The most common Google searches Australia-wide on cleaning chemicals and the commercial cleaning industry narrowed down into six main categories.
CONTENTS
1. Mixing Chemicals & Calculating Dilution Quantities
3. Chemical Varieties and Uses 4. Protection and Safety 5. Storage Chemical Storage Incident Outcome 6. Pregnancy and Cleaning Chemicals
1. MIXING CHEMICALS and CALCULATING DILUTION QUANTITES
" Is it ok to Mix Cleaning Chemicals? "
" Cleaning Products You Shouldn’t Mix "
" How to Mix Cleaning Chemicals? "
" What Happens When You Mix Cleaning Chemicals? "
" How to Correctly Measure Cleaning Chemicals? "
" How to Dilute Cleaning Chemicals "
Mixing Different Chemicals - Unless you know exactly what you're doing, you should never mix different kinds of chemicals for any reason. Combining different chemicals won’t necessary make a stronger or better solution and the worst case scenario can be fatal. Some chemicals when mixed create a poisonous and lethal gas that can shut down your lungs very quickly. Others can expand and shoot rapidly upward out of the container. There’s also the risk of damaging surfaces too.
Diluting Chemicals – A lot of chemicals that are designed for home use will be already diluted but the ones sold for business use and commercial cleaning companies usually come as a concentrate which needs to be diluted before use. The dilution ratios can be found on the label and often in the Safety Data Sheet and it’s essential that these instructions are followed to avoid injury and damage to property. There’s several different methods for calculating the water to chemical ratio including this simple method below. For more information and a downloadable chart, head over to the post on Chemical Dilution Rates
2. REGULATIONS and COMPLIANCE
" What are Commercial Cleaning Regulations? "
" What Laws Apply to Cleaning Chemicals? "
" What Laws Apply to the Cleaning Industry? " " What is the Legislation that Applies to Cleaning and Chemicals? "
Manufacturers, Suppliers, Employers, and Employees all have specific duties under the WHS Act 2011 that must be obeyed. These duties are in place to protect the health, safety, and welfare of others and failure to comply can result in large fines, lawsuits, work stoppages, closure of business, and even jail depending on the severity of the incident.
The WHS Act looks a bit like this.
➭ Act A formal description of a law passed in a state or territory.
➭ Regulations A more detailed set of requirements created to support the duties established in the Act.
➭ Codes of Practice A practical guide on how to achieve the accepted standards required in the Act and Regulations.
➭ Besides the WHS Act there are several other codes/regulations/laws/rules that need to be followed. These will vary between companies depending on the business type, industry sector, the way they operate, the amount of product stored on site, and the level of risk associated with the products being stored.
➭ The GHS (Global Harmonisation System) provides a consistent worldwide standard for the way chemicals are classified and how information is communicated. It sets out the specific information and terminology required on chemical labels and in Safety Data Sheets before they are allowed to be sold or accepted, and it applies to any business receiving or selling hazardous chemicals. For more information head over to the posts on GHS Pictograms and Safety Data Sheets.
➭ The ADG Code (Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail) sets out the requirements and individual responsibilities for anyone involved in shipping or transporting dangerous goods by road or rail. You can find more details by heading to the ADG Post here or over to the National Transport Commission website to view and download the latest release of the Code.
➭ Safe Work Australia is a really good website that contains an abundance of helpful information, lots of resources, and a good place to find info on safety and compliance. There's some other links below however this is not a complete list.
➭ The Poisons Standard (SUSMP) ➭ There’s a more detailed post on Poisons and the SUSMP here too.
3. CHEMICAL VARIETIES AND USES
" How Are Cleaning Chemicals Categorised? " " What’s the Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitising? " " What are Food Safe Chemicals? "
There are many varieties of cleaning chemicals that are suited to specific soils, surfaces, and application methods and it’s easy to become confused and unsure when looking for a suitable product. Many of these chemical varieties can also contain additives to target a particular issue and this can increase the confusion even more. However, there are only a couple of basic things that you need to learn that will make the decision a much easier one.
I’ve put together a post that’ll turn you into an expert overnight (or at least make you sound like one) which you can find here The Ultimate Cleaning Guide. It simplifies most of the different chemical varieties down into several categories and explains the typical soils each of them are designed to work on.
Use and application methods also need to be considered to ensure that you’re achieving the right results. The instructions on the label should be adequate but it’s worth noting that Sanitising, Disinfecting, and Cleaning are actually different processes that require different products. To put it simply,
Cleaning is the process of removing surface soils such as grease and dirt.
Sanitising reduces potential bacteria to a safe level.
Disinfecting kills all contamination or bacteria on a surface.
Cleaning should also be the first step when sanitising or disinfecting a surface. If there’s a lot of soil present then this can cause the product to be ineffective on the surface. It’s the same with hand sanitizer too. If your hands are visibly dirty or oily then you should wash first and then sanitise after.
