Chemical Safety Policy

Purpose. This policy controls the purchase, storage, handling, use and disposal of dyes, dye auxiliaries, solvents, adhesives, spot cleaners and finishing chemicals across both sites.

1.Scope

This policy applies to every chemical product used in the print and dye studio, the footwear workshop, the pressing and finishing area, the cutting room and cleaning activities. It applies to workers, contractors and students on placement.

2.Register and safety data sheets

Every chemical must be listed in the Hazardous Chemicals Register with its supplier, hazard classification, location, maximum quantity and safety data sheet date. Safety data sheets must be no more than five years old and must be available at the point of use in the red folder and on the intranet. A product that is not on the register must not be brought on site until the Quality and WHS Coordinator has approved it.

3.Storage

Flammable solvents and solvent-based adhesives must be stored in the flammable liquids cabinet at Preston with the quantity kept below the cabinet limit shown in the register. Dyes and auxiliaries must be stored in sealed labelled containers on bunded shelving. Incompatible products, including oxidisers and acids, must be separated as set out in the register. Decanted containers must be labelled with the product name and hazard pictogram.

4.Handling and personal protective equipment

Workers must read the safety data sheet and the safe work procedure before using a chemical for the first time. Nitrile gloves, safety glasses and an apron must be worn when weighing dyes or mixing recipes, and the local exhaust ventilation in the adhesive bench must be running when adhesives or solvents are applied. Respiratory protection specified in the safety data sheet must be worn and fit checked. Eating and drinking are not permitted in chemical areas.

• Gloves: nitrile, changed when contaminated
• Eye protection: safety glasses, goggles when pouring
• Ventilation: adhesive bench extraction on before opening containers
• Spill kit: located at each chemical store and checked monthly

5.Spills, exposure and first aid

Spills must be contained with the spill kit, cleaned up by a trained worker and reported on the Incident and Hazard Report Form. Skin or eye contact must be treated at the nearest eyewash or safety shower and reported immediately. Solvent exposure checks will be carried out in the footwear workshop each month and recorded.

6.Disposal

Waste solvents, spent dye baths and contaminated rags must be placed in the labelled waste containers and removed by the licensed waste contractor. Dye and print rinse water must pass through the trade waste treatment tank. Nothing from a chemical process must be poured to a stormwater drain.

7.Review

This policy and the register will be reviewed annually, when a new chemical is introduced and after any spill or exposure incident.