The Ingenieur Vol 59 July-Sept 2014 The Ingenieur Vo. 59, July-Sept 2014 | Page 48

INGENIEUR
described as follows:
1. First step is to identify what
chemicals are present;
classify them as to their
health, physical, and environmental hazards; and
prepare labels and safety
data sheets to convey the
hazards and associated
protective measures. Without such information, it is
not possible to go further
in terms of an evaluation of
impact, and determination
of appropriate preventive
measures and controls.
Information provides the
underlying structure needed
to achieve the sound
management of chemicals.
2. The second step is to
evaluate how the identified
and classified chemicals
are used in the workplace,
and what potential exposure
could result from this use.
3. The third and last step is
to use this information to
design
an
appropriate
preventive and protective
programme for the workplace. This would include
various types of preventive
and
control
measures,
including installation and
use of engineering controls;
substitution by less hazardous chemicals; and use
of respiratory protection, and
other personal protective
equipment when necessary
Impact of chemicals on the
environment
Chemicals in the environment
have been proven to have
significant impact, from climate
change to the destruction
of
wildlife
species
and
contamination of drinking water.

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The proper control of such hazards requires knowledge of the
potential effects of the chemicals, as well as how such effects might
be made worse if chemicals are not handled or stored properly.

Clearly, a more judicious use
of chemicals, and controlled
release and disposal of them,
is critical to ensuring our future
environmental safety and health.
It must also be done with clear
regard for the safety and health
of workers.
For many years, the
chemical waste of facilities
was indiscriminately disposed
of in the ground, air, and water
sources in the area. This
situation has changed to a
large extent in those countries
where appropriate controls and
practices to clean up are in place
to prevent their recurrence.
However, there are other
countries that are still dealing
with significant pollution. In some
cases, environmental effects are
seen as a necessary adjunct
to increased development and
economic growth. The longterm costs to society need to
be adequately addressed when
decisions are made regarding

what is acceptable in terms of
the impact on the environment.
For developed countries, much
of the emphasis has been
on correcting mistakes of the
past, and establishing and
implementing policies to prevent
them in the future. Developing
countries and economies in
transition have the opportunity
to learn from mistakes made
in developed countries, and the
experiences of having to correct
them, by applying prevention
through design principles to new
facilities. One important aspect
of this situation is the realization
that pollution crosses borders.
While one