When working with chemicals or other hazardous substances, the word “hygiene” takes on a meaning beyond smelling good and looking nice. The goal of good hygiene on the job is to prevent accidental exposures caused by inhaling or ingesting hazardous substances. By practicing good hygiene, exposures caused by accidental cross-contamination can be prevented.
Smoke, eat and drink only in designated areas; not in areas where hazardous materials are used or stored. Small amounts of the substances may be present in the area and smoking, eating and drinking nearby could cause you to inhale or ingest the hazardous material. Wash up before smoking, eating or drinking if you have been working with hazardous materials.
Read the MSDS before you use the substance. If a hazardous material is splashed in your eyes or on your skin or clothing, wash promptly, even if you have no apparent symptoms. The SDS will provide information about what to do in case of contact.
Remove contact lenses when working in an area where vapors are present. Contact lenses absorb substances from the air, causing eye irritation and other potentially serious conditions.
Keep work clothes clean and in good condition. Holes or tears can allow hazardous materials to get on your skin, increasing the likelihood of exposure. Do not mix contaminated clothing with clothing that is not contaminated.
Keep hazardous material storage areas clean. In case of a spill, the area should be cleaned according to proper spill control and clean-up procedures. Materials used to clean up the spill must also be disposed of properly.
These practices help keep hazardous substances away from your skin and eyes and out of your body. None of them are difficult to do. Perhaps the hardest thing about practicing good industrial hygiene on the job is overcoming bad hygiene habits. After all, most people usually don’t notice an adverse health symptom immediately after they eat or smoke in an area that is contaminated with hazardous substances. Generally speaking, adverse health symptoms occur after long-term, repeated exposure to hazardous substances. If you are aware of any bad hygiene habits that you practice, the key to changing them is to remember that the only thing that you gain from practicing poor industrial hygiene is poor health.
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