Topic 1: Chemical Safety

Safety signs are ___ in any workplace, and must be ___ in ___ ___. There are __ categories.

crucial, mainted in good condition, 5

Why do we standardise safety signs?

Reduce confusion and risk of accidents by using a few words as possible to achieve understanding.

ISO is the ___ ___ for ___.

International Organisation for Standard.

ISO __ explains how safety signs should ___, including ___ and ___. ISO __:__ gives the ___ and ___ used for safety symbols/signs. For Singapore, ___ __: Part __:__+___:__ based on (ISO __:__)

3864, look, shapes and colours

11724:2003

SS 508:Part 5:A1:2013 based on (ISO 7010:2011)

What are advantages of safety signs?

Provides coherent set of graphical symbols to overcome language barriers and other challenges

Vital for giving info when written words are not adequate

Helps convey important messages on safe conditions, location, health and safety-related warnings/prohibitions/mandatory actions whether at work , home or other places

What is the category of signs with this green square? What kind of messages does it convey?

Safe-Condtion Sign; It indicates location of first-aid/emergency equipment/ safety facility/ evacuation route/ assembly points

Identify the original hazard and human behaviour intended after understanding this sign.

Hazard: not being able to locate a safe assembly area during evacuation

After seeing sign: Being aware of the evacuation assembly point to gather at during an emergency

Identify the meaning of what the signs show.

Emergency exit

First Aid

Emergency telephone

Automated external heart defibrillator

Eyewash station

Safety shower

What is the category of signs with this red square? What kind of messages does it convey?

Fire Safety Sign; It indicates the location of fire equipment

Identify the original hazard and human behaviour intended after understanding this sign.

Hazard: Not being able to locate a fire extinguisher especially during emergencies

After seeing sign: Being aware of the location of fire extinguisher

Identify the meaning of what the signs show.

Fire extinguisher

Fire hose reel

Fire alarm call point

Fire emergency telephone

Fire protection door

Fire blanket

What is the category of signs with this blue circle? What kind of messages does it convey?

Mandatory action signs; It specifies the action required to safeguard personal health/ avoid risk or personal injury

Identify the original hazard and human behaviour intended after understanding this sign.

Hazard: Flying objects/particles

After seeing sign: Wear eye protection to prevent

Identify the meaning of what the signs show.

General mandatory action sign

Refer to instruction booklet/manual

Wear ear protection

Wear eye protection

Wear safety footwear

Wear protective gloves

What is the category of signs with this red circle? What kind of messages does it convey?

Prohibition Sign; specifies prohibited behaviours that may result in immediate/ potential risk of personal injury/threat to health

Identify the original hazard and human behaviour intended after understanding this sign.

Hazard: Fire/ Explosion caused by lit cigarette/ other smoking materials from smoke

Identify the meaning of what the signs show.

General Prohibition Sign

No smoking

No open flame/fire/open ignition source/smoking prohibition

No drinking water

Do not touch

No eating/drinking

What is the category of signs with this yellow triangle? What kind of messages does it convey?

Warning sign; It warns of hazards which could result in personal injury or threat to health

Identify the sign, original hazard and human behaviour intended after understanding this sign.

Warning;Biohazard material

Hazard: Virus/Toxin

After seeing sign: Taking care to avoid exposure to biological hazard

Identify the meaning of what the signs show.

General warning sign

Warning; explosive material

Warning; radioactive material/ionising radiation

Warning; laser beam

Warning; Non-ionising radiation

Warning; slippery surface

*Not here: rod emitting smoke = warning; hot surface

What is GHS, and who and why was it developed?

Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals; it was developed by the United Nations for chemical hazard communication through standardised chemical hazard classification, chemical product labelling and safety data sheets (SDS).

Purpose of GHS?

Helps to get every country on same page for regulations/standards

Facilitate international trade by ensuring all chemicals moving into and out of country is classified, packaged and labelled in accordance with GHS

Enhance human/environment protection against hazardous chemicals

When was GHS adopted by SG? In Year __, Singapore Standard SS __ - ‘‘ Specification for hazard communication for hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods’’ was introduced

2002; Year 2008, 586

Chemicals are classified into different categories based on: ___ ,___, ___.

Physical hazards, Health toxicity/hazards, Environment toxicity/hazards

Identify the category and specific hazard, and explain.

Health Hazard: Severe Toxicity

May cause harmful long-term health effects depending on degree of exposure/ may be fatal

Identify the category and specific hazard, and explain.

Environmental Hazard: Environmental Toxicity

Has potential to cause harmful effects on environment/people/animals and can be poisonous and lead to death

Identify the category and specific hazard, and explain.

Physical Hazard: Explosives/ Self- Reactive/ Organic peroxides

May cause fire, explosion or produce poisonous gas, may be fatal if swallowed/ vapours inhaled, can be toxic or corrosive

*Self-reactive are thermally unstable chemicals that can undergo exothermic reactions without oxygen, posing fire/explosion hazards

*Organic Peroxides are dangerous due to their thermal instability and exothermic decomposition.

Identify the category and specific hazard, and explain.

Health Hazard: Carcinogenicity, Mutagenicity, Reproductive/ Aspiration/Target Toxicity, Respiratory Sensitizer

Can enter body through mouth/inhalation, causing breathing difficulties, infertility, birth defects, organ failure or cancer

Identify the category and specific hazard, and explain.

Health + Environmental Hazard: Irritant, Respiratory Tract irritation, Skin sensitizer, Narcotic effects, Acute toxicity, Hazardous to ozone layer

Can lead to irritation, inflammation of skin, eyes, nose, respiratory system, can impair vital body functions, can weaken central nervous system

Flammable substances are defined as any ___ or ___ materials that can be ___ ___ & result in ___. ___& ___ will result in ___ ___, ___ of ___ & ___.

organic or inorganic, easily ignited, fire

Fire & explosions, serious injury, loss of life & property

Flash point is the ___ ___ that a substance’ ___ ___.

lowest temperature, vapour ignites

Hazard classification of flammable liquids: Cat 1- 4

Cat 1: Flash pt. < 23°C, Initial boiling pt ≤ 35°C

Cat 2: Flash pt. < 23°C, Initial boiling pt > 35°C

Cat 3: Flash pt. ≥ 23°C and ≤ 60°C

Cat 4: Flash pt. > 60°C and ≤ 93°C

Pyrophoric substances are chemicals that can ___ ___ in ___ at a temperature below ___°F/___°C and must not be ___ to the ___.

ignite spontaneously in air, below 130°F/ 54.4°C, not be exposed to atmosphere

___ ___ of pyrophoric substances can result in serious injuries like ___ ___; Examples of such substances include: ___, ___ ___, ___ ___.

Improper handling, serious burns, phosphine, sodium hydride, butyl lithium