All industries come with hazards. People who work in offices often struggle with posture problems and pain from sitting for too long. People in more hands-on industries struggle with overexertion. Some industries come with more tangible hazards, such as corrosive liquids. If you’re starting in an industry or workplace that requires working with corrosive liquids, then you need to know how to stay safe. Keep reading to find some helpful safety tips.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment
Workplaces should do their best to eliminate hazardous materials when possible. If it’s not possible to eliminate a hazard, then the employer should substitute the hazard or at least isolate people from it. When isolation isn’t possible, your workplace should implement administrative controls to keep people as safe as possible. The last line of defense between employees and corrosive liquids is personal protective equipment (PPE).
Personal protective equipment covers your skin, especially your face, as well as your eyes, nose, and mouth. This protects you from splashes and corrosive vapors, fumes, dust, and mites. PPE can look different in every workplace, but it’s often a protective suit you wear over your clothes, along with gloves, a face mask, and a face shield. Other forms of PPE include hard hats and protective hearing devices, although these are typically used in the construction industry, which doesn’t work with corrosive liquids.
Plan for Emergencies
All workplaces should have plans in place for emergencies. When your workplace contains potential hazards like corrosive liquids, then you need extra emergency plans. If your workplace has worked with corrosive liquids or other hazardous materials for some time, then they should already have an emergency plan in place if something disastrous happens with the hazardous materials. Take the time to learn this plan so you know what to do in an emergency. If you notice that the plan is out of date, speak with your supervisor or whoever created the original plan so they know that they need to update it.
If your workplace is starting to work with corrosive liquids or other hazards for the first time, then you can help create an emergency plan. Consult with professionals who have worked with hazardous materials before and have created emergency plans. Ask for input from all the departments that would be affected by an emergency. Once you have a plan in place, submit it for official approval from the government, and share your approved plan with your entire workplace.
Hire Hazardous Waste Management
When you work with hazardous materials throughout the day, the last thing you want to worry about is proper disposal. The best way to reduce the stress of proper hazardous waste disposal is to hire a hazardous waste management company to handle it for you. Waste management companies know all about the four characteristics of hazardous waste, including corrosion, and how to safely dispose of that waste. Contact a company in your area to dispose of waste so you can focus on safety in your workplace.
The best safety tips for working with corrosive liquids are to wear personal protective equipment, plan for emergencies, and hire a waste management company. These tips will help you stay safe around hazardous materials and reduce your stress when dealing with emergencies and waste.