Safe chemistry is our professional obligation
Dr Ian Wrightson CChem FRSC, Senior Risk Consultant, Zurich Risk Engineering UK
Health and safety is an essential and integral part of the use of chemicals within educational, governmental and commercial environments for more than one reason. As chemists, we have moral, financial, legal and professional obligations for ensuring good health and safety standards.
Why health and safety?
The right thing to do
Chemistry contributes to improving the quality of life. However, incidents involving the use of toxic, corrosive, flammable and explosive chemicals can lead to injuries, fatalities and environmental damage. Of course no one wishes to injure themselves or others, and we have a moral obligation to look after anyone who might be affected by our use of chemicals.
Financial reasons
The financial impact of incidents arising from unsafe chemical processes or misuse of chemicals can be substantial. It spans both personal injury costs – including the loss of future earnings, medical treatment and penalties – and property damage – including lengthy decommissioning of workplaces, effects on adjacent buildings and renovation costs.
Legal requirements
In terms of legal reasons, many countries have laws that cover health and safety. In the UK, for example, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated Regulations impose duties for health and safety on employers, employees and others. Failure to comply with these duties can lead to organisations or individuals, including anyone working with chemicals, being prosecuted. Convictions by courts for health and safety offences can result in fines and even prison sentences.
Contractual and ethical obligations
In addition, chemists have professional, ethical and contractual obligations with regards to health and safety. The Royal Society of Chemistry, for example, requires members to adhere to its Code of Conduct. Members are expected to use their skills to advance and safeguard the welfare of humanity, particularly in the field of health and safety. They should be aware of the general principles of legal requirements and they have a duty to identify the hazards and to assess the risks of scientific and technological processes within the sphere of their professional activities.
What can we do?
To meet these objectives, all chemists need to be given appropriate training, so that they can work safely and take care of others who may be affected by their activities. Ideally, students should start this training at school or at least when they start their undergraduate studies. When chemists start work, they should be given induction training that includes health and safety issues, and, to ensure that an appropriate level of training is given, it is desirable to set competency levels for students and employees alike.
All training should cover risk assessment, risk controls and what to do in emergencies like chemical spillages, release of chemicals, accidents, fires, explosions and accidents. Chemists should be aware that, no matter how minor an event or injury, all incidents should be reported and investigated. It is also important to report near-misses and safety concerns for appropriate investigations and corrective actions to be carried out before a major accident occurs.
Good health and safety standards can only be achieved through the exercise of judgment by informed, responsible and competent individuals. So as chemists we have a duty to share our knowledge and experience with those entering the profession.
How we support health and safety across the globe
In April 2014 the Royal Society of Chemistry, in collaboration with the Chemical Research Society of India, delivered three one-day laboratory health and safety workshops at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, the Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, and the Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai. Paul Whitehead, Ian Wrightson and Sara Cooper, who are members of the RSC Environment, Health and Safety Committee (EHSC), presented the sessions on how to manage a safer laboratory and how to address common practical health and safety issues.
Health & Safety Essentials
Through the EHSC, we have been raising the profile of health and safety for over 30 years. Other current activities include the development of a series of online laboratory health and safety modules through the committee’s Notes Group. These Health & Safety Essentials are aimed at postgraduate students, and include six modules on risk assessment, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), chemical safety, fire safety, safety data sheets and laboratory best practice. They are available on Learn Chemistry.
In the coming months, the series will be expanded by three more modules, and plans are in place to provide undergraduate students and laboratory workers in the UK and abroad with relevant health and safety notes. The EHSC also publishes 32 Notes that provide guidance on a range of health and safety and environmental issues.
