Hazardous material management provides information and knowledge on how best dangerous materials can be managed to prevent their toxicity from causing harm.
In most places, a hazardous material management plan is deployed to ensure that processes such as reducing, minimizing, or eliminating the quantity of hazardous materials are fully deployed in the environment.
What is a hazardous material?
Hazardous materials are any physical, biological, or chemical item that has the potential to cause harm to living organisms or the environment. Hazardous materials can be toxic, Corrosive, flammable, highly reactive, a meeting and ionizing radiation, and can also be explosive and so on.
What is a hazardous material management plan?
Just as the name implies, a plan that describes the proper use, handling, and storage practices are procedures to be followed when working with hazardous materials. The hazardous materials management plan is designed to fulfill the requirements of OSHA regulation on hazard communication plan- 29 CFR 1910.1200
What is hazardous material according to OSHA?
OSHA defines hazardous material as any substance or chemical that is a health hazard or physical Hazard, including chemicals that are carcinogens, toxic, irritants, corrosive, sanitizers agents that act on the hematopoietic system; agents that damage the lungs, the skin, the eyes or mucus membranes: chemicals which are combustible, explosive flammable, oxidizers, pyrophoric, unstable reactive or water-reactive; and chemicals which in the course of normal handling use or storage may produce or release dust, gases, fumes, vapors, must, or smoke which may have any of the previously mentioned characteristics.
Hazardous materials definition according to DOT Department of Transport USA.
The Department of Transport defines a hazardous material as any item or chemical being transported on move-in Commerce that is a risk to public safety or the environment and is regulated as such under its pipeline and hazardous materials safety administration regulation (49 CFR 100 -199), which includes the hazardous materials regulations (49 CFR 171-180).
Hazardous materials management plan outline table of contents.
A typical hazardous material management plan may have some unlisted items as its table of contents.
- Introduction.
- Duties and responsibilities.
- Hazardous Material Handling labels.
- Safety data sheets.
- Classification of dangerous materials.
- Hazardous Material Handling and Storage.
- General storage guidelines.
- Separating hazardous material during storage.
- Compress gas cylinder.
- Moving hazardous material.
- Hazardous material inventory.
- Emergency planning.
- Biological toxins.
- Biological hazards.
- Blood-borne pathogens
- Biological and animal safety.
- Radiological hazards.
- Hazardous Material Procurement.
- Mitigating hazards.
- Emergency response.
- Site cleanup procedures.
- Waste management.
- Transportation Shipping and receiving of hazardous material.
- Dangerous goods hazard categories
Classification of hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials are classified according to various classes. They are listed below.
1. Allergens and sanitizers
An allergen is responsible for producing an allergic reaction. So, an allergic reaction is an adverse immune response that occurs when the human body is in contact with a harmless substance. For synthesizers, it causes little or no response at first, but repeated explosions may cause an allergic reaction.
2. Anesthetics
This material depresses the central nervous system, particularly the brain, and produces a loss of Sensation. And exposure to them causes loss of Sensation. They include alcohol, dethyl ether, and halogenated hydrocarbons.
3. Asphyxiates
This substance interferes with oxygen transport in the lungs or red blood cells, thereby depriving the tissues and organs of oxygen. The human brain is often most affected when oxygen is deprived, and when this happens, it can be deadly.
4. Biological hazards.
This type of Hazard refers to biohazards such as plants, animals, or their products that may potentially risk human life, animals, or the environment.
The biological agents include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even human blood, urine, saliva, and can potentially carry blood-borne pathogens.
5. Carcinogens
They are substances that can cause cancer. They can potentially speed up the development of malignant proliferation of cells.
6. Compressed gas.
Compressed gases are gases Under Pressure. They present a physical hazard due to the storage pressure. They can also exhibit overt dangers such as flammability, corrosivity, and toxicity. When compressed gases are released accidentally, they can cause fire, explosion, depleted oxygen atmosphere, and Physical damage to facilities.
7. Corrosives.
Corrosive can cause visible destruction of or irreversible alteration of the body tissue by chemical action at the site or contact. Examples of corrosives include acidic, alkaline, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, calcium oxide, organic corrosives, phenol, acetic acid, sodium hydroxide, and corrosive dehydrating agents.
8. Cryogenic Materials.
Cryogenic materials exist as a gas at room temperature, but because it has been cooled at room temperature where it condenses to liquid. Most cryogenic substances are odorless, colorless, and odorless. Cryogens can cause frostbite on an exposed skin in the body.
9. Environmental toxins.
Some chemicals can be toxic to wildlife but present less risk to humans. Some of these chemicals are DDT and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
10. Flammable and combustible liquid
Examples of these liquids are kerosene, glacial acetic acid, and phenol. They are liquid with flashpoints at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit but below 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. Irritants.
Irritants are materials that cause reversible inflammation or irritation to the eye, respiratory tract, skin, body, and even mucous membranes. Various irritants include Ammonia, hydrogen chloride, halogens such as F1 and C12—nitrogen dioxide, arsenic trichloride, ozone, dethyl sulfate, etc.
12. Oxidizers
Oxidizers readily yield oxygen to cause the combustion of organic material. Other materials do not contain oxygen, which can be called oxidizers, too, because of their ability to accept electrons for themselves. They are peroxides, nitric acid, permanganates, and chlorine.
13. Reactive
They are unstable chemicals that can undergo a chemical reaction with itself or with an available substance. Reactions are grouped into the below.
Monomers, explosives, organic peroxide, pyrophoric
14 Reproductive agents
ALSO READ:
- 26 exclusive duties of a fire warden
- 37 Chemical handling safety tips.
- Ammonia safety: How to respond to emergencies involving ammonia and Safe handling of ammonia
Some chemicals can damage the reproductive system of a human being. They Can cause infertility in women, importance and even menstrual irregularities, or damage to the unborn baby. Some of them include benzene, toluene, xylene, and some of the therapeutic drugs.
15. Toxics
They include chemicals when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed or when applied or injected into the body, which may cause damage to the biological structure or disturb the biological function of the human body. Examples of acute toxins are hydrogen cyanide, sulfide, ricin, Arsenic, and Nitrogen dioxide. Examples of chronic toxins include mercury, lead, and formaldehyde.
Conclusion.
Hazardous material management is essential for all persons handling or being exposed to any hazards, whether in the workplace, home, or environment. Proper management of hazardous materials will ensure that no one gets harmed at the end of the day.
Frequently asked questions on Hazardous material management.
1. Who needs the hazardous material HAZMAT training?
HAZMAT Training is meant for individuals who handle, transport, or ship hazardous materials in the United States, per the dangerous materials regulations set by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
2. Who regulates hazardous materials in the USA?
There is a body regulating hazardous materials in the USA, and the body is the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration PHMSA, a division of the transportation department.
3. What sort of training record should be kept for HAZMAT employees?
The training record for HAZMAT should include:
- The hazmat employee’s name.
- The date of training completion.
- The materials used for training.
- The hazmat trainer’s name and address.
- The hazmat employee’s certification.
Onyeka Emma is a QHSE Professional with more than 10 years of experience in occupational health and safety, which spans many industries such as construction, beverage, oil and gas, etc. He has many health and safety certifications, including NEBOSH IGC, ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 Lead auditor certificate. A member of IOSH, ISPON, and Nigeria Red Cross Society. He is interested in business, entrepreneurship, Speaking, and motivating people to do better for themselves. He enjoys leisure with a good motivational book.
