HSS: High Risk Activities: Chemicals

Every chemical will have different hazards and different ways of proper handling. Get to know each chemical you are using or may come into contact with.

1. Look to Each Chemical's MSDs, and translate and pull out key info (SHUT):

S - Storage

H - Handling

U - Use

T - Transportation

2. Protect yourself:

• Respiratory Protection and ventilation - No one type of respiratory protection protects against everything. Get to know the chemical you are working with and protect accordingly.

• Splash protection: Chemical Resistant Gloves, Protective Clothing, Eye protection

• Consider the life span of any chemicals used, including those used for cleaning, washing etc. Harmful active agents could remain on surfaces or in the air long after the chemical has been used. 

• Remove any movable items from the area, including clothing and other personal belongings. If not possible, ensure they are covered with adequate materials. 

3. Inform yourself:

• Do not assume that someone else knows more, or has done their research. If you are not content with a chemical being used, you are empowered to stop and ask for advice. 

• "Don't worry, it's fine" is not an adequate response. Unless someone can prove a chemical is appropriate and approved for use in a particular context, you do not have to use it. 

• Laws around chemicals vary globally, and the standards in some countries in which we operate may lag behind the standards we would expect. Ask questions of any local contractors hired to use chemicals - just because they are the experts at their job does not make their supplies safe for use on our bases. 

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