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Chemical safety management in Hong Kong
FEATURE
Chemical safety management in Hong Kong Chemicals are widely used nowadays and the risk due to occupational exposure is considerable. In order to prevent the chemical hazard from being realized, an effective safety information management system should be provided. Good hazard communication has to be maintained between manufacturers (or suppliers) and users, and between the management and workers. Accurate information, awareness, and alertness are the three basic elements. Proper labelling and provision of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are important for the control of chemical hazards and treatment of diseases caused by chemicals. Expert advice can also be obtained from the appropriate authorities or enquiry centres.
By C.W. Kan
INTRODUCTION
Although not a major producer of chemicals, Hong Kong is a big consumer. Many varieties of chemicals and raw materials are used in Hong Kong industries as well as in some agricultural activities. Chemicals may form the component parts of many consumer goods and are ultimately disposed. The effect(s) of chemical(s) on health is/are therefore of great concern to workers, consumers and governments; environmental effects are similarly of concern. An effective system for chemical safety information management would therefore be essential.
CHEMICAL RISKS
Chemicals are inorganic or organic in nature and in the form of gases, liquid (e.g., mist), or solids (in powder form, flakes or particulate). They may be corrosive, explosive, flammable, radioactive, reactive, or toxic.1 However, they do not have to be dangerous if one handles them properly.
C.W. Kan is affiliated with Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China (Tel.: 852 2766 6531; fax: 852 2773 1432; e-mail: [email protected]).
1871-5532/$32.00 doi:10.1016/j.jchas.2006.08.003
Chemical poisoning is mainly due to entry of the substance into the body through inhalation, ingestion or absorption by the skin (from airborne phase or on direct contact). Its effects, local or systemic, may be acute or chronic, depending on the dosage and duration of exposure. As an example of acute/local, acid or alkaline burn is not an uncommon accident in the industry. Silicosis, gas poisoning and contact dermatitis are the most common occupational diseases. Moreover, many classical examples like lead or mercury poisoning have also been reported occasionally in Hong Kong.1 The potential risk from occupational exposure should be higher and more imminent because of frequent and direct handling of raw material and concentrated chemicals. Consequently, the chance of being harmed and its extent is more serious. This paper therefore focuses mainly on the occupational aspects. However, one should bear in mind that even though the harmful effects on consumers are usually less severe, more people may be affected unknowingly. As regard to the environmental impact, the disposal and accumulation of toxic chemicals in our environment may be detrimental to our health. The effect may not be visualized immediately but, when it shows up, it may be too late and the results may be farreaching.2,3 In nearly all cases of industrial chemical poisoning and accidents in the past, lack of Accurate information, Awareness or Alertness are the three
important ‘‘A’’ elements. Thus, to health and safety professionals and medical practitioners, chemical hazard information would be very useful for the diagnosis, treatment of the patients and prevention of further occurrence.
