1. What is a Hazard?

 A Hazard is anything that has a potential to harm, damage or something that will
affect the environment, people, and properties negatively.
2. A substance is a mixture made up of the following components: Ammonium Nitrate 71%,
Water 16%, Diesel fuel 8%. An emulsifier composed of: Oleic Acid 3% Sodium
Hydroxide (50% aq. soln.) 2%. The mixture has a paste like consistency which does not
meet the GHS definition of a liquid.
Question: Considering the components of this mixture, identify the possible physical hazard
classifications for this mixture, providing reasons for your choice.
Possible classifications are : ( encircle your answer )
a) Explosive – will need to consider if the mixture is intended as an explosive and which of the
complex UN tests it passes or fails
b) Oxidizing substance as a result of the ammonium nitrate component
c) Flammable solid ‐consider whether or not the emulsified diesel fuel enable the substance to
burn as specified in the UN tests (test are essentially apply a small amount of energy and
determine whether a line of the substance would burn faster than 2.2m/s.

3. A highway patrol officer presents you with a number of small round disks about
30mm in diameter apparently made of a soft metal of some sort. The disks are marked
“railway fog signal.” The officer explains that the disks were picked up from the side of a
main interprovincial highway and, considering the remnants of a similarly labelled
cardboard box found nearby, appear to have fallen from a truck travelling at high speed.
When shown a copy of the GHS ‘explosive’ pictogram, the officer agrees that part of the
box found may have had a similar symbol on it. (The remnants of the box are not
available to you.) Question: Classify these articles, explaining how you derived the
classification of your answer.

a) Gift b) Explosives c) Biodegradable Material d) Flammable

Answer: The possible classification is explosives because the officer’s report already
suggested it. As it is mentioned above it appears to have fallen from a truck, like it is for
delivery, so we should check if the said items are in the UN recommendations for the
transport of Dangerous Goods. Upon entering the words marked in the item there are
entries that showed signals railway track explosive. Researching it, these articles are fog
signals that are placed on a railway line to be run over by a train to produce a signal or
warning of fog on the line ahead. The items would exhibit very small blast and little to no
projection hazard.

4. By Dec. 1, employers are required to have trained workers on chemical Safety Data
Sheets and labels as part of OSHA’s updated Hazard Communication Standard. Both new
SDSs and labels will feature pictograms, and workers must know what hazards these
 pictograms represent. Can you match the pictograms below with the corresponding
hazards? ( Please refer to the PICTOGRAMS from the POST )

Answers:

1. E 5. A
2. H 6. G
3. F 7. B
4. C 8. D

5. In your own words differentiate Hazard from a Risk.

 The difference between Hazard and Risk is that a Hazard is anything that has a
potential to cause damage or harm to people and the environment, while on the
other hand, a Risk is the probability or chance of something or someone to be
harmed or to be exposed to a Hazard.

UNIT 2:

5. What does “GHS” means and why is it important?

 “GHS” stands for Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling

of Chemicals. It is important because it provides a coordinated information
system to users of chemicals with an objective of enhancing the protection of
human health and the environment.

6. Look for an available GHS-compliant label of hydrogen sulfide, identify the type of
hazards of the substances and the necessary measure(s) if someone inhales it.

Hazards:
a. Health Hazard
  Acute Toxicity
 Can cause: skin corrosion/Irritation, serious eye damage/eye irritation,
respiratory or skin sensitization, germ cell mutagenicity, and
carcinogenicity.
b. Physical Hazard
 Self-heating substances and Gases under pressure
c. Environmental Hazard
 Acute aquatic toxicity
Specific Dangers/Hazards
 Extremely flammable gas
 Contains gas under pressure
 May explode if heated
 Contains poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas
 Fatal if inhaled
 May cause respiratory irritation
 Very toxic to Aquatic life
 Causes eye irritation
IF INHALED, remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for
breathing. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, trained
personnel should give oxygen. Call a physician.
Source: https://amp.generalair.com/MsdsDocs/PA46112S.pdf

7. Look for an available GHS-compliant label of n-propyl alcohol, identify the type of
hazards of the substances and the necessary measure(s) if it gets to your eyes.
Hazards:
a. Health Hazard
 Skin corrosion
 Skin irritation, eye irritation, serious eye damage, dermal sensitization
b. Physical Hazard
 Self-heating substances and Gases under pressure
Specific Dangers/Hazards
 Flammable liquid and vapour
 Causes serious eye damage
 May cause drowsiness and dizziness
IF IT GETS TO YOUR EYES, Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove
contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Immediately call a Poison
Center or doctor/physician.