AHCES Blog

This FAQ Friday is focused on questions about OSHA Chemical Labels. If you have any hazard communication questions or safety questions about common chemicals, ask in the comments below or send an email to contact@ariadne-hces.com.  What does OSHA require on a chemical label? The following are the required label elements. Product Identifier , matching the identifier used on the safety data sheet Signal Word , either Warning or Danger Hazard Statements , indicating the hazardous properties of the chemical Pictograms , visual indications of the general type of hazard Precautionary Statements , indicating what precautionary measures need to be taken for the safe handling and storage of the chemical Name, Address, and Telephone Number of the chemical manufacturer, importer, or other responsible party How many pictograms can a chemical label have? A chemical label will have as many pictograms as hazard categories the chemical products belong to. There are nine differen...

  What is Lye? Lye refers to both sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, which are alkali metal hydroxides. Sodium hydroxide lye is more common in modern usage than potassium hydroxide lye. Lye is used in a variety of applications, including as a cleaning product, in soap making, and in food preparation. Sodium hydroxide has the CAS Number 1310-73-2. Potassium hydroxide has the CAS Number 1310-58-3. The CAS Number is used to identify lye, and which type of lye, as an ingredient on safety data sheets (SDS) and other safety documentation. When looking for lye as an ingredient in products, look for one of the above CAS Numbers within the composition table. Notable Properties of Lye Lye, both sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, are white, crystalline solids. Lye is commonly available in the form of a powder, flake, or pellet. What Makes Lye Hazardous? Lye is a strong base, making it a highly caustic substance. Lower levels of exposure can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, an...

What is Titanium Dioxide? Titanium Dioxide is a naturally occurring inorganic compound. Titanium dioxide can be found in a wide range of applications, including as a pigment for increasing brightness and opacity in paints, coating, plastics, cosmetics, and foods. Titanium dioxide is also known by the mineral names anatase, brookite, and rutile. It is also known as titanium (IV) oxide, titanium peroxide, and by the pigment name titanium white. T itanium Dioxide has the CAS Number 13463-67-7. The CAS Number is used to identify titanium dioxide as an ingredient on safety data sheets (SDS) and other safety documentation. When looking for titanium dioxide as an ingredient in pigments, colorants, and finishes, look for the CAS Number within the composition table. Notable Properties of Titanium Dioxide Titanium dioxide is naturally an odorless white solid, often found in a powdered form. It is UV resistant and considered inert, not readily reacting with oxidizers, acids, or bases. Any other c...

  Being informed is an important aspect of maintaining workplace safety. Most information on hazardous chemicals will come from the labels and safety data sheets (SDS). These documents will describe the hazardous properties of the chemicals, as well as their appearance, state of matter, and other identifying chemical and physical properties. Being able to recognize and use this information is important for detecting hazardous chemicals in the event of an accident. How to Safely Use the Five Senses for Detecting Hazardous Chemicals Human senses can be used to directly identify the presence of hazardous chemicals, from seeing a spill to smelling an odor. There are some hazardous chemicals that become hazardous to human health before they can be sensed or cannot be sensed at all due to lacking identifying properties such as color or scent. For these types of hazardous chemicals, detection and alarm systems are a vital part of creating a safe work environment. These alarm systems provi...

Safety Glasses are on the Left and Safety Goggles are on the Right What is the Difference Between Safety Glasses and Safety Goggles? Safety glasses and safety goggles are both types of eye protection. Choosing which type to wear for a given task is an important part of safety, both in the workplace and when working on home projects or crafts. Safety glasses have a frame, lenses, and side shields. Safety glasses offer protection against impacts but do not offer protection against liquid splashes or fine dust. Safety glasses may be worn over prescription glasses, though this is generally uncomfortable and prone to slippage. It is possible to purchase safety glasses with prescription lenses. Safety goggles have a frame, lens, side shields, and a sealing surface. The sealing surface allows safety goggles to protect against liquid splashes and fine dust from reaching the eyes, as well as from impacts. Safety goggles can be worn over prescription glasses. It is also possible to purchase safe...

  The handsome boy! His name is Shavarath. Casual Friday On the first Friday of the month, I'll be posting fun things. I foresee it mainly being pictures of my cats. There is Shavarath and his older sister Kythri. Yes, they are both named after Planes from the Ebberron DnD setting, my parents both love DDO.