Handling of Acids and Bases - IAMC | Toolkit

TRP 2

Handling of Acids and Bases

IAMC Toolkit

Innovative Approaches for the Sound

Management of Chemicals and Chemical Waste

Toolkit/CSD&ISSPPRO 2

Acid and bases are widely used in the chemical industry. This presentation provides explanation of the harm that acids and bases can have on human beings and on the environment.

The principle of substitution is explained to the reader, as well as the technical and organizational measures to implement to reduce the exposure to these substances.

Introduction

1. Risk identification

and safety

2. Transport and

storage

3. Fire and explosion

protection

4. Emergency

response

11. Chemical classification

and labelling

21. Internal transport of

chemicals 31. Fire protection

41. Emergency response

plan

12. Risk assessment 22. Internal pedestrian

routes

32. Fire protection in

welding and cutting

operations

13. Safety rules 23. Storage 33. Explosion protection

14. Personal protective

equipment 34. Container cleaning

15. Skin protection

16. Emergency escape

routes

17. Handling of solvents,

acids and bases

18. Safety in gas tank

handling

Hazard Management

Checklists

http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/classification-labelling/SDS







http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/transport-and-storage/storage-hazard





http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/fire-and-explosion-protection






http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/emergency-response











http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/transport-and-storage/internal-transport







http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/fire-and-explosion-protection/fire



http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/emergency-response/plan







http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/risk-assessment



http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/transport-and-storage/pedestrian-routes






http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/fire-and-explosion-protection/welding-cutting















http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/safety-rules




http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/fire-and-explosion-protection/explosion




http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/protective-equipment






http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/fire-and-explosion-protection/container



http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/skin



http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/escape-roots







http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/solvents-acids











http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/gas-tank








4

1. General Concepts

Acids and bases

2. Hazards

3. Prevention Measures

Substitution

Technical measures

Organizational measures

4. Sources

Contents

UNIDO│IAMC Toolkit | Images may not be copied, transmitted or manipulated

General Concepts

UNIDO│IAMC Toolkit│Images may not be copied,

transmitted or manipulated 5

6

Acids and Bases

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Acids Bases

pH

Hyd

roch

loric a

cid

32

-34

%

Su

lph

uric a

cid

95

-98

%

Sa

licylic

acid

(asp

irin

)

Cau

stic s

od

a 9

9%

Cau

stic s

od

a 5

-45

%

Am

mo

nia

so

lution

10

-35

%

Wate

r

Source: CSD


The pH value distinghuishes substances according to their acid or basic behavior.

Hazards



8

Main Hazards

The main hazards associated with the use, storage and transport of acids and bases are:

Environmental hazards (e.g. water pollution,

death of aquatic life, etc.)

Health hazards:

The majority of acids and bases can cause irritations, burns or intoxications if not adequately used.

Routes of entry of the substances:

Inhalation of the vapours

Skin permeation

Ingestion

Consequences:

Irritations

Chemical burns, etc.

Inhalation

Skin

permeation

Source: Suva

Ingestion


Prevention Measures Technical Measures

Organizational Measures



10

Prevention Measures

Prevention measures

follow the STOP logic:

S. Substitution of the

hazardous substances

and processes

T. Technical measures

O. Organizational

measures

P. Personal protection

measures

Source: Suva


11

Substitution

Substitution aims at reducing the risks of health and

environmental hazards. Attention: It is not acceptable to replace a carcinogenic substance by a less

harmful but highly flammable substance.

A thorough risk analysis has to be conducted prior to

introducing any new substances or processes.

Substitution example: Replace highly dosed caustic soda (30%)

by a less highly concentrated caustic soda solution (10%).


12

Substitution – Example

Coffee powder manufacturing plant – Initial situation

Acid effluent

(Coffee residues)

Pre-treatment

plant

Neutralized effluent Sewage

system

Caustic soda (NaOH)

Production: normal situation

Caustic effluent

(NaOH residues)

Pre-treatment

plant


system

Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Cleaning: every 3 days Source: CSD


13

Substitution – Example

Coffee powder manufacturing plant – Optimized situation

Caustic effluent

(NaOH residues)

Caustic effluent

storage

Cleaning: every 3 days

Acid effluent

(Coffee residues)

Pre-treatment

plant


system

Production: normal situation

- NaOH substituted with

caustic acid effluent

- HCl substituted with acid

effluent

Source: CSD


14

Technical Measures

Installations, containers and tanks

Any part of an installation, container or tank likely to be in

contact with acids or bases needs to be:

Conceived with a material that does not react with the

substances

Resistant to the induced stress and solicitations.

