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Questions and Answers
Which type of chemical hazard is characterized by substances that can catch fire easily?
Which type of chemical hazard is characterized by substances that can catch fire easily?
What type of chemical hazard includes substances that can erode materials and damage living tissues?
What type of chemical hazard includes substances that can erode materials and damage living tissues?
Which type of chemical can create a dangerous situation when mixed with air or other materials, leading to explosive reactions?
Which type of chemical can create a dangerous situation when mixed with air or other materials, leading to explosive reactions?
What is the classification of a chemical that is safe to handle under most conditions but can ignite when exposed to a direct ignition source?
What is the classification of a chemical that is safe to handle under most conditions but can ignite when exposed to a direct ignition source?
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Which category of chemical hazard poses significant risks due to its potential to cause cancer in living organisms?
Which category of chemical hazard poses significant risks due to its potential to cause cancer in living organisms?
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Which type of chemical is characterized by being readily ignitable and causing rapid fire propagation once ignited?
Which type of chemical is characterized by being readily ignitable and causing rapid fire propagation once ignited?
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What classification of chemicals readily support and maintain combustion through the supply of oxygen?
What classification of chemicals readily support and maintain combustion through the supply of oxygen?
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What hazardous characteristic is associated with liquefied gases?
What hazardous characteristic is associated with liquefied gases?
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Which of the following substances is NOT classified as a corrosive substance?
Which of the following substances is NOT classified as a corrosive substance?
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Which type of chemicals can cause immediate death upon exposure?
Which type of chemicals can cause immediate death upon exposure?
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What is the main distinction of explosive substances?
What is the main distinction of explosive substances?
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Which class of dangerous goods would include substances like TNT and bombs?
Which class of dangerous goods would include substances like TNT and bombs?
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Which example is classified as a toxic substance that may lead to severe health risks?
Which example is classified as a toxic substance that may lead to severe health risks?
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What classification does acetylene fall under?
What classification does acetylene fall under?
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Which of the following substances is classified as a flammable solid?
Which of the following substances is classified as a flammable solid?
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Which class do ammonium nitrate and similar materials belong to?
Which class do ammonium nitrate and similar materials belong to?
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What is the correct class for poisonous substances like cyanide?
What is the correct class for poisonous substances like cyanide?
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Which of the following is NOT classified as a corrosive substance?
Which of the following is NOT classified as a corrosive substance?
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Radioactive substances typically belong to which classification?
Radioactive substances typically belong to which classification?
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What classification does hydrochloric acid fall under?
What classification does hydrochloric acid fall under?
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Which of the following examples falls under the category of miscellaneous dangerous substances?
Which of the following examples falls under the category of miscellaneous dangerous substances?
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What information does the HAZCHEM scale provide to emergency personnel?
What information does the HAZCHEM scale provide to emergency personnel?
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What is the purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)?
What is the purpose of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)?
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Study Notes
Chemical Hazards
- Chemical hazards are a significant concern in occupational safety and health.
- Different types of chemical hazards exist:
- Toxic
- Flammable
- Explosive
- Corrosive
- Combustible
- Reactive
- Chemicals are categorized by their physical state:
- Liquid
- Solid
- Gas
Managing Chemicals Efficiently
- Essential to understand the characteristics and nature of chemicals being stored and the associated risks.
- Safety procedures during the manufacture, transportation, storage, handling, and use of chemicals are crucial.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or labels provide information about hazardous chemicals.
- SDSs are documents with details of potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity, and environmental) and safe handling procedures.
Significant Chemical Disasters
- Flixborough, England (1974): Rupture caused by inadequately supported pipe; Vapor cloud of 30 tonnes cyclohexane; Explosion and fire; 28 deaths and 89 injuries.
- Seveso, Italy (1976): Reactor malfunction; Vapor cloud of 2 kg dioxin; 700 affected, 730 evacuated.
- Bhopal, India (1984): Scrubber and flare systems malfunction; Vapor cloud of 25 tonnes toxic carbides; 2000 deaths and 20,000 injuries.
- Bright Sparklers Fireworks fire, Sungai Buluh, Selangor (1991): Factory fire and explosion; 22 deaths and 103 injuries.
Classification of Chemicals
- Gases: Volatile with no definite shape or volume. Hazards depend on confinement methods. - Compressed gases - hazardous due to stored energy. - Liquified gases - hazards due to extremely low temperatures; toxic, flammable, corrosive, or oxidizing properties.
- Flammable liquids: Liquids becoming flammable at ambient temperatures; potential fire sources, toxicity and corrosiveness.
- Explosive substances: Solid, liquid, or mixtures reacting chemically; contain fuel and oxidant.
