Basic H&S Guidelines

Section 5 – Chemical Safety Management

5.1 Information on the Hazards Associated with Chemical Materials

Virtually all of the chemical materials that are used in production by factories are associated with
one or more health or physical hazards. These hazards present potential adverse impacts on the
workers, the work environment, the general public and the environment beyond the factory. The
Environmental Guidelines outline further information on the environmental impacts due to
chemical use, storage and disposal.

5.1.1 Health Hazards

A variety of health hazards are associated with chemicals in factories. The risk posed by any
particular material is a function of:

• Severity of the Hazard – that is, the inherent toxicity of the chemical, or its “power” to
cause adverse health effects.
• Exposure – the likelihood, duration and intensity of exposure (inhalation, dermal, ingestion)
to the various forms of the chemical (gas or vapour, liquid, airborne dust or solid powders,
etc.).
• Individual susceptibility or sensitisation – generally, there may be a range of individual
susceptibilities to exposure to the various chemical agents. In addition, some individuals
may become sensitised to certain chemicals after past exposures, and thereafter will
exhibit adverse health effects at exposure levels that do not affect the majority of
individuals.

The particular health hazards associated with different chemicals may vary. In general, there are
two categories of adverse health effects: acute (those occurring during or soon after exposure) and
chronic (those occurring after a long period of regular exposure, e.g. months or years). Within
these two categories, chemicals may impact humans in a variety of ways:

• Carcinogenicity – exposure to some chemicals can lead to the development of cancer in

one or more organs or body systems.
• Corrosivity – exposure can cause acute burns, ulceration and tissue damage in the eyes,
skin and respiratory tract.
• Irritation – exposure can lead to skin, eye and respiratory irritation and dermatitis (but
which is generally reversible).
• Target Organ Toxicity – some chemicals exhibit their toxicity at a specific organ (or
“target”) such as the liver, kidneys, lungs, blood, eyes, ears, or the nervous system,
including the reproductive system and the developing fetus.
• Sensitisation – exposure can lead to allergic reactions of the skin or the respiratory system
(usually mediated by the immune system).

It is not feasible to eliminate all risk from activities involving chemical materials, but risk can be
managed to an acceptable minimum. For inhalation exposure to chemicals, this level of minimum
acceptable risk is defined by occupational exposure limits such as the Threshold Limit Values (see
Section 7).

Social & Environmental Affairs Page 29 of 127 Feburary 2010