Chemical Hazards | GHS label

  CHEMICAL HAZARDS, GHS LABELS CHEMICAL AGENTS, PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL

                                                    AND CLASSIFICATION

ghs labels

CHEMICAL HAZARDS, GHS LABELS CHEMICAL AGENTS, PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL, AND CLASSIFICATION

The physical form in which a chemical agent is in the workplace environment is extremely important in occupational health since it explains how a worker can be exposed. There are four main categories of physical state for chemical agents. These are the solid e.g. dust, fibers, liquid, gas, and aerosols e.g. smoke, fumes, and mists.

Chemicals are used extensively in the Oil & Gas industry and it is important to exercise caution in the usage of such chemicals. Some chemicals are inherently hazardous that need to be handled safely.

Hazardous chemicals in the workplace are categorized into three different categories:

1.       Physical hazards e.g. flammable, explosive, and reactive.

2.       Health hazards e.g. toxic, corrosive, narcotic, irritating, and carcinogenic.

3.       Environmental hazards e.g. aquatic toxicity and ozone-depleting.

PARTICULATE MATTER

In the field of industrial hygiene, particulate matter is traditionally defined as small less than 100 micrometers in diameter pieces of solid materials, liquid droplets, or microbiological organisms.

Particulate matter typically encountered in the occupational environment can be divided into some types, based primarily on how the PM was created, its shape, and its composition. Provides a list of the broader classifications and some sub-classifications of particulate matter.

GHS CLASSIFICATION AND LABELING OF CHEMICALS

The scope, elements, hazard groups, hazard classes, and labels of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals are covered under international standards. This section will only focus on GHS Health Hazard Classification and provide an extensive discussion on the criteria for each health hazard class.

GHS HEALTH HAZARD CATEGORIES

1.       ACUTE TOXICITY

GHS categories have been included in the GHS Acute Toxicity scheme from which the appropriate elements relevant to transport, consumer, worker, and environmental protection can be selected. Substances are assigned to one of the five toxicity categories based on LD50 oral, dermal or LC50 inhalation. The LC50 values are based on 4-hour tests in animals. The GHS guides converting 1-hour inhalation test results to a 4-hour equivalent.

The most severe toxicity category has cut-off values currently used primarily by the transport sector for the classification of packing groups.

Chemicals that are of relatively low acute toxicity but which, under certain circumstances, may pose a hazard to vulnerable populations.

2.       GHS SKIN CORROSION

Skin corrosion means the production of irreversible damage to the skin following the application of a test substance for up to 4 hours. Substances and mixtures in this hazard class are assigned to a single harmonized corrosion category.

Human experience shows irreversible damage to the skin.

Structure-activity or structure-property relationship to a substance or mixture already classified as corrosive.

3.       SKIN IRRITATION

Skin irritation means the production of reversible damage to the skin following the application of a test substance for up to 4 hours. Substances and mixtures in this hazard class are assigned to a single irritant category. See the Skin Corrosion Irritation.

Human experience or data showing reversible damage to the skin following exposure of up to 4 hours

Structure-activity or structure-property relationship to a substance or mixture already classified as an irritant.

4.       EYE EFFECTS

Several factors should be considered in determining the serious eye damage or eye irritation potential before testing is initiated:

Accumulated human and animal experience.

Structure-activity or structure-property relationship to a substance or mixture already classified.

Eye irritation means changes in the eye following the application of a test substance to the front surface of the eye, which is fully reversible within 21 days of application. Substances and mixtures in this hazard class are assigned to a single harmonized hazard category.

5.       SENSITIZATION

Respiratory sensitizer means a substance that induces hypersensitivity of the airways following inhalation of the substance. Substances and mixtures in this hazard class are assigned to one hazard category.

A skin sensitizer means a substance that will induce an allergic response following skin contact.

The definition of a skin sensitizer is equivalent to a contact sensitizer. Substances and mixtures in this hazard class are assigned to one hazard category. Consideration should be given to classifying substances that cause immunological contact urticarial an allergic disorder as contact sensitizers

6.       GERM CELL MUTAGENICITY

Mutagen means an agent giving rise to an increased occurrence of mutations in populations of cells and/or organisms. Substances and mixtures in this hazard class are assigned to one of two hazard categories.

7.       CARCINOGENICITY

Carcinogen means a chemical substance or a mixture of chemical substances which induce cancer or increase its incidence. Substances and mixtures in this hazard class are assigned to one of two hazard categories. A substance that induces cancer or increases its incidence.

8.       REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY

Reproductive toxicity includes adverse effects on sexual function and fertility in adult males and females, as well as developmental toxicity in offspring. Substances and mixtures with reproductive and developmental effects are assigned to one of two hazard categories, known or presumed and suspected. Materials that cause concern for the health of breastfed children have a separate category.

9.       Target Organ Systemic Toxicity (TOST)

The GHS distinguishes between single and repeats exposure for Target Organ Effects. Some existing systems distinguish between single and repeat exposure for these effects and some do not. All significant health effects, not otherwise specifically included in the GHS that can impair function, both reversible and irreversible, immediate and/or delayed are included in the nonlethal target organ systemic toxicity class. Narcotic effects and respiratory tract irritation are considered to target organ systemic effects following a single exposure.

10.   ASPIRATION HAZARD

Aspiration toxicity includes severe acute effects such as chemical pneumonia, varying degrees of pulmonary injury, or death following aspiration. Aspiration is the entry of a liquid or solid directly through the oral or nasal cavity, or indirectly from vomiting, into the trachea and lower respiratory system. Some hydrocarbons petroleum distillates and certain chlorinated hydrocarbons have been shown to pose an aspiration hazard in humans. Primary alcohols and ketones have been shown to pose an aspiration hazard only in animal studies.

CONTROL OF RISKS

The information gathered during the qualitative and quantitative risk assessments shall be used to complete the following tasks:

1.       Immediately addressing the high and high-medium risks by providing effective controls or else stopping the process under control has been restored. Under these circumstances, if PPE is recommended then it must be seen as a temporary measure until control is restored.

2.       Identifying what measures will practically control exposure; what level of exposure reduction can realistically be achieved from these controls; and whether these measures will be considered as ALARP.

3.       Establishing priorities and a timetable for implementing the actions. This task can also be used to establish what long-term changes are necessary, what benefits will be gained how many people will be impacted by the changes.

4.       Assigning roles and responsibilities for implementing the remedial action plan.

5.       Monitoring and reviewing the remedial action plan if any and risk conclusions.