Worker transferred 400 kilometers to burn unit...

 

No matter the chemical, consultation of the SDS is imperative. It is only by reviewing the SDS can one understand how to safety transport it, store it, use it, etc. Here is a recent incident that may have been prevented if the SDS was consulted.

A 52-year-old worker has been injured in a fire that broke out this morning in an industrial area in Southwestern Europe. The man has been transferred to (a local hospital) , which after evaluating him has been referred to (another hospital 400+ kilometers away) with a reserved prognosis.

 

The events occurred this morning, at 2:29 am, at the aluminium company located on (address omitted), when the worker was handling flammable substances, he was hit and injured with burns on his hands. and on the neck.

 

In the fire, suffocated by Firefighters from (nearby town), members of the Local, National Police and Health Services have participated. 

We pray that the worker recovers fully from his burns. We acknowledge that complexity of the burns that occur on the face. We pray that the worker will be provided with the resources to help him fully recover including but not limited to reconstructive surgery. A government media release stated “The fire seems to have been the product of a deflagration when handling alcohols in a warehouse attached to the company.” Regardless of the specific chemical that the worker was handling we should all agree that it appears the chemical was flammable.

Understanding which section of a SDS to look is important. Here are the sections and the information covered in each.

• SECTION 1: Identification of the substance/mixture and of the company/undertaking
  • 1.1. Product identifier
  • 1.2. Relevant identified uses of the substance or mixture and uses advised against
  • 1.3. Details of the supplier of the safety data sheet
  • 1.4. Emergency telephone number
• SECTION 2: Hazards identification
  • 2.1. Classification of the substance or mixture
  • 2.2. Label elements
  • 2.3. Other hazards
• SECTION 3: Composition/information on ingredients
  • 3.1. Substances
  • 3.2. Mixtures
• SECTION 4: First aid measures
  • 4.1. Description of first aid measures
  • 4.2. Most important symptoms and effects, both acute and delayed
  • 4.3. Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed
• SECTION 5: Firefighting measures
  • 5.1. Extinguishing media
  • 5.2. Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
  • 5.3. Advice for firefighters
• SECTION 6: Accidental release measure
  • 6.1. Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
  • 6.2. Environmental precautions
  • 6.3. Methods and material for containment and cleaning up
  • 6.4. Reference to other sections
• SECTION 7: Handling and storage
  • 7.1. Precautions for safe handling
  • 7.2. Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities
  • 7.3. Specific end use(s)
• SECTION 8: Exposure controls/personal protection
  • 8.1. Control parameters
  • 8.2. Exposure controls
• SECTION 9: Physical and chemical properties
  • 9.1. Information on basic physical and chemical properties
  • 9.2. Other information
• SECTION 10: Stability and reactivity
  • 10.1. Reactivity
  • 10.2. Chemical stability
  • 10.3. Possibility of hazardous reactions
  • 10.4. Conditions to avoid
  • 10.5. Incompatible materials
  • 10.6. Hazardous decomposition products
• SECTION 11: Toxicological information
  • 11.1. Information on toxicological effects
• SECTION 12: Ecological information
  • 12.1. Toxicity
  • 12.2. Persistence and degradability
  • 12.3. Bioaccumulative potential
  • 12.4. Mobility in soil
  • 12.5. Results of PBT and vPvB assessment
  • 12.6. Other adverse effects
• SECTION 13: Disposal considerations
  • 13.1. Waste treatment methods
• SECTION 14: Transport information
  1. 14.1. UN number
  2. 14.2. UN proper shipping name
  3. 14.3. Transport hazard class(es)
  4. 14.4. Packing group
  5. 14.5. Environmental hazards
  6. 14.6. Special precautions for user
  7. 14.7. Transport in bulk according to Annex II of MARPOL^[5] and the IBC Code
• SECTION 15: Regulatory information
  • 15.1. Safety, health and environmental regulations/legislation specific for the substance or mixture
  • 15.2. Chemical safety assessment
• SECTION 16: Other information
  • 16.2. Date of the latest revision of the SDS

We acknowledge that the information above maybe intimidating. It is not meant to be. Understanding the information provided in the SDS can help with preventing fires such as in this incident. We make assumptions when writing about these incidents. We make the assumption that the injured worker and/or company were unaware of the flammability of the chemical that was being used/stored at their warehouse.

Please comment.