CASE STUDY Case Study 1—Accurate Provision of Information
There are many bottles and containers of chemicals made of plastics, glass, and metal at home or in the workplace. Without a label, one can hardly identify them by shape and colour, texture, odour, or flavour. When handling chemicals, prejudgement by experience alone is dangerous and unreliable. The absence of labelling or incorrect information on the container can lead to accidents and disasters. Previously, gassing accidents in Hong Kong electronic factories were often caused by mislabelling or the absence of labelling. During etching of circuit boards, workers were sometimes confused by the two chemicals (hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid) which came in drums of similar shape with no labelling, or with only foreign languages and code numbers printed on the outside. The two chemicals should be placed separately in two different tanks along the production line and were not to be mixed together. However, in practice, the two drums of chemicals were often placed side by side, ready for
ß Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
13
replenishment of the different solutions in the tanks. Thus, mistakes could occur when the operator tried to pick up and pumped the correct liquid into the tanks. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent. When it is mixed with hydrochloric acid, there will be an exothermic reaction, giving off a mist containing acid and chlorine gas: H2 O2 þ 2HCl ! Cl2 " þ 2H2 O Usually this would not cause significant harm to the operators because they would immediately stop pumping once they sensed the irritating chlorine gas coming out from the tank. Also, anybody nearby breathing in the emissions would be turned away. However, it is obvious that this ‘‘by luck’’ or ‘‘run away strategy’’ is no solution to the problem. Provision of accurate information is thus the basis for hazard prevention, diagnosis and treatment. One should always ask the name and properties of the chemical in use.3 Case Study 2—Awareness of the Danger
In offset printing, manual cleaning of rubber blankets has been practised for many years. The traditional cleaning agent is an organic solvent composed of mainly aliphatic hydrocarbons of C5 to C8, including the straight chain isomer of hexane, also known as nhexane. n-Hexane is a major volatile component (14% to >20%) of the solvent, the percentage being dependent on the preparation method: source of crude oil, distillation procedure and temperature range during refinery, and blending with other solvents (e.g., toluene) by the distributors. Containers of the solvent usually carry a label with warning that n-hexane is present and the solvent is harmful. Like the other hydrocarbons, nhexane is narcotic after acute exposure. However, it is also known to have chronic effect—its metabolite 2,5-hexanedione can affect the peripheral nerves and subsequently the dysfunction of the limbs.4–6 Its latent period may vary from months to years. In Hong Kong, some machine operators in local offset printing fac-
14
tory developed symptoms of peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to the cleaning solvent.6 Despite a label on the containers warning of n-hexane being a harmful component, no one actually understood the adverse effects. The factory management did not assess the condition of the workplace. The awareness of the harmful properties of the solvent was low; nobody realized that the solvent could be associated with neuropathy. Fortunately, the medical consultants were aware that the patients came from the same factory. These patients were later confirmed to be suffering from peripheral polyneuropathy due to exposure to n-hexane. Many factors were responsible for this outbreak, including individual susceptibility, poor control, inadequate ventilation, but the crucial one was the lack of knowledge on proper handling of chemicals. Improper work practice plus restricted air intake in the workshop led to the accumulation of the solvent vapour, and hence enhanced the harmful effect. Training and supervision provide channels for hazard communication and arouse attention. For medical professionals, tracing patient’s occupational history would be essential. Symptomatic treatment without knowing the cause would not solve the patient’s problems. Case Study 3—Alertness, Careful and Watchful Response
Many chemicals and dyes are used in the dyeing and finishing processes of the textile industry; for example, potassium sulphide (K2S) is usually used together with dyes such as bromoindigo in solution form in enclosed tanks. Acetic acid is often used, too, in a nearby treatment tank. The spent chemical solutions should be discharged separately after dilution or pre-treatment. Under normal working conditions, it poses no problem. However, because workers did not follow the correct procedure in dealing with the chemical solutions, there were repeated accidents in dyeing and finishing workshops a few years ago. Different tanks of chemical solutions were released at the same time into the underground gutters. As a result, toxic gases were emitted from the drainage
openings and diffused into the workroom atmosphere: K2 S þ acetic acid ! H2 S " þ potassium acetate The operators smelled a rotten egg odour and were overcome with loss of consciousness by the hydrogen sulphide gas produced. In order to avoid the hazard, management should have a plan or schedule on paper so that everybody can follow the procedure properly. They should also be aware of the impact on environment and observe the requirement of the laws. Chemical effluent should be pretreated before discharge into the communal drainage system. While the operators have to follow the proper working procedures, they should be alert and respect all chemicals.7
STATUTORY CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
In Hong Kong, many Government agencies and departments have been involved actively in the control of chemicals and poisons. In this respect, there are several important ordinances: Agricultural Pesticides Ordinance (Chapter 133) Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 134) Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Chapter 295) Factories & Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Chapter 59) Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) Radiation Ordinance (Chapter 303) Waste Disposal Ordinance (Chapter 354) Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance (Chapter 509) These ordinances cover all aspects including occupational, consumer and environmental exposure. Dangerous Goods Ordinance is the basis of chemical hazard and safety information management. Apart from the control, the Ordinance lists out chemicals into categories according to their major hazardous properties:
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2007
Category Category Category Category Category Category Category
1 2 3 4 5 6 7–9
Category 10
Explosives Compressed gases Corrosives Poisons Flammable Reactive with water All kinds of combustibles Others
The import or export, sale or wholesale, storage and use of the chemicals are controlled partly through the registration or licensing system, and partly through regular inspection.
