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Safety in the Use of Chemicals
(for Secondary School Education)

The ILO Action Programme Programme on Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work

by Nabil T. Watfa, Saeed Awan, Rodger Goodson
International Labour Office
Geneva, 1998

Preface

Chapter 1: Chemicals and the human body

How the chemicals enter the body
Breathing
Breathing in chemicals
Where we breathe them
Through the skin
Chemicals in food and drink
Contamination of food
Water
Other ways of exposure

Chapter 2: Health and safety problems caused by chemicals

Physical characteristics
Chemical properties
Toxicity
Dosage
Length of exposure
Individual factors
Chemical heath hazards
Skin problems
Breathing problems
Problems of the nervous system
Heart problems
Blood disorders
Effects on the liver
Kidney problems
Cancer
Problems of reproduction
Fire and explosion hazards posed by chemicals
Why do chemicals catch fire
Sources of heat and ignition
The role of oxygen

Chapter 3: The environmental impact of chemicals

Water pollution
Fresh water pollution
Marine pollution
Soil pollution
Air pollution
Global environmental problems caused by chemicals
Acid rain
Damage to the ozone layer
Climate change

Chapter 4: Safety in the use of chemicals

Classification
Identification
Labelling
Material safety data sheets
Handling and use of chemicals
Some situation to be avoided during handling of chemicals

Chapter 5: Monitoring exposure to chemicals

Personal monitoring
Methods for personal monitoring
Direct reading instruments
Sampling pumps and accessories
Environmental monitoring
Medical monitoring
Exposure limits

Chapter 6: Managing exposure to chemicals

Emergency procedures
Evacuation
Controlling and dealing with spills and leaks
First-aid and medical procedures
Skin exposure
Eye exposure
Inhalation of chemicals
Ingestion
Medical treatment
Poison control centres

Chapter 7: Fire fighting

Fire alarms
Fire fighting techniques
Sprinklers
Water spray
Carbon dioxide
Dry chemicals
Foams
Portable extinguishers

Chapter 8: Control of major industrial accidents

What is a major accident
How do we identify a major hazard installation
Reporting major hazard installations
Management of installations
What the authorities should do
Planning for emergencies

Chapter 9: Legislation for chemical safety

Classification of chemicals
Labelling and identifying chemicals
Chemical safety data sheets
What employers should do
The role of workers

Glossary of terms

Bibliography

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Updated by RS/AS. It was modified and approved by JT. Last updated: February 2000