Bosnia and Herzegovina: How to Work Safely with Chemicals?

If you work with chemicals, you've probably wondered if they affect your health.

If you're an employer and don't directly handle chemicals, do you ask yourself the same question?

Chemical regulations emphasize replacing hazardous chemicals with less dangerous or non-hazardous ones. As a result, some extremely dangerous chemicals have already been banned (e.g., asbestos, which causes lung cancer and other severe respiratory diseases). However, many highly dangerous chemicals are still in professional or industrial use.

Workers can be exposed to chemicals through inhalation, ingestion, skin contact, or eye contact. Additionally, they can be introduced through food and drink or by handling contaminated clothing and other items. Therefore, it's crucial to know how to adequately protect yourself from the harmful effects of chemicals.

The Law on Chemicals of the Republic of Srpska and The Law on Chemicals of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina define the obligations of employers when working with chemicals.

There are two key obligations:

• Ensure compliance with occupational safety regulations, including appropriate worker training for handling chemicals,
• Provide workers with a safety data sheet for the chemicals they handle or may be exposed to during work, and implement measures derived from its content.

The safety data sheet serves as the primary source of information for identifying and assessing workplace risks, including chemical exposure. Workers can find information in this document about:

• the hazards of the chemical and precautions to take for safe handling (section 2),
• first aid measures in case of exposure, possible symptoms, and recommended treatment (section 4),
• firefighting measures, suitable extinguishing media, and recommendations for firefighters (section 5),
• measures in case of accidental chemical release (section 6),
• safe handling and storage of the chemical (section 7),
• exposure control and personal protective equipment (section 8),
• proper waste disposal (section 13).

This information is essential for implementing adequate measures to ensure the chemical is not harmful to the worker or their environment. Therefore, it's crucial that workers are familiar with and fully understand them.

In addition to complying with legally defined employer obligations, safer chemical handling requires that workers adhere to prescribed measures.

Here are recommendations from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for workers handling chemicals:

• Request regular information and training on proper chemical handling.
• Read the safety data sheet for every chemical you work with, and ensure you fully understand it.
• Learn how to handle chemicals properly to avoid exposure.
• Never leave an open flame unattended.
• Handle chemicals carefully.
• Tie long hair back and avoid wearing loose clothing.
• Wear appropriate footwear and avoid accessories.
• Always use protective goggles and other recommended personal protective equipment.
• Maintain good hygiene.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Report accidents to your supervisor immediately.

These recommendations need to be tailored to each specific activity, but they can help you organize a safer workplace. For more detailed information on handling specific chemicals, consult a chemical advisor.

Keep in mind: using personal protective equipment is the last line of defense for workers. It is used only when other measures cannot eliminate or sufficiently reduce the risks of harmful effects.

Are you already following the recommended measures for safer chemical handling?