OSHA is the administration agency with the task of ensuring the safety and proper health of workers who encounter hazardous substances in the course of their functions. In the attempts to ensure the security of the workers, the agency has in place some sets of rules and regulations which should actively help the employees and the people interacting with the chemicals avoid accidents and incidents involving contacting the substances. Among the rules and regulations are the hazard communication regulations. These rules indicate the symbolism and the statements that containers that hold the elements and the locations where the hazardous substances should have on them to pass clear messages to the people working there (Cortez & Valle, 2014).
A case happens that a worker gets into contact with a particular chemical and gets affected by the substance. In such cases, the chemical should bear a label that the operator acquires safety information about the contents. Such safety information includes pictograms and a statement accompanying the symbol to reinforce the information it sends to the readers. These symbols and declarations are particular on the contents and the effects that the substance has if one contacts, ingests or inhales it while working with or around its location. Some chemicals are irritant on the skin, and they can cause skin sensitization (Cortez & Valle, 2014). One such substance is methyl methacrylate, which is a classified skin sensitizer.
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In the case where the worker claims to have a red rash on the skin after contacting the methyl methacrylate (CAS# 80-62-6), the effect is avertable by the use of the correct hazard and safety communication. I expect that the 50-gallon drum containing this chemical bears an exclamation mark pictogram on it and a statement to indicate that the content in it is irritant and causes serious skin sensitivity (Cortez & Valle, 2014). The reason for bearing the symbol and statement is to make sure that the people who work with and around the chemical are aware of the effects it can have on them if they make contact with it. My expectation also is that the pictogram and the hazard statements should be clear and visible so that such incidences of workers suffering the effects of these chemicals. The hazard statement can be such that it indicates that the CAS# causes skin sensitization if it contacts the skin (Cortez & Valle, 2014). It should also provide the best first aid action, like rinsing with a lot of water before seeking further medical advice in case of an incidence.
While operating a machine tool shop means working with chemical substances that may be harmful and unsafe, the worker safety should remain a priority. It is my expectation, therefore, the worksites, like the machine shop, should always provide their employees with the necessary personal protection gear (Strickland et al., 2016). The personal protection equipment is requisite in ensuring the health safety of the workers. The protective equipment includes the appropriate clothing that prevents the contact of the chemicals with the operator’s body parts. These gears include protective gloves, eye protection equipment, an overall apron, and boots. The protective equipment should have all the considerations of size and care (Strickland et al., 2016).
Protecting the hands and the arms parts of the body requires the use of several types of gloves that range from leather to the chemical and liquid resistant ones (Strickland et al., 2016). Maintenance of the PPE should afford necessary considerations from the shop owners and the workers themselves. Additionally, I suppose that the store manager should review, evaluate and update the PPE program so as to ascertain its effectiveness in the workplace. The workers may require reviewing their safety conditions and considerations in the worksite and taking the necessary improvement steps (Strickland et al., 2016). The chemicals labeling and hazard communication should also accord vital and needed considering so that the workers are aware of the chemicals they deal with and the effects they may have on their bodies in case they get into contact with them.
