Avoiding Exposure: Toxic Chemicals in Your Workplace

People in certain occupations may reasonably expect their jobs to come with inherent risks. For instance, movie stuntmen, deep sea divers, police, military members and fire fighters face potential peril every time they go to work. Those are obviously risky professions, but by no means the only occupations that may cause injury, health issues and fatality.

What are environmental risks in the workplace

Occupational hazard includes exposure to chemicals and substances that are reactive, corrosive and flammable. Toxic substances found in the workplace present a number of health hazards that include skin and respiratory sensitization, eye irritation and carcinogenicity. Certain sorts of chemical exposure can cause reproductive troubles and may damage a developing foetus.

Some hazardous materials can cause serious harm or death with as little as one exposure. Other types of toxic material may cause cumulative damage from repeated exposure. Toxic chemical exposure may trigger short term effects or lasting effects that lead to lifelong health problems.

Examples of toxic chemicals in the workplace include caustic substances,corrosive acids, heavy metals and petroleum products. Paints, adhesives and solvents are other dangerous chemicals commonly found in the workplace. People who work with pesticides also face health hazards at their place of employment.

Side effects of working with or around toxic substances include headache, nausea, vomiting and severe skin rashes. Burns, nervous system disorders and birth defects may occur as a direct result of exposure to a toxic work environment. Occupational disease is a real risk and should never be taken lightly.

The science of safety

According to New York’s Columbia University, the science of workplace safety is called Occupational Hygiene. As such, occupational hygiene involves five basic factors that deal with workplace safety:

• Anticipation of potential risks
• Recognition of environmental risks
• Evaluation of environmental risks
• Prevention of environmental risks
• Control of environmental risks

How workers can reduce their risk of toxic exposure

Eliminate and substitute. The surest way to reduce worker risk is to completely eliminate an offending chemical from the workplace. If this is not possible, replacing a super-toxic substance with one that fulfils a need without harmful exposure is the second-best choice.

Engineering control is a method or device that reduces exposure at the source. Isolation, proper storage and adequate labelling can go a long way toward protecting workers from toxic exposure. Engineered control must always be used as designed and never, ever modified unless doing so is proven to increase worker protection.

Equipment evaluation and proper maintenance is imperative to a healthy, hazard-free workplace. Lab equipment and manufacturing machinery should be inspected regularly and repaired as needed. Every person who is to work with or around such equipment and machinery must be fully trained in its proper use.

Personal protection including gloves, masks, lab coats and respirators should be provided to workers whose employment places them at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals and dangerous substances. Adequate ventilation is imperative. Glove boxes and eye wash stations should be available at all times and clearly marked. Emergency response numbers should be posted in clear view of all workers and visitors to areas that may allow exposure to risky chemicals.

Workers should attend all safety orientations and refresher courses when available. The more someone knows and understands the risks of certain chemicals and substances, the likelier they are to use proper precaution when in proximity to the same.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) reminds employers and workers that more than 40,000 preventable deaths occur due to toxic workplace exposure annually. PEER director Jeff Ruch says that on-the-job exposure to hazardous chemicals and toxic substances is around one thousand times higher in the workplace than it is in the general environment. He said, “More Americans die each year from workplace chemical exposure than from all highway accidents, yet we have no national effort to stem this silent occupational epidemic.” For this reason, all workers should know how to protect themselves.

Conclusion

As more new chemicals are created, the dangers of workplace toxicity are bound to accelerate. Workplace safety should also be increased to keep pace with rising risk factors. If you work in a dangerous or toxic environment, familiarize yourself with rescue techniques and always be aware of exits and safety stations. Yes, your employer should offer adequate protection and training, but it’s also up to every one of us to know how to protect and save ourselves from dangerous workplace exposure.

Isobel Riley is a consumer advocate. She likes to post about what she has learned on the web. Her articles appear mostly on safety and consumer sites.