Chemical Safety Training Modules

The Training Modules on Chemical Safety have been compiled in order to introduce safe use of chemicals at places of work, to
present classification systems for the labelling and transport of dangerous goods, to allow the reading and use of chemical safety cards,
to give a basic overview of toxicology and to disseminate information on selected, widely used, hazardous substances. It contains
material usable in handouts, demonstrations and exercises, as well as slides, colour transparencies and diskettes containing text files
and databases.

This training material is intended for those who need to widen their general knowledge of chemical safety. It could be used by persons

 who handle chemicals in their work;

 who have to decide on measures where chemical information is needed, such as workers'
 safety representatives needing physical and chemical information on a specific substance, or
  a factory inspector looking for Occupational Exposure Limits; and
 who guide and educate others in the handling and use of chemicals.

This training material consists of eight independent modules which cover the different areas of managing chemical hazards. The text is
designed to be used as background material for training sessions and discussions.

This training material may be copied and used for local educational meetings and workshops (provided that the source is properly
mentioned). The modules can be used independently or linked to other sources, depending on needs. The text can also be supplied on a
computer diskette to make reuse and modifications easier where a computer is available. Enclosed databases are copyrighted.

A proposal for a timetable of a fiveday workshop is included to help the planning of training sessions. A shorter oneday training
session can be designed according to the second proposal for a timetable.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements

Updated by AS. Approved by EC. Last update: 30.11.2004.

FIVE DAY WORKSHOP ON CHEMICAL SAFETY

Introduction
This programme is a proposal for a five day course as an introduction, an eye-
opener, on how to approach the managing of hazardous chemicals and how to
retrieve information about them. The participants could be safety representatives,
inspectors, workers representatives or shop stewards. The trainer should modify
the programme and adapt it to local demands, for example, by adding a session on
laws and regulations concerning chemicals.

Course objectives
The overall objective of the course is to give an understanding of basic aspects
related to chemical safety. It will

 provide an introduction to the scope of hazardous substances and the

problems they pose at the places of work,
 improve the skills of participants in recognizing hazards and preventive
safety work practices in relation of the production and use of chemicals,

 improve the skills of information retrieval and convey information to

workers, employers and government officials.

The training modules

The eight modules consist of text and transparencies. Relevant slides can be used to
open discussion, to illustrate the problem and to activate the participants.

The data bases (available on request) serve as a reference collection but also
demonstrate how further information can be found. The plan included for a
five-day workshop gives a broad outline which may be complemented or
substituted by the trainer's own resource materials where desired.
The course design
The course is designed to acquaint the participants with the different aspects of
managing and promoting chemical safety. The research related to the effects of
dangerous chemicals and the application of accumulated knowledge in the existing
classification systems are presented in the modules. The texts can also give details
needed for exercises. The factory visit helps participants to appreciate the
complexity of applying safety measures but also that safety promotion can be
achieved with simple planning and organization of work practices and places.

The modules are designed to be independent handouts for shorter workshops

on special subjects.

Participants should be actively involved in discussion and present their views

to the group. The exercises 1-4 in sessions are intended to be group works.

Preparation
The level of the course should be assessed in order to meet the needs of the target
group.

Participants may be asked to carry out two exercises before attending the
course:

1. to prepare a case study of their own experience of a situation or industrial

process where chemical hazards are present
2. to collect the legislation concerning the use of hazardous chemicals in their
own country (for regional workshops)

Participants should be given one month's advance notice to allow them time to
fulfil these tasks.

The field visit should be planned and arrangements made well in advance.
The visit should be made to an industry in which a wide range of chemical
hazards exist.

A sketch plan of the factory should be drawn. Slides of the factory and
description of the processes should be made for the briefing session. If
personal protective equipment (helmets, safety glasses, ear plugs, etc.) for the
participants is needed, its availability at the time of the visit should be
checked in advance.

Transport for the field visit should be reserved in advance.

Computers should be set up if the information retrieval session is included.

Resource requirements
A room for sessions to accommodate the participants (15-20 persons).

Audiovisual equipment could be:

 flip chart or blackboard;

 markers or chalk;

 overhead projector and clean transparencies;

 slide projector if slides are used;

 copy machine for preparation of new resource material, presentations and

handouts.

Name tags both for seating arrangements and for participants to wear should be
made available. A list of participants should be prepared for distribution at the first
session.
Day 1

1.1 Course opening, course overview and self-introduction

1.2 Objectives of practical chemical safety programmes

1.3 Introduction to the aspects of chemical safety

1.4 Chemical safety information sources

Exercise Dangerous chemicals used in xx factory.

