How to Handle Chemicals at Work

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Cleaning chemicals in the Philippines are one of the must-have purchases of every business. Without it, you’re exposed to certain health hazards that may harm you and your employees. As pointed out by Healthline, germs are everywhere and can make you sick so it is mandatory to keep your surroundings clean by using cleaning chemicals which are readily available at any grocery stores near you. 

It is important that employers invest in a tidy, well-maintained and organized office environment. It has direct correlation to the health, well-being and productivity of an employee. According to World Green Building Council, the health outcomes of an unkempt workplace are headache, skin irritation, fatigue, stress and depression. It also has financial implications such as absenteeism, staff turnover/retention, medical complaints, and task efficiency.

However, we can’t disregard the fact that cleaning chemicals can also pose risks if not properly handled or administered. In addition to keeping your workplace clean, you should practice chemical safety at same time when using cleaning products. This is not only a sole responsibility of workers assigned in the cleaning department or the custodians of the building. Employers must enforce it first and transfer this knowledge to their employees.

Key duties of employers:

• Identify and list all chemical substances present in the building. Always keep an up-to-date inventory of this.

• Identify which employees are exposed to cleaning chemicals, their level of exposure and how often they’re exposed.

• Assess the health risks of each cleaning chemicals and how it can be avoided. If accidentally exposed, what are the first aid measures to apply?

• Encourage employees to use less hazardous substances instead of their more harmful counterparts.

• Ensure each cleaning chemical is properly labelled. The label contains its contents; hazards by using hazard pictograms, first aid instructions and usage directions.

• Keep cleaning chemicals in their original containers. 

• Provide a secure storage to store cleaning chemicals according to its hazard classification. Don’t store incompatible chemicals in a single storage.

• Identify which cleaning chemicals can be diluted or mixed together. Take note that not all chemicals can be mixed like bleach and ammonia that release toxic chloramine gas when combined and can cause coughing, chest pain, and nausea.

• Provide regular training and proper information dissemination to all employees and not just the custodians.

• Take into consideration non-English speaking employees by producing materials comprehensible to them.

• Establish a procedure for how an can employee report if problems occur and ensure communication is open at all times.

• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, face masks, respirators, boots, goggles, and overalls.

Key duties of employees:

• Always follow the guidelines or instructions provided by the employer.

• Wear PPE when working and check if the equipment has holes or damage. Report immediately if the equipment is already worn-out to avoid being used by other employees.

• Never haphazardly mix cleaning chemicals. Read the instruction manual or ask the employer if it can be mixed.

• Familiarize themselves of each cleaning chemicals and how to properly handle it.

• If you experience skin irritation, shortness of breath or any adverse reactions after being exposed to a cleaning product, report this to your manager as soon as possible.

• Make it a habit to wash hands thoroughly before and after cleaning.

• Make sure you’re cleaning in a well-ventilated and dry area.

• Always wipe dry spills immediately. Some chemicals (i.e. chlorine bleach, upholstery cleaners, dry cleaning chemicals) when exposed to air can cause respiratory problems.

• Don’t drink, smoke or eat while cleaning.

Cleaning chemicals in the Philippines are of great help in maintaining a well-kept working environment. Always practice extreme precautionary measures when dealing with chemical substances because improper usage can damage not only the building but also the safety and health of its occupants.

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