Hazardous chemicals toolbox talk

What it is

Skin contact, splashes or breathing in of fuels, solvents, adhesives, gases and other hazardous chemicals and substances, or reactions between incompatible ones.

Controls to check, most effective first

1. Eliminate the chemical or substitute a less hazardous product, such as a water-based or lower-toxicity alternative.
2. Keep a current safety data sheet (SDS) for each chemical and a hazardous chemicals register, and make them available to workers.
3. Use local exhaust ventilation or work in well-ventilated areas when using solvents, adhesives or other volatile chemicals.
4. Label all containers, including decanted ones, and store incompatible chemicals apart in bunded, ventilated storage.
5. Train workers in safe handling, spill clean-up and the first aid measures listed on the SDS.
6. Wear the gloves, eye protection and respiratory protection specified on the SDS for each chemical.

Where it comes up on the job

Work steps from SafetyDocs templates that deal with hazardous chemicals:

• Hazardous ChemicalsPoisoning, skin disordersFrom Hoarder Cleaning Plan
• Hazardous substance /chemical useUse hazardous substances as their SDS directsFrom Handrail Installation
• Hazardous substance / chemical useUse hazardous substances as their SDS directsFrom Cabinet Installation
• Fuelling on-siteRefuel safely and avoid contact with fuelFrom Vehicle Mounted Borehole Drilling
• RefuellingRefuel safely and avoid contact with fuelFrom Mobile Concrete Batching Machine

Questions for the crew

1. Where could hazardous chemicals come up on this job today?
2. Is any of this work on today's job: Hazardous Chemicals?
3. The most effective control is: “Eliminate the chemical or substitute a less hazardous product, such as a water-based or lower-toxicity alternative”. Can we do that here? If not, why not?
4. Which controls for hazardous chemicals are missing or not working on this site?
5. When would you stop work because of hazardous chemicals, and who would you tell?
6. How do we report a hazard, a near miss or an incident on this job?