1:

Day 2

2.1 Presentation of the group works

2.2 Identification, classification and labelling of hazardous

chemicals

2.3 Safety in transport and storage

2.4 Retrieval of information from data bases

Exercise Compilation of an inventory, a list including safety

2: information (classification), of the chemicals used in xx
factory

Day 3

3.1 Chemical safety data sheet, a primary information source

for a worker

Exercise Compilation of chemical safety data sheets for 3 selected

3: items from the inventory (Exercise 2)

3.2 Special topics: major hazard chemicals, metals, solvents,

other (to be chosen by the trainer)

3.3 Introduction and preparation to the field excursion

Day 4

4.1 Factory visit

4.2 Preventive methods and control of chemical hazards

Exercise Preparation of group work presentations related to the

4: field visit

Day 5

5.1 Participant presentations of the given tasks from the field

excursion

5.2 Discussion on the experiences of the field excursion

5.3 International Labour Office, Convention concerning safety

in the use of chemicals at work

and/or

Laws and provisions concerning chemicals (local)

5.4 Course summary and evaluation

Course closing
Day 1

Activities Comments Time

1.1
Course opening 15min
Trainers introduce themselves and give a broad overview of the course, the 30min
working methods and ways of active participation.
The participants introduce themselves, give a brief description of their
background and experience. 30min

1-2
Discussion 30min
Ask: What do we need to know on safety in handling of chemicals?

Write the responses of participants on the flip chart or blackboard.They

should cover the following topics:

 What is chemical safety?

 Where can it be applied and promoted?

 What could be the consequences of lack of safety in the use of

chemicals?

 Are there regulations in your country concerning chemicals?

 Are there benefits for the company/society of advanced safety in the

use of chemicals?

 How can we know which chemicals are dangerous?

 Where do we find information about chemicals?

 Who could help to solve a problem?

  Other questions from the participants.
1-3
Introduction to chemical safety using slides, the material in Module 1. and other Presentation 1h
resources of the trainers. and
discussion

1-4
This session should give an overview of the existing information sources and Presentation 1h
familiarize the participants with the use of available information, libraries, data and
bases, networks of expertise, etc. introduction
to the library
facilities

Exercise 1: Group work 2h

Participants are divided into groups of 3-5 persons. Each group has the task of
compiling a short list of priority chemicals used in a given industrial factory or
process. These could be a:

 paint factory
 leather factory

 textile handling, for example, indigo dyes

 battery plant

 wood working, for example, furniture production

 metal workshop

 polyurethane foam factory

Day 2
Activities Comments Time

2-1
Participants give a short presentation (10 min) and discussions of each group Presentations 4x20min
work (Exercise 1) of group
works

2-2
Classification systems of hazardous chemicals should be described, the Presentation 1h
application of the example (EU) system should be explained using Annex 1,
Annex 2, Annex 3 and Annex 4 in Module 3.

The lesson should be followed by an individual or group exercise to find

the classification of the given substance and compile a label using this Individual or 30min
information. group
exercise
2-3
Safety in transport and storage should explain international practices and Presentation 1h
labelling. It should include local information and examples. and
discussion

2-4
Retrieval of information from data bases (the diskettes with the modules) gives Introduction &gt1h
the participants skill in the use of a computer to retrieve safety data sheets as and use of
well as other information, such as the occupational exposure limit value for a data bases
substance.

Exercise 2:
The group makes an inventory of the chemicals listed in Exercise 1, adding to Group work 1h
the list information such as classification, transport symbols, entry date,
durability and consumption estimation.
Day 3

Activities Comments Time

3-1
A chemical safety data sheet is often the primary source of information to the Presentation 1h
worker. It is useful to know the content of a sheet as used in the example
classification system.
This lesson is followed by an exercise where the participants in groups compile Group work 90min
safety data sheets of 3 chemicals selected from the inventory in Exercise 2.

3-2
Special topics which cover common chemical hazards in industry are examined Presentations
using examples (from slides included and resources of the trainer and and
participants), such as metals or solvents. These topics depend on the specific discussion
needs of the participants.

3-3
The field trip site and the activities are described, aims are set in discussion, and Presentation 1h
the approach to the problems from the stand-point of chemical safety is
examined. Setting priorities to the observed problems and the fate of the
chemicals from entry to waste management should be discussed. Field trip tasks
are given to each group. These could include

 a management interview on the safety policies and procedures in the

company (e.g., control strategies, records of accidents and sick leaves,
emergency plans)
 process chemicals and the material flow chart

 organization of `the entry-use-final product and waste life-cycle' for

chemicals in the company
  organization of transport and storage of chemicals within the company

 preparation of a checklist to be used in that company

Day 4

Activities Comments Time

4-1
Field visit to a factory or site where chemicals are used, preferably, to a Factory visit 5-6h
moderate extent.

