A hazardous substance is any chemical or mixture that poses a potential risk to human health, safety, or the environment. These substances may have physical, chemical, or toxicological properties that can cause harm or damage if not handled, stored, used, or disposed of properly. Hazardous substances include but are not limited to chemicals, solvents, gases, liquids, dusts, and biological agents. Examples of hazardous substances include flammable liquids, corrosive acids, toxic gases, carcinogens, and environmental pollutants. Identifying and managing hazardous substances is essential to prevent accidents, protect workers’ health, and minimize environmental impact.
For our purposes, AL has divided hazards into the following categories:
Keep in mind that health hazards can be associated with all four of these categories.
Each chemical container, whether supplied by a vendor or produced in the laboratory, must include labels that clearly identify the hazards associated with that chemical, using the GHS. In addition to specific chemical labels, hazard information for specific chemicals can be found referencing the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for that chemical.
It is essential that all laboratory workers understand the types of hazards, recognize the routes of exposure, and are familiar with the major hazard classes of chemicals. In many cases, the specific hazards associated with new compounds and mixtures will not be known, so it is recommended that all chemical compounds be treated as if they were potentially harmful and to use appropriate eye, inhalation, and body protection equipment at all times.