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Exposure to risk from toxic substances is common in all industries. From factories to office environments, a number of employees are made to breathe in harmful chemicals at work, which can pose serious health risks if neglected over time.
It is essential to detect and manage these chemicals, as this is vital for employee protection in the workplace. Failure to deal with these risks will have excruciatingly painful consequences in both the short and long run.
Let’s break down some of the most common ways workers may be exposed to harmful chemicals at the workplace.
Solvents cleaning agents are found in industries ranging from manufacturing to maintenance. Exposure to inhalation of these end products which are likely to include volatile materials, may produce respiratory choking, skin problems, and even affect the brain in a worst case scenario.
Any worker who mixes these chemicals with no inhalator is inviting the liver, lungs and central nervous system exhaustion or disorder.
In the agricultural sector, pesticides and herbicides are chemicals used to control pests and weeds, but handling them without proper protection can be extremely dangerous. Long-term exposure to these products is linked to neurological disorders, cancer, and reproductive problems.
The workers employed in farming are at a high risk of inhaling or absorbing such substances as pesticides, petroleum and others, through the skin thus making protective gear and proper handling practices a must.
On the factory floor, exposure to industrial chemicals, including heavy metals, acids, corrosive products, amongst others, can lead to the development of adverse health effects.
Mercury, lead, and asbestos compounds come first into mind because of their adverse health effects, like lung cancers, other chronic illnesses, and even impairment of the kidneys. When we think about exposure to these adverse effects, we rarely consider these ones wrongfully, as they have various insidious effects whereby they are slowly absorbed by the body until many years later, the effects iare horrendous.
While the ones mentioned above are some of the most well-known chemicals, there are plenty of other industries where the workers are affected by the chemicals used in their line of work.
One such group is firefighters, who are not only inhaling toxic smoke but are also exposed to hazardous substances used in firefighting, like aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), which is associated with cancer and immune system diseases.
Other notable groups exposed to harmful chemicals on the regular are: painters, construction workers, hair stylists, woodworkers, welders.
Being exposed to toxic chemicals continuously is sure to negatively affect one’s health. Let’s take a look at some of the most common health consequences.
Immediate exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause a range of acute symptoms, including eye, skin and respiratory system irritation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and headaches.
These symptoms can occur soon after contact with the chemical, and while some may seem mild, repeated or prolonged exposure can aggravate the effects.
Long-term health risks are much more serious and often do not become apparent until years after exposure.
Chronic conditions are diseases that last for a long time, and they include among others, cancers, lung diseases, damages of the nervous system and defects in the reproductive organs.
For instance, some chemicals, like solvents or pesticides have been associated with high development of cancers whilst those exposed to heavy metals, over time, the individual is likely to suffer from kidney failure or brain damage.
While there might be no way around using toxic chemicals for work, there are some ways employers can better protect their workers.
Any workplace that involves the handling of dangerous chemicals requires a well functioning ventilation system. Such systems are required to lower the level of pollutants present in indoor air thus reducing people’s permeability to the poisonous gasses.
Where space is limited or air movement is poor, both local and general ventilation systems, as well as exhaust fans, play a very important role in ensuring safety within the work environment.
It is clear that following the appropriate safety measures is necessary for the mitigation of risks. Those who work with chemicals should be provided with thick work gloves, masks, safety glasses/goggles, and clothing made of fabrics that prevent oneself from direct contact with poisonous substances.
PPE also helps a worker avoid acute risks of exposure, but more so, is instrumental in preventing chronic long-term effects of exposure.
It is standard practice to monitor the air quality and levels of chemicals present in the working environment to avoid trouble that could have developed into serious issues.
Monitoring programs can detect the presence of harmful substances at unacceptable levels and rectify the situation quickly by increasing the air circulation or use of less harmful chemicals.
Employee chemical safety training on a continuous basis has to include knowledge on the dangers of maneuvers with chemicals.
Employees must be educated on the proper and safe ways of handling dangerous materials, the protective gear that must be worn, and how to act in any unfortunate incidents involving chemicals. Training is one of the most powerful tools for incident prevention and risk mitigation.
There are rules and regulations that set out workplace safety measures regarding exposure to hazardous chemicals. These include regulations from agencies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States or equivalent laws in other countries.
If one is careless enough not to respect and obey those regulations then those people are in for multifaceted legal risks: For businesses, there could be monetary punishment such as fines and business penalties while occupational disease lawsuits for people afflicted by the toxic chemicals are filed.
Additionally, workers who have been affected by chemical exposure may be entitled to compensation under labor laws, depending on the severity of the damage and the company's negligence in protecting its employees.
Despite the fact that chemical use in the occupational environment cannot be overemphasized, risks of exposure to chemicals in the working environment are a threat that should be taken seriously.
The immediate and long-term effects can have devastating consequences for workers' health. It is crucial that companies prioritize safety by implementing adequate ventilation systems, providing personal protective equipment, and training their employees.
Only by taking proactive measures and following safety regulations can the risk of exposure to hidden toxins be minimized and the health of those who work in these environments be protected.
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