Hazardous materials

(HAZMATs)

GHS• Abu Dhabi uses the Globally Harmonised System of

Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) • The UN brought together experts from different

countries to create the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) to minimise confusion over labels.

• The aim of the GHS is to have, worldwide, the same: criteria for classifying chemicals according to their health,

environmental and physical hazards; and hazard communication requirements for labelling and safety

data sheets.

GHS

GHS uses:Symbols & pictogramsSignal words, e.g. DANGER; WARNINGHazard statements, e.g. fatal if swallowed Precautionary statements (see next slide)

Precautionary statements

• Precautionary statements are also required by the GHS to describe the following:PreventionResponse (in case of accident)Storagedisposal

Precautionary statements Prevention Response Storage Disposal

Avoid breathingspray.In case of inadequate ventilation wearrespiratory protection.

IF INHALED: If breathing is difficult,remove to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.If experiencing respiratory symptomscall a POISON CENTER or doctor.

Store away from children at less than 30⁰C.

Dispose of unused contents in landfill waste. Do not pour contents down the drain.

LD50 & LC50• What does LD50 mean? • LD stands for "Lethal Dose". LD50 is the amount of a material,

given all at once, which causes the death of 50% (one half) of a group of test animals. The LD50 is one way to measure the short-term poisoning potential (acute toxicity) of a material.

•What does LC50 mean?

• LC stands for "Lethal Concentration". LC values usually refer to the concentration of a chemical in air but in environmental studies it can also mean the concentration of a chemical in water.

• For inhalation experiments, the concentration of the chemical in air that kills 50% of the test animals in a given time (usually four hours) is the LC50 value.

Acute toxicity -Oral

Pictograms are important in labelling

HAZMATs

Corrosive

Harmful

Toxic; may be fatal

Unstable explosive

Extremely flammable

Gas under pressure; may explode when heated

May cause breathing problems

Toxic to the environment

GHS uses 5 categories to show danger

ACUTE TOXICITY – ORALCategory 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4 Category 5

Danger

Fatal if swallowed

Danger

Fatal if swallowed

Danger

Toxic if swallowed

Warning

Harmful if swallowed

No pictogram

Warning

May be harmful if swallowed

Code of Practice 15

Hazardous materials management

CoP aims

• Give practical advice to manage HAZMATs

• Drive improvement

• Address deleterious impacts of HAZMATs

Intent

• Reduce environmental harm• Encourage efficient use of resources• Enhance OHS• Identify roles & responsibilities of

manufacturers, importers, suppliers, employees, employers & community re. HAZMATs

• Introduce penalties for non-compliance

Environment, Health & Safety Impact Assessment

EHSIA

Required prior to obtaining permit

IA must say how discharges will comply with CoPs (air, water, land & noise)

IA must describe plans for future rehabilitation of site

HAZMATs Management indicators

Class 1 – health, safety, wellbeing

Class 1A – general provisions for HAZMATs management

Class 1B – specific provisions for HAZMATs management

Class 1A management indicators

All HAZMATs to be classified according to GHS

Manufacturers, Importers & Suppliers of HAZMATs must:

prevent or minimise wastehave permitsclassify & label all HAZMATsStore, handle, transport and dispose of all

HAZMATs properlyprepare MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS)http://avogadro.chem.iastate.edu/MSDS/methane.pdfdisclose ingredients to medics, Sector regulators

and EAD

Employers must:

label and maintain a register of all HAZMATscarry out a risk assessmentensure exposure standards are not exceededensure routine health checks for employees

and make records availableKeep all relevant recordsMake MSDS available to employeesTrain employees & provide safety equipment

Employees must:

Comply with CoPs as much as possible

Inform the employer where non-compliance is evident

EAD must:

• Provide direction (GHS)• Ensure compliance with waste CoP• Establish lines of communication regarding

HAZMATs with concerned parties and the community

• Undertake inspections & audits• Penalise those who are non-compliant

1B Indicators

To be classified as:Physical hazards, e.g. explosives; flammable

substances; corrosive substancesHealth hazards, e.g. carcinogenic, mutagenic,

toxicEnvironmental hazards, e.g. hazardous to

aquatic environment

• Incidents involving HAZMATs must be reported

• Transporters of HAZMATs must maintain written or e-records

• EAD to develop an emergency response

THE END