Whether you’re renovating your home or working with hazardous chemicals at work, you should use extreme caution to avoid serious chemical spills. Many chemicals can pose a serious threat to you and those around you if they are accidentally spilled.
How can you prevent a chemical spill and what should you do if you accidentally spill a dangerous chemical?
If you are in a position where you need to work with dangerous chemicals but are concerned about a potential chemical spill, don’t worry. Here are some tips on handling chemicals to help with chemical spill prevention.
Purchase Only What You Need
If you want to avoid a chemical spill in your home or workplace, it’s important to keep the number of chemicals around you to a minimum. This means purchasing only the chemicals you need for a specific project. Consider exactly what chemicals you need for your next renovation project to avoid an unnecessary chemical spill cleanup.
Take proper considerations into account before purchasing harmful chemicals for your home. For example, if you are varnishing your floor, try to measure out approximately how much varnish you will need to finish the job. Having only what’s necessary around you keeps your likelihood of chemicals lower.
Always Close Containers When Not in Use
Whenever you finish with a chemical, make sure you close the container properly. Even if the container is empty, remnants of the product can get into the air and become toxic. Secure the lid properly and dispose of the empty container safely.
No matter how much time you spend away from the chemical, an accident can happen easily if the container is left unattended. Never leave an open chemical container on its own!
Never Transport Open Containers of Chemicals
In addition to closing containers when they are not in use, you should also close a chemical container when transporting it. The last thing you want is to trip and fall, spilling your chemicals everywhere; if you need to travel between rooms working on a project, put a lid on that container!
Use Proper Storage Procedures
The exact storage procedure that you will need to follow may depend on the chemical you use. For example, you should always keep flammable substances away from warm areas or open flames. Make sure to read the instructions and warning labels on the chemicals you use to ensure they are stored properly.
Whenever you handle chemicals, it is best to store them safely in a hazardous chemical container. This will prevent open chemical spills in your home. Secure the container with a lock to prevent others from accidentally accessing harmful chemicals.
Use Liners Before Using Chemicals
Liners are a great tool to bring out when you need to use dangerous chemicals. They minimize the danger posed by potential chemical spills and protect your floor in the process.
Simply lay out your liner around the area that you are working in to protect your floor from damage. This acts as a fantastic spill containment measure that can keep you safe from the chemicals you are working with. Ensure that the liner you buy is corrosion resistant to offer maximum protection against a variety of chemicals.
Use PPE When Necessary
Some chemicals can affect your body without direct contact, such as through smell. Make sure that you read the labels on any chemicals you use in order to protect yourself from harm.
Get appropriate personal protective equipment before undertaking a project involving dangerous chemicals. This could include masks, gloves, eye protection, and more. Make sure that the PPE you purchase fits properly and does its job effectively.
Not only will PPE keep you safe should a spill occur, but it can also help prevent chemical spills. Neglecting to use PPE can cause you to get hurt while using chemicals, leaving you more likely to spill them.
Keep Everyone Aware of Potentially Dangerous Chemicals
If you have other people assisting you with your project, keep them informed about any safety precautions you are using. Make sure they know exactly where and how to store dangerous chemicals and how to transport them safely. Ensure that they have their own properly fitting PPE to keep them protected.
Make sure that those helping you follow all of your guidelines properly. Any inconsistencies with storing or handling chemicals can lead to dangerous accidents later on.
Call a Professional for a Chemical Spill Cleanup
Unless you are properly trained to handle chemical spills, any cleaning you attempt to do could cause more harm than good. If you do have a chemical spill in your home or business, you should immediately call a professional for chemical spill cleanup.
The precautions you took, such as putting down liners and keeping other harmful chemicals away, will help them with the cleanup process. Keep the room properly ventilated but closed off from the rest of the home to avoid anyone walking in and hurting themselves.
Containing and controlling the spill after it has occurred will keep you and your family safe until a cleanup crew can come and take care of the accident. If my chemicals spilled, I’d call a professional for assistance immediately.
Know the Rules When Handling Chemicals
If you need to work with hazardous chemicals while working on your next project, keep these tips in mind. They will help you prevent accidents while handling chemicals. Remember that if you do accidentally spill chemicals, you should contact a professional cleanup crew right away!
Are you or someone you know using hazardous chemicals during a home renovation project?
Make sure you share this article with your friends and family to help them learn about chemical spill prevention and keep reading our blog for more helpful tips!