Chemical safety

[1] Manufactured chemicals, either pure or in mixtures, solutions and emulsions, are ubiquitous in modern society, at industrial, occupational and private scale.

While there is some overlap, it is different from process safety, which is concerned with more than just hazardous chemicals (extending for example to refined and unrefined hydrocarbons).

The risk to the Earth's ozone layer from the release of CFCs required the investigative powers of scientists throughout the world to understand fully.

The European Chemicals Agency sits under REACH and manages the technical and administrative aspects of the implementation of the Directive.

The administrative framework is based on Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017[6] and is implemented and enforced by Worksafe, a government agency.

Although this legislation is comprehensive in its coverage it does not extend beyond the workplace and imposes no duties or responsibilities in regard to hazardous materials in domestic or educational establishments.

Act 1974, formulates regulations, provides safety advice and guidance and investigates major chemical incidents.

For example, in order to produce the herbicide 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol, chlorine, an acutely toxic gas, is reacted with phenol, a hazardous organic liquid.

Laboratories in schools, university, research establishments and manufacturing typically store and handle a wide range of chemicals.

Safety standards for such areas are high and most laboratories provide specific infrastructure to minimise risk including fume cupboards, impervious and inert work surfaces, emergency shower stations, emergency eye wash stations, and strict policies on the wearing of appropriate PPE.

Aluminium dross processing can produce a flux-rich waste that evolves ammonia gas if wetted, and can also spontaneously ignite when stored in bulk.

[14] In a number of countries, the Hazchem system is used whenever a potentially hazardous cargo is transported whether by road, rail, sea or air.

A standardized Hazchem sign affixed on the vehicle provides details of the material being transported, the nature of the hazard and the approved emergency response.