TABLE OF CONTENTS Exposures to chemicals, resulting in toxic effects or oxygen-deficient atmospheres, may arise in a variety of industrial situations. A summary of common sources is given in Table 5.18: clearly this is not exhaustive since exposure may result whenever materials are mixed, machined, heated, dispersed or otherwise processed or used.
| Source | Examples |
|---|---|
| Improper storage, handling, use or disposal of specific chemicals | Leakages [1] Improper venting or draining [1] Open handling [1] Incorrect notification on disposal Use of wrong material |
| Accidental release, spillage | Transport incidents Overfilling of containers Equipment failure Unexpected reactions Runaway reactions |
| Admixture of chemicals | By mistake, e.g. wrongly identified In wrong proportions In wrong circumstances [1] In wrong sequence |
| Fires | Pyrolysis products Combustion products [1] Vaporization Through domino effects |
| Operation in confined spaces | Improper isolation From residues Oxygen deficiency (inherent, from purging or from rusting) |
| Maintenance or cleaning of equipment | Residues Loss of containment (breaking lines) Stripping insulation Burning-off paint, flame heating components Reaction or vaporization of cleaning products |
| Wastes | Anaerobic breakdown Admixture of effluents Open handling of effluents or 'wastes' Atmospheric venting Solid wastes Uncontrolled incineration |
| Fabrication, manufacturing or machining operations etc. | Welding fumes [1] Spray painting, curing of paints [1] Use of adhesives, curing of adhesives [1] Cutting/grinding/fettling/shotblasting [1] Electroplating [1] Degreasing/cleaning/etching/pickling [1] Plastics forming or overheating [1] |
| [1]May result in long-term exposure (throughout operation or in workplace). |
The precautions naturally vary in each case. For example, to avoid improper admixture of chemicals will require:
Adequate training,...
