Physical hazards reactive chemicals

Physical hazard A chemical that is classified as posing one of the following hazardous effects explosive flammable (gases, aerosols, liquids, or solids) oxidizer (liquid, solid, or gas) self-reactive pyrophoric (liquid or solid) self-heating organic peroxide corrosive to metal gas under pressure or in contact with water emits flammable gas. 

Physical hazard—A chemical for which there is scientifically valid evidence that it is a combustible liquid, a compressed gas explosive, flammable, an organic peroxide, an oxidizer, pyrophoric, unstable (reactive), or water reactive. 

Information pertaining to the hazards of the chemicals used in the process. This should contain at least the following information toxicity, flammability, permissible exposure limits, physical data, reactivity data, corrosivity data, thermal and chemical stability data, and hazardous effects of inadvertent mixing of different materials that could occur. 

According to EPCRA, facilities should provide either an MSDS or a list of chemicals to the SERC, LEPC, and local fire department. If facilities choose to supply only a list, the list should include specific information including health hazards, fire hazards, reactivity hazards, and physical data for every chemical on the list. Although only a list is required, the additional requirements for specific information makes the submission of only a list a rare occurrence. The use of MSD sheets is one of the most commonly used tools to convey this information. 

Materials information includes toxicity, permissible exposure limits, physical properties, reactivity, corrosivity, thermal and chemical and hazardous effects of inadvertent mixing of different materials.Process information consists of 1) process flow diagrams, 2) process chemistry descriptions, 3) maximum amounts of chemicals, 4) safe ranges for temperatures, pressures, flows oi 5) evaluation of the con.sequences of deviations. 

The PSM Standard requires that the following information be contained within the PSI element-physical data, reactivity data, corrosivity data, thermal and chemical stability data, and hazardous effects of potential inadvertent mixing of different materials. The standard does not specifically define what is to be included in any of these data categories, the level of detail required, or the method of compilation.41 It does, however, stipulate that an MSDS can be used to compile the data to the extent that it contains the information required. In 1996, OSHA issued a Hazard Information Bulletin cautioning that MSDSs do not always contain information about hazards from mixing or blending chemicals (OSHA, 1996). 

Reactive hazard Reactive properties and physical conditions of a single chemical or mixture that have the potential to generate heat, energy, and gaseous byproducts that have the potential to do harm. 

A Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion, or BLEVE, is an industrial event related to the laboratory bump occasioned when the inadequately mixed bottom of a vessel of liquid becomes superheated, then explosively boils. In the industrial version, rupture of a pressurised container is usually involved. Although strictly speaking a non-reactive physical hazard, chemical fires and explosions, with fatalities, often follow. Means of estimating risk and prevention, with a fist of incidents are given[l], A more ferocious version, the Boiling Liquid Compressed Bubble... 

One of the functions of Global Core Technologies R D is the analytical discipline Reactive Chemicals/ Thermal Analysis/Physical Properties (RC/TA/PP). Some of the capabilities of this discipline are testing and data interpretation for reactive chemicals hazard assessment. It is the responsibility of the owner of any chemical process to use this Dow resource to obtain the information which is necessary to design a safe and efficient operation. Information about the analytical RC Testing discipline including contact names can be obtained on the INTRAnet at Reactive Chemicals/Thermal Analysis/Physical Properties web site. 

Two types of hazards are associated with the use of chemicals—hazards that are a direct result of the physical and reactive properties of a chemical, and health hazards resulting from the biological properties. This chapter summarises hazards that are associated with working with chemicals in a laboratory, and highlights some sources of hazard information for carrying out hazard and risk assessments. 

Chemicals that present a particular hazard in the laboratory as a result of their physical and reactive properties include the following categories, identified for the pmposes of risk assessment and for product labelling in UK and European Union (EU) health and safety regulations ... 

This database contains the complete text of over 130,000 Material Safety Data Sheets compiled by the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS). This information was gathered from over 500 manufacturers and suppliers in the United States and Canada. Each record covers one chemical substance and provides trade and supplier name, description, chemical/physical properties, reactivity, health hazards, storage and disposal, personal protection, cleanup and disposal, and emergency first aid (CCINFOLINE, STN available on CD from CCOHS). 

The physical hazards of the hazardous chemical, including the potential for fire, explosion, and reactivity ... 

Hazardous materials may undergo both chemical and physical changes. A chemical change involves a reaction that alters the composition of the substance and thereby alters its chemical identity. Chemical properties include reactivity, stability, corrositivity. 

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