Chemical safety

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They’re “essential for a compliant hazard communication program,” one expert says. (Bonus: Take our quiz to find out how much you know about SDSs.)

In Episode 45, the S+H team examines the November issue’s feature story on common electrical safety errors. Also, T.J. Lentz, a lead health scientist at NIOSH, joins the podcast to discuss workplace chemical safety in the “Five Questions With …” segment.

Liquid nitrogen is the colorless, odorless, clear liquefied form of nitrogen. It can be extremely dangerous to work around.

Employers are required to train workers on chemical Safety Data Sheets and labels as part of OSHA's updated Hazard Communication Standard. Try the interactive quiz, our most popular quiz ever.

Did you know? Flammable liquids are required to be stored in approved glass, plastic or metal containers.

Aside from being the control center of the vehicle, a truck cab serves as an office for paperwork and phone calls, a break area to rest and eat, a shelter from inclement weather and extreme temperatures, and a storage area for supplies and equipment. As wide-ranging as this multifunctional space is, even more so are the hazards that can be inside and around the cab, cautions KeepTruckingSafe.org.

Metallic mercury is a liquid at room temperature and can readily evaporate into the air. It’s also a potent neurotoxin that, in small amounts, can cause serious health problems, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Widely known as a preservative in morgues, formaldehyde – a colorless, strong-smelling gas – can be found in chemicals, plywood and various household items, including glue and paper product coatings, according to OSHA. It’s also used as an industrial fungicide, germicide and disinfectant.

Working with ammonia requires caution. The flammable, colorless gas has the potential to explode if heated, warns the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety. It’s also extremely toxic.