- Corrosive substances: Attack skin and materials like wood or metal; examples are sulfuric acid and caustic soda.
- Oxidizing agents: Supply oxygen to support combustion; increase fire development; example is sodium chlorate.
- Flammable solids: Readily ignite and cause quick fire propagation; examples include magnesium and plastics.
- Toxic substances: Very harmful to health when inhaled, ingested, or contacted with skin; examples are aniline, arsenic, benzene, beryllium, and cyanide. Toxicity can be immediate or long-term.
Identification of Chemicals
- United Nations' classification and a numbering scheme categorizes chemicals to facilitate global trade and transportation.
Classes of Dangerous Goods
- Explosives: classes 1.1 to 1.6. Examples include TNT and bombs.
- Gases: classes 2.1 to 2.3. Examples include acetylene, propane and butane.
- Flammable liquids: classes 3.1 to 3.4. Examples include paints and petrol.
- Flammable solids: classes 4.1 to 4.3. For example phosphorus.
- Oxidizing agents and organic peroxides: class 5.1 and 5.2. Examples include ammonium nitrate.
- Poisonous and infectious substances: classes 6.1(a) to 6.2. Examples include cyanides and lead compounds.
- Radioactive substances: Examples include uranium and radioisotopes.
- Corrosives: Examples include hydrochloric acid and caustic solutions.
- Miscellaneous dangerous substances: Includes aerosols and polyester beads.
UN Numbering and HAZCHEM Scale
- UN committee created a numbering system for hazardous chemicals (e.g., sodium hydroxide=caustic soda 1823, sulphuric acid 1830, acetone 1090, acetylene 1001).
- HAZCHEM scale developed by UK's Health and Safety Executive; used by emergency and fire crews for controlling spills and fires involving hazardous chemicals.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
- MSDS are required for all hazardous chemicals and must be readily available during work hours, emergencies, and initial shipments.
- Failure to provide MSDS may be investigated.
- They may be kept centrally or in hard copy or soft copy format.
Biological Hazards
- Biological agent: Living organisms (viruses, bacteria) release toxins causing disease.
- Infection: Attack by a pathogenic organism (whether or not disease occurs).
- Host: The habitat of the agent.
- Environment: Living and non-living components - biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere.
- Bio-safety: Science field disconnecting elements in the infection chain.
Forms of Biological Agents
- Fungi: Microscopic organisms; reproduce through spores, causing allergies (athlete's foot, ringworm).
- Molds: Fungi growing in damp environments; beneficial (penicillin), or cause allergies (asthma).
- Bacteria: Single-celled organisms causing diseases (tuberculosis, legionella, tetanus); controlled by antibiotics.
- Viruses: Non-cellular organisms; reproduce in host cells and are often resistant to antibiotics. (examples include Hepatitis, AIDS, influenza).
Characteristics of Biological Agents
- No threshold exposure limit.
- Can exist in any environment
- Affected and influenced by biological competition.
Interaction of Agent, Host and Environment
- Agent: Vector, pathogens, antibiotic resistance, virulence factors, infection factors, and death factors.
- Host: Health status, management system, training, health monitoring, use of PPE, perception, and retention.
- Environment: Population density, medical support services, weather, politics, ethics, and design of facilities.
###Factors for Onset of Diseases
- Pathogenic agent
- Existence of reservoir
- Agent capable of retention
- Agent mobility
- Entry in new host
- Susceptible host
Infection Chain
- Pathogen* -> Retention -> Release from retention -> Transmission through environment -> Route of entry -> Susceptible host
GHS Pictogram
- Visual symbols for different types of chemical and biological hazards.
- Used to warn and instruct about handling procedures including precautions.
Do's and Don'ts for Handling Chemicals
- Do's: Read labels and MSDS, keep work areas clean, use appropriate protective equipment, follow safety procedures, and store chemicals properly.
- Don'ts: Leave containers open, depend on smell to detect hazards, mix chemicals without instructions, breathe fumes, eat or drink around hazardous materials, wear improper PPE.
Specific Disaster Example (Bhopal)
- Dec. 2nd and 3rd 1984 - Union Carbide pesticide plant leak released methyl isocyanate and other gases.
- The plant's safety systems were NOT functioning.
- 500,000 exposed; over 20,000 had died as of today with the rest suffering from serious health issues.
- Toxic waste continues to poison people 30 years later.
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Description
This quiz covers essential information about chemical hazards, including their types and characteristics. It emphasizes the importance of safety procedures, understanding Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and highlights significant chemical disasters for better awareness and prevention. Test your knowledge on managing chemicals safely in various environments.
