives

• Reduce vapors, mists, and dusts
• Use caution when pouring into containers
• Use pumps to transfer from drums
• Never pressurize a container or add water to
  acid
• Use scoops for solids
• Close containers when done

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Good Housekeeping

• Clean up drips or spills right away
• Properly dispose of unlabeled and contaminated
  materials
• Remove empty containers and old corrosive
  materials
• Ensure containers are properly marked

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Personal Hygiene

• Wash hands frequently
• Remove contaminated clothing
• Dont eat or drink around corrosives
• Dont touch skin, eyes, nose, or mouth with
  contaminated gloves
• Wash thoroughly at the end of your shift and
  change clothes

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Emergency Procedures

• Leave the area
• Flush eyes/skin with water
• Notify others of the spill
• Limit access to spill area
• Only trained personnel can clean up large spills

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Which PPE Is Required?
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Working with Corrosives

• Do you understand about
• Engineering controls, PPE, and storage, handling,
  and dispensing requirements for corrosives?
• Good housekeeping, personal hygiene, and
  emergency equipment and procedures?

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Waste Management

• Ensure containers are appropriate for waste
• Dont mix corrosive waste with other wastes
• Dispose of empty corrosive containers properly
• Dont pour corrosives down sinks or drains

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• Learn about corrosive hazards
• Follow safe storage practices
• Use available engineering controls
• Wear proper PPE
• Follow safe work practices
• Know first-aid and emergency procedures