If you’re going to launch a new business in the chemical processing industry, you must fully understand how to handle harsh chemicals. In most cities throughout the United States, the OSHA has specific rules that must be followed.
Training is Important
Because the chemicals that are processed at production plants are hazardous, all of your employees must complete a training course before they can handle any drums. Safety is crucial in an industrial environment, so you must have a thorough discussion with your staff before starting the first project. Most employers use the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards during these discussions.
Labels Increase Safety
At all industrial chemical processing plants, every drum must be labeled before it’s shipped. After the labels are in place, the project manager must take notes on a safety data sheet. At the end of this process, the staff should thoroughly inspected all of the drums because a simple error can lead to problems down the road. From example, if a drum isn’t labeled corrected, the disposal staff may not get rid of the waste legally.
Handling Procedures
Before any handling procedures are implemented, the project manager must develop a plan to reduce excessive drum movement. According to the OSHA, limited shifting is vital while drums are transported because spills typically occur when workers don’t handle everything with care. Firefighting equipment must be stored in strategic locations around the entire work environment so that workers can easily put out a fire if an accident occurs during the handling phase.
The process of opening a drum isn’t challenging; if a few pounds of pressure is applied, a weak fitting will fly through the air. Loose fittings can propel to different locations like a rocket, so proper safety steps must be followed to prevent injuries. This is why many industrial project managers invest in Graco drum pumps.
The chemical processing industry is very profitable, so it’s a great career choice. However, if you want to grow quickly, you must train your staff and implement highly efficient safety procedures.
