Chemical Safety Training | Hygiene Technologies

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.

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

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 footwear would be best to use if you had to clean up a chemical spill?

Gumboots

Jandals and socks

Any footwear is ok, so long as it has non-slip soles

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.

A Corrosive chemical can be both…

An acid and a neutral.

An acid or an alkali.

A neutral and an alkali.

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.

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.

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.

What does PPE stand for and in which section of the SDS can this be found listed?

Personal Private Email – Section 5 of the SDS

Particularly Protective Earmuffs – Section 11 of the SDS

Personal Protective Equipment – Section 8 of the SDS

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

Yellow, 8.

Blue, 5.

Red, 3.

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.

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

Your partner.

Your supervisor.

Your dad.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

The label and your supervisor.

Google and Facebook.

The label and the SDS.

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