CHEMICAL HAZARD INFORMATION
Although there is no comprehensive format for hazard communication in Hong Kong, labelling of chemicals is the basic requirement of the laws and regulations. The design of the label may be different for different purposes. For example, in the labelling of industrial chemicals, the following information, as shown in Figure 1 must be provided: name of the substance; risk symbol; particulars (fire and health) of risks involved; and safety precautions during handling.8 The label for waste disposal as shown in Figure 2 may be slightly different. However, the information is important for identification of the chemical substances or the major components, and for understanding of the potential hazards so that precautionary measures could be adopted to avoid unnecessary exposure or risks. It may also
Figure 2. Design of label for chemical waste disposal container.9
carry brief instructions for first aid.9 The contents should be written in both English and Chinese. For details of symptoms from chemical poisoning and treatment methods, one may refer to the standard toxicology references. Additional information on the containers is sometimes shown by colour or number codes. For example, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of the United States (one of the major sources of the imported chemicals) adopts a special colour code system for the labelling of chemicals: Blue = health hazard Red = fire hazard
Figure 1. Prescribed form of chemical label.8
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2007
Yellow = reactivity hazard (with air or water) White = special hazard or protective equipment indicated by colour/bar code The degree of hazard is shown by number codes: 0 = minimum hazard 1 = slight hazard 2 = moderate hazard 3 = serious hazard 4 = severe hazard The special hazard may include the presence of oxidizer, acid, alkali, corrosive, radioactive component or use no water, etc. as indicated by symbols or letters (NFPA-type). Another common system used worldwide in the industry is the colour/bartype, in which the respective letter or number code on the white bar indicates the requirement of protective equipment. Many different labelling systems are found in the containers from overseas suppliers. The important information may include warning, safety directions, product name, content, quantity, directions for use, first aid, name and address of the manufacturer, etc. However, there are no comprehensive regulations or requirements locally on the provisions of the hazard
15
information to the consumers by the suppliers of those industrial chemicals. Other than labelling on the outside of containers, the information may be produced by the manufacturers in the form of documents known as the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), but this is voluntary rather than a legal requirement. Nevertheless, the consumers are strongly advised to have a complete set of MSDS for all chemicals that they are using. The details of a MSDS may include the following information: supplier’s information/identity; hazardous ingredients; physical and chemical characteristics; physical hazards and data; reactivity and data; health hazards and data; precautions for safe handling and use; and control measures. The MSDS is a technical guide, and only competent persons can fully understand the information. For example, in the section for health hazard data, it may contain first aid procedure, animal toxicity data, ecotoxicity data, biodegradability or even advice to doctors. Management of the company should therefore ensure that every worker can understand the chemical hazard and know how to handle the hazardous substance properly from reading the labels or the MSDS directly, or through training using non-technical language. If there is any special requirement like first aid or medical treatment, medical personnel or expertise should be referred. On the other hand, medical practitioners have the obligation to notify suspected and confirmed cases of
16
occupational diseases due to chemicals to the authorities concerned. Guidebooks on notifiable and prescribed occupational diseases are available from the Labour Department in Hong Kong.
CONCLUSION
The system of chemical hazard and safety information management in Hong Kong is still under development. There is little control over the suppliers of industrial chemicals to give adequate information to the users. It is on voluntary basis only. Moreover, the users often know little about the potential hazards. There is a lack of the three ‘‘A’’ elements concept. Some also under-estimate the essence of an effective chemical information management system. They should learn about the potential hazard as well as the properties of the chemicals in use. Education and publicity are important to the solution of the problem. To prevent chemical incidents/accidents, provision of accurate information is the prime factor. People concerned should read the labels or MSDS. Operators or users have to know where to find the information about the chemicals in use, to follow instructions, to learn emergency procedures and to practise sensible, good working habits. Medical practitioners need to know the occupational history of a patient as well as information of the chemicals for diagnosis and treatment. Safety and health personnel who
need to have further information may approach the information centres for professional advice too.
