Working safely with hazardous substances
At Wijngaarden VeiligGoed, we understand better than anyone else that working safely with hazardous substances is essential to minimise risks and ensure a healthy working environment.
On this page, we offer information and practical tips on working safely with hazardous substances. Read on and find out how to protect your workers and comply with laws and regulations.
Why is safe working with hazardous substances so important?
Working with hazardous substances involves risks. It is crucial to create awareness and take measures to ensure safety. Some reasons why working safely with hazardous substances is important:
- Protecting your workers: By taking safety measures, you protect the health and well-being of your employees. Exposure to hazardous substances can lead to respiratory problems, skin irritation, allergies and even serious illnesses. It is important to provide them with the right protective equipment and training to minimise risks.
- Complying with laws and regulations: Working safely with hazardous substances is not only a moral obligation, but also a legal requirement. Strict rules and regulations apply in the Netherlands, such as the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) and the Major Accident Hazards Decree (BRZO).
How to work safely with hazardous substances?
Some crucial measures to be taken to ensure a safe working environment:
- Inventory and classify
- Risk assessment
- Ensure safe storage
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Training and awareness
- Safety instructions and procedures
- Ventilation and air quality
- Emergency measures
- Maintenance and inspections
- Cooperation with suppliers
- Regular evaluation and improvement
Inventory and classify
Start by listing the hazardous substances present in your company. Classify them according to their properties, such as flammability, toxicity and explosiveness. This information forms the basis for further safety measures.
Risk assessment
Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential identify hazards and the quantifying risks. Analyse how the hazardous substances are used, saved and removed, as well as the possible routes of exposure for your employees. Based on this assessment, you can take appropriate measures to manage the risks.
Ensure safe storage
Storing hazardous materials correctly is important to prevent accidents. Ensure that storage areas comply with the applicable safety regulations.
Use special storage cabinets and storage containers suitable for the unique properties of the fabrics. Also ensure clear labelling and separate storage to avoid possible reactions between different substances.
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Providing the right PPE is essential to minimise exposure to hazardous substances. Identify the specific risks and make sure your employees have suitable respiratory protection, safety glasses, gloves, work clothes and other relevant protective equipment.
Wijngaarden VeiligGoed is the expert on PPE. Advice on the best PPE in your employees' work situation? Contact us without obligation, one of our experienced advisers will be happy to think with you.
Want to take a look at our product range in advance? Then visit this web page: https://proaccount.veiliggoed.nl/catalogus
Training and awareness
Make sure your employees are well informed about working safely with hazardous substances. They should be aware of the risks, the proper procedures and the correct use of protective equipment. Organise regular training sessions and toolbox meetings to update their knowledge and make them aware of potential hazards and preventive measures.
Safety instructions and procedures
Develop clear safety instructions and safety procedures for working with hazardous substances. Ensure that these procedures are regularly controlled and evaluated for effectiveness. Communicate these instructions and procedures clearly to your employees and encourage compliance.
Ventilation and air quality
Ensure adequate ventilation in areas where hazardous substances are used or stored. Good air circulation helps reduce the concentration of harmful fumes or gases. Check the air quality regularly or have it measured by an expert if necessary.
Emergency measures
Equip your working environment with appropriate emergency measures, such as emergency showers, eyewash stations and extinguishers.
Also develop a clear emergency plan that your employees know what to do in case of a hazardous materials incident or spill.
Maintenance and inspections
Conduct regular maintenance inspections to ensure that safety measures are properly maintained and remain effective.
Check for leaks, damaged packages and other potential hazards. Schedule regular checks by qualified personnel and document the results and actions taken.
It is also important to regularly inspect PPE. Read more on the page 'maintenance and inspection‘.
Cooperation with suppliers
Work with reliable suppliers of hazardous materials. Make sure they have the necessary safety data sheets (MSDSs), which provide detailed information on the properties, dangers and safety measures of substances.
Keep in touch with your suppliers to be informed of any changes in the composition or safety instructions of the substances.
Cooperation with suppliers
Working safely with hazardous substances is an ongoing process. Regularly evaluate your safety procedures, training programmes and preventive measures. Also take into account new developments in laws and regulations.
Benefit from our expertise in working safely with hazardous substances
At Wijngaarden VeiligGoed, we understand that working safely with hazardous substances can be complex. That is why we are ready to support you in the field of PPE with our extensive range of safety products, expert advice and tailor-made training courses.
Choose safety, choose Wijngaarden VeiligGoed
Contact us for more information or to make an appointment with one of our advisers.
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More information
Our advisors are happy to help you or make an appointment if you wish.
Phone: +31 184 434 455
Mail: info@veiliggoed.nl