Safety Talk Working with Alkaline Substances Sheet 1

Safety Talk - Working with Alkaline Substances Sheet 1 - What is an alkali? An alkali is a high p. H corrosive chemical usually in a liquid or powder form, but can be a vapour or a mist. Ó TRAINING NATIONAL

Safety Talk - Working with Alkaline Substances Sheet 2 - What are three ways alkalis can attack the body Alkalis attack the body in the three following ways: Through breathing in vapours and dust. Through contact with the eyes or absorption through the skin. Through swallowing. Ó TRAINING NATIONAL

Safety Talk - Working with Alkaline Substances Hand out sheet 3 - The three T’s If possible, transfer the job to a worker experienced in handling alkalis. Treat the hazard by using good Safe Work and Emergency Procedures and wearing PPE. Terminate the hazard by using engineering controls and equipment that is designed for the job. Ó TRAINING NATIONAL

Safety Talk - Working with Alkaline Substances Hand out sheet 4 - The Material Safety Data Sheet tells you about: the health hazards; the precautions for use; the safe handling requirements; the Emergency Procedures; and the First Aid procedures. Ó TRAINING NATIONAL

Safety Talk - Working with Alkaline Substances Hand out sheet 5 - First Aid treatment Rinse the exposed area for 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Contaminated clothing must be removed immediately and laundered before used again. If you suffer from an inhalation exposure - leave the area IMMEDIATELY and seek medical attention. If poisoning occurs, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Drink water and seek URGENT medical attention. Ó TRAINING NATIONAL

Safety Talk - Working with Alkaline Substances Hand out sheet 6 - Keep alkalis away from other chemical substances Contacting alkalis with many other substances could cause a reaction that could be violent enough to cause and explosion. Always: • store alkalis separately from other chemical substances; and • transport alkalis separately from other chemical substances. CORROSIVE MATERIALS Ó TRAINING NATIONAL

Safety Talk - Working with Alkaline Substances Hand out sheet 7 - Precautions to take when maintaining equipment exposed to alkalis Before maintaining any equipment that has been exposed to an alkali, you should: • flush a closed system with neutralising water; • check the rinse water p. H for a p. H of about 7; • rinse all exposed parts of the equipment with water; • always wear your PPE; and • put warning signs on the equipment being worked on. Ó TRAINING NATIONAL