Tanks should be equipped with an air vent and devices to measure

the content level (to avoid overflowing).

The fittings used for filling the tanks should be marked to avoid

dangerous confusions (label, unique colour assigned per substance,

etc.).


15

Technical Measures

Pipes

Piping used to carry acids and bases should be clearly

labelled, unobstructed, easily accessible and if necessary

protected against the risk of mechanical deterioration.

Each pipe carrying acids and bases should be equipped

with an emergency shut-off valve.


Technical Measures

Ventilation of the workplaces:

Natural ventilation (windows, doors, openings)

Artificial ventilation (general ventilation, ventilation at source )

Evacuated vapours are usually filtered or washed and then either

discharged to the atmosphere or fed back into the room.

Artificial ventilation

Source: Suva

Ventilation is essential in zones

where acids and bases

produce vapours, fumes and

mists.


17

Technical Measures

Ventilation at source – Examples:

Ventilated open cabin

Source: INRS

Laterally ventilated oil extraction tanks

Source: INRS


18

Technical Measures

Ventilation of storage premises:

Natural ventilation (windows, doors, openings)

Artificial ventilation (general ventilation) Evacuated vapours are usually filtered and then either discharged to the atmosphere or fed back

into the room.

Natural ventilation Artificial ventilation

Source: Suva Source: Suva


19

Technical Measures

Storage of acids and bases:

Storage premises containing acids or

bases should be locked.

Containment measures should be

taken to prevent liquids from

spreading, including:

Safety sills

Retention basins

Retention basins should be built with

a material that does not react with the

stored substances.

Source: Suva

Caution: Retention basins

should be built with a suitable

material


20

Technical Measures

Storage of acids and bases:

Incompatible substances must not be stored together.

They must never share the same retention basin.

Do not store together:

- Acids and bases

- Acids and cyanides

- Acids and sodium hypochlorite

- Acids and sulphides, hydrogen sulphides

- Acids and alkali metals

- Nitric acid and hydrochloric acid

- Nitric acid and flammable solvents


21

Technical Measures

Storage cabinets:

In working areas, only the

quantities required for the good

functioning of the operations

should be stored.

Storage must be equipped with a

collecting vessel and adequately

labelled cabinets.


Source : Suva

Technical Measures

Extinguishers and first aid:

Areas where acids and bases are handled

have to be equipped with:

First aid facilities (showers, eye-wash

stations)

Absorbent material in case of spills/leakage

These facilities have to be regularly

checked.


Source: Shutterstock

23

Technical Measures – Recap

Substitution of hazardous substances

Ventilation of workplaces and storage premises

Storage of acids and bases (retention basins, safety sills,

storage cabinets)

First aid facilities

Natural ventilation Artificial ventilation

Source: Suva Source: Suva


Prevention Measures Technical Measures




25

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

The safety data sheets (SDSs) include the following useful information:

Physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc.)

Toxicity

Health effects

First aid

Reactivity

Storage

Disposal

Protective equipment

Spill-handling procedures

SDSs provide workers with information and procedures to safely handle and work with

chemical substances.

For each chemical substance, an SDS must be registered and easily available. A good

practice would be to store the SDSs with the concerned substances.

Source: CSD

D11_Chemical classification and labelling


http://iamc-toolkit.org/technical-resources/hazard-management/risk-identification-and-safety/classification-labelling


26

Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

An SDS comprises 16 categories of information

1. Identification 2. Hazard(s)

identification

3. Composition/

Information on

ingredients

4. First-aid

measures

5. Fire-fighting

measures

7. Handling and

storage

6. Accidental

release measures

8. Exposure

controls/personal

protection

Sections 1 to 8 contain general

information about the substance

9. Physical and

chemical properties

10. Stability and

reactivity

11. Toxicological

information

12. Ecological

Information

13. Disposal

considerations

15. Regulatory

information

14. Transport

information

16. Other

information

Sections 9 to 16 contain other technical and

scientific information about the substance


27


Labelling containers, tanks, pipes, etc.

The equipment (containers, tanks, pipes, etc.) should be

appropriately labelled.

Labels should be permanent and easily visible.

Labels should use standard symbols.

