Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Choosing Chemicals Can Be a Deadly Decision


Choosing Chemicals Can Be a Deadly Decision

 
On August 21, 2015, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported that “exposure to hydrofluoric acid (HF) causes corrosive chemical burns and potentially fatal systemic toxicity.” They referred to examples in Washington State where “during 2001-2013 there was a fatality associated with a truck wash worker who ingested the substance, along with 48 occupational cases. Among those injured, seven were hospitalized, two required surgery.”

Is this information really significant for car washers? Here are some of the headlines that were circulating a few days after the report was released:

·    The NY Times - Car wash chemical dangerous to workers

·    The Spokesman-Review - Car wash chemical a danger to workers

·    Kurt Niland - CDC finds High Rate Of Chemical burns Among Carwash Workers

·    Business Examiner Media Group - Workers burned by car wash chemicals

There is a common theme in all of these headlines; they all refer to car washes! However, if you read the report, it also names truck drivers, auto detailers and truck washes. But what industry did the media pick up on? Car washes.

Most of us know this is not a new topic. Much has been written over the years about HF and ABF (Ammonium bifluoride). Both of these chemicals are very dangerous, causing many car wash owners to discontinue using these products. Unfortunately these chemicals still exists in the industry for cleaning wheels and tunnel walls.

Here are a few reminders of what to be aware of when handling these products:

·    Skin contact is often undetected until after the injury has occurred, since the chemicals tend to penetrate the skin quickly and attacks the bones. This delays any sense of pain, giving the effected worker the illusion that nothing is wrong.  By the time they feel the consequences of being exposed to the chemical, the damage has already occurred.

·    If HF is used in a spray form, it can be accidently ingested and can cause internal burns.

·    An alert circulated by the Oregon OSHA division in May of 2013 stated that “an HF burn covering less than two percent of your body can kill you.”

There are a few precautions you can take if you are using HF or similar chemicals:

·    Train all employees regarding the hazards associated with these chemicals

·    Wear goggles and face shields (not glasses)

·    Wear an apron approved for use with corrosive chemicals

·    Wear neoprene and nitrile gloves

·    Wear appropriate shoes (no sneakers)

·    Use engineering and administrative controls to limit exposure

·    Consider using equally effective alternative products for HF and ABF

Some first aid ideas if someone comes in contact with these chemicals:

·         In the event an employee’s skin is exposed, immediately apply 15 minutes of continuous water flow to the affected area.

·         As soon as possible, transport the exposed employee to a medical facility. Be sure to take a copy of the MSDS/SDS document with you.

·         If you have a trained first aid person available, they should apply calcium gluconate gel for skin burns. This should help limit the tissue damage. If the injury is eye related, they can also apply sterile one percent calcium gluconate in saline drops.

After reading this blog, many may believe that they don’t have this exposure. I implore you to be sure you read every chemical label to be sure you know exactly what you’re up against. Some years ago, I did a survey at a car wash and found an unmarked pail sitting in the car wash tunnel. The manager explained that they used this cleaner for the wash tunnel walls. We found the original pail that the chemical came from and it was labeled simply, wall cleaner. After reading the label more carefully we learned it had HF as an ingredient. The manager was shocked!

There is no doubt that these chemicals are great cleaning products at the wash. They’re also the most deadly! Don’t sacrifice your employees’ safety; make the smart decision and look for alternatives. Finally, be sure to read all chemical labels and avoid unwelcomed surprises. Your chemical suppliers are a great reference, make sure you use them!

For reference, these are the new pictograms you should be looking out for:



Remember, A Safe Wash Protects People and Profits!