Chemicals are an integral part of effective cleaning practice. They are essential but at the same time they can be harmful.

There are some important rules to follow which can minimize that risk.

SDS and CHARTING

Know where your Safety Data Sheets are and familiarize yourself with the wall charts for the products used in your work. They have important information about DG codes, PPE requirements , health effects.

IDENTIFICATION

Ensure that you correctly identify the product in a chemical container

Read the label, is it the product in the container?

Note the safety instructions on the label

Take special note of DG label (Dangerous Goods)

CLASS 8 is corrosive (to you and equipment)

CLASS 5.1is Flammable (can catch fire)

Are the products in the correct containers with approved (and correct) labels

Do not use:

Product in unlabelled bottles

Labelled bottles with incorrect product in the bottle

Non approved bottles e.g. drink bottles

Containers with hand written labels

If you discover any of these faulty containers dispose of them or report them to your supervisor.

SAFE HANDLING AND APPLICATION TECHNIQUES

Keep liquids away from overhead wiring and electrical motors

Do not carry chemicals in open top containers. Dropping may cause splash back

Do not use a spray applicator to apply chemical above your shoulders – mist floats – without a respirator you are in danger.

Do not mix chemicals – WHAT CAN HAPPEN

Chemicals will not mix

Colour change endangering identification

Chemicals will be neutralized – ineffective product results

or

Violent reactions including

Boilovers

Explosion

Toxic gas emissions

The important message in this section is “trust the science”. Fully qualified experts have created chemical formulations to perform specific tasks, any amateur effort to improve them creates only an opportunity for a dangerous reaction.

PPE - PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Basic PPE includes:

Eye protection

Gloves

Safety boots – generally rubber Gumboot type

FURTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR HIGH RISK CAN INCLUDE

Full head cover

Full Face mask with/without respirator

Chemical safe Coverall (full cover).

MOST COMMERCIAL GRADE CHEMICALS WHETHER THEY ARE RATED DG (DANGEROUS GOODS) OR NOT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO INJURE YOU SO, WHENEVER YOU ARE IN CLEANING MODE AND USING CHEMICALS, MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING YOUR PPE EQUIPMENT. SIMPLE BURNS TO YOUR EYES, EARS, MOUTH OR ANYWHERE ON YOUR SKIN CAN RESULT IN LENGTHY RECOVERY PERIODS AND LONGLASTING AFTER EFFECTS.

IT'S NOT WORTH THE RISK, USE THE PPE GEAR