Chemical Safety Training | Hygiene Technologies

If a chemical label contains no signal word or classification diamonds, what can you safely assume about it?

It is biodegradable.

It is safer than a chemical that does have signal words and classification diamonds on its label

You can use it without PPE.

What is the similarity between a hack-saw and some toilet cleaner?

They are both very useful

They are both tools

They are both found in your workplace

How do we decide what rate or dilution to use a chemical at?

By reading the “Directions for Use” on the chemical label.

Asking your mate who has worked here for years.

By trial and error.

Is a flammable chemical safe to get on my skin?

Yes, so long as it has the red diamond label on the container

Only if it's not in a concentrate product

Only if it has been designed for that purpose and it clearly states this on the label

What does “SDS” stand for, and where should they be kept?

Serious Disease Sachets – kept in your department First Aid station

Sam’s Delicious Sausages – kept in your fridge

Safety Data Sheet – kept close to where chemicals are used or stored

Why do we use chemicals in our workplace?

So there is a balance of different hazards on site

They help make our jobs easier

Because MPI stipulate we have to

When should we call the Emergency Contact number that is on the chemical label?

When the chemical has run out and you need some more.

When you see a fire starting in your workplace.

When someone has been hurt by the chemical but it’s not serious enough to call an ambulance.

If a chemical spill occurs, what is the correct procedure to follow?

Call the ambulance, then check if it is safe to clean up.

Warn others in the vicinity, then clean it up as quickly as possible, if it is safe to do so.

Clean it up before you go home.

What are the two main sources of information about a chemical?

The label and your supervisor.

Google and Facebook.

The label and the SDS.

If you do not understand or unsure about anything, who should you ask to explain it?

Your partner.

Your supervisor.

Your dad.

What could happen if you add a corrosive powder to hot water too quickly?

Could boil the water instantly and explode upwards.

Could suddenly turn into an oxidiser.

Could make the water turn purple.

Why should you blow your gloves up like a balloon before putting them on?

To see if they have any holes in them.

To amuse your workmates

To make them fit better.

What colour is the “Flammable Liquid” classification diamond, and what number is on it?

Yellow, 8.

Blue, 5.

Red, 3.

If your supervisor asks you to use a new chemical you haven't used before, should you?

Use it straight away in case you lose your job

Tell the supervisor to use it themselves first and let you know how it goes

Ask to have the safety and usage instructions explained to you first

When is a chemical or a tool most dangerous?

When they are not used how they are supposed to be used.

When they are both used at the same time.

When they are used underwater.

What should you do if you can’t find the name of the chemical on a container?

Assume it is the same as what you used yesterday.

Dilute it so it is safer to use.

Don’t use it and report it to your supervisor.

When is it OK to mix two different chemicals together?

When one is an acid and the other is an alkali.

Anytime, as long as they are from labelled containers.

Never.

If you spill a strong alkali on your skin, you must keep rinsing your skin with water until…

The slippery feeling has gone.

It is time to go home.

5 minutes is up.

In what state is a chemical normally the most hazardous?

When it is a concentrate.

When it is diluted with hot water.

When it is a red colour.

Why are oxidisers less hazardous than flammables?

Because they are only available as powders.

Because you can add them to hot water.

They are not less hazardous, they can both be very hazardous if used incorrectly.