REFERENCES 1. Tsin, T. W. J. Hong Kong Med. Assoc. 1994, 46(1), 37. 2. Wang, X. R.; Eisen, E. A.; Zhang, H. X.; Sun, B. X.; Dai, H. L.; Pan, L. D.; Wegmam, D. H.; Olenchock, S. A.; Christiani, D. C. Occup. Environ. Med. 2003, 60, 935. 3. Occupational Safety and Health Branch, Labour Department. Chemical Safety in the Workplace – Guidance Notes on Risk Assessment and Fundamentals of Establishing Safety Measures, Printing Department, Hong Kong, 2001. 4. Barregard, L.; Sallsten, G.; Nordborg, C.; Gieth, W. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health, 1991, 17, 205. 5. Wang, J. D.; Chang, Y. C.; Kao, K. P.; Huang, C. C.; Lin, C. C.; Yeh, W. Y. Am. J. Ind. Med. 1986, 10, 111. 6. Chang, C. M.; Yu, C. W.; Fong, K. Y. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, 1993, 56, 538. 7. Occupational Safety and Health Branch, Labour Department. Chemical Safety in the Workplace – Guidance Notes on Chemical Safety in Textile Finishing, Printing Department, Hong Kong, 2003. 8. Occupational Safety and Health Branch, Labour Department. Reference Manual for Inspection reports on Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Other than Construction Sites), Printing Department, Hong Kong, 2004. 9. http :// www.epd.gov.hk / epd /English / environmentinhk / waste / guide _ ref / files/guide_e.pdf (accessed 6/27/2006).
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2007
Chemical safety management in Hong Kong Chemicals are widely used nowadays and the risk due to occupational exposure is considerable. In order to prevent the chemical hazard from being realized, an effective safety information management system should be provided. Good hazard communication has to be maintained between manufacturers (or suppliers) and users, and between the management and workers. Accurate information, awareness, and alertness are the three basic elements. Proper labelling and provision of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are important for the control of chemical hazards and treatment of diseases caused by chemicals. Expert advice can also be obtained from the appropriate authorities or enquiry centres.
By C.W. Kan
INTRODUCTION
Although not a major producer of chemicals, Hong Kong is a big consumer. Many varieties of chemicals and raw materials are used in Hong Kong industries as well as in some agricultural activities. Chemicals may form the component parts of many consumer goods and are ultimately disposed. The effect(s) of chemical(s) on health is/are therefore of great concern to workers, consumers and governments; environmental effects are similarly of concern. An effective system for chemical safety information management would therefore be essential.
CHEMICAL RISKS
Chemicals are inorganic or organic in nature and in the form of gases, liquid (e.g., mist), or solids (in powder form, flakes or particulate). They may be corrosive, explosive, flammable, radioactive, reactive, or toxic.1 However, they do not have to be dangerous if one handles them properly.
C.W. Kan is affiliated with Institute of Textiles and Clothing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China (Tel.: 852 2766 6531; fax: 852 2773 1432; e-mail: [email protected]).
