Physical hazards are a common threat to your safety when working with or around chemicals. It’s important to your safety to know what physical hazards a chemical may possess. Some common categories of physical hazards include:

  • Oxidizers are chemicals that are capable of supporting a fire by giving the fire oxygen. Chemicals that are oxidizers include hydrogen peroxide, nitrates and nitrites. Physical hazard statements that you’ll find on a label or SDS include; May cause or intensify fire; oxidizer and May cause fire or explosion; strong oxidizer.
  • Pyrophorics are chemicals that will spontaneously catch fire in air at a temperature of 130°F or below. Fortunately there are few pyrophorics, but examples include lithium and magnesium. Physical hazard statements that you’ll find on a label or SDS include; Catches fire spontaneously if exposed to air.
  • Corrosives are chemicals that will damage or even destroy other substances including metals and body parts. Examples of corrosive chemicals are sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydride. Physical hazard statements that you’ll find on a label or SDS include; May be corrosive to metals.
  • Flammables are chemicals that are readily combustible or may cause or contribute to fire. Flammables are broken down according to the physical state of the chemical; Aerosols, liquids and solids. Since this is a broad category of chemicals, there are many hazard statements that apply; Flammable gas, Extremely flammable material, Flammable solid.
  • Explosive substances can be a solid or liquid that is capable by chemical reaction of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings. TNT is obviously an explosive but the combustible dust of finely ground organic or metal particle can also be explosive. Physical hazard statements that you’ll find on a label or SDS include; Unstable explosive, Explosive; fire, blast or projection hazard, May mass explode in fire.

Although you may not be able to prevent these physical hazards, being aware that they exist and are possible when using chemicals on the jobsite, you can help to keep yourself and others safe while working with and around chemicals.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Is there a danger when using oxidizers around flammable chemicals? Why?

Why is the category of flammable chemicals so broad?

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