4-2
Introduction and discussion of the control methods of chemical hazards taking Presentation 1h
the field visit experiences as an example. (Illustrated by slides or video of the and discussion
factory, if available)

Exercise 4:
Each group discusses their experiences and prepares a short presentation with Group work 90min
their own transparencies on the task given for the field excursion. The
presentation should contain an overview of the major problems (only naming
the minor ones) and suggestions for controlling the hazards.

Day 5

Activities Comments Time

5-1
Presentations of the group work resulting from the field visit. The presentation Presentations 4x30min
(15 min) is followed by discussion which should include viewpoints other than of the group
only chemical hazards (economical, social, etc.). works

5-2
Discussion summarizing the experience of the field visit including clear and
concrete recommendations for action to be taken by the workers and the Discussion 30min
employers at the factory level, and by inspectors.

5-3
ILO Convention 170 and Recommendation 177 concerning the use of chemicals Presentation 30min
at work: these two documents have been adopted by many governments and
around the world. The trainer reviews the content of these documents. discussion
Example case-studies could be presented of the chemical legislation of a
participating country. 30min

5-4
Course summary and evaluation using a questionnaire (or the questionnaire Individual 30min
included in the folder). task

Closure. 30min
ONE DAY WORKSHOP ON CHEMICAL SAFETY

Activities Comments Time

1. Course opening 10min

Trainers introduce themselves and give a broad overview of the course, the 30min
working methods and ways of active participation.The participants introduce
themselves, give a brief description of their background and experience.

2. Ask: What do we need to know on safety in handling of chemicals? Discussion 30min

Write the responses of participants on the flip chart.They should cover the
following topics:

 What is chemical safety?

 Where can it be applied and promoted?

 What could be the consequences of lack of safety in the use of

 chemicals?

 Are there regulations in your country concerning chemicals?

 Are there benefits for the company/society of advanced safety in the

use of chemicals?

 How can we know which chemicals are dangerous?

 Where do we find information about chemicals?

 Who could help to solve a problem?

Other questions from the participants.

3. Introduction to chemical safety using slides, the material in Module 1. and Presentation 1h
other resources of the trainers. and
Summary of this session: discussion 10min
Write on the flip chart a list of priority measures from where to start safety
promotion.

4. Classification systems of hazardous chemicals. The existing systems should be Presentation 40min
described, the application of the example (EU) system should be explained and
using Annex 1, Annex 2, Annex 3 and Annex 4 in Module 3. discussion

LUNCH BREAK
Presentation 45min
5. What contains a chemical safety data sheet.This session should explain and
the content of a safety sheet using an existing system as an example. discussion
(Module 4.)
6. Exercise: Group work 1h
Participants are divided into groups of 3-5 persons. Each group has a task to
compile chemical safety data sheets and labels for 2-3 substances using the
information in the Module 3. and 4. and in prepared reference
 material.Summary of this session should collect the experience and the criteria
used in compiling the data sheet.

Course summary and evaluation using a questionnaire (or the questionnaire

included in the folder).

Closure.
BASICS OF CHEMICAL SAFETY
1. INTRODUCTION TO SAFETY IN THE USE OF CHEMICALS
ILO Convention 170, concerning safety in the use of chemicals at work
ILO Recommendation 177, concerning safety in the use of chemicals at
work
2. WHAT IS TOXICOLOGY
3. IDENTIFICATION, CLASSIFICATION AND LABELLING OF
CHEMICALS
Annex 1. Symbols and indications of danger
Annex 2. Risk phrases
Annex 3. Safety phrases
Annex 4. List of classified chemicals
Annex 5. IARC list of classified carcinogens
Annex 6. List of chemicals, banned or severely restricted to certain
uses
Annex 7. List of chemicals potential to cause major hazard
Annex 8
A. General classification and labelling requirements for dangerous
substances and preparations
B. Concentration limits to be used in applying the conventional
method of assessing health hazard
Annex 9. United Nations Classification Recommendation on
Transport of Dangerous Goods
4. CHEMICAL SAFETY CARDS
5. TRANSPORT AND STORAGE
Annex 1. Common rules that apply to all types of transport of
dangerous goods
Annex 2. Quantity limits
Annex 3. Goods requiring supervision
Annex 4. Labels and document for transport of dangerous goods
Annex 5. Hazard identification numbers on placards
6. SOLVENTS
7. METALS
8. MAJOR HAZARD CHEMICALS
GLOSSARY and ABBREVIATIONS
Following databases related to the Training Modules are obtainable from
CIS/ILO and IPCS/WHO offices on PC compatible diskettes:
Module text files (WP5.1)
IPCS cards (Foxpro)
ILO-CIS Chemical Databases