10 Types of Chemical Hazards and Their Impact on Workplace Safety

Written by Staff Writer

When many people think “chemical hazard,” they picture vats of steaming acids or other extreme dangers. But hazards actually include a variety of extremely common compounds that can be found in almost any home or workplace.

What are chemical hazards? If a substance can cause adverse health effects to you or the environment, it can likely be considered a potential chemical hazard.

Workers need to receive proper training on chemical safety. The average worker may not need to go through a full DOT HAZMAT program, but they can certainly benefit from basic training to identify toxic chemicals and avoid chemical exposure.

10 Examples of Chemical Hazards

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “American workers use tens of thousands of chemicals every day.” Some of these substances are very toxic and may actually be stored in steaming vats, but most of the potentially hazardous substances you encounter at work may not appear that harmful.

Danger doesn't always advertise itself. Many people know that hydrochloric acid is hazardous. But even a relatively harmless chemical, like potassium chloride, can lead to a major health risk (like cardiac dysrhythmia) due to uncontrolled exposure.

If you don't handle everyday chemicals with care, they can still lead to unpleasant and potentially harmful outcomes.

What are the different types of chemical hazards in the workplace? Let's look at some of the common ones you might not think about.

1. Disinfectants

Disinfectants can sometimes release harmful fumes that you can inhale, leading to lung irritation. Skin exposure to these agents can also cause allergic reactions, rashes and other issues. Sometimes more severe reactions can occur.

Most medical disinfectants have low general reactivity to human tissue, but some patients may experience major allergic reactions in some instances. Much like an intolerance for certain drugs or medications, patients may be unaware of their allergy to disinfectants before a major reaction.

Example disinfectants:

• Chlorine
• Bleach
• Isopropyl alcohol

2. Detergents

Detergents can be corrosive and cause dermatitis. The longer your exposure, the more irritation you are likely to experience. Swallowing detergent solutions can lead to digestive issues, gastrointestinal irritation and other toxicity symptoms.

After coming into contact with detergents, rinse the affected areas thoroughly. If exposed to powerful soaps or other detergents, you may need to flush your eyes for up to 20 minutes.

Example detergents:

• Ethanol
• Sodium hydroxide
• Caustic soda
• Benzene

3. Paints

Different paints are composed of different combinations of substances. Most mediums do not mix well with human biology. Some older paints used to contain lead, requiring special precautions — especially when applied over a layer of old popcorn ceiling, which often contained asbestos.

Aerosols, like spray paints, can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause lung irritation. Paint also causes gastrointestinal irritation if ingested and damages mucous membranes. Take care — even “non-toxic” acrylic paints may contain traces of toxic ingredients like cadmium yellow or titanium oxide.

Example paints:

• Chromium
• Arsenic
• Methyl alcohol

4. Cosmetics

Skin exposure to cosmetics is generally safe since that's the intended application. However, inhaling powders and fumes from cosmetics can cause respiratory harm. Many products contain agents that are safe for topical use but may act as poisons when ingested.

Additionally, cosmetics can serve as a moist breeding ground for harmful microbes over time as skin cells and other biological contaminants become suspended in the medium.

Example cosmetics:

• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Formaldehyde

5. Fuels

Liquid fuels are flammable. That's how they provide the power necessary for driving various engines. All fuels carry a major fire risk. Uncontrolled vapors can also lead to explosions.

But fuel presents a variety of other risks beyond just flammability. Inhaling gasoline fumes can cause dizziness, headaches, fatigue and other unpleasant symptoms.

Inhaling enough fumes can lead to respiratory depression, which can be fatal over the long term. Most fuels are also irritating to the skin and can cause damage to the eyes.

Example fuels:

• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Diesel

6. Glues

Some adhesives are highly reactive to skin and produce a physical bond between flesh and other substances. They can also cause allergic reactions in some people. Exposure may result in damage to mucous membranes or even blindness, depending on the severity of tissue bonding. Inhalation of fumes can cause lung irritation or more severe symptoms depending on the specific glue.

Example glues:

• Cyanoacrylate (super glue)
• Polyurethanes
• Epoxy resins

7. Pesticides

Even pesticides advertised as safe for use around humans are still dangerous. If inhaled, they can cause skin and eye irritation and lung inflammation, and they can be deadly if ingested. Some pesticides can cause neurological damage to humans, much like they do to insects.

Traces of pesticides may even enter the body through poorly washed produce or other food products. Most of the time, pesticide levels in cooked foods are negligible, but extra controls should be exercised in the preparation and storage of raw ingredients. This is a good idea anyway since lettuce and other leafy greens are common vectors for foodborne illnesses.

