case study;

 A worker was assigned the task of manually blending chemicals involving a highly corrosive substance, hydrofluoric (HF) acid. 

The worker used cotton gloves during blending operation. The worker experienced severe pain in the fingers of his left hand. As the pain did not subside, he was sent to the hospital for treatment and was given a total of 12 days of medical leave.

assessor comments;

Kindly provide control measures for the stated scenario and develop plans for improvement.

 

Answer:

Control measures

1. Personal protective equipment - The worker must wear appropriate gloves recommended by the chemical manufacturer when mixing hydrofluoric acid manually to protect the skin from chemical contact.
2. Substitution - Replace the use of the corrosive hydrofluoric acid with a less corrosive chemical.
3. Elimination - Elimination is the greatest level of effectiveness in dealing with measures of risk control. For instance, the worker should completely avoid mixing corrosive chemicals manually and use lab equipment specified for mixing chemicals.
4. Engineering controls - The process involving the mixing of the corrosive hydrofluoric acid should completely be automated using mechanical systems to avoid any person from such a task.
5. Policies - Develop written policies and measures that outline the best practices when dealing with corrosive chemicals such as reducing the duration and frequency of exposure to hydrofluoric acid.

Plans for improvement

• Be ready to handle emergencies safely. In case of accidents, provide first aid to the victims at the workplace to minimize damage before visiting the hospital for treatment.
• Purchasing the recommended protective equipment for dealing with hazardous chemicals including hydrofluoric acid.
• Be very careful when dispensing hydrofluoric acid from one container to another. These can be outlined on policies and procedures in place within the workplace.
• Obtain and read the Material Safety Data Sheets(MSDSs) for all the chemicals the worker deals with.
• Storing, handling, and use of corrosive chemicals in a well-ventilated place to minimize risk.