3.7 Handling of Chemicals and Safe Logistic Procedures
55
premises, new containers or equipment should be also marked for identification
(Brossat et al. 2012). In the case of hazardous chemicals, they should be labeled or
carry any other indication allowing workers to identify:
(1) Chemicals, for example, from the reference number, code, or common name
known to all workers elsewhere in the workplace
(2) Related dangers, for example, by means of appropriate inscriptions or symbols
(3) Safety precautions.
Interestingly, the ‘common name’ known to all workers may generate confusion.
The normal experience in food-related enterprises may concern—as a simple and
‘golden’ example—the conviction of food operators that alkaline substances such as
sodium hydroxide are named ‘acids’ and vice versa…
Moreover, a number of operations, installations, and equipment (e.g., reactors,
distillation columns, and melting cookers in certain food facilities) may involve the
treatment or handling of several different chemicals (including additives). When the
marking or labeling of installations or equipment is impossible due to the variability
of circumstances, workers should be informed of the identification of chemicals,
inherent dangers, and precautions for security. In addition, a dedicated training in
this area should be provided.
3.8 Chemicals and Related Labels
Hazardous chemicals must be labeled in accordance with regulatory obligations,
country by country, with the aim of providing essential information and identifying
these substances a way that is easily understood by users.
For example, labeling provides essential information on the classification of the
chemical, its hazards, and the precautions to be taken. The chemical labels include
pictograms, hazard statements which indicate the nature of the particular risks
attributed to dangerous substances and preparations, and precautionary statements
concerning dangerous substances and preparations.
Labeling provides also additional information on handling and hazards of chemical products. Danger symbols are a first level of information, of a purely visual
nature, destined directly to the operator who seizes the packaging.
2
It has to be noted that the absence of a danger symbol does not mean that the
product is safe: in fact, safety regulations only require the symbol and the name of the
dangerous substance to be indicated above a certain concentration, a certain degree
of flammability, or a certain threshold of harmfulness. Any substance for which there
is no information relating to dangers must be considered a priori dangerous.
The label or the inscription must be affixed so as to be very visible and readable
horizontally when the packaging is in normal position.
2 A useful guideline concerning the complete information for CLP-style labels can be found at the
following web address: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Chemical_
and_Hazardous_Substances/CLP_info_sheet.pdf.
55
premises, new containers or equipment should be also marked for identification
(Brossat et al. 2012). In the case of hazardous chemicals, they should be labeled or
carry any other indication allowing workers to identify:
(1) Chemicals, for example, from the reference number, code, or common name
known to all workers elsewhere in the workplace
(2) Related dangers, for example, by means of appropriate inscriptions or symbols
(3) Safety precautions.
Interestingly, the ‘common name’ known to all workers may generate confusion.
The normal experience in food-related enterprises may concern—as a simple and
‘golden’ example—the conviction of food operators that alkaline substances such as
sodium hydroxide are named ‘acids’ and vice versa…
Moreover, a number of operations, installations, and equipment (e.g., reactors,
distillation columns, and melting cookers in certain food facilities) may involve the
treatment or handling of several different chemicals (including additives). When the
marking or labeling of installations or equipment is impossible due to the variability
of circumstances, workers should be informed of the identification of chemicals,
inherent dangers, and precautions for security. In addition, a dedicated training in
this area should be provided.
3.8 Chemicals and Related Labels
Hazardous chemicals must be labeled in accordance with regulatory obligations,
country by country, with the aim of providing essential information and identifying
these substances a way that is easily understood by users.
For example, labeling provides essential information on the classification of the
chemical, its hazards, and the precautions to be taken. The chemical labels include
pictograms, hazard statements which indicate the nature of the particular risks
attributed to dangerous substances and preparations, and precautionary statements
concerning dangerous substances and preparations.
Labeling provides also additional information on handling and hazards of chemical products. Danger symbols are a first level of information, of a purely visual
nature, destined directly to the operator who seizes the packaging.
2
It has to be noted that the absence of a danger symbol does not mean that the
product is safe: in fact, safety regulations only require the symbol and the name of the
dangerous substance to be indicated above a certain concentration, a certain degree
of flammability, or a certain threshold of harmfulness. Any substance for which there
is no information relating to dangers must be considered a priori dangerous.
The label or the inscription must be affixed so as to be very visible and readable
horizontally when the packaging is in normal position.
2 A useful guideline concerning the complete information for CLP-style labels can be found at the
following web address: https://www.hsa.ie/eng/Publications_and_Forms/Publications/Chemical_
and_Hazardous_Substances/CLP_info_sheet.pdf.