Pesticides, floor cleaners, hair dyes, medication ? chemicals are part of everyday life. Think about those innocent ads for cocaine in the early 1900s. Science has come a long way in knowing what chemicals can be beneficial to human life and what can kill it. Each year, manufacturers introduce about 2,000 new chemicals and mixtures for both home and work use, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Toxicology Program. Working with chemicals safely is imperative. Within seconds, a chemical can penetrate skin or enter through the eyes, nose, or mouth. It's no secret that there are many workplace chemical exposures that have been linked to numerous ailments such as cancer, nerve damage, and blindness. Workplace safety and health managers in environments that work with chemicals can take several steps to protect employees and ensure safety.
Skin disease is the second most common type of occupational disease, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the CDC says, "standardized methods are currently lacking for measuring and assessing skin exposures." Skin disease, poisoning, and respiratory conditions from hazardous chemicals cause millions of injuries or illnesses a year. The dangers of these chemicals present extreme safety challenges for workers and workplaces. There were 518 deaths from exposure to harmful substances or environments in 2016; 94 more than in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics.
More than 32 million workers (more than 20% of the entire U.S. workforce) are potentially exposed to hazardous chemical products in the workplace, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration reports. According to OSHA, about 650,000 chemicals are present in more than 3 million workplaces in the U.S. Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard violations rank at No. 2 for OSHA's top 10 list in 2017 with 4,176 recorded offenses. OSHA's standard requires that:
This past July, a flooring manufacturer in New York was cited by OSHA and fined roughly $183,000 for violations that included exposing workers to chemical hazards. The company did not have a chemical communication plan in place.
"During this inspection, OSHA identified serious hazards that pose a threat to workers' safety and health," said Jeffrey Prebish, OSHA Syracuse Area Office Assistant Director. "Unfortunately, (the company) ignored its obligation to protect employees from these well-known issues."
By minimizing chemical hazards, employers are already a step ahead in preventing potential exposure risks. Create a chemical safety plan that includes putting workplace prevention methods and chemical exposure protocols in place such as:
Employers and employees can eliminate the dangerous challenges that some chemicals present in the workplace. Develop a comprehensive program to protect workers from chemicals and use safety best practices that are in compliance.