HYDROCHLORIC

ACID

Source: CSD


HYDROCHLORIC ACID

1

2

3

4

5

Precautionary statements Additional information as required by the competent authority as appropriate

Supplier identification

SIGNAL WORD

Hazard statements


Labelling containers, tanks, pipes, etc.


29


Safety signs:

Zones where acids/bases are stored or handled should be

indicated by safety signs.

Zones where the use of

personal protective

equipment is mandatory

should be clearly indicated by

specific signs.

Corrosive substance


Source: Suva

30


Installations and equipment

Special devices used for the decanting

of acids and bases should be available

(e.g. pumps, etc.)

Safety containers and trolleys for

barrels should be available to transport

acids and bases.

Absorbents should be provided to

collect and eliminate spilled acids and

bases.

Manual pump

Source: Suva


31


Staff training should:

Provide the knowledge employees need to work in safe conditions

Take place when they join the company and at regular intervals

Be extended to any staff of third-party companies working in hazard

areas

Include the following topics: Legal foundations and requirements

Labelling schemes used for chemical substances and mixtures

Main rules of conduct

Requirements for the personal protective equipment including monitoring,

maintenance, etc.

Good practices when working in explosion-hazard zones

First aid and fire protection guidelines

Guidelines for the sorting and disposal of waste, etc.


32

Organizational Measures – Exercise

What should you do before handling

any unknown substance?


33

Organizational Measures – Exercise (1)

Read the safety data sheet where you can find information

about:

Physical data

Toxicity

Health effects

First aid

Reactivity

Storage

Disposal

Protective equipment

Spill-handling procedures

Source: CSD


Risk Reduction Measures Personal Protective Equipment



35

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

To be used if the hazard could not

be totally eliminated by substitution

or technical measures.

The safety data sheets (SDS) of

the substances used should

indicate any relevant information to

ensure their safe handling.

Management should ensure that:

Staff is well trained

Protective equipment is regularly

checked

Staff complies PPE guidelines

Zones where PPE is

required should be clearly

indicated.

Source: Suva


36

Types of PPE

Eye and face protection is essential

when handling acids and bases.


Source: Suva

Source: Suva

37

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Respiratory

protective

equipment

Skin protective

equipment

Protective

eyewear


38

Key messages

The main hazards associated with the use, storage and

transport of acids and bases are environmental hazards

and health hazards.

Substitution aims at reducing the risks of health and

environmental hazards.

A thorough risk analysis has to be conducted prior to

introducing any new substances or processes.

Planned prevention measures can be technical or

organizational.


Sources



Fusce posuere, magna sed pulvinar ultricies, purus lectus malesuada libero, sit amet magna eros quis (ARIAL 32).

Sources

CSD Engineers, Switzerland/ISSPPRO, Germany, 2015

Confédération Suisse: Directive CFST n°6501 – Acides et bases,

Switzerland, 1990

Suva: Liste de contrôle: Acides et bases, Switzerland, 2012

United Nations: Globally Harmonized System of Classification and

Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), 2003

Sicherheitsinstitut: Lagerung gefährlicher Stoffe, Leitfaden für die

Praxis, Überarbeitete Auflage 2011, Switzerland, 2011

INRS: Postes d’utilisation manuelle de solvants, France, 2009

Waswo: www.extra.suva.ch, Switzerland, June 2015

40 UNIDO│IAMC Toolkit | Images may not be copied, transmitted or manipulated

Fusce posuere, magna sed pulvinar ultricies, purus lectus malesuada libero, sit amet magna eros quis (ARIAL 32).

Images

CSD Engineers, Switzerland, 2015

Suva: Pulvérisation au pistolet de vernis et peintures polyuréthane

comment protéger vos collaborateurs, Switzerland, 2012

Suva: Santé et sécurité au travail lors de l’emploi de solvants,

Switzerland, 2012

Suva: Liste de contrôle – Risques d’explosion, Switzerland, 2013

Suva: Liste de contrôle – Emploi de solvants, Switzerland, 2012

INRS: Postes d’utilisation manuelle de solvants, France, 2009

Shutterstock, USA, 2015

41 UNIDO│IAMC Toolkit | Images may not be copied, transmitted or manipulated

42

This presentation was prepared with the requested diligence

and with the generally accepted principles of the relevant

field.

If a third party uses the contents of the presentation in order

to take decisions, the authors disclaim any liability for any

kind of direct or indirect (consequential) damage.

Disclaimer


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Handling of Acids and Bases - IAMC | Toolkit