Topic 1 (Chemical Safety) Flashcards
(50 cards)
What is the purpose of safety signs and graphical symbols?
They are communication tools to alert/remind workers/visitors of the potential hazards at specific workplaces/environments. They are graphical as graphical images allow messages to be easily understood
Safe Condition Sign (E)
1, How do we recognise it?
2, What is its purpose?
1, A Safe Condition sign is a green square with a white symbol
2, Its purpose is to provide information on safe conditions by identifying evacuation routes and assembly points and indicating the location if first aid and emergency equipment
Fire Safety Sign (F)
1, How do we recognise it?
2, What is its purpose?
1, A Fire Safety sign is red with white symbols
2, Its purpose is to provide information on the location of fire equipment by indicating the type of fire equipment and the location of fire equipment
Mandatory Action Sign (M)
1, How do we recognise it?
2, What is its purpose?
1, A Mandatory Action sign is a blue circle with a white symbol
2, Its purpose is to indicate specific actions or behaviours which are necessary in order to safeguard personal health and/or risk personal injury
Prohibition Sign (P) 1, How do we recognise it? 2, What is its purpose?
1, A Prohibition sign is a red ring with a diagonal bar with a black symbol on a white background
2, Its purpose is to indicate that certain behaviour is prohibited as it would result in an immediate or potential risk of personal injury or a threat to health
Warning Sign (W): 1, How do we recognise it? 2, What is its purpose?
1, A Warning sign is a yellow triangle with a black border and a black symbol
2, Its purpose is to warn of any type of hazard which could result in personal injury or a threat to health
(1) What does GHS stand for?
(2) What is its purpose?
(1) GHS stands for Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
(2) The purpose of the GHS are to provide harmonised information to users of chemicals in order to enhance the protection of humans and the environment against hazardous chemicals and facilitate international trade by ensuring that all movement of chemicals in and out of a country are classified, packaged and labelled in accordance with the GHS
What are the advantages of the GHS? (3)
1, The GHS ensures that there is consistent information and communication of chemical hazards
2, The GHS helps chemical companies to reduce the cost and time required to comply with multiple regulations –> makes international sale and transportation of hazardous chemicals easier
3, The GHS ensures workplace conditions are safer for all chemical users and employees exposed to chemical hazards
What year did Singapore adopt the GHS?
2002
1, What is Singapore’s adoption of the GHS called and what year was it adopted?
2, What does it stand for?
3, What does it consist of? (3)
1, Singapore’s adopted of the GHS is called Singapore Standard SS586. It was adopted in 2008
2, Singapore Standard SS586 stands for “Specification for hazard communication for hazardous chemicals and dangerous goods”
3, It consists of 3 parts: (1) Part 1: Transport and storage of dangerous goods, (2) Part 2: Globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals - Singapore’s adaptions, (3) Part 3: Preparation of safety data sheets (SDS)
What are the 3 main hazard classes?
1, Physical hazards
2, Health hazards
3, Environmental hazards
What are the hazard classes under Physical Hazards? (16)
1, Explosive 2, Flammable gases 3, Aerosols 4, Oxidising gases 5, Gas under pressure 6, Flammable liquids 7, Flammable solids 8, Self-reactive substances and mixtures 9, Pyrophoric liquids 10, Pyrophoric solids 11, Self-heating substances and mixtures 12, Substances and mixtures which, when in contact with water, emit flammable gases 13, Oxidising liquids 14, Oxidising solids 15, Organic peroxides 16, Corrosive to metals
What are the hazard classes under Health Hazards? (10)
1, Acute toxicity 2, Skin corrosion/irritation 3, Serious eye damage/irritation 4, Respiratory or skin sensitisation 5, Germ cell mutagenicity 6, Carcinogenicity 7, Reproductive toxicity 8, Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure 9, Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure 10, Aspiration hazard
What are the hazard classes under Environmental Hazards? (3)
1, Hazardous to Aquatic Environment - Acute toxicity
2, Hazardous to Aquatic Environment - Chronic toxicity
3, Hazardous to the Ozone Layer
Oxidisers
1, What is its hazard class?
2, What is the definition of chemicals with the Oxidisers pictogram?
3, Why is chemicals with the Oxidisers pictogram hazardous? (3 reasons)
1, Physical hazard
2, Chemicals with the Oxidisers pictogram are called oxidising substances and are defined as substances that may cause or contribute to combustion.
3, Chemicals with the Oxidisers pictogram are hazardous as they can (1) speed up the development of a fire, (2) promote and intensify combustion by causing substances that do not normally burn readily in air to burn readily in air or (3) cause combustible materials to burn spontaneously without the presence of ignition sources
Corrosives
1, What are their hazard classes?
