CertiGuide to A+ (A+ 4 Real)  9  Chapter 12: Material Safety: a Personal and Technical Report on Hazardous Material Handling

Section Twelve - Other Information 1 Links to Additional Information

Because of the world we live and work in, the use of and exposure to hazardous substances is inevitable. Some of these substances due to their high toxicity, flammability, explosiveness, or other hazardous behavior present a serious immediate danger to those who are near where these substances are present. Other substances, due the continual exposure day after day, place us in risk of significant chronic health problems.

The end users of hazardous substances have a most critical part in preventing the harm that is associated with the mishandling of these substances. Most often, it is end user who withstands the worst of the harm those hazardous substances may cause. However, chemical adverse effects do not observe the lines of workspaces, properties lines or any other boundary. The person working next to you or the business down the street can seriously influence your life with the improper use if these substances. Moreover, you can affect their lives in the same manner. Substances that pose health and safety hazards must be use in a manner that safeguard against these hazards

Proper use of hazardous chemicals means:

• To use the chemical(s) for its intended use,
  
  
• using the prescribed method, manner or application,
  
  
• in the correct amounts and concentrations,
  
  
• in a location or area that is appropriate,
  
  
• Utilizing the necessary safeguards, safety practices and equipment,
  
  
• Controlling the releases and discharges into the environment, and
  
  
• Properly disposing any byproducts and end wastes

As a final note to any junior chemists that may be out there, you know the types I am talking about. Those who figure that if product “A” works so good here and product “B” only works so good there, then by mixing the two together I will get the best of both worlds. Know that every year, almost fifty children die because of playing junior chemist when they mix bleach and ammonia together.

With that, let me take one last cheap shot at Tcat, “Hey Tcat, step back away from the kitchen sink and please, get rid of your insidious chemical inventory.”

Section Twelve - Other Information 1 Links to Additional Information