1871-5532/$32.00 doi:10.1016/j.jchas.2006.08.003
Chemical poisoning is mainly due to entry of the substance into the body through inhalation, ingestion or absorption by the skin (from airborne phase or on direct contact). Its effects, local or systemic, may be acute or chronic, depending on the dosage and duration of exposure. As an example of acute/local, acid or alkaline burn is not an uncommon accident in the industry. Silicosis, gas poisoning and contact dermatitis are the most common occupational diseases. Moreover, many classical examples like lead or mercury poisoning have also been reported occasionally in Hong Kong.1 The potential risk from occupational exposure should be higher and more imminent because of frequent and direct handling of raw material and concentrated chemicals. Consequently, the chance of being harmed and its extent is more serious. This paper therefore focuses mainly on the occupational aspects. However, one should bear in mind that even though the harmful effects on consumers are usually less severe, more people may be affected unknowingly. As regard to the environmental impact, the disposal and accumulation of toxic chemicals in our environment may be detrimental to our health. The effect may not be visualized immediately but, when it shows up, it may be too late and the results may be farreaching.2,3 In nearly all cases of industrial chemical poisoning and accidents in the past, lack of Accurate information, Awareness or Alertness are the three
important ‘‘A’’ elements. Thus, to health and safety professionals and medical practitioners, chemical hazard information would be very useful for the diagnosis, treatment of the patients and prevention of further occurrence.
CASE STUDY Case Study 1—Accurate Provision of Information
There are many bottles and containers of chemicals made of plastics, glass, and metal at home or in the workplace. Without a label, one can hardly identify them by shape and colour, texture, odour, or flavour. When handling chemicals, prejudgement by experience alone is dangerous and unreliable. The absence of labelling or incorrect information on the container can lead to accidents and disasters. Previously, gassing accidents in Hong Kong electronic factories were often caused by mislabelling or the absence of labelling. During etching of circuit boards, workers were sometimes confused by the two chemicals (hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid) which came in drums of similar shape with no labelling, or with only foreign languages and code numbers printed on the outside. The two chemicals should be placed separately in two different tanks along the production line and were not to be mixed together. However, in practice, the two drums of chemicals were often placed side by side, ready for
ß Division of Chemical Health and Safety of the American Chemical Society Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
13
replenishment of the different solutions in the tanks. Thus, mistakes could occur when the operator tried to pick up and pumped the correct liquid into the tanks. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing agent. When it is mixed with hydrochloric acid, there will be an exothermic reaction, giving off a mist containing acid and chlorine gas: H2 O2 þ 2HCl ! Cl2 " þ 2H2 O Usually this would not cause significant harm to the operators because they would immediately stop pumping once they sensed the irritating chlorine gas coming out from the tank. Also, anybody nearby breathing in the emissions would be turned away. However, it is obvious that this ‘‘by luck’’ or ‘‘run away strategy’’ is no solution to the problem. Provision of accurate information is thus the basis for hazard prevention, diagnosis and treatment. One should always ask the name and properties of the chemical in use.3 Case Study 2—Awareness of the Danger
In offset printing, manual cleaning of rubber blankets has been practised for many years. The traditional cleaning agent is an organic solvent composed of mainly aliphatic hydrocarbons of C5 to C8, including the straight chain isomer of hexane, also known as nhexane. n-Hexane is a major volatile component (14% to >20%) of the solvent, the percentage being dependent on the preparation method: source of crude oil, distillation procedure and temperature range during refinery, and blending with other solvents (e.g., toluene) by the distributors. Containers of the solvent usually carry a label with warning that n-hexane is present and the solvent is harmful. Like the other hydrocarbons, nhexane is narcotic after acute exposure. However, it is also known to have chronic effect—its metabolite 2,5-hexanedione can affect the peripheral nerves and subsequently the dysfunction of the limbs.4–6 Its latent period may vary from months to years. In Hong Kong, some machine operators in local offset printing fac-
14
