Caring for Chemicals

The guidelines for the storage and use of chemicals is quite clear. It is all written down on the Health and safety executives’ website and on a poster that must be displayed in the workplace so that all employees can see it and follow it. Chemicals are essential to our daily lives for cleaning, domestic tasks and also scientific advancement. Without the discovery and use of chemicals we would be unable to make the progress that we have today.

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The first thing that businesses need to have, if they use chemicals, is to have a contingency plan in place for any accidents and incidents. In the first place this means having Spill Kits and easily accessible for staff.

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 The aim of the COSHH rules is to try and make sure that there is not a spill in the first place. To this end there needs to be adequate and robust storage facilities. This means making sure that the tanks and units are sealed and checked regularly for any leaks and signs  of corrosion. Given the nature of some chemicals this is vital.

The movement of the chemicals around the site is also part of the checks and balances that need to be looked into and reviewed constantly. The pipes and tubes that transport chemicals have historically proved to be the weakest link and cause of the most significant leaks in the past.

Jeffrey Bowman

Jeffrey Bowman