HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN THE WORKPLACE
The strange thing about hazardous materials is that we all think that we are not exposed to them. In fact, surprisingly enough we are all exposed to them more times than we wish to know. People are continually exposed to hazardous materials, in the workplace and even at home.
In fact we are all exposed to hazardous materials on a daily basis. In the home, we are exposed to detergents, insecticides, Jeyes Fluid, chlorine, pool acids, petrol, diesel and many other products. But do we know what products we are exposed to at work?
We all suspect that there are dangerous chemicals in the manufacturing industry; different industries have higher levels of hazardous materials than others. An example is the petro-chemical industry. But what most people don’t know is that many places that seem to be safe are in fact not!Â
Hazardous fumes are present in many manufacturing plants. Employees, due largely to ignorance, often do not wear personal protective equipment such as face masks or eye protection.
An interesting thing is that even if people do know about hazardous materials, they often do not know what to do when they are exposed to noxious materials directly.
Generally, what is well accepted is that general staff are as aware of danger as is senior staff and management. The company’s attitude to safety is passed on from the executive to management to the general staff. In companies where the executive has a laxy daisy attitude to safety, so does everyone else in the company. I suppose the old adage is true, ignorance is kind?
My advice to anyone out there is to find out if you are working in a potentially dangerous environment, then approach management and try to get them to see the possible dangers. Be well informed and well prepared. Find out what hazardous or potentially hazardous products your company or organisation has in its building. Make sure you know what to do in case you are exposed to them. Consider contacting a consultant to assist in this area of the OSH Act.
If you suspect or you know that you could be exposed to dangerous products make sure that your company has a policy or procedure in place should an accident happen. Everyone in the company should be trained on the dangers of such products and people working with them should know what protective equipment to wear and also what to do in cases of accidental exposure.
In South Africa, companies have largely been able to get away with training people working with or exposed to such products. I have been to many companies over the years where employees are continually exposed to noxious products.Â
Some simple ailments from employees exposed to noxious fumes are chronic headaches, sinusitis and chest problems, such as asthma and chronic lung infections. Not to mention other more complex problems such as liver and blood abnormalities.
Many companies do adhere to the law and do provide training, personal protective equipment and proper ventilation among other things. In many cases senior management may not be aware of the dangers the products their employees are working with. In my experience, once management is aware of the harmful or potentially harmful effects of products, they are more than willing to ensure employee safety.
If you have any doubts as to whether you are exposed to dangerous products but you are not sure, give us a call and ask to speak to Pieter van Wyk. He is our in-house guru on hazardous materials and I am sure he will be able to help.
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS IN THE WORKPLACE
The strange thing about hazardous materials is that we all think that we are not exposed to them. In fact, surprisingly enough we are all exposed to them more times than we wish to know. People are continually exposed to hazardous materials, in the workplace and even at home.
In fact we are all exposed to hazardous materials on a daily basis. In the home, we are exposed to detergents, insecticides, Jeyes Fluid, chlorine, pool acids, petrol, diesel and many other products. But do we know what products we are exposed to at work?
We all suspect that there are dangerous chemicals in the manufacturing industry; different industries have higher levels of hazardous materials than others. An example is the petro-chemical industry. But what most people don’t know is that many places that seem to be safe are in fact not!Â
Hazardous fumes are present in many manufacturing plants. Employees, due largely to ignorance, often do not wear personal protective equipment such as face masks or eye protection.
An interesting thing is that even if people do know about hazardous materials, they often do not know what to do when they are exposed to noxious materials directly.
Generally, what is well accepted is that general staff are as aware of danger as is senior staff and management. The company’s attitude to safety is passed on from the executive to management to the general staff. In companies where the executive has a laxy daisy attitude to safety, so does everyone else in the company. I suppose the old adage is true, ignorance is kind?
My advice to anyone out there is to find out if you are working in a potentially dangerous environment, then approach management and try to get them to see the possible dangers. Be well informed and well prepared. Find out what hazardous or potentially hazardous products your company or organisation has in its building. Make sure you know what to do in case you are exposed to them. Consider contacting a consultant to assist in this area of the OSH Act.
If you suspect or you know that you could be exposed to dangerous products make sure that your company has a policy or procedure in place should an accident happen. Everyone in the company should be trained on the dangers of such products and people working with them should know what protective equipment to wear and also what to do in cases of accidental exposure.
In South Africa, companies have largely been able to get away with training people working with or exposed to such products. I have been to many companies over the years where employees are continually exposed to noxious products.Â
Some simple ailments from employees exposed to noxious fumes are chronic headaches, sinusitis and chest problems, such as asthma and chronic lung infections. Not to mention other more complex problems such as liver and blood abnormalities.
Many companies do adhere to the law and do provide training, personal protective equipment and proper ventilation among other things. In many cases senior management may not be aware of the dangers the products their employees are working with. In my experience, once management is aware of the harmful or potentially harmful effects of products, they are more than willing to ensure employee safety.
If you have any doubts as to whether you are exposed to dangerous products but you are not sure, give us a call and ask to speak to Pieter van Wyk. He is our in-house guru on hazardous materials and I am sure he will be able to help.