tory developed symptoms of peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to the cleaning solvent.6 Despite a label on the containers warning of n-hexane being a harmful component, no one actually understood the adverse effects. The factory management did not assess the condition of the workplace. The awareness of the harmful properties of the solvent was low; nobody realized that the solvent could be associated with neuropathy. Fortunately, the medical consultants were aware that the patients came from the same factory. These patients were later confirmed to be suffering from peripheral polyneuropathy due to exposure to n-hexane. Many factors were responsible for this outbreak, including individual susceptibility, poor control, inadequate ventilation, but the crucial one was the lack of knowledge on proper handling of chemicals. Improper work practice plus restricted air intake in the workshop led to the accumulation of the solvent vapour, and hence enhanced the harmful effect. Training and supervision provide channels for hazard communication and arouse attention. For medical professionals, tracing patient’s occupational history would be essential. Symptomatic treatment without knowing the cause would not solve the patient’s problems. Case Study 3—Alertness, Careful and Watchful Response
Many chemicals and dyes are used in the dyeing and finishing processes of the textile industry; for example, potassium sulphide (K2S) is usually used together with dyes such as bromoindigo in solution form in enclosed tanks. Acetic acid is often used, too, in a nearby treatment tank. The spent chemical solutions should be discharged separately after dilution or pre-treatment. Under normal working conditions, it poses no problem. However, because workers did not follow the correct procedure in dealing with the chemical solutions, there were repeated accidents in dyeing and finishing workshops a few years ago. Different tanks of chemical solutions were released at the same time into the underground gutters. As a result, toxic gases were emitted from the drainage
openings and diffused into the workroom atmosphere: K2 S þ acetic acid ! H2 S " þ potassium acetate The operators smelled a rotten egg odour and were overcome with loss of consciousness by the hydrogen sulphide gas produced. In order to avoid the hazard, management should have a plan or schedule on paper so that everybody can follow the procedure properly. They should also be aware of the impact on environment and observe the requirement of the laws. Chemical effluent should be pretreated before discharge into the communal drainage system. While the operators have to follow the proper working procedures, they should be alert and respect all chemicals.7
STATUTORY CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
In Hong Kong, many Government agencies and departments have been involved actively in the control of chemicals and poisons. In this respect, there are several important ordinances: Agricultural Pesticides Ordinance (Chapter 133) Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 134) Dangerous Goods Ordinance (Chapter 295) Factories & Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Chapter 59) Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Chapter 138) Radiation Ordinance (Chapter 303) Waste Disposal Ordinance (Chapter 354) Occupational Health and Safety Ordinance (Chapter 509) These ordinances cover all aspects including occupational, consumer and environmental exposure. Dangerous Goods Ordinance is the basis of chemical hazard and safety information management. Apart from the control, the Ordinance lists out chemicals into categories according to their major hazardous properties:
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2007
Category Category Category Category Category Category Category
1 2 3 4 5 6 7–9
Category 10
Explosives Compressed gases Corrosives Poisons Flammable Reactive with water All kinds of combustibles Others
The import or export, sale or wholesale, storage and use of the chemicals are controlled partly through the registration or licensing system, and partly through regular inspection.
CHEMICAL HAZARD INFORMATION
Although there is no comprehensive format for hazard communication in Hong Kong, labelling of chemicals is the basic requirement of the laws and regulations. The design of the label may be different for different purposes. For example, in the labelling of industrial chemicals, the following information, as shown in Figure 1 must be provided: name of the substance; risk symbol; particulars (fire and health) of risks involved; and safety precautions during handling.8 The label for waste disposal as shown in Figure 2 may be slightly different. However, the information is important for identification of the chemical substances or the major components, and for understanding of the potential hazards so that precautionary measures could be adopted to avoid unnecessary exposure or risks. It may also
Figure 2. Design of label for chemical waste disposal container.9
carry brief instructions for first aid.9 The contents should be written in both English and Chinese. For details of symptoms from chemical poisoning and treatment methods, one may refer to the standard toxicology references. Additional information on the containers is sometimes shown by colour or number codes. For example, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) of the United States (one of the major sources of the imported chemicals) adopts a special colour code system for the labelling of chemicals: Blue = health hazard Red = fire hazard
Figure 1. Prescribed form of chemical label.8
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2007
