This course is based on the publication, A Guide to Working with Corrosive Substances. This course introduces concepts and principles that can prevent serious health risks to workers due to exposure to corrosives. The reader is also introduced to proper protection practices from corrosive substances as well as methods of treating exposure to those substances. Employee exposure to corrosives can be evaluated to determine the need for engineering and administrative controls as well as the need for personal protective equipment. The results from injuries can be severe and even fatal. Mists produced by liquids can result in lung damage if inhaled, serious burns or irritation can be the result of accidental contact to the skin or eyes, and lung and skin cancer have been linked to chromic acid. Additional threats to employees are posed by the ease with which many corrosive chemicals ignite, explode or react with incompatible substances.

The purpose of this course is to understand how corrosives work and the best ways to protect oneself from their negative impacts. The attendee will understand the proper procedures for protection as well as what to do when exposure does happen. Educating employees exposed to corrosives on these methods is key concept gained from this course. This guide is intended to be consistent with all existing OSHA standards therefore, if an area of this course is considered by the reader to be inconsistent with a standard, then the OSHA standard should be followed.

Topics: Understand what corrosives are Evaluate methods of handling corrosives Understand the risks associated with corrosives Be introduced to remediation of exposure to corrosive.

Intended Audience: This course is intended as a safety and handling guide for those engineers that work around corrosive substances.

Publication Source: NC Dept of Labor