2, Why are chemicals with the Corrosives pictogram hazardous? (2)
1, Physical and health hazard
2, Chemicals with the Corrosives pictogram are hazardous as (1) they are capable of causing visible destruction or irreversible changes in human skin tissues at the site of contact and (2) they can degrade other materials, usually metals, upon contact
Acute Toxicity (Severe) 1, What is its hazard class? 2, Why is chemicals with the Acute Toxicity (Severe) pictogram hazardous? (2)
1, Health hazard
2, Chemicals with the Acute Toxicity (Severe) pictogram may (1) cause harmful long-term health effects or (2) be fatal
Environmental Toxicity
1, What is its hazard class?
2, Why are chemicals with the Environmental Toxicity pictogram hazardous? (2)
1, Environmental hazard
2, Chemicals with the Environmental Toxicity pictogram are hazardous as they (1) have the potential to cause harmful effects on the environment, people and animals and (2) are poisonous and can lead to death
Gases Under Pressure
1, What is its hazard class?
2, What chemicals have Gases Under Pressure pictograms?
3, Why are chemicals with Gases Under Pressure pictogram hazardous? (2)
1, Physical hazard
2, Compressed, liquefied, refrigerated liquefied and dissolved gases
3, They are hazardous as (1) these gases are stored in high pressure, which may pose a serious threat to life and property if there is a damage or it is exposed to high pressure, (2) faulty regulators/valves/gas cylinders can result in the diffusion of pressurised content into the surrounding atmosphere which may cause asphyxiation/acute poisoning/fires/explosions
Explosives/Self-Reactives/Organic Peroxides
1, What are their hazard class?
2, What is a precautionary measure to take when handling chemicals with these pictograms?
3, Why are chemicals with Explosives/Self-Reactives/Organic Peroxides pictograms hazardous? (3)
1, Physical hazard
2, A precautionary measure to take is to avoid contact with skin or eyes
3, They are hazardous as (1) such chemicals may cause fires, explosions or produce poisonous gases, (2) they may be fatal if swallowed or if their vapours are inhaled and (3) they can be toxic or corrosive
Carcinogenicity/Respiratory Sensitiser/Reproduction Toxicity/Target Organ Toxicity/Mutagenicity/Aspiration Toxicity
1, What are their hazard class?
2, How can they enter our body?
3, Why are they hazardous? (5)
1, Health hazard
2, They can enter directly through the mouth or by inhalation
3, They can cause
(1) cancer –> chemicals with the carcinogenicity pictogram,
(2) breathing difficulties –> chemicals with the respiratory sensitiser/aspiration toxicity pictograms, (3) infertility –> chemicals with the reproductive toxicity pictogram
(4) birth defects –> chemicals with the mutagenicity pictogram, or
(5) organ failure –> chemicals with the target organ toxicity pictogram
Flammables
1, What is its hazard class?
2, What is its definition?
3, What are its categories & descriptions?
4, Why are chemicals with the Flammables pictogram hazardous?
1, Physical hazard
2, Flammables refer to flammable substances, which are defined as any organic or inorganic materials (solid, liquid or gas) that can be easily ignited and catch fire
3, There are 4 categories:
- Cat 1: Flash point less than 23°C, initial boiling point less than/equals to 35°C - Cat 2: Flash point less than 23°C, initial boiling point more than 35°C - Cat 3: Flash point between 23°C and 60°C - Cat 4: Flash point between 60°C and 93°C
4, Chemicals with the Flammables pictogram are dangerous because they may cause fires and explosions, which may result in serious injury or loss of life and property
Pyrophorics 1, What is their hazard class? 2, What is their definition? 3, What are some examples? (4) 4, Why are chemicals with the Pyrophorics pictogram hazardous?
1, Physical hazard
2, Pyrophorics refer to pyrophoric substances which are chemicals that can ignite spontaneously in air at a temperature of 54.4°C and below
3, (1) phosphine, (2) sodium hydride, (3) butyl lithium, (4) group I elements
4, They can cause fires/explosions
1, What is the GHS Hazard Communication made up of? (3)
2, What is the purpose of the GHS Hazard Communication?
1, It is made up of 3 parts: (1) GHS Labels, (2) GHS Safety Data Sheet and (3) Training
2, The GHS Hazard Communication is meant to identify the intrinsic hazards of the chemicals and convey the hazard information about each hazard class and category to consumers, chemical users, logistic workers and emergency responders so that they can take the necessary precautions to ensure safe use and handling