Yellow = reactivity hazard (with air or water) White = special hazard or protective equipment indicated by colour/bar code The degree of hazard is shown by number codes: 0 = minimum hazard 1 = slight hazard 2 = moderate hazard 3 = serious hazard 4 = severe hazard The special hazard may include the presence of oxidizer, acid, alkali, corrosive, radioactive component or use no water, etc. as indicated by symbols or letters (NFPA-type). Another common system used worldwide in the industry is the colour/bartype, in which the respective letter or number code on the white bar indicates the requirement of protective equipment. Many different labelling systems are found in the containers from overseas suppliers. The important information may include warning, safety directions, product name, content, quantity, directions for use, first aid, name and address of the manufacturer, etc. However, there are no comprehensive regulations or requirements locally on the provisions of the hazard
15
information to the consumers by the suppliers of those industrial chemicals. Other than labelling on the outside of containers, the information may be produced by the manufacturers in the form of documents known as the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), but this is voluntary rather than a legal requirement. Nevertheless, the consumers are strongly advised to have a complete set of MSDS for all chemicals that they are using. The details of a MSDS may include the following information: supplier’s information/identity; hazardous ingredients; physical and chemical characteristics; physical hazards and data; reactivity and data; health hazards and data; precautions for safe handling and use; and control measures. The MSDS is a technical guide, and only competent persons can fully understand the information. For example, in the section for health hazard data, it may contain first aid procedure, animal toxicity data, ecotoxicity data, biodegradability or even advice to doctors. Management of the company should therefore ensure that every worker can understand the chemical hazard and know how to handle the hazardous substance properly from reading the labels or the MSDS directly, or through training using non-technical language. If there is any special requirement like first aid or medical treatment, medical personnel or expertise should be referred. On the other hand, medical practitioners have the obligation to notify suspected and confirmed cases of
16
occupational diseases due to chemicals to the authorities concerned. Guidebooks on notifiable and prescribed occupational diseases are available from the Labour Department in Hong Kong.
CONCLUSION
The system of chemical hazard and safety information management in Hong Kong is still under development. There is little control over the suppliers of industrial chemicals to give adequate information to the users. It is on voluntary basis only. Moreover, the users often know little about the potential hazards. There is a lack of the three ‘‘A’’ elements concept. Some also under-estimate the essence of an effective chemical information management system. They should learn about the potential hazard as well as the properties of the chemicals in use. Education and publicity are important to the solution of the problem. To prevent chemical incidents/accidents, provision of accurate information is the prime factor. People concerned should read the labels or MSDS. Operators or users have to know where to find the information about the chemicals in use, to follow instructions, to learn emergency procedures and to practise sensible, good working habits. Medical practitioners need to know the occupational history of a patient as well as information of the chemicals for diagnosis and treatment. Safety and health personnel who
need to have further information may approach the information centres for professional advice too.
REFERENCES 1. Tsin, T. W. J. Hong Kong Med. Assoc. 1994, 46(1), 37. 2. Wang, X. R.; Eisen, E. A.; Zhang, H. X.; Sun, B. X.; Dai, H. L.; Pan, L. D.; Wegmam, D. H.; Olenchock, S. A.; Christiani, D. C. Occup. Environ. Med. 2003, 60, 935. 3. Occupational Safety and Health Branch, Labour Department. Chemical Safety in the Workplace – Guidance Notes on Risk Assessment and Fundamentals of Establishing Safety Measures, Printing Department, Hong Kong, 2001. 4. Barregard, L.; Sallsten, G.; Nordborg, C.; Gieth, W. Scand. J. Work Environ. Health, 1991, 17, 205. 5. Wang, J. D.; Chang, Y. C.; Kao, K. P.; Huang, C. C.; Lin, C. C.; Yeh, W. Y. Am. J. Ind. Med. 1986, 10, 111. 6. Chang, C. M.; Yu, C. W.; Fong, K. Y. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, 1993, 56, 538. 7. Occupational Safety and Health Branch, Labour Department. Chemical Safety in the Workplace – Guidance Notes on Chemical Safety in Textile Finishing, Printing Department, Hong Kong, 2003. 8. Occupational Safety and Health Branch, Labour Department. Reference Manual for Inspection reports on Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Other than Construction Sites), Printing Department, Hong Kong, 2004. 9. http :// www.epd.gov.hk / epd /English / environmentinhk / waste / guide _ ref / files/guide_e.pdf (accessed 6/27/2006).
Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, January/February 2007