4. PROTECTION and SAFETY
" Are Cleaning Chemicals Harmful? "
" Are Cleaning Products Toxic? "
" Are Cleaning Products Safe? " " Can Cleaning Chemicals Make You Sick? "
" Can Cleaning Chemicals Cause Cancer? "
" Can Cleaning Chemicals Be Absorbed Through The Skin? "
" Can Cleaning Chemicals Cause Headaches? "
" How to Protect Yourself When Using Cleaning Chemicals? "
Nearly all chemicals can be harmful or dangerous to your health if not used or stored correctly; however, even the most dangerous of chemicals can be safe providing their used at the recommended dilution, the instructions are followed, required protective equipment is used, and risk assessments have been completed.
All chemicals are classified based on the effects they can have on property, the environment, and health. The classification is printed on the label and will include a Pictogram for easy identification (example pictured to the right). This information is also included in the SDS along with the safety precautions that need to be taken when handling, using, and storing the product. There are also laws in place regarding the minimum standards for protective equipment and risk assessments. These are all mandatory requirements that are in place to protect people, property, and the environment.
Chemicals do have the ability to cause various levels of irritation of eyes, throat, and skin. They can cause headaches, nausea, and can be fatal. Long term effects also include cancer.
Not all chemicals can penetrate through the skin into the bloodstream but there are some that can. They do find it easier if there’s an open wound or if the skin is pierced with something contaminated by the chemical. All these issues are significantly reduced providing they’re used correctly according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the guidelines set out in the WHS Act.
Generally, the further a chemical moves towards the end of the pH scale the more dangerous it becomes. To give you an idea, Battery Acid sits at the end of the Acidic side at around pH-01 and Oven Cleaner sits at the end of the Alkaline side at around pH-14. Anything hovering around the center at pH-07 is usually considered reasonably safe and non-hazardous. There will always be the odd exception but it’s a good guide to stick to.
Before using a chemical you should always take the time familiarize yourself with it’s classification and the potential hazards relating to it. Also how to use it correctly, the safety requirements for using it, and what may need to be done in an emergency situation.
Specific clothing and items must be used, called Personal Protective Equipment or PPE, to protect the user from chemical contact and personal injuries. These items will vary between businesses depending on the chemicals used on site and can include:
➭ Protective apron ➭ Boots
➭ Safety glasses ➭ Hi Vis vest
➭ Rubber gloves ➭ Hearing protection
➭ Face shield ➭ Hard hat
➭ Respirator
Under the WHS Act, the workplace must provide PPE that’s appropriate for the type of chemical and the task being performed. It must fit properly, be comfortable, be in good condition, and be compatible with other PPE being worn.
The Act also stipulates that employees must use the appropriate PPE for the chemical being used and report any damaged or missing items. Furthermore, a worker cannot intentionally damage, misuse, or refuse to wear PPE and should refuse to use the chemical if the PPE isn’t available.
The exact PPE requirements for a chemical can be found in Section 8 of the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and some items will need to meet the minimum Australian Standards.
A PPE wall chart relating to chemical use can be downloaded here.
You’ll find all the information you need in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and if an SDS is not available then don’t use the chemical until one is provided. It’s not just the sensible thing to do, it’s the law.
5. STORAGE
" How To Store Chemicals at a Workplace " " What Chemicals Shouldn’t Be Stored Together? "
Chemicals have the ability to react with each other and some can cause devastating results without even making contact. Incompatible hazardous chemicals stored together can cause many different reactions such as an explosion, a release of toxic gas, flammable or corrosive gases, serious or fatal injury, or corrosion to containers and surrounding property. I’ve included an example further down.
There’s no real simple answer to a question about chemical storage as there are many variables depending on the type of chemicals being stored, site layout, the quantity held on site, and the nature of the business, amongst other factors. Under WHS Regulations there's a number of strict guidelines that must be followed relating to chemical storage. This also extends to chemical registers, manifests, risk assessments, labelling and signage, spill control kits, and staff training, to name a few.
There are some standard requirements that I’ll list below but each business still needs to do a thorough inspection to identify all chemicals on site, conduct relevant risk assessments, put appropriate control measures in place, train staff, and compile the required documentation based on their own particular circumstances. The Safe Work Australia website is a good place to start if you need some guidance. They have plenty of information to read up on, free templates, and can help you to get in contact with the appropriate authorities in your area who can help you with compliance requirements.
As a general rule:
➭ Chemicals should have a designated storage area that’s well ventilated and secure. Each chemical should have an assigned place and stored according to compatibility and hazard class.
➭ Incompatible chemicals need to be segregated either by distance, by barrier, separate rooms, or cabinets. Bunding and spill control methods also need to be implemented and more information is available on the Chemical Spills page.