Examples pesticides:

• Organophosphates
• Pyrethroids
• Carbamates

8. Cleaning Products

Cleaning products are such a part of everyday life that it can be easy to forget their potential dangers. Some cleaning products release VOCs into the air which can cause lung or eye damage. Some powerful cleaners can cause painful chemical burns within seconds of skin contact.

Even the texture of some products can be potentially hazardous. For example, slipping on a puddle of soap and falling on a hard surface can cause life-altering injuries if the conditions are right. A traumatic brain injury caused by a simple fall is still a traumatic brain injury.

Example cleaning products:

• Butoxyethanol
• Ammonia
• Ethylene glycol

9. Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are surprisingly common substances that demand careful handling. Metal particulate can accumulate in your body over time and cause a variety of serious health concerns such as neurological damage, developmental disorders and organ damage.

Even small environmental exposures can turn deadly if repeated for long enough. Many heavy metals are dangerous carcinogens. Aging pipes can carry contaminated water right into your home. Major cases of compromised infrastructure, like the infamous lead poisonings in Flint, Michigan, can cause harm to entire communities.

Example heavy metals:

• Lead
• Mercury
• Aluminum

10. Welding Fumes

Sparks and bright light aren't the only dangers inherent in welding. Fumes can be extremely hazardous to your health.

A case of acute exposure to high concentrations of hazardous gases may even lead to asphyxiation (suffocation). If you inhale a gas produced by welding over an extended period, you could sustain lung damage and even develop cancer if you do not wear a respirator to filter out carcinogens.

Example welding fumes:

• Nitric oxide
• Carbon monoxide
• Hydrogen fluoride

Choosing the Right Level of Education for Safety in the Workplace

As a leading provider of OSHA-compliant workplace safety education, we provide the right chemical hazard training courses for your specific needs. A lab cleaner needs a different level of instruction than a department manager at a manufacturing facility. When it comes to chemical safety, prevention is key.

That's why we offer a wide range of courses, from short, basic overviews to comprehensive OSHA 30-hour training courses for construction and general industry.

Some of our courses include:

• Lab Safety Certificate Course: Learn how to identify examples of common laboratory hazards, general guidance for safe material handling in a laboratory setting and how to recognize and avoid dangers ranging from chemical exposures to physical hazards.
• Process Safety Management Certificate Course: Process Safety Management (PSM) programs help prevent incidents related to highly hazardous chemicals. Learn how a PSM program can help workers identify, evaluate, prevent and mitigate chemical hazards caused by failures in procedure.
• Cleaning Up Small Chemical Spills Certificate Course: Workers with the proper training and protective equipment can safely handle small spills. Learn how to clean up small spills and properly dispose of chemical waste after limited releases of hazardous substances. Larger cleanup efforts might require HAZWOPER training or a wider Emergency Action Plan (EAP).
• Hazardous Chemical Information Certificate Course: Learn effective hazard identification and classification to recognize and avoid serious incidents. This course covers the four basic elements of hazardous chemical information as well as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
• GHS & Hazard Communication Online Course: The HazCom Standard, also known as OSHA's “Employee Right to Know Law,” is designed to provide you with the information you need to work safely. This training helps you understand these standards, how to recognize the requirements of an effective GHS HazCom program and how to identify potentially hazardous chemicals — including where to find and how to read Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

Different courses allow you to get just as much information as you need right now, or to dive as deep as you would like into different topics on safe work practices.

Reasons to Choose OSHA Education Center

We are the most trusted name in OSHA safety education for multiple reasons. We offer unmatched quality, convenience and depth in online safety training. When you train with us, you enjoy:

• Accessibility: You can access your course from any device with an internet connection.
• Convenience: We know you are busy, which is why our courses are available 100% online.
• Control: You set the pace of your education. You have plenty of time — including 24/7 access — to complete your course.
• Automatic Saving: Our system saves your progress as you go so you never have to worry about repeating a lesson. Every time you log in you will find yourself right where you left off.
• Certificate of Completion: Instantly download your certificate of completion once you successfully complete the course.

Stay Safe at the Workplace!

Clear, effective education is one of the surest ways to keep yourself and other employees safe as you go about your workday. The best time to get that education is now.

Remember, if you aren't sure what is in a product you are working with, consult the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for more information. Knowing the hazards in your jobsite will ensure you are always equipped to respond to a chemical incident.

Sign up for one of our many safety courses today! Our expansive course catalog makes it easy to search for the training you need. If you have questions, please contact our team. We are standing by to assist you.