Operational security program
Operational security program
Chemical substances
The use of chemicals to improve the quality of life is a widespread practice throughout the world. However, while these products can be beneficial, they can also have adverse effects on humans or the environment.
Chemical products are those that, due to their physical, chemical properties and toxicological characteristics, present physical dangers to the facilities, equipment and to the health of people in the workplace. When entering the body through the respiratory, skin or digestive routes, these agents can cause poisoning, burns or organic lesions, even cancer, depending on the level, concentration of the substance and exposure time. For this reason, a number of countries and organizations have over the years developed laws or regulations that require the transmission of necessary information, using labels or safety data sheets.
The Official Mexican Standards referring to dangerous substances and chemical polluting agents contemplate, in this sense, safety measures, risk analysis and hazard identification, training and training, studies, safety data sheets, processes to prevent health risks. and chemical delivery systems.
In general, throughout these regulations, risk-specific personal protective equipment, the identification and communication of dangers due to chemical substances, as well as colors and safety and hygiene signs, are established.
Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
The Globally Harmonized System was created with the intention of harmonizing existing systems into a single global system dealing with classification, labeling and safety data sheets. This system has its origins in the United Nations Conference on Development and Environment (ONCED) held in Brazil in 1992 following an initiative of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
In Mexico, the Official Mexican Standard NOM-018-STPS-2015 “Harmonized system for the identification and communication of hazards and risks due to dangerous chemical substances in work centers” is present, which establishes the requirements to have the system in work centers. harmonized identification and communication of hazards and risks due to dangerous chemical substances, in order to prevent harm to workers and personnel acting in an emergency.
This harmonized hazard and risk identification and communication system should include the following:
Hazard communication elements
A pictogram is a symbol or image that represents a word or idea. The GHS pictograms have a rhombus shape, a red border resting on a vertex and a black symbol with a white background, which allow information on the danger presented by dangerous chemical substances or mixtures in the workplace to be communicated, in transport, for consumers and on the environment. There is a list of classification criteria according to health, physical and environmental hazards, which are shown below:
There are benefits to using the GHS, such as improved consistent and simplified communication of the hazards of chemicals and the practices that should be followed to handle and use them safely, and increased awareness of the hazards, which will contribute to the use of the products. chemicals more safely in the workplace and at home.
Everyday chemicals
Before choosing a cleaning or antimicrobial product, you must first decide whether the surface needs to be cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected. In most cases, a surface will need to be cleaned before sanitizing or disinfecting. When deciding which products to use on a surface, there are several factors to consider, different types of surfaces require different types of products and methods to eliminate microorganisms, if the surface requires sanitization that eliminates most microorganisms at the 99.9% level, in surfaces not in contact with food or if disinfection is required (to eliminate practically everything).
Some infectious diseases are spread by respiratory droplets, aerosols, and contact with fomites. Disinfecting or sanitizing surfaces will not completely prevent the spread of these diseases. The only way to prevent the spread of these transmitted diseases is to follow health prevention protocols.
Cleaning
Reduces microorganisms, dirt and impurities (dust, crumbs) by removing them from surfaces or objects. Dirt and organic material make some disinfectants less effective, so cleaning is necessary before disinfecting in most cases. It works by using soap or detergent and water on surfaces.
Sanitization
It is the process of reducing viable particles by means of chemical agents, which destroy especially pathogenic microorganisms, after the cleaning activity. Use chemicals to kill germs on surfaces and objects. Some common sanitizers are bleach and alcohol solutions. In general, you should let the sanitizer sit on surfaces and objects for a period of time to kill germs. Sanitizing does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or eliminate germs.
Disinfection
It is the reduction of the number of microorganisms present, through chemical agents and/or physical methods, in the case of food to a level that does not compromise its safety or suitability, as well as in beverages or food supplements. It generally does not eliminate spores. Disinfecting means reducing the number of germs to a safe level. What is considered a safe level depends on the public health standards or requirements at a workplace or school, among others.
Incorrect use includes:
- Use the disinfectant without first removing visible dirt from the surface.
- Wipe or rinse disinfectant from the surface before the recommended contact time ends.
- Do not use the recommended dilution ratio.
Due to the above, the Environmental Protection Agency published an information sheet with the six steps for the safe and effective use of disinfectants:
- Verify that your product is approved by the EPA;
- Read the instructions;
- Clean the surface beforehand;
- Follow the contact time;
- Wear gloves and wash your hands;
- Keep them locked up.
These products are for use on surfaces, not on humans. It is important not to mix them and follow the instructions on the label to use them safely and effectively.
How can I safely clean and disinfect?
- Store them in their original containers. Always follow instructions and pay attention to label warnings.
- Do not mix cleaners and disinfectants unless labels say it is safe to do so. Combining certain products (such as chlorine bleach and ammonia cleaners) can cause serious injury or death.
- Read the label to see if you should wear gloves to protect your hands and/or eye protection when using these products.
- If you swallow, inhale, or come into contact with these products, follow the label directions or seek medical attention.
- Keep them out of the reach of children.
Fumigation
Fumigation is the application of a fumigant in a gaseous state to control pests in a confined space. This operation is carried out in confined spaces that must be hermetically sealed in order to avoid losses of the applied substance.
Pest control is the action of maintaining pest populations below levels that cause harm to the health of humans, animals and flora. This includes the application of pesticides and disinfectants. The places where pest control services can carry out their activities are: homes, health centers, daycare centers, factories, commercial premises, markets, offices, gardens, streets and other public places; and in which pests that affect public health occur.
The guidelines for sanitary conditions for pest control can be consulted in the Official Mexican Standard NOM-256-SSA1-2012, Sanitary conditions that must be met by establishments and personnel dedicated to urban pest control services using pesticides, this standard. Its objective is to establish the health requirements that establishments dedicated to urban pest control services in urban areas must meet.
Establishments that provide these services must comply with the documentation and requirements listed by the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS) for compliance as well as subsequent health verification visits.
Chemical products can cause effects on all systems of the human body, depending on the route of entry, whether through the respiratory, digestive or dermal routes, the time of exposure to them, the number of exposures, the physical state (solid, liquid or gaseous) and the sensitivity or susceptibility of people to these substances.
Some of the damage to health that could occur by not taking preventive measures into account when handling chemical substances are: irritation to the skin, eyes and respiratory tract, changes in skin pigmentation, damage to the liver and kidneys, mutagenicity, cancer and even death.
Due to this, it is of utmost importance to carry out the proper management of chemical substances and hazardous materials since through said management we seek to prevent or mitigate risks to health and the environment, taking into account that the dispersion of chemical contaminants does not It has borders and its impacts can be not only local but global.
Therefore, at the UANL, all departments are currently promoting attention to the aforementioned items based on what is established in current regulations, since a large number of people (students, professors and employees) carry out academic activities, research and/or maintenance in laboratories, workshops, printing presses, among others, where chemical substances are used, which is why training courses and conferences are being carried out for all personnel who are involved in the handling of chemical substances and dangerous materials.
In addition, the Sustainability Guide for Workshops and Laboratories is available on the SS website, which, among other topics, includes information on the management of waste and chemical substances.
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