➭ A minimum distance of 3 metres needs to be maintained between incompatible chemicals stored in the same area. This can increase depending on the products and quantity. Non-hazardous or non-reactive chemicals can be stored within the three-metre buffer. Information regarding compatibility and storage can be found in the SDS under Section 7 and Section 10. You can also download this Chemical Segregation Chart too.
➭ A Hazardous Chemical Register must be completed listing every hazardous chemical stored on site and it must accompany a current SDS for each chemical. You can download a Hazardous Chemical Register Template here. There’s also a limit for the total volume of chemicals stored on site and if this is exceeded then a Hazardous Chemical Manifest will need to be completed. But wait…. there’s a Hazardous Chemical Manifest Template here too. For information on manifest threshold quantities refer to Schedule 11: Placarding and Manifest Quantities in the Model WHS Regulations. A PDF is also available on the Safe Work Australia website here.
➭ If you head to the Resources page you’ll find a couple of chemical storage signs and a couple of wall-fillers to help with staff awareness of hazardous chemicals.
And a couple of general pointers:
➭ Alkaline products need to be separated from Acidic products.
➭ Oxidising products need to be clear of combustible materials such as wood, paper, leaves, etc.
➭ Bleach and Acids need to be separated.
➭ Sunlight can affect some containers and chemical contents.
➭ Some chemicals are sensitive to the temperature. Either extreme or ambient.
➭ Review contents of storage area regularly and dispose of chemicals no longer in use.
➭ Be conscious of nearby sources of heat such as machinery or heating.
➭ Be conscious of nearby ignition sources such as welding or grinding.
➭ Ensure that any bunding or drainage isn’t shared between incompatible chemicals.
Chemical Storage Incident Outcome
I wanted to share an incident that happened to a client of a previous workplace as it demonstrates the potential consequence of something simple.
Pic 1 shows a camlock connecting a hose to an IBC which was sitting on a wooden pallet. The hose stayed attached and it was regularly used to decant the chemical into buckets to transfer throughout the factory. Due to this process the connection received a bit of unintentional rough treatment as it was often pulled, bent, and twisted. This eventually resulted in a minor leak slowly dripping from the connection.
It seems pretty standard up to this point – replace the connection and everything’s all good again right!
Where this went wrong was that the product in the IBC contained Hydrogen Peroxide, which is an oxidising agent. Oxidising agents need to be stored away from organic and combustible materials because there’s a high risk of a fire starting. What wasn’t taken into consideration was that the wooden pallet is an organic combustible product, which the chemical was dripping on to.
It did go up in flames which can be seen in Pic 2 and the company was lucky that it happened during the day while staff were around to notice it and quickly react. Imagine if it happened during the night with no-one on site.
6. PREGNANCY and CLEANING CHEMICALS
“ What Cleaning Chemicals to Avoid During Pregnancy? “
“ What Cleaning Chemicals Can I Use While Pregnant? “
“ Are Cleaning Chemicals Safe During Pregnancy? “
“ Can Cleaning Chemicals Cause Miscarriage? “ “ Cleaning Chemicals and Breastfeeding “
My knowledge isn’t strong enough in this area to offer any reliable advice but I wanted to include it as it’s a very common search term. I’ve cross-referenced several websites to assist with the information which I’ve referenced below.
To simplify the following, try to restrict the use of anything with high acidity or alkalinity levels, or anything that’s aggressive, and look for cleaners that are close to neutral (or around pH7). There are plenty of them out there these days and they’ve seen a lot of improvement from where they were ten or fifteen years ago. You most likely have one underneath your kitchen sink already. Also avoid anything that will aerate the chemical because you want to avoid inhaling anything. So ditch the spray bottles for a while and avoid air fresheners, aerosols, foggers, etc.
There may be extra precautions you can take when handling chemicals such as:
➭ Using a good set of long rubber gloves
➭ Face protection such as disposable respirators, goggles, or even a face shield
➭ Ensure any wounds are well covered and protected
➭ Open up windows and doors to increase ventilation
➭ Or ignore the cleaning for nine months and focus on yourself and your baby
Particular products to avoid are anything containing alcohol, ammonia, chlorine (such as bleach), and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).
Another one to avoid is products with ethylene glycol and glycol ethers. Glycol ethers are powerful chemicals that can be found in products like oven cleaner, carpet cleaners, and some glass cleaners. They’re also found in paint, brake fluid, and even some cosmetics. There are reports of glycol ethers being associated with miscarriages however I’m not sure if this has been validated 100%.
In regards to feeding your child after birth, The World Health Organization (WHO) states that The advantages of breastfeeding far outweigh the potential risks from environmental pollutants. Taking into account breastfeeding's short- and long-term health benefits for infants and mothers, WHO recommends breastfeeding in all but extreme circumstances.
If you are pregnant or planning to be, and you have any concerns or doubts, it might be worth skipping the internet anyway and talking to a health professional instead.
References